Colorado AF Reservists meet AF Chief of Staff, Tuskegee Airmen at annual conference

Tech. Sgts. Hope Clark-Vasquez and Christopher Whigham (right) pose with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz July 29 during festivities at the 39th Annual Tuskegee Airmen National Convention in San Antonio. Eight Airmen from the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing attended the event, hearing from senior military leaders on topics including mentoring, women in the military and financial management as well as training on leadership and development. The 302nd AW members also took part in sit-down conversations with surviving members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen "Red Tails" as they described their experiences from World War II and the military in general to the AF Reservists. The conference attendance was part of a series of career broadening events sponsored by the 302nd AW's Human Resources Development Council. (Courtesy photo)

Colorado AF Reservists meet AF Chief of Staff, Tuskegee Airmen at annual conference

Tech. Sgt. William McDonald poses with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz July 29 during festivities at the 39th Annual Tuskegee Airmen National Convention in San Antonio. Eight Airmen from the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing attended the event, hearing from senior military leaders on topics including mentoring, women in the military and financial management as well as training on leadership and development. The 302nd AW members also took part in sit-down conversations with surviving members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen "Red Tails" as they described their experiences from World War II and the military in general to the AF Reservists. The conference attendance was part of a series of career broadening events sponsored by the 302nd AW's Human Resources Development Council. (Courtesy photo)

Colorado AF Reservists meet AF Chief of Staff, Tuskegee Airmen at annual conference

Published Aug. 13, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Collier
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Eight Airmen from the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing attended the 39th Annual Tuskegee Airmen National Convention July 28-31 in San Antonio, learning from senior military leaders on the topics of mentoring, women in the military, financial management and leadership and development training.

The 302nd AW members also took part in sit-down conversations during the conference with surviving members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen "Red Tails" as they described their experiences from World War II and the military in general to the AF Reservists.

"The best part of the conference was sitting down with many of the original Tuskegee Airmen and just talking," said Master Sgt. Vicki Robertson, 302nd Airlift Wing Staff Judge Advocate law office superintendent. "The stories they told, the experiences they had and the incredible feats they accomplished in the military were truly inspiring."

The Tuskegee Airmen boast a near-perfect bomber escort record from World War II, losing only approximately 25 Allied bombers to enemy fighters.

Later in the conference, several members, including Tech. Sgt. William McDonald, posed for photos with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz.

"It was pretty cool and rewarding to meet General Schwartz," said Sergeant McDonald, a C-130 Hercules propulsion mechanic with the 302nd Maintenance Squadron. "He walked right up and introduced himself to me, and then someone snapped our photo. He was very personable with us.

Sergeant McDonald, who has been in the Air Force for more than 11 years, including five in the AF Reserve, said that meeting General Schwartz topped off his entire Tuskegee conference experience.

"The mentorship portion and the forums they hosted were very helpful and insightful," the Mathis, Texas, native said. "They gave me more direction in how I'd like to take my career."

The conference attendance was part of a series of career broadening events sponsored by the 302nd AW's Human Resources Development Council. Members of the 302nd AW who attended were: Capt. F. Robert Schnell, 302nd Logistics Readiness Squadron; Master Sgt. Billye Adams, 302nd LRS; Master Sgt. Helena Dunlap, 302nd LRS; Master Sgt. Vicki Robertson, 302nd AW; Tech. Sgt. William McDonald, 302nd MXS; Tech. Sgt. Hope Clark-Vasquez, 302nd Services Flight, Tech. Sgt. Christopher Whigham, 302nd SVF; and Staff Sgt. Zachery Perritt, 302nd MXS.

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