Incentive to soar like an eagle

  • Published
  • By Kaeli Evans
  • Air Force spouse
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) --  My husband has been an Air Force active duty maintainer for the past 13 years. And the question he is most often asked by civilians unfamiliar with the Air Force is if he has ever flown in one of the fighter planes.

To John Q. Public, the military is seen as Disneyland -- a place where employees are given the opportunity to enjoy the attractions. But the military community knows otherwise.

From the day I met my husband, his admiration and fascination with America's airpower has been stronger than any John Q. Public. As many Air Force spouses can confirm, being quizzed about a plane flying in the air on any given day is commonplace among our military families. What type of plane is that? Do you know what that plane is capable of? And then the sheer exhilaration as he utters the word, "awesome" after he has given me his entire wealth of knowledge on the plane we just observed. It is the symbol of my husband's love and dedication for what he does.

On July 7, my husband, a technical sergeant with the 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was awarded an incentive flight in an F-15 Eagle. Knowing this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I requested to be on the flightline to watch him take off.

As I waited at the gate for my flightline escort, a million thoughts raced through my head. Events such as our last permanent change of station to Edwards, the excitement I was feeling, the tension and nervousness that was slowly building, thoughts of our three-month old son and how this would probably come to be one of the favorite stories; emotions swirled as I waited in the desert heat.

Finally my escort, Tech. Sgt. Joseph Czeck, arrived. He quickly ushered me through the gate and we immediately went to sortie support for ear protectors. I realized at that moment how unaware I was of the process required to prep a jet for take off. Sure, I have heard my husband explain it all before, but now I was living it.

It is truly fascinating how the individuals move about the airplane. As you really start to watch, you see all the roles interplay. I was completely enthralled with it when my focus became narrowed to watching the pilot walk around the aircraft -- Glamorous Glennis, one of the jets Chuck Yeager flew.

The pilot was doing his share of the checks. And then, he was standing in front of me. As we exchanged introductions, I took note of his name, knowing I would want to remember it. It was only after I arrived back in my office that I realized who the pilot was -- Col. Howard Lewis, 412th Test Wing vice commander.

After the introductions, the pilot began to describe the flight plan. He seemed almost as excited about the incentive flight as my husband. He seemed equally energized that I had come to witness the event. As he described the flight plan -- his wishes to find a tanker and refuel, break the sound barrier and show off the aerobatic capabilities of the F-15 aircraft -- I became conscious of the butterflies stirring in the pit of my stomach. Why did I have butterflies? I wasn't going to be thrust back in my seat with an immediate acceleration and a max climb at the end of the runway.

As my thoughts continued to churn, the pilot bid me farewell, climbed up the ladder to the rear of the cockpit where my husband was sitting and began to inform him about the instrument panels in front of him. Shortly after the pilot secured himself in his own seat, the engines began to roar. My nerves skyrocketed. I could actually feel the power of this aircraft standing about fifty feet from its side.

My husband was grinning from ear to ear, and I was excited for him.

The canopy closed and the pilot and crew chief, Senior Airman Thomas New, began exchanging hand signals as the remainder of the crew moved about the jet. The jet began to taxi. Every inch of my being was shaking, proving the nervousness had taken control.

My escort directed me to a truck so we could meet the taxiing jet at the end of the runway. From there, he said I would have a better view of the take off, after burner and max climb.

This was such a tremendous opportunity my husband, my best friend, was experiencing. I wanted the best for him, and I hoped, as we rode out to the end of the runway, the pilot would be able to fulfill all the objectives he had laid out in his flight plan.

Once at the end of the runway, I waved as the jet passed to line up for take off. When the plane began to roll, the excitement in the pit of my stomach exploded. I watched as the jet lifted off and turned skyward. The name "max climb" did not do justice to this maneuver. It was a sight I will never forget.

I watched in awe, as if I were at an air show. I could just imagine my husband's excitement and couldn't wait to talk to him when he returned. I allowed my imagination to dominate my thoughts as we drove back to the hangar.

After bidding Tech. Sgt. Czeck farewell, I walked toward my vehicle with the excitement of what I had witnessed engulfing me.

At 3:29 p.m. a sonic boom rattled the base and my gut instinct told me the jet had just broken the sound barrier. I smiled with delight, knowing the tales of this day would continue to be told by my husband for many years to come.

I was still walking on air as I picked up our son from the childcare center.

We returned home and waited as patiently as we could for his dad to arrive.

About an hour after our arrival, he burst through the door, ecstatic from his adventure. To say that he was radiant would be an understatement. Chaos flew from his lips as he tried to recount all of his stories at once. His animated jubilation was contagious as we listened on the edge of our seats about refueling, breaking the sound barrier, the max climb, the power of the G-forces he had experienced, the tower fly-by and many other events during his hour and 18-minute flight in one of America's most agile aircrafts. Col. Lewis had taken him for the ride of his life.

In one short day, I saw the spirits of my husband skyrocket. I now have a better understanding of his job. I became reassured that our sacrifices, past, present and future, as a military family had not been taken for granted. We felt appreciated. Even our military friends seemed energized by his recognition.

I am eagerly awaiting the next time my husband is asked by John Q. Public if he has ever flown in one of the AF's fighter jets. He can finally answer "yes" and then describe his journey on the F-15 that hot July day.

The incentive flight program offers active duty military members a unique opportunity only the Air Force can provide. A special thank you to all those wonderful people who made this incentive flight a reality. We know there are many people involved in such an effort and we appreciate everything you do. Thank you Team Edwards, and thanks to all who serve!

(Courtesy of Air Force Flight Test Center Public Affairs)