Air Force reservist participates in exchange program

  • Published
  • By SSgt. Scott Mathews
  • 916th ARW
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Many things can be learned from the way others do things. This is why the Air Force Reserve and the Royal Air Force Reserve have an officer exchange program. 

Lt. Col. Matthew Young, 77th Air Refueling Squadron operations officer, was selected by the Air Force Reserve to participate in this program. 

From Sept. 6 through Sept. 20, 2005, Colonel Young was sent to RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, Great Britain and his host was the 4624th Movements Squadron. 

“Before getting the opportunity to go, I was unaware that the Royal Air Force had a reserve component, they only have about 3,000 total members,” said Colonel Young.
He went on to say that the trip was a great opportunity to share camaraderie with the unit. “It was nice to be able to show them the way we do things, see how they operate and to see how the systems compare,” he said. 

Colonel Young’s hosts kept him busy while he was there. Among other things, he was given a tour of the base, attended a soccer game in Portsmouth, took a tour of Oxford, visited Blenheim Palace, attended a parade, visited a retired officers association and gave an overview presentation of the Air Force Reserve to the RAF’s adjudication officers. 

In a thank you letter from the adjudication officers to the unit, they said that Colonel Young was a great bonus for them and that he really highlighted the different civilian-military relations that exist within the United States. They also said they can tell the employers in the United States give great support to the military. 

Also while there, Colonel Young had a tour of the HMS Victory, a warship, which was instrumental in many British battles. “I was also able to fly with the active duty squadron while there. I flew on a VC-10 Air Refueler. It was a real cool experience,” said Colonel Young. 

Colonel Young said that he thinks the main reason for the program is to see how one another does business. 

“It was great to be able to learn from the differences in our civilian and military operations. We each got to learn from each other’s programs. It enables us both to better ourselves,” said Colonel Young. 

“It was a real privilege to represent the 916th ARW and the Air Force Reserve. I received overwhelming support at all levels,” he said. Colonel Young went on to say, “The entire trip was an extremely valuable experience. It was definitely a highlight of my Air Force career.”