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Fairchild senior spouses' receive orientation flight

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Larry Carpenter Jr.
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Senior leaders' spouses from Fairchild received an orientation flight aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker May 3.

"The senior spouses' orientation flight was designed to allow the spouses of the leadership on base to see what we do and how we train," said Capt. Tracy Patterson, 92nd Operations Support Squadron chief of current operations.

The spouses' day began when they arrived at base operations to receive their pre-flight safety brief. Once completed, they went on a tour of the flight planning office and the weather flight. They were then taken to the plane to embark on a 3.5 hour flight.

"We try to keep the sorties just long enough so they can see what we do and how we do it," said Captain Patterson.

On this particular sortie, the spouses were able to witness the aerial refueling of four F-15s from Portland, Ore., over the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

"Watching our young Airmen refueling the F-15s was superb, just to watch them in action you get the 'wow' factor," said Lupe Ruiz, husband of Chief Master Sgt. Judy Ruiz, 92nd Air Refueling Wing interim command chief. "I would be nervous."

The spouses on board got a first hand experience how the pilots and boom operators work together to complete the refueling process.

"It's an absolutely phenomenal thing to watch them in action; from the pilots to the boom operators to watching them make contact," said Mr. Ruiz, a retired chief master sergeant. "They don't get the credit they deserve for what they do."

The overall goal was to give the spouses of our active-duty force an appreciation for the demands of the mission.

"For a spouses' orientation, it met its objective," said Mr. Ruiz. "It showed us what they do everyday and in the fight, it was a great re-education."

"Getting to see these guys in action and see what they do made me want to sign up again, but I've already done my 30 years," said Mr. Ruiz with a smile.

The orientation flight ended back where it started, at base operations. Everyone involved gathered to reflect over the days events.

"I appreciate the opportunity to participate in this, it was a wonderful opportunity to watch our expeditionary Airmen in action," said Mr. Ruiz.

More flights are being scheduled to provide this opportunity to other Team Fairchild spouses.