Spouse Day / Tanker Ride

A few weeks ago, the squadron held a "Spouse Day." We got to go to work with our husbands for the day and see what the everday is like for them. Ty was able to sit through a mock flight briefing and the 3D simulator with me, show me some "secret places" in the squadron, guide me through a harness and helmet fitting and show me what an inflated G-suit feels like. As an extra little perk, we spouses were offered taxi rides in the jet. Certainly an experience I was NOT going to turn down! Due to the recent rule change in giving your own spouse a taxi ride, our good friend, Derek, was my assigned pilot. We suited up, practiced a few radio calls and headed out to tail #259. We climbed in, I got my 3 minute rundown of "touch this- never, EVER touch this," and then the crew chief was signaling us to head out. Derek, or "Shadow" asked me make 100% of the radio calls and what sounded like Chinese to me, must have made perfect sense to the men in the tower because before I knew it Derek had us pointed straight north and I was hearing, "Tiger 21, cleared for take-off."

I told myself before hand to:

• 1) NOT VOMIT!
• 2) Keep my eyes open and my head clear enough to actually enjoy myself!

What felt like a split second, the engines roared and the after were burners fired up and... off we went.  I was pushed back into my chair (quicker than I had imagined to be) and then felt so much pressure, as if someone was holding my shoulders to the back of my seat as hard as they could. The entire taxi lasted all of about 15 seconds and I can honestly say if it would have lasted 3 more, I'm afraid I would have vomited.  I DID keep my eyes open and had positively one of the best experiences in my life.  A true thrill and it gave me such an appreciation for my husband and his job! 

One week later, us spouses got another treat... our very own tanker ride.  Our commander had set up the ride through a Air National Guard unit down in Arizona and we were able to watch a few of our guys refuel.  Ty wasn't one of them but again, an experience I couldn't turn down.  It was so amazing to see the guys flying that close, that high and doing everything that they do.  Each of us got to "lay in the bay" with the Boom Operator and watch a refueling and then once all of the jets left, we got to lay in the Boom Operators spot and give the "boom" our best shot.  Very glad that's not my job in this world.  Hope you enjoy my pictures as much as I enjoyed taking ALL of them!