Reserve, Guard demonstrate military skills

MELROSE BOMBING RANGE — More than 60 New Mexico employers gathered Saturday at the Melrose Bombing Range to get a glimpse of how their employees train for war.

The annual event, known as the “Boss Lift,” is an opportunity for New Mexico Reservists and National Guardsmen to showcase their skills for the New Mexico Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

National Guardsmen, as well as Reserve airmen, Marines and soldiers displayed their skills and teamwork capabilities with an F-16 aerial demonstration and a simulated search and rescue mission by UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.

“We’re here to show the employers exactly what the military members they employ do when they train,” said Capt. Rebecca Harris of the New Mexico National Guard. “By allowing [their employees] to take two weeks a year and one weekend a month to train, employers are also ensuring their employees are better prepared to support the active duty in times of disaster, war and any kind of civil disturbance that we might have.”

The ESGR’s goal is to demonstrate to employers what their employees who are reservists and National Guardsmen do to ensure the nation’s security.