40th HS hosts spouse orientation flight

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Delia Marchick
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The 40th Helicopter Squadron opened its doors to spouses and families of the squadron's Airmen during a spouse orientation event Sept. 17.

Spouse flights are common in flying squadrons to provide a better understanding of the military member’s role and contribution to the Air Force mission.

The event began with a breakfast so families and their Airmen could meet before the day’s events.

The children were treated to a bounce house and a visit from Malmstrom’s firefighters and fire truck.

The spouses then received a mission briefing followed by a safety briefing where they received their flight time, flying group and designated escort.

The spouses were escorted to the helicopters by a flight engineer or pilot and received ear plugs, headsets, instructions and assistance getting situated into the helicopter.

“We do the spouse flights because we want to get the spouses involved and show them what we do,” said Capt. Robert Meeks, 40th HS current operations flight commander. “We want to bring them in and make sure that they know that they are part of us.”

The 40th HS tries to do spouse flights once a year to show their appreciation for everything the spouses do for the squadron and everything they sacrifice for the mission.

“They give a lot for our Airmen to be here to get the mission done,” said Meeks. “The (military members) sometimes stay overnight, have late-night training flights and stay on alert for search and rescues.”

The 40th HS spouse group is very involved in the squadron and supportive of the military members and other spouses.

“I was actually surprised at how involved the spouses and families are in the squadron because at previous bases it wasn’t like that,” said Meeks. “Here it seems like every event, final flight, promotion, and every hail and farewell is a big deal and everybody comes.

“There is more comradery here between the spouses and within the squadron than I have ever seen in my career and it’s pretty awesome to be a part of it,” added Meeks.

The spouses were flown over the Highwood Mountains and then followed the river over Great Falls and then returned to base.

While in the air, the pilots and flight engineer pointed out landmarks and explained how the aircrew handle weather changes, wind and different types of terrain.

“When the spouses actually get in a helicopter, hear the noises and feel what’s it’s like up in the air they will have a better idea of how we handle things, how we fly and how we interact as a crew,” said Meeks.

One of the goals of the spouse flight was to provide spouses with an opportunity to experience some of what the military members do every day.

“I have a better understanding of the helicopter, what’s it’s like to fly and what they get to see every day they fly,” said Reagan McElroy 40th HS spouse. “The view and the opportunity to fly was amazing.”

Meeks hoped that the spouses would feel like they are an important part of the mission and that the squadron appreciates everything the spouses and families do for the squadron.

Many of the spouses said that they enjoyed their flights and appreciated all of the work the squadron put into planning the spouse flights.

“It really makes us feel special and we get to have a better understanding of what our husbands do every day which is amazing to see,” said McElroy. “It’s also great because it brings us all together.”