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Union Pacific members learn Fightin' Fifty-Fifth's mission first-hand

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OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Eleven members of the Union Pacific's northern region learned first-hand about the 55th Wing's worldwide mission during a visit to Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, July 29.

The UP team members from Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska, received a wing mission brief, participated in simulator flights, visited the control tower and toured both an RC-135V/W Rivet Joint and E-4B.

"This is something none of us will ever get to experience again," said Greg Garrison, Union Pacific regional vice president of transportation for the northern region. "This has been a great opportunity for us to come and learn about some of (the Air Force's) processes and see how we can benchmark some of them for our own uses."

The visit came to fruition after Tim Brandt, Union Pacific manager of operating practices, spoke with U.S. Air Force Capt. Damon Wagoner, an instructor pilot with the 338th Combat Training Squadron. The two were shocked at how many similarities they shared at work and agreed to setup a collaboration effort in the future.

"He instructs engineers and conductors on proper operation of locomotives, ensures compliance with rules and evaluates crews on their performance, which is very similar to what I do as an instructor and evaluator pilot," Wagoner said. "From there the idea continued to blossom."

"When Captain Wagoner and I discussed our work responsibilities, it was uncanny how similar they are -- from safety to maintenance, employee engagement and budget management -- much of what we do is quite the same," Brandt said. "Both organizations take immense pride in what they do."

The visiting UP team members ranged in position and specialty from field managers, who directly work with train crew employees like engineers, conductors and switch persons, to executives who oversee the largest geographic area that UP operates. Together, they all agreed this visit was very worthwhile and they all learned something they could take back with them.

"Safety is the number priority on the railroad and it is also a very obvious that is also a high priority here at Offutt," said Tom Secora, Union Pacific manager of heritage fleet operations. "We are charged with ensuring our people have a safe work environment with proper process in place much like the Air Force does, and we face similar challenges of maintaining aging equipment with our heritage fleet much the same way you all do with your aircraft."

"We have very similar drug regulations to what the Air Force has," said Brooke Schoening, Union Pacific manager of drugs and alcohol testing. We have to ensure our employees are in compliance with the rules. It's all about safety."

They also agreed the simulator was one of the highlights of their visit.

"The simulator was simply amazing," Schoening said. "It actually feels like you're in a plane and it was very stressful at times."

"It was just incredible," Secora said. "Our instructor did a great job of walking us through all of the steps and made it fun, but honestly it was a pressure packed flight."

"We have simulators with the railroad, but nothing quite to that extent," Garrison said. "It was just too cool."

Similar to how the UP team felt regarding shared missions and visions, the Offutt team also felt the visit was advantageous for them as well.

"This was an awesome opportunity for us to interact and learn from a group of folks who work at a Fortune 500 company," said U.S. Air Force Col. Mark Williamson, 55th Wing vice commander. "It's always beneficial for us to highlight the incredible Airmen that serve in the 55th Wing and educate the community on our multiple missions."

"Union Pacific is one of area's largest companies and providing them with an opportunity to see our operations first-hand would only serve to strengthen the bond between Offutt and civilian members of the Omaha area," Wagoner said. "This tour will allow those employees to explain to their friends and family what Offutt does and how our operations have a global impact."

"We're thankful for the chance to come out and see how you accomplish your mission on a daily basis," Garrison said. "We hope to reciprocate in the near future and show off how we do things at the Union Pacific as well."