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Lajes Airmen Visit Capitol Hill
Posted 10/11/2012 Updated 10/11/2012
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by Staff Sgt. Erica Horner
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
10/11/2012 - LAJES FIELD, Azores -- Two Airmen from Lajes Field accompanied Col. Chris Bargery, 65th Air Base Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Curtis Storms, 65th Air Base Wing command chief, to Washington, D.C. for the command team's visit to Capitol Hill to speak with U.S. Congressmen about Lajes Field.
Staff Sgt. John Rogers, 65th Operations Support Squadron transient alert technician, and Airman First Class Brooke Busby, 65th Medical Operations Support Squadron dental assistant, competed to be selected for this unique opportunity against other Airmen within the wing.
There were numerous rounds of interviews during the selection process.
"It was an interviewing process," said Rogers. "It started within the squadron, advanced to the group and then to the wing. I was fortunate enough to be chosen by the command team."
Each year the wing commander and command chief take a temporary duty trip to discuss wing and base operations with congressmen in Washington, D.C. This year, the command team was able to take two Lajes Airmen with the goal of showing them the importance of congressional relations and enhancing their already bright careers.
Not only is it important for Airmen to see how they contribute to the Air Force mission, but to also see how their top leaders interact with Congress.
"I felt honored to be selected," said Busby. "It was an amazing experience."
Before heading to Washington, D.C., Rogers thought he was going to be in an official-looking, windowless, top-secret room. But, he was surprised to discover just how much he was able to see and do with the command team.
"We tagged along with (Col. Bargery and Chief Storms) every step of the way," said Rogers. "We didn't have a different agenda. We went to all of their office calls with the congressmen and had the opportunity to speak, as well."
During their visit, Rogers and Busby spoke with a handful of Congressman about the mission at Lajes, host nation relationships and how Lajes fits into the bigger Air Force picture.
For Busby, what she gained from the visit was most evident not only on the personal level, but also enhanced her professional skills as well.
"The biggest thing I learned was how... to represent your base," said Busby.
In Rogers' case, the congressional visit to Washington, D.C. afforded him an all-new perspective on operations at Lajes.
"Going to Washington showed me how Lajes is represented and that even though we are small and in the middle of an ocean, we are important and we are represented in a big way," said Rogers.
"It sort of hit the reset button for me."
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