BEEliner pilot emphasizes tradition

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  For Capt. Nelson Prouty, being a pilot in the 21st Airlift Squadron is about history and tradition. He's well aware of it as the squadron celebrates its 70th anniversary this week.
Before its past pilots' arrival, he anticipated sharing what he called their "common bond" as fliers and members of the squadron.

But for Prouty, it's also one of personal tradition. His father was a pilot, too, including a stint at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taiwan.

"I grew up around flying," he said.

He's been flying aircraft since August 2003, when he first piloted a Cessna. While there's a family tradition in flying for Prouty, he joined the Air Force and became a part of its history and tradition as well as the 21st AS.

At previous 21st AS functions, he said there are many similarities between his experiences and those of past squadron members.

"The planes get smarter, but pilots are still pilots," he said. "We laugh about the same things. There's a unique bond among pilots and aircrews."

The 21st AS ran through 10 different types of aircraft in the first four years of its existence, but, since the arrival of the C-17 Globemaster III at Travis in 2006, has focused on it exclusively.

Compared to the planes of yesteryear, the C-17 is "a flying computer," Prouty said.

Though the aircraft has evolved, Prouty said the primary elements of the job and the mission remain much the same. He said current missions are reminiscent of the Vietnam and Korean War eras in the squadron's history, with demanding, daily operations.

The job carries a heavy workload, with its pilots working anywhere from 16 to 24 hours in a shift on five-to-10-day missions. Prouty, who has been with the 21st for more than three years, said the duration of the missions has declined since he arrived.

On its 70th anniversary, Prouty said pilots and aircrews in the 21st AS do primarily three things, support overseas contingency operations, humanitarian missions and presidential movements.

One component of the job is dignified transfer, bringing service members who died in service of their country back to America. Prouty said it's a humbling experience, especially when members of the individual's family are on board.

"It's the kind of mission you hope you never have to do," Prouty said. "If somebody has to do it, I'm honored to be the one."

Equally humbling to Prouty is flying service members back from deployed duty.

"We'll get on the (public announcement system) and tell them we're leaving Afghanistan or wherever and there will be a cheer in back," he said. "Everybody whoops and hollars."
Prouty said ultimately that it's the camaraderie with fellow pilots and aircrew members that matters most.

"When you step on the plane, you're a crew position, not a rank," he said. "You go to a place and you're living in a tent, it can be hot, it can be cold, but if you're with good people, it's more memorable and maybe even enjoyable."

Prouty said his being part of the legacy, history and tradition of the BEEliners and the Air Force has given him a powerful perspective on the nation.

"When we carry people in and out, I'm amazed at the strength of America," he said. "That's not just to say we're strong, but I mean the will of the people is incredible."