MAC Immersion Day

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho – Mr. Danny Eddy volunteers to put on the protective gear to test the power of the 366th Security Forces Squadron’s military working dogs May 6. The members of the Military Affairs Committee were taken on a tour throughout the base to “get their feet wet” in the culture of the Gunfighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Angelina Drake)

MAC Immersion Day

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho – Staff Sgt James Derrickson, 366th Security Forces Squadron, demonstrates to one of the many Military Affairs Committee members the use and function of weapons used by Airmen. The MAC members were permitted to pick up and hold the weapons, feel their weight and inspect the ammunition that would be used by each weapon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Angelina Drake)

MAC Immersion Day

MOUNTIAN HOME AIR FORCCE BASE, Idaho – Mr. Shane Zenner, employee of Edward Jones, inspects the ammunition that has been put on display by the 366th Security Forces Squadron and the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron, during the Military Affairs Committee Immersion Day May 6. The MAC members were permitted to pick up and hold the weapons, feel their weight and inspect the ammunition that would be used by each weapon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Angelina Drake)

Commander hosts MAC Immersion Day

Published May 16, 2011
By Trace Giles
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Twenty seven members of the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee attended MAC Immersion Day here May 6.

The day included the wing's quarterly awards lunch, security forces weapons, military working dogs and explosive ordnance disposal demonstrations, and tours of the 428th Fighter Squadron and the newly constructed Gunfighter Support Center.

366th Fighter Wing commander, Col. Ron Buckley, hosted the event and said, "We greatly appreciate the incredible support from our Military Affairs Committee in Mountain Home. It was a pleasure to be able to have them here on base to show some of our new facilities and demonstrate our capabilities."

The commander went on to say that immersion day is part of a long-term continuing relationship with the MAC which includes monthly lunches in Mountain Home and invitations to attend wing change of command ceremonies and social functions.

"They are committed advocates for this base and have been essential to the success of our Gunfighter mission for more than 30 years," he said.

The committee's major purpose is "to promote the expansion, development and effectiveness of Mountain Home Air Force Base and any other military activity within the state of Idaho."

MAC member Mr. Bill Richey, Idaho's special assistant for military affairs, said it was a great day and all of the feedback he received from MAC members in attendance was overwhelmingly positive.

"I was very impressed with the enlisted force in the Singapore squadron," he said. "They are obviously proud of their squadron and machines."

Mr. Richey also said the Airmen who demonstrated weapons and EOD were outstanding, and the pride they showed in their jobs was obvious.

"We appreciate the base and Colonel Buckley for hosting this event," he said. "The relationship between the base and MAC has always been the best I've ever seen, and these kind of events help make that grow."