Honorary Commander visits Eagle Port

  • Published
  • By Maj. Gregory M. Kuzma
  • 62nd Aerial Port Squadron
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  The 62nd Aerial Port Squadron showcased its operations and capabilities Thursday during a visit from the squadron's new honorary commander, Tom Embleton from FedEx.

As the Honorary Commander, Mr. Embleton was given a first-class tour of the "Eagle Port" squadron. The tour began with a mission brief by Lt. Col. Will Phillips, 62nd APS commander. After introductions were made to the key staff, Mr. Embleton and a fellow FedEx manager, Spencer Hansen, received a comprehensive tour of all areas of the Eagle Port. The local leaders had the opportunity to see firsthand how aerial port Airmen support the global mobility mission at home station and in deployed environments.

"We have a CEO who was a Marine flyer," said Mr. Embleton. "We have often heard that a lot of our systems are based on the military's systems and it was very interesting to see how similar our operations are, from training through the operation and back around to audits."

Mr. Embleton's tour included a Halvorsen 25K loader demonstration, as well as a tour through a C-17 Globemaster III.

"It's truly an honor to showcase the work the men and women of the 62nd APS do every day to support the mission here at McChord Field and abroad," said Colonel Phillips. "With the similarities of our two organizations, it's a perfect fit to have Mr. Embleton as our honorary commander."

The Honorary Commander Program is designed to encourage an exchange of ideas, experiences, and friendship between key members of the local civilian community and the Joint Base Lewis-McChord military community. The Honorary Commander Program is a method to foster a supportive relationship between the base and the community, increase military involvement in civic endeavors and organizations and make the members of our local communities part of our "Team McChord" family.