ESGR hosts "Breakfast with the Boss" event

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson
  • 120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
GREAT FALLS, Mont. --  Local employers and community leaders were given an introduction to the Montana Air National Guard mission, personnel and aircraft during the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) "Breakfast with the Boss" event held at the 120th Airlift Wing March 5.

The participants received a "Guard 101" briefing from 120th AW Commander Col. Lee Smith. The briefing covered topics including who the guardsmen are and what Montana hometowns they come from, the contingencies guardsmen are activated for and an update on the progress of the current C-130 Hercules aircraft conversion.  

"The relationship that the guard has with the civilian employers I think is really critical," said 120th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Lee Smith. "Two-thirds of our workforce is made up of guardsmen who work for you so that relationship we have with you is vitally important."

Montana State Senator Ed Buttrey serves as the ESGR area chairman and explained the purpose of the government agency to the group.

"We were created in 1972 and really our main purpose is to create cooperation and understanding between the reserve service component members and their employers," Buttrey said. "We also have a role in conflict resolution."

After the briefing the group toured a C-130 aircraft parked on the 120th AW ramp where they viewed the aircraft's flight deck and cargo area and asked questions of its crew members.

The group continued their visit with a tour of the 120th Security Forces Squadron's small-arms firing range simulator. Each member had the chance to fire a realistic-looking M4 training rifle at targets projected on screens of the simulator.

The group made a final stop at the 120th Operations Group building, where they learned how crewmember's parachutes are safely packed for flight and also had an opportunity to see how night vision goggles operate.