JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The 633rd Force Support Squadron hosted NASCAR driver Brandon Jones for a tour of the 128th Aviation Brigade schoolhouse and Fort Eustis’ 3rd Port at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, April 4, 2018.
Jones said it was important for him to tour JBLE and speak with Soldiers because of the connection he feels with the military through the active duty members in his family.
“I think NASCAR and the military are very similar in the way we work,” said Jones. “Our team prepares and trains at the shop just like the units here, then we ship out to our race. We do our mission then we come back home and get ready to do it again.”
Jones spoke to Soldiers at the 128th Aviation Brigade Schoolhouse after trying out the Apache Helicopter Longbow Task Trainer and observing the Soldiers’ hands-on avionics repair training.
“I think these kinds of experiences will keep us motivated,” said Spc. Jephter Dankwa, Bravo Company, 222nd Aviation Regiment, 1st Aviation Battalion, 128th Aviation Brigade AH-64 armament/electrical/avionic systems repairer. “When you can link careers through similarities, it can change your point of view and refresh our perspective for what we’re training for every day.”
At Fort Eustis’ 3rd Port, Jones’ boarded the large tug 805 Major General Winfield Scott, as well as the small tug 911 Enduring Freedom to learn more about the mission of Fort Eustis’ 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary).
“It’s very important to me to be able to do these kinds of things and show support for our military members,” said Jones. “I connect with the military lifestyle and I have active duty members in my family.”
At the end of the tour, Jones handed out autographs and took pictures with fans at the Post Exchange.