Immersion tour exposes leaders to rich mission of 51st FW

Chief Master Sgt. Richard Vogel, 51st Medical Group superintendent; Col. Mark DeLong, 51st Fighter Wing vice commander; and Capt. Jeremy Dieringer, 36th Fighter Squadron; attach a tail section to a 500-pound practice bomb Sept. 27, 2011, during a 51st Fighter Wing leadership immersion tour. Four groups of commanders, superintendents and first sergeants participated in the hands-on, assembly process under the guidance of Airmen assigned to the 51st Munitions Squadron. The intent of the day-long experience was deeper understanding of the broader mission and expertise of Airmen assigned to Osan Air Base. (Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Stuart Camp)

Immersion tour exposes leaders to rich mission of 51st FW

Capt. Charles Russell, 51st Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer, explains Sept. 27, 2011, how Osan Air Base processes follow-on forces during a 51st Fighter Wing leadership immersion tour through the deployment readiness control center. Listening to the briefing is Chief Master Sgt. Richard Vogel, 51st Medical Group superintendent; Maj. Steven Anderson, 51st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander; Master Sgt. Ariane Freeman, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant, and Capt. Jeremy Dieringer, 36th Fighter Squadron. Fifty commanders, superintendents and first sergeants toured the four groups of the Osan-based fighter wing. (Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Stuart Camp)

Immersion tour exposes leaders to rich mission of 51st FW

Published Oct. 3, 2011
By Senior Master Sgt. Stuart Camp
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Fifty senior-ranking Airmen got a one-day, open-door look at the rich mission of the 51st Fighter Wing.

These Airmen -- Osan squadron commanders, chief master sergeants and first sergeants -- took an immersion tour at the invitation of Col. Patrick McKenzie, 51st FW commander. The experience was designed to give these leaders a first-hand look at what goes on here.

The group toured the 51st Munitions Squadron, facilities of the 51st Security Forces and Logistics Readiness squadrons, clinics inside the 51st Medical Group, and flew aircraft simulators.

This orientation was similar to the immersion McKenzie got when he first took command of the wing in July.

Before sending them out, the wing commander's marching orders for the group included: "See what Airmen in other groups are doing. You'll be flabbergasted by what's going on."

After a day of hands-on experiences, including building bombs in MUNS or flying the flight simulators, the group met at the Mustang Club for some parting thoughts.

"Everyone got to see something they've never seen before," McKenzie said. "It was fun to watch our young Airmen become teachers to you all."

The education wasn't lost on attendees.

"Visiting other groups gave me the opportunity to change my Airmen's view of why things are happening," said Senior Master Sgt. Juanita Thomas, 51st MUNS first sergeant. "I can now explain to them why they're staying in MOPP 4 for so long and what the bioenvironmental flight is doing to make sure we're safe."

In addition to the information on where and how Osan performs day-to-day, people on the tour gained a respect for the tough jobs some Airmen perform.

Master Sgt. Ariane Freeman, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant said, "(The immersion tour) didn't change my view of our mission; it reinforced my view. Airmen work hard, and there is pride in ownership of the jobs they do"

For some leaders, it solidified camaraderie with other Airmen and the mission focus.

"There is a tremendous amount of work people on this base do, and you won't see it without visiting their shops," said Lt. Col. Tim Sumja, 25th Fighter Squadron commander. "My goal, with the tour through my squadron, was to get people to truly understand what 'fight tonight' means. I now have a different view on how we, as a base, work together as a team and how critical other people are to getting our mission done."