JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --
Members of
the 435th Fighter Training Squadron here broke single-day food
packing records at the San Antonio Food Bank Dec. 12 during their Wingman Day
community outreach project.
The group of
student-pilots from Class 16-DBR, obliterated the record for most meals packed
in one day, putting 49,875 pounds of food on 95 pallets for distribution to the
local community in the form of 39,900 meals to 3,325 families.
“Getting out
and helping your neighbors, there’s nothing better,” said Maj. Brandon Lavalley,
435 FTS flight commander and a reservist.
“Being a proud community partner and assisting those in need is really a
great feeling.”
The San
Antonio Food Bank provides food to more than 500 agencies in 16 counties across
south Texas, with a mission of fighting hunger in the region through food
distribution, programs, education and advocacy.
Although the
work was fast and frenetic, the student-pilots walked away feeling energized at
the opportunity to volunteer in the community.
“We had a
great time doing this,” said 1st Lt. Zach Jackson, 435 TRS student-pilot. “Volunteering
a few hours of your time on a Saturday and being able to have this much of an
impact, it’s pretty neat.”
The idea to
spend a day at the food bank came after Lavalley worked with Bank of America-San
Antonio President Kenny Wilson and Human Resources Director Jodi Irvin during
an interview about leading with balance.
“Mr. Wilson
talked to me about reaching out to the community to help me develop as a
leader,” Lavally said. “Taking on a leadership role in different aspects of
life outside the military really opens your eyes and takes your leader skills
to the next level. I recommend it to
anybody.”
About the 435th Training Squadron
The 435th
Fighter Training Squadron conducts Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) student
training in nearly 50 T-38C Talon aircraft and trains IFF instructors for Air
Education and Training Command at large, as well as approximately 150 students
annually from the United States, Iraq, Japan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and
Singapore. Graduate pilots and combat
systems officers are prepared for follow on assignments in the Combat Air
Forces' F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-22
Raptor, or F-15C Eagle aircraft.