Pennsylvania Air Force reservist, Chautauqua Airlines employee deploys

Photo By Sgt. Jennifer Sardam | Air Force Reserve 1st Lt. Justin C. Botts, a commercial pilot for the Indiana-based Chautauqua Airlines, a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc., is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as a military pilot for the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

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06.20.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Air Force Reserve 1st Lt. Justin C. Botts is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as a pilot for the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. Botts is serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the official name given to military operations assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

Despite the challenges of being far from home and family, Botts said "being able to help people who are in need" makes his duty there easier.

Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are deployed under the U.S. Central Command to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. The unified command of USCENTCOM is responsible for U.S. security interests and assets in 27 nations stretching from the Horn of Africa, through the Arabian Gulf region, and into Central Asia.

When he is stateside, Botts is a pilot at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station in Pennsylvania. With four years in the military, this is Botts" first overseas deployment. In his civilian occupation, the first lieutenant is a commercial pilot in Indiana for Chautauqua Airlines, a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc., where he has worked for four years.

Today, more than 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is the primary resource for information about the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA. This federal law allows Botts and other mobilized reserve component members to retain their rights, when the deployment concludes.

Established in 1972, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a DoD agency, provides free USERRA education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at [phone].

The support of Botts" civilian job back home has increased his ability to focus on the mission. "I'm comfortable my job will be there when I get back home," he remarked.
Botts, who calls Philadelphia, home, has been married to his wife Abby for five years.

• Date Taken: 06.20.2006
• Date Posted: 06.20.2006 14:09
• Story ID: 6894
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)