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Florida Air National Guard Airmen Train In Germany

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nitza Reynolds
  • 125th Fighter Wing
Jacksonville, Fla. --  More than 20 Airmen from the 125th Fighter Wing recently took part in a training opportunity at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany.

After the team arrived at Ramstein AFB they met their active duty counterparts and continued to their respective work areas.

Master Sgt. Chris Henderson a Personnel Systems manager and a few others from the personnel support flight were able to gain experience working with HQ USAFE staff processing personnel actions, aiding in a manpower study and performing data entry.

"It was exciting to integrate with active duty Force Support Squadron members," said Henderson. "The Airmen from Ramstein AFB were true professionals who welcomed us as fellow Airmen."

The Services Airmen were able to train at the base gym and dining facility performing the duties within their Air Force Specialty Code. Something they do not perform back at the 125thFW.

One of services capabilities and responsibilities is mortuary affairs.

"There was an Airman that had passed away, and the remains came through Ramstein," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffery Stanley, Force Support Squadron superintendent. "We were able to have services handle the transfer. It's unfortunate that they had to do that but it is part of their job that they do not perform back home."

The team was also able to enjoy some down time together that is not always easy when everyone is back at home and caught up in their daily lives.

"For me, what I got out of it is the satisfaction of watching the Airmen bond," said Stanley.  "We had times where everyone went out to dinner together. A couple of different nights we played volleyball. Friday before we left was a team building exercise. Just watching the Airmen come together, the comradery that a lot of times we don't get when we come for drill weekend. Lots of times we come to work and after work we just go home or go to our hotel."

Overall, the training was a success and allowed Airmen to grow more confident in their skills and practice some skillsets they are not able to use at their home station.

"The biggest lesson I learned from this experience is that while there are some differences in our exact duties and how they are performed, the core of the career field remains the same: to take care of our members the best we can," said Henderson. "With that ethos in mind we can easily blend in with active duty and aid combatant commanders."