Pro baseball player spends day as Airman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ashley Casas
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. (AFPN) --  Major League Baseball pitcher Al Leiter swapped his New York Mets uniform May 24 for an Air Force flight suit to become a boom operator here for a day.

While here, the left-hander who has played in three World Series and has 146 career wins, learned the ropes of refueling from Senior Airman Chardo Richardson and a KC-10 Extender aircrew from the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron.

As part of a "job swap" organized by the Air Force, Major League Baseball and the Mets, Airman Richardson will later join Mr. Leiter as a Met for a day.

Officials at Air Force office of public affairs’ national media outreach in New York led off in organizing the job swap between the Airman and ball player.

"We approached Major League Baseball and had to think of the appropriate player and the appropriate location in the area," said 1st Lt. Brandon Pollachek of the New York office.

The pairing of Mr. Leiter and McGuire fit the bill. In addition, Mr. Leiter is a native of Toms River, N.J., less than an hour from the base. The 305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs staff nominated Airman Richardson to take part, and wing leaders approved.

"He has often helped public affairs with events serving as a tour guide or spokesperson," said Maj. John Dorrian, 305th AMW public affairs chief. "When the opportunity arose, his professionalism made him a natural choice."

Mets fans greeted Mr. Leiter in the passenger terminal here. Along with his flight suit, which had name and squadron patches already attached, he received a wing scarf and new boots hand-polished by Airman Richardson.

Mr. Leiter then received a tour of the aircraft and a brief description of what would be going on. During the three-hour mission, the KC-10 traveled down the North Carolina coast and refueled five F-15E Strike Eagles from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.

"I had no idea what to expect," Mr. Leiter said. "I have been on a lot of different aircraft while traveling for my job, but nothing like a KC-10. I couldn't believe how small the boom office was. I am amazed by the thoroughness of the procedures. Every action was checked and double-checked."

A video crew recorded all of the day's events for a production to air June 19 on the Fox television program "This Week in Baseball." The production is part of a two-part series; the second part will cover Airman Richardson's day as a Met and will air in September.

Mr. Leiter said his day as a boom operator went "great for all involved."

"Some people look up to pro sports players as heroes," he said. "But I look at all military members as heroes."

On deck is Airman Richardson. He will put on a Mets' uniform for batting practice before a June matchup between the Mets and Cincinnati Reds at Shea Stadium.

"When Airman Richardson comes out to be a Met, I will have to have one of my teammates show him how to hit a ball," Mr. Leiter said jokingly. "I have never been a strong hitter." (Courtesy of Air Mobility Command News Service)