Sky is the limit for new Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rito Smith
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Mission complete! First Term Airman Course (FTAC) graduates took flight on a KC-135 Stratotanker, July 18, 2016 from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. as part of an effort to showcase the aerial refueling mission to first-term Airmen.

Airmen from many different career fields were given the opportunity to fly after completing the week long course.

“I thought the flight was a really awesome experience,” said Airman Josh Kim, a knowledge management journeyman assigned to the 6th Communications Squadron.

The flight allowed new Airmen a chance to see firsthand how they fit into MacDill’s mission.

“These Airmen are brand new to the Air Force and MacDill and I don’t think they fully understand their roles yet,” said Tech. Sgt. Dustin Maglinti, FTAC lead assigned to the 6th Force Support Squadron. “This flight connects the dots to how MacDill fulfills the Air Force’s mission.  It also connects the Airmen with how they support MacDill in mobilization and generation of Air Force assets in support of the Air Force mission.”

The Airmen sat down with the boom operators and learned what the flying boom does, how and why they practice emergency separations, and how air refueling allows the 6th Air Mobility Wing to provide unrivaled global reach for America.

For one Airman this experience helped put into perspective just how big the Air Force is and how he fit into the puzzle.

“I thought it was eye-opening to be laying down and seeing jaw dropping views of Florida and the water as the F-22 Raptor pulled up to be refueled,” said Kim. “I never thought I would ever see an awesome jet like that. The flight left me with a great perspective about the Air Force and MacDill.”