129th represented in the AFA Air National Guard council

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Green
  • 129th Rescue Wing Public Affairs Office
MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. --  A 129th Rescue Wing maintainer has been selected to serve as a council member for the Air Force Association's Air National Guard Council.

Tech. Sgt. Jessica Jackson, the maintenance group education and training manager for the 129th Maintenance Operations Flight, is trying to reach out and get together with any one who has an interest in voicing their opinion to the council before the next meeting Nov. 17 to 20 in Beverly Hills, Calif..

"The association basically stands up for the Air Force," said Sergeant Jackson. "They have been around longer than the Air Force and try to take care of us as a whole, including the ANG Council, the Reserve Advisory Council, the Veterans/Retiree Council and a few others."

The AFA is an independent, nonprofit, civilian education organization promoting public understanding and support according to the AFA Web site. The ANG Council is comprised of officers, enlisted members and civilians who serve, or have served in the ANG. The council consists of about 12 members, half of them are retired three and four star generals, said Sergeant Jackson, who is the lowest ranked in the bunch.

The Guard council meets three times a year. The first meeting took place in September and consisted of a synopsis of their mission and a chance to get to know everyone, especially for new members, Sergeant Jackson said. Selected along with her this term was Senior Master Sgt. John Lyon with the 111th Fighter Wing, Willow Grove, Pa.

Sergeant Jackson will be attending the next meeting in November where the council will go over the previous year's topics, introduce new hot topics and decide what they want to continue to pursue, Sergeant Jackson said.

"Those hot topics get put out through our counterparts in AFA on what is called "white papers" and they take it to the congressmen and senators on Capitol Hill," she said. "They stand up for what we want to fight for. They're not lawyers or salesmen for the Air Force, they're just advocates."

Sergeant Jackson said she is hoping to address concerns that are not only for the ANG nationwide, but more specifically for the California Guard and most importantly for the 129th RQW.

"I would be more than happy to take any ideas, or sit down and interview someone about their issues or potential recommendations for the Guard," Sergeant Jackson said. "Anything can be brought up to the council; suggestions, advice, help, or complaints. I'll take whatever I can."

Among the common topics discussed within the council are uniform suggestions, tuition assistance, leadership consideration and the Guard's retirement age.

Sergeant Jackson is looking forward to interviewing Airmen with a concern to ensure that it is an issue that affects the Guard rather than an aggravation that can be resolved within the 129th RQW, she said. Sergeant Jackson is a full time Guardsman, therefore available to contact during the week and also on drill weekends.

"Any avenue of getting it touch with me is fine," Sergeant Jackson said. "I'll listen to any one because there might be something legitimately there, underlying a typical complaint, that needs attention and could be beneficial to everyone."

Sergeant Jackson can be reached at 650-603-9006 or Jessica.Jackson@camoff.ang.af.mil.