Incentive flight broadens mission understanding

A C-17 Globemaster assigned to the 249th Airlift Squadron with the Alaska Air National Guard, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker to refuel on Jan. 9, 2016 at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The flight was an in-air refueling training that gave Airmen further insight to the mission. (Courtesy photo)

Incentive flight broadens mission understanding

Senior Airman Caleb Seitz, 927th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron technician, takes a photo onboard during an incentive flight on Jan. 9, 2016 at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The flight was to acknowledge Airmen for their stellar work around the wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Xavier Lockley)

Incentive flight broadens mission understanding

Published Jan. 11, 2016
By Senior Airman Xavier Lockley
927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Outstanding performers in the 927th Air Refueling Wing here got to experience their mission in a more personal way during an refueling flight Jan. 9.

The 63rd Air Refueling Squadron took the wing’s stellar Airmen on an incentive flight to observe the KC-135 crew refuel a C-17 Globemaster from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

"Today's experience was amazing and exhilarating," said Senior Airman Sabrina Morris, 927th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron command support staff. "Being able to see firsthand how boom operators direct the boom and how pilots navigate their controls was incredible. Having been involved in today's flight gave me another reason to be proud to be a part of the 927th Maintenance Group."

All along for the flight were grateful for the opportunity to have seen the complete view of the mission.

"This experience was mind-blowing," says Airman First Class Quens Alce, 927th AMXS apprentice. "I would recommend more Airmen go on incentive flights because it will help them gain a better insight on the mission and really appreciate the job that aircrew and maintenance do."

Organizing an incentive flight requires a lot of pieces to work together. Maj. Mary Lent, 927th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander and her staff ensured that Airmen were given the opportunity.

"This flight was a pretty big deal for us as it gave our Airmen an opportunity to see the fruits of their labor," said Lent. "I hope this will help them gain perspective on our mission of turning fuel into freedom. Finally, I'm excited to pave the way in terms of the orientation flight process, to open this up to other agencies in the wing in hopes of giving them the same mission perspective," she concluded.