41st annual A/TA Conference offers career-broadening experiences, promotes idea of total force

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dani Pacheco Shea
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NASHVILLE, Tenn. --  Over 4,000 Airmen - active duty, guard and reserve, Department of Defense civilians, industry partners and military families from across the force came together for the 41st annual Airlift Tanker Association (A/TA) Convention and Symposium at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel here Oct. 29 - Nov. 1.

This annual conference brings together A/TA members in an atmosphere of camaraderie and provides them with the opportunity to meet and mingle with others in their respective fields, share past experiences, learn more about the present and future plans for the continuing mission of the Air Force as a whole, while at the same time celebrating each individual's unique contribution to the nation.

Open to all ranks and job fields, the convention offers many opportunities and career-broadening experiences for anyone who attends. Charleston Air Force Base sent 118 Airmen from both the 315th and 437th Airlift Wings to this year's A/TA convention.

Staff Sgt. Juanita Brown, a med-tech with the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES) at Charleston AFB, recently became a member of A/TA and was selected to attend the convention for completing Charleston's Airman Leadership School (ALS) as a 'distinguished graduate'.

"I really enjoyed the convention," said Sergeant Brown. "I liked meeting new people from other bases - active duty, guard and reserve - and hearing their views on Air Force issues."

Sergeant Brown especially benefited from seminars and major addresses featuring top Air Force leadership.

"My favorite part was meeting our leaders and hearing their views on the future of the Air Force, and hearing that they have some of the same concerns as I do," she said.

Master Sgt. Jimmy Davenport, non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) for 437th Medical Group at Charleston AFB, was also selected to attend the A/TA convention this year.

"I learned quite a bit about the concept of a 'Total Force'," he said.

Sergeant Davenport explained that he was not as aware of the significant contribution of the guard and reserve in the overall Air Force mission prior to attending the convention.
Master Sgt. Terry Starkey, also assigned to 315th AES at Charleston AFB, attended the convention for the first time this year.

"I got the opportunity for networking with AE [aeromedical evacuation] folks from other units; and the convention allowed me to get a glimpse of the "big picture" from our Air Force leadership," said Sergeant Starkey. "But my favorite experience was meeting retired General Ronald Fogleman [former Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force]."

The three-day convention allowed the Airmen the opportunity to attend seminars focusing on key Air Force issues ranging from enlisted force development and maximizing the post 9/11 GI Bill to discussing the imperative for a new tanker and the importance of delivering more to the joint/coalition team through innovation and lessons learned.

Major addresses were delivered by several distinguished participants, including: U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz, USTRANSCOM Commander General Duncan McNabb, Commander of Air Mobility Command General Arthur Lichte, Chief of Air Force Reserve Command Lt. General Charles Stenner and Director of Air National Guard Lt. General Harry Wyatt III, among others.

All of the key speakers chose to focus on the importance of operating as a 'Total Force,' meaning that active duty, guard and reserve are all part of the same family that must work together and support one another in order to succeed in our overall mission as an Air Force.

"Who substitutes the United States Air Force for the American people?" General Schwartz asked the mixed crowd of active duty, guard and reserve Airmen assembled in a Delta Ballroom during the convention Saturday, Oct. 31. "That's why we do what we do (...) because there is no one else. From whatever command, whatever your background - this is our Air Force, our family."