Blue bird skies and warm moderate winds welcomed about 30 area civic leaders as they eagerly waited Thursday afternoon to take part in the Civic Leader Refueling Flight and Crawfish Boil sponsored by the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation.

“It looks as if the weather is going to be great for the flight today,” said Skip Skaggs, who is the manager of Business Development for the EMBDC. “We are pleased to be able to offer this to our business leaders so they can gain a better understanding and appreciation of the 186th Air Refueling Wing of the Mississippi Air National Guard.”

Prior to the flight, participants gathered in the briefing room of the 186th ARW to listen to Maj. Gen. William Freeman, commander of the Mississippi National Guard, Maj. Gen. Erik Hearon, commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard, and 186th ARW commander Col. Franklin Chalk. They were greeted by representatives from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve with goody bags outlining the importance of support from the business community.

Hearon and Freeman wanted to especially thank civic leaders for supporting the guard and reserve personnel they employ.

“We could not do our job without your support,” said Hearon. “East Mississippi and particularly Meridian have always exhibited outstanding support of their military units and personnel. We hope that continues.”

Freeman noted Meridian has always given 110 percent in their support adding, “I can’t stress just how important the community, organizations and the media is in continued success here.”

Once on the KC-135R, the civic leaders were finally able to absorb the atmosphere that is the Mississippi Air National Guard. The level of excitement was palatable along with the jet fuel as the massive engines warmed up. That was soon replaced by the cooler temperatures at 34,000 feet.

This refueling mission took two tankers to Panama City, Florida to top off the tanks of F-15 fighters training along the coast. As soon as the beaches were in sight the most popular area of the aircraft quickly became the pod where the boom operator, or “boomer,” lie on their stomachs to guide in the nozzle for each airplane. All of the passengers were impressed with what they witnessed.

“It was a blast,” said Johnny Thompson. “My respect level for these men and women in the 186th rose dramatically.”

Paul Thompson, no relation to Johnny Thompson, works at Mississippi Blades at the G.V. Sonny Montgomery Industrial Park. His son, Brent

Thompson, is a member of the security forces with the 186th ARW. After the flight he said he had gained a new perspective.

“To see the level of commitment was outstanding,” he said.

And Greg Bott, owner of Bott Technologies, was thoroughly amazed as well.

“The ease in which they did their tasks was something to see,” said Bott. “You could clearly tell they genuinely enjoyed what they do.”