Congressman visits AFN Riverside

  • Published
  • By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dary M. Patten
  • Defense Media Activity Riverside

March Air Reserve Base, Calif. -- A California congressman visited American Forces Network (AFN) Broadcast Center Feb. 22 as part of the Job For-A-Day program.

U.S. Rep.
Pete Aguilar toured the broadcast center, shadowed Senior Airman Samara Hagen, a radio broadcaster, and recorded a message for AFN to broadcast to service members worldwide.

"I love the Job For-A-Day program because it gets me out talking to folks who are doing jobs in our community,” said Aguilar. “Some [jobs] people don’t even know exist, and some that I think the community needs to see.”

Senior Airman Hagen trained Aguilar how to perform her job as a military broadcaster at AFN during his visit.

“Part of the daily tasks that I do in radio are editing and uploading audio files from various sources in order for those products to air on our AFN stations,” said Hagen. “I showed Congressman Aguilar how to complete this process for the Air Force radio news reports we receive daily.”

Aguilar expressed his interest in ensuring service members receive the necessary levels of support.

“I want to do everything I can to take care of our active duty military and our veterans when they come back,” said Aguilar. “I want to make sure they have the resources they need when they come home.”

The congressman toured the facility and spoke to military and civilian staff members, including Nancy Roeder, an AFN Television production specialist, who invited him for the visit.

I thought it would be a great idea to show him the invaluable services we provide to serve those who serve us,” said Roeder. “I have been working here for almost 20 years and I am honored to have this job as it is not just any job, it is a mission.”


At the conclusion of his tour of the facility Aguilar shared his praise for the services provided by AFN.  

“The work that is done here goes all over the world,” said Aguilar. “What I sensed was a lot of pride because the work they do is respected, honored, celebrated and enjoyed by those active duty and civilian folks across the globe.”

AFN Riverside, located adjacent to March Air Reserve Base, Calif., broadcasts radio and television to U.S. troops, Department of Defense civilian employees and their families serving overseas.