Honorary commanders fly Dover skies

  • Published
  • By Capt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Sitting on the flight deck of a C-17 Globemaster III, observing Dover Air Force Base pilots connect to the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker to download fuel at an altitude much higher than your typical gas station is what one local civic leader described as a great day at the office.

Deborah Caulk was one of 24 honorary commanders from Delaware law enforcement, education, business, medical and political arenas who participated in the base's Honorary Commanders orientation flight Aug. 16.

"This is an amazing opportunity; and, I love every minute of it," said Ms. Caulk who is a manager at a local auto parts store.

The day kicked off at the 3rd Airlift Squadron where the honorary commanders received a flight mission briefing about their four-hour mission and were informed about the capabilities of the C-17.

They were then transported to the aircraft where loadmasters demonstrated how to set up a litter to transport patients. The cargo area of a C-17 can hold 36 litters. To show the hauling capacity of the airlifter, before takeoff the aircrew performed a combat offload of a 5-foot tire followed by the removal of a large fork lift, which had been chained to the cargo bay floor.

After takeoff, the crew met up with a refueling tanker and participants could visit the flight deck to see the aerial refueling process in action.

Bettie Campbell, 436th Maintenance Group honorary commander, said the flight was an experience of a lifetime to fly on the C-17.

It was such a thrill being on the flight deck seeing what the aircrew does every day, said Ms. Campell, a bank manager.

"This is a wonderful experience to be able to come to base events such as this as well as to be able to support the Airmen," said Ms. Campell. Every time I talk to someone on base I can tell they love their job and what they are doing."

After the flight, 512th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Randal L. Bright and 436th Airlift Wing Vice Commander Col. Anthony B. Krawietz, who accompanied the civic leaders on the flight, thanked them for attending and sharing the Air Force story with fellow community members.

"Today you saw the flying aspect of the mission, which is only one small part of what we do at Dover AFB," said Colonel Krawietz. "There is so much more that goes on behind the scenes to get these planes off the ground. From maintenance to agencies that support the flying mission, we are large team that makes things happen."

The unique opportunity for local military and civilian leaders to join forces and learn about their equivalent career fields began in 1992.

Since then, more than 500 community leaders have had the chance to participate in the base's Honorary Commanders Program and have flown in Dover's C-5 Galaxies or C-17s over the years.

This annual event helps showcase Dover's mission and gives community members a chance to step out of their offices and into the boot's of Dover Airmen.