Flight gives civilian employees look at Travis' mission

Civilians from various units throughout the 60th Operations Group and Maintenance Group participated in an orientation flight onboard a KC-10 Extender July 23, 2014. Embracing the “total force” concept, aircrews from the 6th and 9th Air Refueling Squadrons showcased the capabilities and mission of the KC-10 in a light many of these individuals had yet to see before. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Charles Rivezzo)

Flight gives civilian employees look at Travis' mission

A B-2 Spirit from Whiteman AFB, Mo., prepares to conduct an aerial refuel with a KC-10 Extender July 23, 2014. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Charles Rivezzo)

Flight gives civilian employees look at Travis' mission

Published Aug. 1, 2014
By Senior Airman Charles Rivezzo
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- For many of the 20 civilians onboard a two-ship of KC-10 Extenders July 23, it was more than just a flight; it was the pinnacle of their Air Force careers.

Embracing the "total force" concept, aircrews from the 6th and 9th Air Refueling Squadrons showcased the capabilities and mission of the KC-10 in a light many of these individuals had yet to see before.

"You've supported the mission your entire careers," said Col. David Mott, 60th Operations Group commander, during the pre-flight briefing. "But maybe you never got the chance to see it firsthand; to touch an aircraft or fly in it ... today is that day."

Throughout the six-hour sortie, those onboard were granted inside access into the world of aerial refueling. Many witnessed this world through a clear glass window in the lower bay of a KC-10.

"It is a rare opportunity for our civilian Airmen to go out and witness firsthand the impact of their daily mission," said Lt. Col. Thad Middleton, 9th Air Refueling Squadron commander. "It is even rarer to show them the strategic impact of their efforts and on our mission we did just that, we demonstrated the strategic capabilities of the KC-10."

For the aircrew, this flight served as a standard training mission, ensuring qualifications were met for both pilots and boom operators. For everyone else, this was a mission to create memories that would last a lifetime.

"I knew we were striking a positive and prideful chord each time I saw their faces, because the smiles kept getting bigger and bigger," Middleton said. "This one mission resonated with each of the crew members as well; because we truly wanted each of them to know how much we appreciated them being part of our team and making our missions happen."

It was memories like the one Natalie Thomas, the 9th ARS unit program coordinator, experienced when she first saw a B-2 Spirit rapidly make its way to the rear of the KC-10 to begin refueling operations.

Thomas, who served eight of her 18 years of civil service at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, never imagined she would see the B-2 airborne, especially in what felt like an "arm's reach away."

"This was the most excitement I've ever had in my entire time of civil service," she said with a smile that wouldn't leave her face. "It really gives you the full picture of the work you put in every day to support the mission. Seeing it through their eyes was an incredible experience."

Others, like Ted Vierra, 60th Aerial Port Squadron hazardous cargo inspector, has dedicated more than three decades to loading, inspecting and handling cargo on Air Force aircraft, yet hasn't flown on a plane of any kind in 30 years.

"Today was picture perfect," he said. "I work around these aircraft every day, but I've never seen this side of the mission before. It reinvigorates and motivates you to see the fruit of your labor at work."