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Local Boy Scout troops visit base, experience mission first-hand

A Boy Scout from local troop 481, who visited for a base tour, attempts a landing while flying in the KC-135 flight simulator at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., July 10, 2012. The scouts visited the base not only to get know the mission better, but to also complete their aviation merit badge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton/Released)

Local Boy Scout troops visit base, experience mission first-hand

Published July 11, 2012
By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Two Boy Scout troops, 481 and 479, both from Spokane Valley, Wash., visited the base as they endeavored to complete their aviation merit badge here July 10.

The boys, along with their troop leaders and parents, had an opportunity to better understand what it means to get a KC-135 Stratotanker in the air from the operations group perspective.

Starting out at the air traffic control tower, the group trained in the tower's simulator, discussed the rigorous curriculum Air Force air traffic controllers must complete in order to be fully qualified in their career field and also walked "the plank" and watched as the mission unfolded at the very top.

Continuing on, the crew of more than 20 received an aerospace physiology briefing as well as experience in their spatial disorientation chair and learned how to effectively operate during night-time missions with the use of night vision goggles or NVGs.

Finally, wrapping up their day, the Boy Scouts enjoyed "actual fly time" in the base's flight and boom operator simulators affording them the chance to effectively see how the mission comes together to provide global reach for America.

View the slideshow.