SOCCENT opens its doors, gives families a peek inside

Photo By Maj. Tiffany Collins | Sierra Vasquez feels the adrenaline of jumping out of a plane using the parachute simulator Sept. 20 during SOCCENT’s Family Orientation Day at MacDill Air Force Base  

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, UNITED STATES

09.26.2013

Story by Maj. Tiffany Collins 

U.S. Special Operations Command Central

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – On most days, what lies behind the doors of Headquarters, U.S. Special Operations Command Central remains a mystery to everyone, with the exception of assigned personnel.

This was not the case Friday, Sept. 20 when the veil of secrecy was momentarily lifted as families joined their service members for a day of camaraderie, food and fun.

Maj. Gen. Michael K. Nagata, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command Central, kicked off the event by providing family members with an overview of the unit, its mission, and its area of responsibility.

He also clarified our relationship with U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command saying, “We receive missions from CENTCOM and are resourced through SOCOM.”

He said, “Events like today are important to the unit and our family. This is the first of many.”

Throughout the day, “Spartan” families savored a meal consisting of hot dogs and hamburgers, with ice cream provided by the Family Readiness Group. Service members and their families enjoyed sunny weather while they tossed bean bags, exhausted every ounce of energy in a bounce castle, got hands-on with military weaponry and felt the adrenaline of jumping out of a plane using the parachute simulator.

“SOCCENT’s family orientation day is a wonderful display of camaraderie in the Spartan team," said Master Sgt. Josh Smith, executive communicator and a native of Dallas. “I think today went extremely well. Everyone had fun.”

• Date Taken: 09.26.2013
• Date Posted: 09.26.2013 20:32
• Story ID: 114341
• Location: MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US
• Hometown: DALLAS, TX, US