301st AS takes spouses to the skies

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Madelyn Brown
  • 349th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  An orientation flight hosted by the 301st Airlift Squadron took 11 spouses to the sky in a C-17 Globemaster III July 11, 2015, to witness the squadron's regularly scheduled training mission during the A-Flight Unit Training Assembly.

The flight was part of a larger "Family Day" event hosted by the squadron that gathered more than 70 members of the 301st AS community for grilling and games.
The last spouse flight hosted by the 301st AS occurred in 2007.

For Melissa Nichols, whose husband, Tech. Sgt. Shane Nichols is a C-17 loadmaster, this was her first, direct experience with the aircraft he operates when on duty.  

"The flight was such great insight into what he does in his job," she said. "My favorite part was the in-flight refuel. It was amazing, and I would definitely recommend the (orientation) flight to other spouses."

The aircraft flew over the central region of Manteca to receive fuel from a KC-10 Extender before returning to Travis.

In addition to mission familiarization for the spouses, the flight also provided passenger handling training for loadmasters, cargo load training for the 45th Aerial Port Squadron and aerial refuel training for the 79th Air Refueling Squadron.

"It's important for families to know what we're doing as Reservists," said Capt. Charles Cummings, who piloted the spouse orientation flight. "Now they have some firsthand experience in what we do to serve the country."

Lt. Col. Robert Osborn, 301st AS commander, echoed those sentiments. "Any chance we get to include our family in squadron operations definitely increases our motivation to train," he said. "Showing our spouses what we do when we put on the uniform reinforces the critical link with our Reservist families."

Pursuant to Air Force Instruction 11-401, Spouse Orientation Flights familiarize military spouses with the unit aircraft and mission to enhance their understanding of the military member's role and contribution to the Air Force mission.

"Our families are the backbone of this squadron; getting the chance to include them on our flight and all of the "Family Day" activities after they land provides a tremendous boost to family awareness and a sense of belonging," Osborn said. "Being able to say 'thank you' to our families and make them feel at home in our squadron is an important part of maintaining mission effectiveness."