Toolbox, Beanie Babies highlight Reserve unit at aviation conference

Published March 8, 2011
By Master Sgt. Donna T. Jeffries
514th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- With the use of Beanie Babies and a toolbox, Reserve Airmen kept a flow of visitors at the first Air Force Reserve unit display at the 22nd Women in Aviation, International Conference held Feb. 24-26 in Reno, Nev.

Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit organization that provides networking, education, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women (and men) who are working toward a career in the aviation and aerospace industries.

Fourteen representatives from the 514th Air Mobility Wing here used an interactive toolbox skill test to draw conference attendees to the "Females Behind the Flyers" display and used Beanie Babies to highlight "OPERATION I-M," a local Human Resource Development Council mentoring program meaning Improving Mentoring, Inspiring Motivation.

More than 3,000 people representing all aspects of the aviation industry attended this year's event, according to WAI organizers. The military accounted for more than 300 of that number, said Air Force Reserve Command HRDC leadership.

With thousands of people in attendance, the local theme tied in well with the 2011 WAI Conference theme. "Inspire, Innovate, Enthuse!" was the 2011 theme for the annual WAI conference.

The Joint Base-McGuire Reserve crew did just that. For three days everyone pulled shifts manning the booth, showcasing women in various military career fields that support the flying mission and promoting the mentoring project.

Staff Sgt. Oshanda Erb, a crew chief on the KC-10 Extender, and Master Sgt. Sebrena Flagg-Brigg, an aerial port information manager, developed the 514 AMW's contributions. Sergeant Erb, a two-year attendee of WAI, said helping out at the AFR Recruiting booth last year inspired her to come up with the concept for the "Females Behind the Flyers" booth.

"I was constantly asked if I was a pilot," said Sergeant Erb. That question irritated the young sergeant and spurred her into action.

"I wanted to come back and show that the flyers had a large support system to get those aircraft in the air and that women worked in many of those positions," she said.

The booth displayed women working in aircraft maintenance, aerial port, administration and aeromedical evacuation among other career fields. Members manning the booth also provided information about the Air Force Reserve and offered a few minutes of entertainment.

On the other spectrum, the mentoring program continues to provide encouragement, direction and words of wisdom for all.

Sergeant Flagg-Briggs developed the idea of sharing words of wisdom when approached by Tech. Sgt. (Ret.) Ronald Dobrzelecki, a previous squadron member whose wife, Nancy, died leaving more than 1,000 Beanie Babies in mint condition. Sergeant Dobrzelecki gave the Beanie Babies to Sergeant Flagg-Briggs who in-turn now collects words-of-wisdom words from anyone who cares to document it on an "OPERATION I-M" card. The sergeant attaches a card to a Beanie Baby, then distributes the card to Airmen who may be going through a difficult time and to wing members who are deploying.

Conference attendees stopping by the 514 AMW booth were able to write their words of wisdom and encouragement on cards to be distributed. Information about the program was also given out and others were encouraged to start a similar program within their organizations.

OPERATION I-M is an "awesome tribute, not only to your wing, but to the woman who passed away" who unknowing left a beautiful legacy said, Col. Mary Hittmeier, mobilization assistant to Air Force Space Command and part of the HRDC leadership team.

One general gave kudos to both wing initiatives.

"Mentoring goes both ways from the ground up and down," said Brig. Gen. Stayce D. Harris, mobilization assistant to the Commander, U.S. Africa Command and a self-proclaimed fan of HRDC . "It helps to develop our (military's) most important resource, which is people," she emphasized during the military's morning meeting. "Planes stay on the ramp, and tools stay in the tool box without the people to do the work," she added.

Sergeant Flagg-Briggs was given the AFRC HRDC coin for her efforts.

The general, a command pilot with more than 2,500 flying hours, gave tribute to Sergeant Erb for her vision of highlighting "Females Behind the Flyers" and presented the sergeant with her personal general's coin.

The 2012 WAI conference will be held March 8-10 in Dallas, Texas. For more information visit www.wai.org.