Jenny from the sim
So yes, I went into the training simulator used by the 134th Air Refueling Wing, 151st Air Refueling Squadron, at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee.
And I refueled an F-22 and a C-5. For real.
Sort of.
I'm prissy as you know so I guess it was a sight to see when I clambered on all-fours into that tiny space and wriggled on my belly onto this narrow ergonomically-correct cot-like thing and put my feet into metal braces out behind me that I could not actually see, and rested my chin on the little black padded thing provided for that purpose.
Once I got into place and had been assured by Andrew that no military-type males would be looking in there on me, judging, I was all excited.
New experiences; I'm all about that.
Sort of.
Once I'd gotten all comfy and acclimated, Andrew suggested that I scoot over to one of the similar cot-like things on either side of the boom's space.
He got all serious and businesslike so I busied myself taking pictures of my son, handsome even in low light and close quarters.
The boy made me wear earphones just like his for a while but I took them off because I was certain they were mussing my hair.
I got schooled in where the controls are and what they mean and what they do. I remember everything he told me.
Sort of.
Then it was my turn to actually refuel an aircraft while in flight.
First up was the F-22. Fighter jet, my friends. See that little fake pilot?
The monster C-5 came later.
I was still excited but I concentrated more because I wanted Andrew to be proud of me.
And he told me I made a perfect contact.
It wasn't scary at all because I remembered the whole time that we'd never left the ground.
After I'd refueled the C-5 -- another perfect contact, tank you -- we walked around the facility where Andrew goes to work every day, and he introduced me to a few of his fellow boom operators, plus several pilots.
One fine gentleman in uniform asked if I were proud of my son and of course I said Of course.
And he said, Well you should be because he's one of only twenty-five boom operators in the whole State of Tennessee.
Another uniformed gentleman standing beside the first one chimed in, And one of only nine-hundred-eighty boom operators in the world.
Oh.
I am even prouder than I thought I was, and that's a lot.
Daggy says Way to go, Uncle Andrew. She's here in Knoxville with us, as is her mother and her Aunt Erica.
That's what Dagny does every single morning as soon as she wakes up: V for victory. Curled fists, ready for action.
So then Andrew drove me out in a special bus to the flight line, where we walked around some more and then I actually got inside a KC-135 Stratotanker.
I had to climb this ladder straight up fifteen feet, a feat I accomplished deftly and with style.
Sort of.
Andrew showed me the actual boom pod where he does his job, and it wasn't nearly as nice as the one in the sim. The KC-135 Stratotankers are sixty years old, after all.
Here's the nose of the one I climbed into. They dole out Fink-O-Lene. Price per gallon: 2 Much.
The engines are big and you don't want birds getting slurped into the blades while you're airborne.
My baby hopped right on up in there. He be spry.
Here he is, showing me something.
And posing.
And posing yet again, for posterity, sweet obedient adventurous son that he is.
These photos were taken on Wednesday, when it was overcast and cool. Today there is not a cloud in the East Tennessee sky and the high is forecast for nearly eighty degrees.
Dagny is dressed for the occasion.
Decked out in pink with black polka dots, black lace, and pearls, secure in the arms of her doting Uncle Andrew, she's ready for an adventure of her own.
And that is all for now.
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Happy Friday ~ Happy Weekend
Reader Comments (8)
Yay for you! I'm so impressed!
When Bob comes home I'm going to show him and I know he'll be jealous.
Dagny is so adorable, and your Andrew is as good looking as ever. :)
How exciting! I would have loved every minute of that private tour. Yep, I think you should bust your buttons with pride about your son and his accomplishments. Glad you are enjoying the weather in Knoxville. I think the rain is finally out of here for a while!
Wow! That's incredible, Jenny. Such an experience the two of you will always remember. I had to laugh about your "hair"! I know you're so proud of Andrew, as we all are who know you. He's doing a great service, and I appreciate him & all the others like him.
Baby girl is lookin' spiffy in her outfit.
xoxo
I don't know why, but I started crying while reading this. The photos tell such an awesome story, but your words, too. You deserve to be a proud mama and grandma! I'm proud and they aren't even mine!
Well, I'm like Barb, this brought tears to my eyes also. For so many reasons, but mainly that I am so happy for you and proud also of the wonderful, loving son you have raised. The love for his mama clearly shows in all of his actions. And the look on your face is what really brought me to tears. Be proud J. , you have every right to be. Wonderful adventure and beautifully written about...as usual my writing friend. I'm proud too, and of all of you!! Dagny is the exclamation point in this post!!! Cuteness personified.
G.
Sounds like a really fun experience!
I am so behind in my "me time" reading! And, I can't begin to tell you how truly jealous i am of this experience! I just kept thinking as i read this - I have to show this to Max, he will die. Just die. What a wonderful experience and makes for great story telling. I don't think you messed up your hair too much.
In my own personal experience, a son named Andrew - always, always looks out for his momma.
He is handsome and how could you not be proud? I am more impressed with you, than him in this particular reading because when asked if you were proud of him, and you only responded "of course"- well that took great restraint! I have a hard time keeping my joy and pride and overall happiness with my sons to two syllables, which probably makes the other party wish they didn't ask!
I am proud of your Andrew, and have shared him with my sons and my coworkers, so BRAVO ANDREW! Thank you for your continued service.
And Dagny looks so tiny in his hand, right? Peanut! Feel better, indulge while you can because before you know it, it will be back to the grindstone.
@Sallie ... in blogspeak I said two words. In real life, I said many more. But while on the base and particularly within the walls of Andrew's unit, I was surrounded by great American heroes whose collective years of service to our beloved republic likely equal more years than America has been in existence. So rather than sing my son's praises, which I feel would have been tacky (not to mention superfluous) in that environment, I chose to ask questions of those men and listen to their answers, and yes, I bragged on them a little, and thanked them for their contribution to my freedom. My son wouldn't have had it any other way. I'm his mother; it's patently obvious that I'm extremely proud of him and impressed by his achievements. And naturally you are proud of your beautiful sons' achievements, and I know that as they go through life our sons (and daughters) will give us many more reasons to be proud and grateful. As I'm fond of saying, my four children have taught me more than I ever taught them. Their father and I are firmly in each of their corners and they know it! xoxo