728th AMS celebrates 7/28 Family Day

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Burton
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  More than 40 Airmen and family members of the 728th Air Mobility Squadron braved the heat July 28 to participate in the 728th AMS family day.

The day's events, which were celebrated on 7/28 by design, highlighted every aspect of the 728th AMS mission, from the offices to the flight line.

"Our goal for (the 7/28 Family Day) event was to show our 728th AMS family members how important they are to our mission," said Lt. Col. Joseph Angel, 728th AMS commander. "We wanted to provide them the opportunity to see their spouses or parents in action. By giving them distinguished visitor treatment, we were able to highlight how our Airmen directly support the warfighters."

The family day started with a briefing in the passenger terminal, which showed the family members what the 728th AMS mission is, and how it is achieved. From there, the family members where escorted by 728th AMS volunteers around the various offices and shops that get the mission done.

"I am extremely proud of the work our Airmen do each and every day to support the cargo hub mission," Colonel Angel said. "The 7/28 Family Day was a great opportunity for us to show our pride to the backbone of our squadron, our family members."

The tour also featured much of the equipment used by the 728th AMS to load and unload aircraft. The flight line portion of the tour concluded with a walkthrough tour of a C-17 Globemaster III.

"My favorite part of the tour was the plane," said Morgan Beck, 7, daughter of Master Sgt. Gary Beck, 728th AMS Air Mobility Command Center supervisor. "I liked sitting in the pilot's seat and I learned a lot about what my dad does."

After the tour portion of the family day celebration, the participants gathered at Arkadas Park for a cook out. Despite the heat, the turnout was good and the 728th AMS is planning on making this an annual event.

"We had an outstanding turnout despite the uncomfortable weather conditions," Colonel Angel said. "Our personnel did their best to make sure the hot weather did not detract from their experience of celebrating 7/28 Day. Our folks even had sprinklers in Arkadas Park so everyone, especially the children, could remain cool."

"I never realized how all of the different sections worked together to get the job done," said Sandra Beck, wife of Sergeant Beck. "This was very informative and it gives you more appreciation for what these guys do everyday in the heat."