Orientation day gives spouses inside look at Nellis operations

  • Published
  • By Airman Cynthia A. Haughton
  • Nellis Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) --  Military spouses here got an inside look at  base operations during a spouses orientation day, Oct. 16.

The event, hosted by the 66th Rescue Squadron, showcased the unit's mission and allowed the spouses to experience what their Air Force husbands and wives do on daily basis.  

"These orientation flights familiarize the spouses with what we do and what we train for, and it helps them to gain appreciation for our extensive training and long hours," said Lt. Col. Tom Dorl, 66th RQS commander.

The day began with an introduction by Colonel Dorl, followed by a safety briefing and night vision goggle demonstration.

The room echoed with "oohs" and "ahhs" as the spouses passed around night vision goggles and tried to locate a flashing light that could only be seen through the goggles.

Then, the spouses all got an orientation flight aboard an HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter, flying high above Las Vegas.

"I used to be a medic in the Army, and they didn't do stuff like this, so it's nice to get this opportunity," said Krystal Slade, wife of Capt. Brian Slade, a training officer with the 66th RQS.

After the flights, the members and their spouses enjoyed a barbeque outside the hangar.

This was a first-time experience for many of the spouses, and they shared a common sense of excitement after the flights.

"We are glad we had the opportunity to do something that our unit's spouses would enjoy," said 1st Lt. Quinn Gallagher, 66th RQS standardization and evaluation officer, who coordinated the spouse flights. "Without their support, we would not be able to perform our mission and fulfill our motto, 'These Things We Do That Others May Live,'" he said.