Arizona Reservists make Capital house call

Published May 21, 2012
By 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
944th Fighter Wing

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Air Force Reserve Command's Airman of the Year, Senior Airman Merranda Moreno, and several other members of the 944th Fighter Wing were part of a congressional delegation visit to Washington D.C. May 8-9. The group spent two days on Capital Hill visiting state representatives and staff from seven Arizona congressional districts and one state senator.

Moreno, a Health Services Management technician with the 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, accompanied Col. Jose Monteagudo, 944th FW commander, Chief Master Sgt. Tom Brandhuber, 944th FW command chief and Capt. Elizabeth Magnusson, 944th FW public affairs officer. The team, guided by Maj. Steve Comb, legislative liaison, briefed each legislative office on the successes of the 944th FW and gave an overview of upcoming plans and programs.

The legislative members and their staffs were most impressed by the caliber of Airmen that make up the wing as represented by Moreno.

Moreno, a mother of two, maintains a full-time civilian job and has recently completed her master's degree. She is a Traditional Reservist, heavily involved in the community through her church and volunteer activities.

"Airman Moreno is the epitome of who our Airmen are here at the 944th Fighter Wing", said Monteagudo. "She balances motherhood with both civilian and military careers and still finds time to enhance herself and her community through education and volunteerism. The fact that she is receiving recognition from our command as Airman of the Year for all her hard work makes us very proud and made her an obvious choice for this congressional delegation visit."

In addition to highlighting the Wing and its members, Monteagudo asked each congressional office to remember that the Reserve is a not only a cost-effective viable force, but a great way to retain highly skilled military professionals. A win-win in today's fiscally constrained environment

"The Reserve is a great way to keep corporate knowledge in the Air Force," said Monteagudo. "Citizen Airmen are well rounded members of society, representing outstanding employees for local employers and informed residents living within local congressional districts.

Congressional delegation visits traditionally happen every year and are a great way to tell the Air Force story. They make government officials more aware of programs at the unit level while highlighting how decision makers effect the local installation and command.

"The 944th needs law-makers to know about our outstanding Airmen, our current manpower and financial issues and successes and the Reserve's effort to stay at the forefront of the Air Forces modernization efforts," commented Monteagudo. "This insight enables our legislatures to make informed decision when it comes to Reserve matters allowing us to continue our mission successful."

For more information on what law makers are doing, or to reach representatives citizens can view the official House of Representative website at www.house.gov.