POPE ARMY AIR FIELD, N.C. -- Air Force personnel from the 440th Airlift Wing here participated in an
orientation flight, Jan. 9.
The flight gave personnel an opportunity to
see how their duties contribute to the wing and to observe the aircrew during a
training mission.
"As an airlift wing, it is critical for every member of
our team - civilian, traditional reserve, air reserve technician and active-duty
Airman - to understand how their hard work pays off. We are all connected
through our Air Force Specialty Codes and ultimately generating C-130H2 combat
capability to support national security," said Col. Sharon Johnson, 440th
Maintenance Group commander.
Participants were given a standard safety
brief by Lt. Col. John Gorse, Operations Group commander, to ensure a safe
flight. "Make sure to put your phone on 'airplane mode' and by all means, please
have fun today," he said.
The route traveled over areas of Lumberton,
Pinehurst, Rockingham and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While on the flight,
participants witnessed a 2,600-pound heavy equipment drop onto Nijmegen Drop
Zone at Fort Bragg.
After the flight, participants talked about their
firsthand experience of the mission.
"It was nice and enjoyable! It was
actually my first time in a C-130. It definitely was an adventure and I look
forward to going back up again," said Senior Airman Kenton Waring, a personnel
technician for the 440th Force Support Squadron.
"No matter what job you
have in the wing - it is important and we want everyone to know and experience a
flight in our fleet of aircraft. When things get tough or we get a bit
frustrated with our careers, it helps to know that what we do is important and
is connected," said Johnson.
The orientation flight took advantage of
routine training by allowing military members and civilians on a training
mission that was also a check ride for Maj. Kristie Piotrowicz, a navigator for
the 95th Airlift Squadron.
Over the last year, five orientation flights
were available to personnel in July, August, and October.
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)