B-52 Spouses experience the real thing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB, La. --  Spouses of B-52 Stratofortress crewmembers from the 93rd and 11th Bomb Squadrons had the opportunity to see what their husbands are doing on a daily basis during a refueling mission at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Nov. 16, 2010.

Approximately 15 spouses learned first hand what it was like to fly with their spouses as they observed the refueling process of the B-52 from the boom operator's area in the rear of a KC-135 Stratotanker.

The KC-135 crew, who are from the 101st Air Refueling Wing at the Air National Guard Base in Bangor, Maine, consisted of Lt. Col. Dana A Beers, aircraft commander, Lt. Col. Karl W. Kornchuk, co-pilot, Master Sgt. Edward J Seymour and Master Sgt. Christopher R. Boucher, who are both boom operators.

The 101st ARW, affectionately known as the ' MAINEiacs', is located at the Bangor International Airport and provides 24 hour air and ground refueling for many aircraft whose destination takes them across the Atlantic.

Each of the spouses were given the opportunity to watch the refueling process and a couple even got to communicate with their husbands, who were on the B-52 from the 93rd Bomb Squadron of the 917th Wing at Barksdale AFB.

"I'm glad Christy will get the opportunity to experience a little of what we do here during our drill weekends," said Lt. Col. Joseph Jones, commander, 93rd BS. "I know it will be one of those experiences she'll always remember."