Airmen rewarded with incentive flight

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Saphfire D. Cook
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz --  Forty-three Airmen received an incentive flight aboard a KC-135 here June 28 and 29.

The flight was to reward deserving Airmen from across the base and give those in non-flying related career fields a chance to experience a sortie.

"As a paralegal, I spend all of my time in an office," said Staff Sgt. Tiffany Vandross, 355th Fighter Wing Legal Office. "To see the Air Force from a pilot and a boom operator's perspective is something that I will never forget. After the flight was finished, I felt even more proud to be part of an organization that has such remarkable capabilities."

Part of the incentive flight was to experience the KC-135 refuel an E-6B in midair.

"I thought that the incentive flight was great," said Senior Airman Melissa Rose, 355th Fighter Wing Administration Office. "When it came time to refuel I couldn't believe how close the planes had to get during the process. It was a great experience."

The Airmen also got to explore the boom operator's workspace while in the air.

"Getting a bird's eye view of the desert was amazing," said Senior Airman Derek Grisard, 355th Component Maintenance Squadron. "The best view was from where the boom operator sits; looking straight down at the landscape was truly awe inspiring. To think that it is someone's job to see such wonderful sights all day."

Due to poor weather conditions, the aircraft could not perform the second scheduled refueling, but the change in plans did not detract from the memorable experience.

"This was one of the most amazing things I have experienced with the Air Force and definitely showed me firsthand the unique daily missions that we have," said Airman Krishan Narain, 355th Contracting Squadron. "This was a career highlight for me, and cemented my decision to make the Air Force a career."