Capitol Hill staffers visit Reserve wing Published Aug. 12, 2011 By Maj. Shannon Mann 916th Public Affairs Office SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- It's hard to get away from Capitol Hill these days, but for a handful of legislative staffers it was a chance to see first-hand what North Carolina military installations are contributing to national defense. On Aug. 11, 2011, seven congressional staffers from North Carolina, Viriginia and Missouri toured Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to learn more about the active duty and Reserve missions here and understand how total force integration is working in eastern North Carolina. The staffers took the morning to tour 4th Fighter Wing facilities before having lunch with a large crowd comprised of local government officials, military affairs committee members, wing leadership and Airmen from the 916th Air Refueling Wing, 4th Fighter Wing, 567th RED HORSE Squadron, 414th Fighter Group and 911th Air Refueling Squadron. Near the end of lunch Airmen were able to ask questions about issues facing congressional representatives such as the possible change in active duty retirement and the drawdown in Iraq. In the afternoon, the group toured the 916th Air Refueling Wing and 567th RED HORSE Squadron. They learned about the successful mission on the active associate, were able to spend some time flying the KC-135R simulator, viewed a tanker static display and saw how base realignment and closure dollars supported a RED HORSE facility renovation. While the schedule only allowed for a few hours on the Reserve-side of the house, many of the staffers will return in September to participate in an air-to-air refueling mission with the 916th ARW.