Child becomes first missileer for a day at F.E. Warren

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lisa Meiman
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AFB, Wyo. (AFPN) --  Two special children got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to "launch" intercontinental ballistic missiles June 11 from F.E. Warren Air Force Base. 

Ariana Ruskey-Moffett and her family visited F.E. Warren AFB to participate in the base's first Missileer for a Day Program, where sick or disabled children learn about what it's like to be a missileer in the Air Force.

"I've learned a little about being a missileer," said Ariana, a 9-year-old cancer survivor. "I've enjoyed myself a lot."

Ariana and her 6-year-old brother, Avery, received a personalized tour of the base and learned the base's primary mission from a missileer who was their tour guide.

The tour began in the operations building where the children were given their own flight suits complete with patches and name badges, a short brief about the missileer mission and a personal welcome from Lt. Col. Jeff Smith, the former 320th Missile Squadron commander.

Afterward, the children toured the missile procedure trainer where they were able to complete a countdown checklist to a launch, including an actual key-turn.

"We pretended to launch rockets," Ariana said.

Then the family traveled to the 37th Helicopter Squadron and climbed into the seats of a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter. After a quick stop for lunch at the Chadwell Dining Facility, the family witnessed a military working dog demonstration and a tour of the missile maintenance training facility. The children also explored a security forces Humvee that was parked for them to explore.

"My favorite part was the helicopter. I turned some knobs and pretended to fly," Avery said.

"It's fun to see them get excited," said 1st Lt. Shaen Gutzman of the 320th MS who served as tour guide for the Ruskey-Moffett family. "Hopefully, there will be more visits in the future."

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