B-1 incentive flights resume for Dyess Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman Quay Drawdy
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Two Dyess Airmen got the ride of a lifetime as B-1B Lancer incentive flights were flown for two top-performing Airmen here Nov. 20.

The program was restarted in August as a way to reward superior-performing Airmen and allow those Airmen, who enable flying operations, to be exposed to the mission they support.

To be nominated for an incentive flight, Airmen must receive a nomination at the flight, squadron and group levels. Once they have been through each of those stages, they finally compete for their spot at the wing level.

"The (incentive) flights occur twice a month, said Maj. Cecil Redmon II, 28th Bomb Squadron Assistant Director of Operations. "Typically, they are scheduled as the last flights of the day on Fridays, and will also participate in the Warrior Fly-By. The Warrior Fly-Bys are those that you see flown down the runway at 1,000 feet and at a speed of .9 Mach (685 MPH)."

For the flights that took place Nov. 20, Staff Sgt. Ariful Haque, 7th Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuels craftsman, and Senior Airman Ryan McDonnell, 7th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment journeyman, were two of the most recent Airmen to participate in the monthly incentive program.
McDonnell earned his incentive flight after winning the 2014 Maintenance Professional of the Year award.

"My experience flying inside the B-1 was simply the coolest experience I have ever had," McDonnell said. "Having the feeling of just wearing a flight suit with a helmet, listening to the pilot speak with the tower on how and when to launch and - of course - doing all different types of maneuvering in the air that can potentially make a person sick was great!"

One of the 12 Outstanding Dyess Airmen of the Year for September 2014, Haque went through the same nomination process as McDonnell before getting his ride.
"Thanks to the 28th Bomb Squadron, [the flight] was extremely exhilarating," Haque said. "I have never felt that kind of thrill in my life. I was literally on top of the world and, at the same time, I felt very small. It was a picturesque moment looking down at the Big Country."

It's not just the Airmen who are excited about the return of the incentive flight program, Redmon said.

"The B-1 is unique in its capabilities and currently a highly sought after platform by combatant commanders, so yes, all Airmen should be proud that they get to serve and support such an amazing mission," Redmon said. "This program allows the bomb wing to give something back for those who perform at the highest levels here at Dyess to help inspire others to achieve the same recognition."