Team March helps herald in the new year at Live on Green event

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Russell S. McMillan
  • 452nd AMW Public Affairs

Nearly one dozen members from Team March’s 452nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and 452nd Security Forces Squadron did not get much rest before the new year – they were busy volunteering their time informing and demonstrating to the public March Air Reserve Base’s mission capabilities at the Live on Green event in Pasadena, California, Dec. 30, 2016.

 

“The team volunteered on their own on their day off, which shows that their heart is in the mission and they have a passion to help the community,” said Tech. Sgt. Juan Martinez, senior installation patrolman, 452nd SFS, March ARB. This is the second year Team March defenders have attended the event, Martinez added.

 

“It’s a really cool experience,” said Andrew Basilio, a resident of Pasadena who visited the 452nd SFS information booth with his family. Basilio learned the proper way to hold a M4 carbine rifle, basic weapon tactics and team movements from Staff Sgt. Omar Llamas, installation patrolman, 452nd SFS, March ARB.

 

Team March joined airmen from 13 other Air Force bases at the free and public event located at the Pasadena Convention Center, which included three days of family-friendly activities and events leading up to the annual Tournament of Roses Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. Additionally, guests were able to participate in the celebration of the US Air Force’s 70th birthday, with nearly 20,000 square feet of exhibits dedicated to learning more about the AF including an F-35 Lightning II and MQ-1 Predator static aircraft, USAF Honor Guard Drill Team demonstration and flight simulators.

 

“Many people come in from out of town for many days to find that places are closed, and LOG was a way to enhance and build upon the heritage of the parade,” said Barbara Cocks, president of Huerta Quorum, which puts on the annual LOG event. “It was something perfect for people to learn about Pasadena, the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl and this year we get to help celebrate the Air Force’s [70th] birthday.” 

 

Members of Team March also had the unique opportunity to meet the 2017 Tournament of Roses Royal Court when a couple Rose Princesses approached to learn about AF career fields and mission sets.

 

“My grandfather was in the Air Force,” said Rose Princess Maya Khan, as she was learning more about patient litters and equipment from members of the 452nd AES crew. “I’m looking forward to learning more about this job and am very interested in the mission,” said Khan, as she openly considered a possible future in the AF.

 

Khan and other guests learned a more holistic view of the AF and specifically the 452nd AES mission, explained 1st Lt. Naomi Roster, flight nurse, 452nd AES, March ARB. “For example, an [AE] crew has the capability to bring any critical patient to any medical facility in the world within 24 hours. Further, for any given mission, there is a 98 percent survival rate if a patient can make it to an AE crew. The AF is the only service with the AE capability as a job and it’s exciting to tell that story.”

 

Nearly 30,000 visitors were expected to visit the LOG event, but that did not intimidate the focus Team March airmen had.

 

“This gives us purpose in our work,” said 1st Lt. Matthew Alvares, flight nurse, 452nd AES, March ARB. “I volunteered to help let the community know more about what we do here and at March [ARB].”

 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend this event,” added Senior Airman Molly Hoyt, installation patrolman, 452nd SFS, March ARB. Hoyt explained it was her first time volunteering at LOG, but she looked forward to the opportunity to come back in 2017 to volunteer again.

 

To learn more about the Live On Green event visit http://www.liveongreenpasadena.com/

To learn more about the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game visit: https://www.tournamentofroses.com/