Spouses take flight, gain new perspective on Tyndall's mission

  • Published
  • By Major Veronica Kemeny
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Who knew someone could have so much fun pumping gas?

Eight pilot's wives from the 2nd Fighter Squadron were given opportunity to fly on a KC-135R Stratotanker and witness their husbands, all F-15 Eagle pilots, take part in an aerial refueling Oct. 15.

The air refueling mission was flown by members of the 153rd Air Refueling Squadron, Key Field Air National Guard Base, Miss. The crew consisted of three pilots and one boom operator.

"The crew members were extremely helpful," said Christi Bird, 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs and spouse of Lt. Col. Bradley Bird, Chief of Safety. "They did a wonderful job holding their laughter at some of the crazy questions we were asking."

The wives were prepared for extreme weather while in the air.

"We had been told that, once airborne, it would be very cold and we should dress appropriately," said Mrs. Bird. "It was a bit chilly at the maximum altitude, but the time it took getting to that point was like being on the beach in mid-July wearing a snowsuit."

Once the tanker reached altitude, the group was able to move around the aircraft, ask questions of the crew and see where the boom operator works.

"The boomer's work space is very small and not an advisable place to be if you are claustrophobic," said Mrs. Bird. "The F-15 looked so close I felt like I could reach out and touch it."

To execute a refueling, the boom operator lies on his or her stomach on a couch or pallet in the rear of the KC-135R. In this position, the boomer has an unobstructed view of the aircraft to be refueled.

One at a time, the aircraft to be refueled fly into position. Once there, the boomer uses a control stick and extends a lever to precisely position the boom's nozzle into the receiving aircraft's receptacle.

"Today eight F-15's received 6,985 gallons of fuel from the KC-135R which can carry 200,000 pounds of fuel," said Tech. Sgt. Jake Way, 153rd ARS boom operator.

After receiving fuel, the F-15 pilots moved to the side of the KC-135R where the wives were able to view them through the windows. Some of the wives made signs that their husbands could read as they flew along side.

"It's just so amazing how close they got to us," said Colleen Anderson, wife of Captain David Anderson, 2nd FS pilot. "It was really cool to get to see what he gets to do at work."

The tanker pilots were happy to help educate the wives on the air refueling mission.

"The hospitality from the 325th Fighter Wing has been awesome," said Lt. Col. Marc Lambert, 153rd ARS pilot.

"We really enjoy being able to let spouses see what their husbands do on a daily basis." said Major Wayne Garrison, 153rd ARS tanker co-pilot.

The flight was offered to the spouses as part of the 2nd FS reunion. It was designed to give the spouses a new perspective on the Air Force and the 2nd FS mission.