Tyndall leadership highlights civilian team members

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cody R. Miller
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

In an unusual role reversal, 325th Fighter Wing leadership served up lunch and conducted a tour for on-base services civilians Oct. 10.

Col. Michael Hernandez, 325th FW commander, wanted to show his appreciation to both the 325th Force Support Squadron and dining facility civilians for their years of service to Tyndall Airmen and their families.

“Services professionals serve our Airmen every day. Some have done so for many years. Today we say ‘thank you’ by serving you for a change,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez said the 325th FSS services civilians contribute to the mission by contributing to the wellness of Airmen every day.

“Many of these ‘civilian Airmen’ have been at their jobs for decades and have rarely, if ever, visited the flightline side of the base,” Hernandez said. “They have been a steady presence at Tyndall. Today is our chance to thank them.”

The tour began with a special meal prepared for the attendees at the Horizons Community Center. There, the civilian employees, most often seen serving food, were given a special menu prepared by the 325th FSS and served by Tyndall leadership.

“I love the fact that our commander has noticed us,” said Josh Sterns, a chef and employee at Horizons. “It’s a morale booster in part, because most commanders do not notice these sorts of things.”

After the meal, they went to the flightline to see an F-22 Raptor static display. Then, they got a view of the flightline from the control tower. Hernandez said it was important to let the employees who usually work on the support side of the base see flightline operations firsthand.

“This is really good for some of our younger employees,” said Christopher Love, a cook and dishwasher at Horizons. “It allows them to see firsthand what the military does, how the base is organized and how everything is set up.”