McChord hosts NATO visitors

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Team McChord hosted nearly 50 distinguished visitors from NATO on Thursday, showing the group everything from how the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings work together to accomplish the mission to explaining the many capabilities of the C-17 Globemaster III. 

McChord was selected to host the visit due to the presence of its Reserve associate wing, the 446th AW, due to C-17s operating out of here and because of the close relationship Team McChord has with the Army and Fort Lewis, said assistant action officer Capt. Chad Harris, 7th Airlift Wing. 

The visit consisted of multiple briefings informing the delegates about how all units on base are integrated into the mission and information about what role the C-17 plays in the Global War on Terrorism. 

"They were curious about the support functions on base and how we all fit together," 
Captain Harris said. 

The delegates also got to experience a flight in a C-17 and watch Army Stryker vehicles get onloaded and off-loaded from the aircraft. The entire visit was an exercise of precision organization and participation by Team McChord, said Lt. Col. Brian Newberry, 7th Airlift Squadron. 

"This was just another great example of Team McChord in action," Colonel Newberry said. "With many of the delegates in the group not only being NATO members but also members of parliament in their own countries, we put on a great performance and really showed off the Air Force at its best."