Rolling recruiting billboard features Air Force Reserve F-16 flying mission

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Julie Briden-Garcia
  • 301st Fighter Wing
Fort Worth, TEXAS --  In a world of high tech business, Air Force Reserve recruiting is taking their message to the streets ... plastered all over their mini vans. The vans, which are entirely shrink-wrapped in vinyl, sport a cyberspace-look highlighted with one of three critical Air Force Reserve career fields.

The career fields chosen -- jet fighters, transport aircraft and pararescue -- help highlight the Reserve's mission says Senior Master Sgt. Gary Moulliet, Headquarters AFRC Recruiting at Robins Air Reserve Base, Ga. "We absolutely love the designs being used now. These are better designs than used in the past few years. They definitely enhance our recruiting efforts."

The final product is constructed by the advertising agency, Blaine Warren. Photos were compiled over time from various sites including the Department of Defense's Digital Video and Imagery Distributions System. Photo composites were compiled, then transposed onto vinyl sheets to conform to the standard mini vans owned by the Reserve recruiter units.

"We have about 45 vans we would like to wrap but that's all dictated by our budget and the unit's manning requirements," said Sergeant Moulliet. "The wrap can cost a unit from five to six thousand dollars each. We have 10 vehicles slated to be completed this year; our newest vans are first on the list." The three current designs will be distributed throughout the command with the unit's mission determining the design.

For instance, the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., would be a prime target environment for the pararescue theme. The audience in Dallas, Texas, wouldn't understand the importance of this mission as well as the Cape Canaveral community.
The 301st Fighter Wing's F-16s were chosen to represent the fighter career field.

"These images are great," said Senior Master Sgt. Rich Roneree, 301st FW senior recruiter. "I really like the way the pictures stand out and scream for your attention. We get a lot of looks when we drive around the Dallas and Fort Worth area."

The method of 'wrapping' a vehicle isn't a new one but it's effective. "By following the special care instructions," Sergeant Moulliet said, "each wrap can last an average of two to three years before it shows signs of fading. The best cleaning method is still the touchless car wash."

If the decal is damaged the van can just be rewrapped or they can take the design off completely. Afterwards, the original paint job doesn't appear any different. "We haven't experienced any damage yet," said Sergeant Moulliet. "Some of the older vans can be swapped out through GSA and the replacements are then slated for a wrap, if the unit's budget allows."

The next step for vehicular advertisement will be for regular cars. "In the next one to two years, decals, not a full wrap, will adorn Air Force Reserve sedans throughout the nation, much like the Army's current decal design," said Sergeant Moulliet.