The 302 AW tour program is a function of the 302 AW Public Affairs Official Community Engagement program designed to build sustained public understanding, trust and support for Air Force personnel and missions. The Public Affairs Office will oversee all wing tours conducted for community groups.
Standard Tours
A standard tour usually consists of a wing mission and MAFFS brief and a 302 AW/PA-escorted walk-through of a static C-130 Hercules aircraft during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 0800-1530). However, the type of tour conducted depends on the nature of the group and its relationship to the goals of the Community Engagement program. Based on operational tempo, aircraft availability determined by 302 MXG Plans and Scheduling office, weather and manpower, standard tours conducted by 302 AW/PA may be limited to an average of two per month. Due to restricted area escort requirements and overall group safety/management concerns, tour group size will be limited to fewer than 40 participants.
(1) Standard tours include visits by any civilian community group/organization (i.e., local civic groups such as VFW, Civil Air Patrol, Chambers of Commerce, Rotary or other clubs, USAFA cadets, civic leaders, elected officials, educators, clergy, civilian employers of AF Reserve members, aviation education groups, public/private schools or their individual organizations, scouting organizations, JROTC/ROTC, etc.) The Public Affairs Office is the OPR for visits by groups/organizations.
(2) Requests from non-target audiences will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but may not be supported due to time/manning constraints and lack of direct benefit to the wing’s Community Engagement program and civic outreach objectives.
Tour Escort Responsibilities
Authorized tour escorts may be 302 AW/PA representatives and/or will be determined by 302 AW PA. Escort responsibilities are listed below:
a. It is the escort’s responsibility to ensure the group has been granted base access (21 SFS Special Events form for Entry Access List, EAL must be submitted 21 SFS at the visitor’s center four duty days in advance of visit.)
b. It is the escort’s responsibility to complete an ORM (operational risk management worksheet) prior to the visit. (AFI 35-101, Chapter 4)
c. It is the escort’s responsibility to ensure all guests are in compliance with flight line safety procedures. (See 302 AW/PA Tour Safety Briefing Script)
d. Escorts will notify 21 SFS and P-S GAR PA 24 hours prior to the tour entering the flightline.
e. Escorts will brief all guests on flight line/Restricted Area security IAW 21 SW ADP 31-1 Escort Briefing before entering the Restricted Area.
f. Escorts are responsible for having hearing protection (disposable ear plugs will be used) on hand before entering the flight line area. They will be issued if needed.
g. Escorts will request photography authorization for restricted areas via 21 SFS required letter. Request must be signed by 302 AW/CC and 21 SFS prior to visit if guests are to receive photography authorization. Escorts must ensure photos do not jeopardize security, classified information, or equipment. If 21 SFS photography authorization letter is not coordinated, photography by guests is prohibited and SFS can apprehend visitors and/or photography equipment.
h. An AF Form 1109 (Visitor Register Log) must be completed by the tour escorts the day of the tour. All visitors must be listed on the form as well as the tour (military) escorts with their restricted area badge number. Each escort is able to sign for and responsible for 10 visitors. Once the form is completed and before the tour begins, the AF Form 1109 must be returned to 302 AW Public Affairs.
i. If an emergency occurs during a tour, any member of the group can dial 9-1-1 for base emergency assistance. Before departing for the flightline a brief must be given to the tour group explaining safety and emergency procedures. (See 302 AW/PA Tour Safety Briefing Script)
j. The 302 AW tour program is offered from March through October. Due to the unpredictability of local weather during winter months and the potential for unsafe conditions, tour requests will be reviewed and the requester may be asked to resubmit their request in the month of March.
k. Tours can only be offered when 302 MXG flightline personnel are on duty (flightline is open). Therefore, after-hours and weekend tours are typically not available.
l. Tours requested for UTA weekends are typically unavailable, but will be reviewed on a case-by-case-basis and can be supported if 302 AW/PA, 302 OG, and 302 MXG can support.
m. When appropriate, 302 AW/PA will customize tours for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math students by incorporating STEM information into briefings and C-130 aircraft tours.
Additional Tour Information
Local tour groups will typically be limited to no more than 40 people and no fewer than 10. However, if the group is larger than 40, if escort support can be secured, it can be divided and alternated between two or more tour areas. Support for tour groups larger than 40 is not always available. Requests for groups larger than 40 will be taken on a case-by-case and ability to support request basis.
Restricted Area instructions require the wing to provide one wing restricted area badged-escort for every 10 visitors. For safety reasons, children under the age of eight will not be allowed in the flight line area on a Public Affairs-hosted tour. The minimum age requirement for “Friends and Family” tours will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Tour requests for children under eight will be referred to other units on base or recommendations will be made to have a Speaker’s Bureau member visit the group at their location.
302 AW Public Affairs reserves the right to cancel or terminate any tour at any time due to safety considerations, mission requirements or other extenuating circumstances.