Delaware Air National Guard recruiters hit the Jersey Shore

Published Aug. 23, 2012
By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey
166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Airmen and aircraft of the Delaware Air National Guard were on the move August 17 to execute a combined air and ground approach at the Jersey Shore.

The destination of the Airmen and two C-130 transport aircraft was the 2012 Atlantic City Thunder over the Boardwalk Airshow, held this year on a Friday. Aaccording to the organizers the event attracted an estimated 800,000 people in 2011.

Delaware ANG recruiters set up an information table and tent so they, and fellow unit Airmen who accompanied them in uniform, could be seen up close by the airshow attendees and summer vacationers on the boardwalk by Bally's Casino.

The Delaware Airmen were on a mission to spread the word about our unit, our mission and various employment opportunities, and speak face-to-face with potential recruits and their family members.

The recruiters gave passers-by many items that carry the unit name and recruiting office contact information. "We handed out lots of bracelets, stickers, and bags, as well as business cards," said Tech. Sgt. Sam Lewis, a production recruiter. "It was a great public awareness event."

The Delaware ANG, located at the New Castle ANG Base, just 88 miles from Atlantic City, or 20 minutes away by air if travelling aboard a unit C-130 transport aircraft. Showing off the mighty C-130 Hercules was part of the airshow experience. Shortly after 11:00 a.m. two Delaware Air Guard C -130H aircraft performed a two-ship fly-by, flying north to south and parallel to the shoreline.

The Delaware Air Guard aircraft were one of several aerial demonstrations to include the Coast Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force and another ANG unit, plus civilian fixed wing and rotary aircraft, and even a blimp. Highlights included a British Spitfire and a P51D Mustang, as well as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Golden Knights.

"Most of our members live in Delaware, but we have significant numbers who live in the surrounding states of N.J., Pa. and Md.," said Brig. Gen. Carol Timmons, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Delaware National Guard. "We tell young people that the Delaware Air Guard is in commutable distance to where they reside and that we have outstanding job opportunities. If they are a recent high school graduate or in their 20s or 30s, or are leaving active duty soon or may have prior military service but still wish to wear the uniform part-time, we have many jobs that might interest them."

Delaware ANG recruiters reach out to potential recruits at many venues throughout Delaware's three counties, including at Delaware beaches, and well as occasional events in South Jersey, Pa. and Md.

"We go to all Delaware colleges, all the bigger events involving the governor, many local high schools, and to many other events in northern Delaware" said Tech. Sgt. Terrence Parker, production recruiter.

On Aug. 24 unit recruiters will attend the Veterans Job Fair being held in the Milford H.S. Cafeteria, in Milford, Del., an event sponsored by Delaware's congressional delegation. Milford is known as the "Gateway to Southern Delaware," and straddles the Kent-Sussex county line.

From Oct. 5-7 unit recruiters will attend the Delaware Auto Show being held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Del.

On Oct. 24 unit recruiters will attend the annual college night held at Sussex Technical H.S. in Georgetown, Del., in Sussex County.

The Delaware Air National Guard is a reserve component of the U.S. Air Force with 1,100 positions under command of the Governor of Delaware, or the President of the United States when mobilized. The Delaware ANG has been serving Delaware and the United States of America since 1946. The unit's C-130H aircraft serve around the globe on a variety of missions such as combat operations in Afghanistan, as well as closer to home on humanitarian relief missions such as evacuating people from hurricanes.

If you want to join the Delaware Air Guard, call our recruiting team at (302) 323-3444 or (800) 742-6713.

The Delaware Air Guard Recruiting Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/DEAirGuardRecruiting, and you can find more information at http://www.goang.com/State/Delaware.