Employer Awareness Day full of sights, sounds Published Oct. 4, 2007 By Senior Airman Ann Wilkins Jefferson 910 Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- The 910th Airlift Wing celebrated those civilian employers who aid the Air Force mission through their support of employees who are also Air Force Reservists at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station. Airmen nominated their civilian bosses to attend the annual Employer Awareness Day here on Sept. 15, 2007. After arriving at YARS, signing in and enjoying a continental breakfast at the Eagle's Nest Club, the day's events kicked off with an aerial spray mission video and a briefing from base operations, followed by a group photo on the flightline and a flight on one of two C-130s. The scenic trip included a pass over Niagara Falls although the cloudy weather hindered a great view of them. But the sights enroute and back of Lake Erie and its coastlines, ending with a better-than-bird's eye view of downtown Cleveland gave the 910th's guests picture-perfect camera opportunities. Greg Gordon of Gordon Brothers Stables, nominated by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Bryant of the 910th Maintenance Squadron, won a raffle for a primo seat on the aircraft's flight deck during takeoff. "It was unbelievable!" Gordon said afterward and added that the opportunity to witness a takeoff from the cockpit was a dream come true. Once back on the ground, the employers returned to the base club for lunch and a presentation from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Each employer received certificates of appreciation and some information on ESGR. Soon after, the 910th's Public Affairs and transportation staffs treated their guests to a bus ride tour of the base. The tour ended at the base's "burn pit," an area used for fire response training. The employers were treated to a demonstration by firefighters from the 910th Civil Engineer Squadron followed by a Security Forces Squadron quick crisis response team exercise, complete with "bad guys outside the wire." The training demonstrations really woke up the senses with use of fire, water, sirens, smoke bombs and gunfire (with blanks, of course). The employers then had an opportunity to get up close and personal with some military equipment displays and were even able to squeeze off some blank rounds under the close supervision of the SF officers. Finally, the employers took the bus back to the club where they met their employees for an opportunity to go see where they worked.