Reserve boomer shares job with NASCAR pit crew Published March 25, 2009 By Senior Airman Leticia Hopkins 916th Public Affairs Office SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- An Air Force Reserve boom operator and a NASCAR gas refueler swapped places March 10-11 to tape a segment for a new Air Force recruiting video project. Technical Sgt. Steven Stanton, 77th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator instructor, and Chris Moore, Air Force NASCAR #43's "gas man," filmed parts of "Switching Seats" in Statesville and here. "The target audience for recruiting is 17-24 year-olds, said Master Sgt. Scott Reed, Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service national advertising photography manager. "It's a way to relate to something they can understand and show a relationship between Air Force jobs and civilians." On the first day of taping Sergeant Stanton went to the Richard Petty Motor Sports shop in Statesville. There he received a tour of the facility, had some one-on-one time with Mr. Moore and observed Mr. Moore and his crew perform some practice pit stops. "They perform seven to 10 practice pit stops everyday of their work week," Sergeant Stanton said. "They did about eight or so pit stops that day, and then we switched, and the Air Force team performed four practice pit stops." One of the things the two discussed was how much fuel one flows compared to the other one. "We fill 12 gallons in six seconds and they do about 1,000 gallons per minute," Moore said. On day two of the taping, Sergeant Stanton got to show Mr. Moore how KC-135 boom operators refuel F-15's. Mr. Moore and his team were given a mission briefing and information about how each mission is started, said Sergeant Stanton. Then he showed him the things and support it takes to make a mission possible. After an in-depth tour of the aircraft and its systems, the jet took the group to the coast of Jacksonville, Fla. in order to refuel four F-15's. As Sergeant Stanton refueled the F-15's Moore laid in one of the open spaces next to him and watched. "I loved it," said Mr. Moore. "What an experience it was. Words cannot describe how much fun it was to see the F-15 come up." "I was smiling from ear to ear when the first plane came up," he added later. Both men agreed that the best part of them swapping for a day was meeting each other. "The best part was the friendship that was created between Chris and myself," said Sergeant Stanton. "We have many things in common and it works like the Air Force, just in a different setting." According to Moore, some of those things included the fact that both of them practice a lot, and must have hand-eye coordination, the ability to stay cool and keep a level head. Both men were also able to take away something from the experience. "I learned that the magnitude that goes into a NASCAR team is extreme," said Sergeant Stanton. "The team has a mission and they come willing and ready, much like the Air Force Reserve. First class inside and out." Moore said he learned more about the way pilots and boom operators communicate. "The coolest thing I learned today was he doesn't have to talk to the pilot," Moore said. "He has four controls that are underneath the plane and those tell the pilot which way he needs to go. And then the thumbs up whenever you're done refueling." Overall this was a good experience for Sergeant Stanton and Moore. "This was an opportunity that I am extremely proud to have been selected for," Sergeant Stanton said. "Chris is a first class gas man 'member of the pit crew' and a top notch person and friend. It was an extreme pleasure working with Chris and the team. We share life and work similarities and made a bond that will last a lifetime." The episode will be available later on http://www.airforce.com/NASCAR. The Web site will also feature other swaps that have taken place between military personnel and the Air Force NASCAR #43 team, including Reed Sorenson.