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Rainier Wing welcomes newest members

  • Published
  • By Maj Candice Allen
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

 Twenty people became the newest members of the 446th Airlift Wing during a mass enlistment ceremony here Oct. 1.

Col. Paul Skipworth, commander of the 446th Airlift Wing, administered the Oath of Enlistment to the new enlistees.

“It’s exciting to have you all joining right now at this moment,” said Skipworth to the members before administering the oath. “It’s exciting to see what innovative mindset you will bring to changing our Air Force to see the future.”

Skipworth also said that he looks forward to what these Airmen will bring to accelerate change in the Air Force and its renewed focus on China and the Pacific region.

The ceremony was organized by the Air Force Reserve’s Pacific Northwest Recruiting Detachment. The ceremony, held on the first day of the new fiscal year, was symbolic for Recruiting.

“To Recruiting, it is important to kick off the new (fiscal) year strong and in style,” said Chief Master Sgt. Clayton Callahan, McChord Recruiting Flight Chief.

Last month, all Air Force components – active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve – met their recruiting goals for the first time in five years.

The newest members took their first oath of enlistment - swearing to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic - on the flight line in front of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

“This gives enlistees something they will remember forever,” said Callahan about the location of the ceremony. “Even for the families a lot of them have never been on a (military) base and they were excited to be so close to the plane.”

Established on April 14, 1948, the Air Force Reserve is more than 70,000 Reserve Citizen Airmen strong. The part-time force makes up 71 percent of the personnel. On any given day, more than 2,000 Air Force Reservists are supporting global operations.

For more information on how to join the Air Force Reserve, visit afreserve.com.