Outstanding Airmen treated to Huey flight

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lisa Meiman
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  Warren Airmen who have caught their supervisor's eye with excellent performance now have a chance to take a flight on one of Warren's UH-1N "Huey" Iroquois thanks to the 37th Helicopter Squadron's recently reinstituted flight incentive program.

Each group submits two names based on outstanding performance. Anyone in the group can be nominated. The helicopter squadron then coordinates flights and everyone who is nominated gets to ride.

"It's not kept to quarterly award winners. It's for whoever is doing a good job," said 1st Lt. Alberto Holt, 37th HS.

The goal is to have 10 people a month participate in the program. Nominations are due the last week of each month, and flights are typically scheduled three weeks later.

"This program is good for us because it allows us to show our appreciation to the base," said Capt. Scott Jenkins, 37th HS.

For the nominees, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to fly in a helicopter and another chance to be recognized as an outstanding performer, he added.

During the flight, pilots want to familiarize riders with the local area, including Cheyenne, Laramie, Wyo., and the front range in Colorado.

The average flight time right now depends on how many people participate. Even if there are eight to ten people it will still be a very healthy ride. An hour long flight will probably be standard with maximum participation, said Captain Jenkins.

When the program began in November only four people were nominated and received a ride. In December, seven people were nominated but only three could fly at the scheduled time. However, the other four nominees will still fly at a later date.

If they can't make it to their scheduled flight, we'll make it up. Everyone gets to fly, said Lieutenant Holt.

"Participation is growing as news about the program spreads across the base. Now that we're getting the word out and the procedures down, it's really taking off," said Captain Jenkins.

Before the flight, passengers receive a safety brief from the crew or operations desk. Crew members explain what to expect on the ride, exit procedures in case of an emergency and the location of the first aid kit and fire extinguishers on the helicopter.

"Getting a helicopter ride is not something everyone gets to do so it's pretty cool," said Master Sgt. Sandy Turner, 90th Comptroller Squadron, the 90th Space Wing staff agency nominee who flew on last month's incentive flight Dec. 19.

"It's always fun taking people up and seeing their faces," said 1st Lt. Kevin Weaver, 37th HS, the pilot for December's flight. "I think it's a great program. It lets them [outstanding performers] do something new."

The incentive flight program also tells people what we do. They get to know how much planning goes into a flight, how safe a helicopter is and how cold it can be up there. Our squadron is a small island on base that represents the rest of the Air Force and the riders get to experience that, said Lieutenant Weaver.

In December, the nominees flew around Cheyenne first and traveled out to Laramie. Then the Huey turned south to Fort Collins, Colo., passing Horseshoe Reservoir and Fort Love on the way. Nominees also got to fly up against the front range near Fort Collins, Colo. There they saw coyote, elk and mule deer among other wildlife during the trip.

"The best part was right before Fort Collins when we were right up against the mountains," said Airman 1st Class Jake Dorton, 90th Maintenance Operations Squadron, who also rode Dec. 19 as one of the two Maintenance Group nominees.

The other MXG nominee was Airman 1st Class Charles Remele, 90th MOS.

"I would recommend doing it. It's not something you get to do very often, and coming from the support side, it's nice to see the mission side," said Sergeant Turner.