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    Civic leaders, CSAF tour Hawaii installations

    Civic leaders, CSAF tour Hawaii installations

    Photo By Kristen Wong | Members of the Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leader Program, high-ranking military...... read more read more

    MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII , HI, UNITED STATES

    10.17.2014

    Story by Kristen Wong 

    Marine Corps Base Hawaii

    MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Nearly 30 members of the Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leader Program visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Oct. 15, 2014. The group, which is made up of community members from various walks of life, visited numerous places on island including MCB Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Wheeler Army Airfield and Schofield Barracks from Oct. 13 through 17.

    The purpose of the visit was to allow the civic leaders to learn about the mission and operations of the Pacific Air Forces and U.S. Pacific Command. Among the guests were numerous high-ranking military officers, including Air Force Gen. Mark Welsh III, the chief of staff at Headquarters Air Force, Air Force Gen. Herbert Carlisle, PACAF commander, and Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson, PACAF incoming commander.

    While visiting MCB Hawaii, the civic leaders toured one of Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay’s hangars, viewing static displays of aircraft, such as the CH-53E Super Stallion and the AH-1W SuperCobra. They were given a tour on the catwalk of Kansas Tower and taken to Landing Zone Boondocker where they were able to see an amphibious assault vehicle. Finally, the group stopped at Anderson Hall Dining Facility to eat lunch with MCB Hawaii Marines and sailors.

    Lance Cpl. Thomas Perkins, an aviation ordnance systems technician with Headquarters Battalion, spent his lunch hour speaking to Dan Clark, a motivational speaker and member of the civic leader program.

    “It’s pretty amazing meeting everyone, hearing all their backgrounds,” Perkins said. “I’m sitting here talking to Mr. Dan (and) had no idea he was a big shot writer, adventurer, journalist (and) master motivational speaker. It’s pretty insane.”

    The feeling seemed mutual with Clark, who got to know a little bit about Perkins’ family and military service.

    “I’m only here on the islands for three days,” Clark said. “I didn’t come here to go to the beach, I came here to learn about (the military’s) mission, to pay tribute and thank these guys eyeball to eyeball, heart to heart, for what they do. It’s unbelievable. We must be willing to pay any price and travel any distance to associate with extraordinary human beings. So what’s (hopping) on a plane to come to Hawaii?”

    Cpl. Phuong Martinez, an administrative clerk with the Installation Personnel Administration Center, chatted with Welsh during lunch at Anderson Hall. Martinez, of Houston, said she was initially alone and nervous, but was approached by Welsh and carried on a conversation.

    “He’s a friendly officer,” Martinez said. “He’s the highest (ranking officer) in the Air Force. I never dreamed (of meeting Welsh). It (was) my honor to do this today. He (made) me feel like I made the right choice to join the Marines.”

    Welsh asked each of the civic leaders to stand and introduce themselves. Each leader then highlighted a service member with whom they interacted with during lunch. Welsh himself introduced Martinez to the group as he made a few remarks after lunch.

    “Her family doesn’t have any idea what she’s doing in the Marine Corps,” Welsh said of Martinez. “They just think this is crazy … but Phuong in my mind is exactly what our country’s all about … you’re my Marines too and I’m one of your Airmen and when it matters you can count on us.”

    Air Force commands, the National Guard Bureau and Headquarters Air Force choose people in the community to be in the AFCLP for a four-year period. They meet at least three times each year and provide advice about the Air Force’s interaction and relationship with the civilian community.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.17.2014
    Date Posted: 10.17.2014 21:14
    Story ID: 145402
    Location: MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII , HI, US
    Hometown: HOUSTON, TX, US

    Web Views: 141
    Downloads: 0

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