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Liberty Wing leaders visit Capitol Hill

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Veronica Aceveda
  • 512th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Col. Raymond A. Kozak, 512th Airlift Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. William T. Wild III, 512th AW command chief, visited with congressmen in Washington, D.C., June 4 as part of the Air Force Reserve Command's Capitol Hill Visit Program.

"(These visits are) a great opportunity to not only advocate for the top priorities of the Air Force and the Air Force Reserve, but to also establish an open dialogue with congressional members and their staffs about the issues affecting (their base, people and command)," said Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson, Chief of the Air Force Reserve, in a memo for participants of the Capitol Hill Program.

Kozak and Wild discussed topics ranging from the impact of a civilian furlough to the transition and conversion to the C-5M Super Galaxy when meeting with Delaware political leadership including Sens. Thomas R. Carper and Christopher A. Coons, as well as the office of Rep. John Carney, Jr.

"It was a great honor and privilege to represent the Liberty Wing on Capitol Hill," said Kozak. "Senator Carper, Senator Coons, and Representative Carney all took time out from their busy schedules to meet with us, because they care deeply about all Dover-based Airmen. They genuinely want to know about Team Dover.

"We also pointed out the tremendous number of career opportunities within the 512th AW and invited them to visit our unit."

The reserve commander and command chief also met with staffers from the office of Rep. Andy Harris, from Maryland, and Rep. Robert A. Brady, from Pennsylvania.

Of the Delaware-based reserve wing's 1,800 members, 760 live in Delaware, and 440 reside in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Wild, a Maryland resident himself and a veteran of several trips to the Hill, said the common theme from all the D.C. trips he's been a part of is Delaware's congressional delegation has always been tremendous supporters of our mission.

Being able to meet annually with military leaders, such as Kozak and Wild, affords members of Congress the opportunity to hear about issues first-hand, which could lead to more informed legislative decisions affecting Air Force and AF Reserve programs, policies, plans and personnel.

Developed 15 years ago, the Capitol Hill Program continues to serve as a strategic engagement ensuring the Air Force Reserve's message resonates on Capitol Hill.