Trainees fly into Air Force career

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joseph E. Bridge
  • 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. --  "It will make me stronger: Funds for college: Family encouragement: To try something new in life." These are just a few of the reasons that trainees of the Development and Training Flight with the 911th Airlift Wing have for joining the United States Air Force Reserve.

While they all have joined for different reasons, Dec. 7, was the date they all did something as a group within the Air Force Reserves. They took their first flight on a military aircraft and for some the first flight of their lives.

"It truly was an awesome experience," said Gena M. Bartlett, a trainee with the DTF. "From taking my first flight, to flying over Niagra Falls, all while seeing the jobs of the flight crew and medical staff on board, it is something I will always remember."

While some seemed nervous before take off, with quietness and a serious look on their faces, all was eased by the time the loadmasters gave them the okay that they could get out of their seats.

I was a little nervous while we were getting ready to take off, not so much about the plane ride, but more so because this is apart of the new path I am deciding to take in life, said Beth Feenstra, another trainee with the DTF.

Once given the okay to move around the plane the trainees began looking out of the windows, talking to the crew about what they were doing, and some asking questions of what their future job at the 911th might entail.

The flight met the purpose of the DTF, which is to introduce recruits to the Air Force and prepare trainees for all the rigors that basic training can pose.

While on the flight the trainees were able to see up close how the aero-medical squadron trains by performing in-flight procedures all while wearing gas masks and multiple breathing apparatuses, sit in the flight deck and observe how the pilots and navigator operate, and also observe and speak with the loadmasters of the flight.

"I was talking to some of the loadmasters on the flight and it got me even more excited to get started with my Air Force career because that is what I am going to be doing here at the 911th," said Josh Schuckers, who is slotted to become a loadmaster after completion of Basic Military Training and technical training.