In Flight USA Article Categories
In Flight USA Articles
Airman Ropes Off Stress, Uses Music
By Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese, 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Senior Airman Hannah Walker, 633rd Force Support Squadron food service journeyman, sings live music at the Langley Marina on Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Sept. 23, 2017. A big inspiration for Walker’s music is her family, most notably her daughter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese)Sitting on the edge of her stool, staring out at a sea of faces staring back, she tunes her guitar. Once the guitar is just right she takes a sip of her drink, grabs her pick, takes a deep breath and begins playing.
Senior Airman Hannah Walker, 633rd Force Support Squadron food service journeyman, is performing live at the Langley Marina. She occasionally does this to help de-stress and re-center herself.
“When you’re in the military and you don’t have a hobby or something to do outside of work, it can make you go insane,” said Walker. “I wear this uniform every day and I am an Airman whether I’m in uniform or not in uniform, but there is a time to take the uniform off and put it away and be who you’re called to be, whether that’s to be a husband, a wife or a musician. Those are the things that are going to keep you grounded.”
First-Hand Account of Thunderbirds Mishap at Dayton
By Mike Heilman
Capt. Erik Gonsalvas and passenger Tech Sgt. Kenneth Cordova taxi out in Thunderbird number 8 on Friday 23rd at the Dayton International Airport. (Mike Heilman)The United States Air Force Thunderbirds Demonstration Team experienced a near-tragic aircraft mishap at the Dayton International Airport a day before the 43rd annual air show. The Thunderbird’s mishap occurred in very rainy conditions as remnants of tropical storm Cindy pushed through the Dayton area.
Lt. Col. Jason Heard, Thunderbird Commander, explains what happened: “The United States Thunderbirds were conducting a single ship familiarization flight Friday, June 23, 2017. Upon landing there was a mishap at the Dayton International Airport with our F-16D “Fighting Falcon” at approximately 12:20 p.m. The plane sustained damage. The pilot and his passenger, a tactical aircraft maintainer, were taken to a local hospital where they are receiving care and are currently in good condition.”
Volunteering for ‘Target’ Practice
It’s a beautiful day to be flying your Cessna above Maryland’s scenic Eastern Shore, taking in the view of the Chesapeake Bay, when, out of nowhere, an F-16 fighter jet suddenly pulls up beside you
USAF Weapons School Mission Employment Phase Combat PHD
By Richard VanderMeulen
A pair of F-16’s hold formation on the wing of the KC-135 tanker as their element completes pre-strike refueling during the CAS (Close Air Support). Vul. A Vul refers to the “vulnerability period” or the time aircraft are away from base and vulnerable to harm. (Richard VanderMeulen)On June 9 the United States Air Force Weapons School completed its Mission Employment Phase, a seven-mission capstone to a five-and-a-half month training period. During Weapons School Class 11A ME Phase graduating Weapons Officers flew more than 90 aircraft on 500 individual sorties day and night utilizing every aircraft and asset in the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense inventory.
More than 30,000 man-hours and 1,400 flight-hours go into preparing students for the ME Phase. More than 3,300 personnel support each class. Maintenance Squadrons play a crucial role in the ultimate success of Weapons School students, even more so during ME Phase when operational tempos run at, or even higher than, actual combat operations.