SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Two groups of distinguished visitors came to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina to view Razor Talon firsthand, Sept. 16, 2016.
Razor Talon is a monthly, large-force, training exercise for joint East Coast tactical and support aviation units. This monthly exercise allows service members unique opportunities to combine land, air and sea forces from all service branches in a realistic training environment.
The first group included members of the Joint Land Use Study, including retired Maj. Gen. Carnell Wilson, N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs secretary, William Best, JLUS project manager, and Dr. Scott LaFevers, military affairs committee chairman.
The JLUS is a cooperative planning effort conducted as a joint venture between an active military installation, surrounding cities and counties, state and federal agencies, and other affected stakeholders.
The second group included educators from Wayne County Public Schools, to include Dr. Michael Dunsmore, WCPS superintendent.
Each group received a briefing about Razor Talon, an end-of-runway viewing of the 336th Fighter Squadron aircraft taking off for Razor Talon, and a tour of a fighter squadron and each of its sections.
“The goal of JLUS is to improve communication between Seymour Johnson AFB, community leaders in [multiple] counties, and state officials to collectively find ways to balance preventing incompatible land use and development for our flying training while actively pursuing area economic growth and development,” said Stewart Cox, 4th Mission Support Group deputy commander.”
Multiple counties participate in JLUS: Bertie, Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, Washington and Wayne. According to Cox, many of the counties farther away from Seymour Johnson AFB have little to no knowledge of the base and its mission and why F-15E Strike Eagles fly over their homes.
Furthermore, according to Capt. John McFarland, 334th Fighter Squadron weapon systems officer, Wayne County educators teach children of military members and have limited knowledge of what their students’ parent or parents do on daily basis, as well.
“These tours allow the 4th Fighter Wing to build and maintain relationships with the local education community” said McFarland. “These men and women not only educate our children, but also have influence on local governments. By seeing the Strike Eagle community in action, they can better understand our mission and become our advocates in their districts.”
Cox also agreed that providing these tours of the 4th FW’s mission and the importance of Razor Talon will continue to develop and maintain positive communication and relationships with these key figures.