A group of eighteen employers from all over the State of Mississippi were treated to a flight hosted by the 172nd Airlift Wing from Thompson Field out of Jackson from July 13 – 15 2011. Employers boarded a C-17 in Jackson, and landing at the Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) in Gulfport, Mississippi. Upon arrival at the CRTC, our employers were treated to lunch and briefings from the CRTC, 255th ACS, 209th CES, ACMI, Mississippi Army National Guard Hurricane Response Team and an ESGR brief.

On Thursday, July 16th our tour started at the 1108th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group.  This group is responsible for making depot level repairs to aircraft. The ESGR tour continued with a visit to United States Coast Guard Station Gulfport. This station mission is search and rescue. After lunch we arrived at the Navy Construction Battalion Center for a tour of the Naval Construction training center. We were able to watch the student builder and steel worker from the Army, Navy, and Air Force perform their training. While at the Navy CBC, the employers participated in convoy simulator demonstration, and a tour of SEABEE Heritage Center/Gift Shop.

On Friday morning our employers returned back to Jackson aboard the C-17 from 172nd Airlift Wing.
Employers walked away with a better understanding of our men and women in uniform.  Such comments as, “it was a privilege to observe the strength of the military on the MS Gulf Coast.; “more aware of the physical and mental skills of the Guard and Reserve; and gain appreciation of those who serve” were made on completion of this wonderful bosslift.