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20th OG holds open house

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jerry Salcido, 20th Operational Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment journeyman assigned to the 77th Fighter Squadron, teaches Master Sgt. Daniel Marcoux, 20th OSS first sergeant, about a set of night vision goggles during the 20th Operations Group open house at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 28, 2014. The open house showed families and other service members the 20th OG, to provide aircraft and Airmen for conventional and anti-radiation suppression of enemy air defenses, strategic attack, counter air, air interdiction, joint maritime operations and combat search-and-rescue missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Bass/Released)

20th OG holds open house

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Starr Keller, 20th Operational Support Squadron weather forecaster, pours water into a Tactical Meteorological Observance System-53 rain gauge during the 20th Operations Group open house at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 28, 2014. The TMOS-53, hooked up to a computer to show weather statistics, is used by Airmen across the Air Force to assist in forecasting weather for operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Bass/Released)

20th OG holds open house

Published July 28, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Michael A. Cossaboom
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 20th Operations Group held an open house here, July 28.

The purpose of the event was to show families and other military members the mission of the 20th OG.

"It was a great opportunity for people to come here so that we can show people what we do," said Chief Master Sgt. Scott Thomsen, 20th OG superintendant. "There is so much that goes into our job that not a lot of people know about."

The 20th OG is comprised of three fighter squadrons and the 20th Operations Support Squadron.

"We have pilots that fly the F-16s, people who deal with the aircrew flight equipment, and people who forecast the weather," said Thomsen. "Our group does so much so it's really nice that people can get a chance to see it."

2nd Lt. Cory Waite, 20th OSS operations flight commander, said that he used the open house as an opportunity to show other military members how he helps them.

"There's been times when pilots are flying and they have problems mid-flight, they have a civilian plane fly right by them, and they don't know who to turn to," said Waite. "So they're really appreciative to know that they have a single point of contact to reach out to if they have problems."

Throughout the event people saw the tools weathermen use to monitor the weather and they were able to get up close and personal with an F-16CJ Fighting Falcon.

"For us, being able to show people what we do is neat," said Thomsen. "It shows people how essential we are to the mission."