Reserve unit thanks local employers for their support

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jessica Martin
  • 926th Group public affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 926th Group held its first Employer Appreciation Day here Apr. 24. 

Local employers of the group's personnel flew on a KC-135 tanker, viewed static displays of F-15, F-16, F-22 and A-10 aircraft, and attended an awards luncheon where they were each recognized for their support of the U.S. Air Force Reserve. 

"We were very excited for our employers to come visit us in our military workplace," said Colonel David Culbertson, 926th GP commander. 

"It's important to us to show them what we do when they permit us the time away from their company. Their support is critical to us being able to complete our military commitment and execute the mission of the U.S. Air Force, and we wanted to demonstrate to them how much we appreciate that." 

The 926th GP was activated at Nellis in Oct. 2007 as an associate unit to the United States Air Force Warfare Center. It is currently 244 strong, and is slated to grow to 511 personnel by 2013. 

Through Total Force Integration, 926th GP personnel work side by side their regular Air Force counterparts at Nellis to ensure deployed forces are well-trained and well-equipped to conduct integrated combat operations by certifying equipment, developing tactics, and providing premiere education and exercise venues. 

At Creech Air Force Base, the 926th GP also supports the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing's MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper operations by training pilots, sensor operators and other Unmanned Aerial Systems crewmembers, and conducting combat surveillance and attack operations worldwide.