JBSA-Lackland deserving Airmen take to the sky

Just prior to take-off from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas 1 Nov. 2014, Flight Engineer Tech. Sgt. Duane Bryant (right) 337th Airlift Squadron, explains one of the tasks on a C-5A pre-flight inspection, which includes a thorough external look of the aircraft to Senior Airman Mychal Hamilton, an Aerospace Ground Equipment Specialist with 433rd Maintenance Squadron and Medical Technician Senior Airmen Jamie Ortega (forefront left) from the 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron. JBSA-Lackland Airmen were given an incentive flight courtesy of the 433rd Operations Group. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Minnie Jones)

JBSA-Lackland deserving Airmen take to the sky

Flight Engineer Senior Master Sgt. Robert Reyes with the 68th Airlift Squadron goes over the C-5A Galaxy’s avionics bay with Capt. Robert Orallo, (left forefront) 433rd Logistic Readiness Squadron, flight commander, Vehicle Management Flight and Staff Sgt. Eric Martinez, a knowledge operations management specialist. Thirteen outstanding Airmen from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas received an incentive flight, Nov 1, 2014 aboard a C-5A Galaxy aircraft sponsored by the 433rd Airlift Wing. This is the first incentive flight in a long while given by the “Alamo Wing.” The incentive flight was sponsored by the Operations Group, and flown by courtesy of pilots from the 68th Airlift Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Minnie Jones)

JBSA-Lackland deserving Airmen take to the sky

The 433rd Airlift Wing incentive flight program is available to all “Alamo Wing” members as a reward for their outstanding performance. The program gives members an opportunity to broaden their Air Force knowledge of the 433rd Airlift Wing’s mission and delivery capabilities of the C-5A. Interested members should contact their supervisors or public Affairs office for more information on the next incentive flight. (Courtesy photo)

JBSA-Lackland deserving Airmen take to the sky

Thirteen outstanding Airmen and crewmembers from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas on their way to the flight received an incentive flight, Nov 1, 2014 aboard a C-5A Galaxy aircraft sponsored by the 433rd Airlift Wing. This is the first incentive flight in a long while given by the “Alamo Wing.” The incentive flight was sponsored by the Operations Group, and flown by courtesy of pilots from the 68th Airlift Squadron. (Courtesy photo)

JBSA-Lackland deserving Airmen take to the sky

Senior Master Sgt. Robert Reyes (forefront) 68th Airlift Squadron, flight engineer explains the instrument panel in the cockpit, Nov. 1, 2014 to Medical Technician Senior Airmen Jamie Ortega. Ortega from the 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron was one of thirteen award members from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, who were treated to an incentive flight sponsored by the 433rd Operations Group, JBSA-Lackland. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Minnie Jones)

JBSA-Lackland deserving Airmen take to the sky

Published Nov. 21, 2014
By Minnie Jones
433rd Airlfit Squadron

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas -- Thirteen outstanding Airmen from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas received an incentive flight, Nov 1, 2014 aboard a C-5A Galaxy aircraft sponsored by the 433rd Airlift Wing. This is the first incentive flight in a long while given by the "Alamo Wing." The incentive flight was initiated by the Operations Group, and flown by courtesy of pilots from the 68th Airlift Squadron.

The incentive flight was given to the Wing's quarterly award winners and to Airmen that were handpicked by leadership from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and the Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing at Kelly Field Annex, JBSA-Lackland.

"This flight, to include the valuable training accomplished, allowed a few selected outstanding Airmen a chance to see how the incredible work they do daily, positively impacts the accomplishment of just one important mission here at JBSA-Lackland and the 433rd Airlift Wing," said Col. Lee Merkle, 433rd Operations Group commander.

The flight lasted approximately two hours and prior to the flight, Airmen experienced a walk around inspection and a tour of the inside of the C-5A.

"The incentive flight was great," said Staff Sgt. Eric Martinez, a knowledge operations management specialist. "I appreciated the opportunity and I'm glad the program is around. Thank you OPS."

During flight, Airmen had an opportunity to watch an in-flight refueling with the 507th Air Refueling Wing from Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

"The 433rd Airlift Wing selected Airmen, some of the finest within the wing and base partners on JBSA-Lackland, to experience how their contributions positively impact the accomplishments of our mission to provide the best combat ready forces," said Merkle.

The incentive flight program is available to all "Alamo Wing" members as a reward for their outstanding performance. The program gives members an opportunity to broaden their Air Force knowledge of the 433rd Airlift Wing's mission and delivery capabilities of the C-5A. Interested members should contact their supervisors or public Affairs office for more information on the next incentive flight.

Members from the 433rd Airlift Wing were:
Capt. Robert Orallo, Logistic Readiness Squadron; Master Sgt. Deborah Galbreith, Operation Support Squadron; Master Sgt. Monica Villanueva, Current Operations; Tech. Sgt. Sarah Yarbrough, Maintenance Group; Staff Sgt. Eric Martinez, Airlift Wing; Senior Airman Mychal Hamilton, Maintenance Squadron; Airman 1st Class Shawnna Kenney, 356th Airlift Squadron; Senior Airman Elizabeth Kilby, Current Operations; Senior Airman Jonathan Lyle, Logistic Readiness Squadron; Senior Airman Jamie L. Ortega, Aeromedical Staging Squadron and Senior Airman Muris Secerbegovic, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

Other deserving Airmen from JBSA-Lackland were:
Senior Airman Benjamin Gibson, 502nd Air Base Wing
Airman 1st Class Derron Edison, Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing