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Spouses Take Flight

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Lori Risdal
09/15/07 --  185th spouses got the unique opportunity to fly on a refueling mission on a KC-135E Stratotanker on May 6. The orientation flights allow individuals to see up close and personal the refueling mission of the 185th, and give spouses a new perspective on the importance of their military member's job here at the 185th.

Two missions were set up - the first was to fly over northwest Iowa, the second was scheduled for the Springfield Missouri/Peoria, IL area. With major storms popping up throughout the entire Midwest, the Operations Scheduling Office did a great job of rerouting the flights to Lake Andes, SD and the Black Hills area after the initial missions were weather cancelled. The spouses met first at the Headquarters Conference room, where they were briefed on 185th history, current status of the 185th and an overview of the Wing Family Programs. The 2006 year-end video was also shown. A safety briefing followed, then out to the bus for the quick trip to the flight line to board the aircraft and take off. Once in the air, the spouses got the chance to go into the boom pod area to watch the refueling process, or go up to the cockpit to see and hear the activity going on.

Everyone seemed to have a great time and appreciated getting the chance to fly. Following the flight, Carolyn Hogan, wife of Master Sgt. Marty Hogan sent the following email to the Command Staff: "Thanks so much for the opportunity to ride in the KC-135 and experience the refueling process. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am so glad I was able to be included! The presentation before the flight was outstanding, and the question and answer forum afterwards was helpful. Keep up the good work and know that I am proud to be associated with the 185th! Thanks again!"