335th FS, 4th AMXS spouses receive unique Strike Eagle opportunity

  • Published
  • By Airman Shawna L. Keyes
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Spouses of members from the 335th Fighter Squadron and 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received a tour and taxi ride in an F-15E Strike Eagle, Feb. 16.
More than 30 spouses from the two squadrons were provided this opportunity to see a day-in-the-life of their active-duty counterparts who work with the Strike Eagle.

"We wanted to say a big 'thank you' to our spouses," said Capt. Wes Szempruch, 335th FS pilot and event coordinator. "You could just tell on their faces, and hearing them on the radios, that they were really pumped to be part of a Strike Eagle crew, even if it was just for an hour."

Spouses received a briefing upon arrival and were fitted with flight gear and specialized name tags. Once fully geared up they got a quick pre-flight brief before stepping to the flightline for a break-down of prep and launch procedures for the F-15E Strike Eagle.

After conducting launch procedures, the spouses climbed into the cockpit preparing for their taxi rides.  Spouses traveled down the flightline and around the runway in the aircraft. During the ride, spouses radioed the air traffic control tower to round out their event.

"This experience was really special," said Colleen Nugent, wife of Capt. Dan Nugent, 335th FS pilot. "After seeing what all goes into preparing for a flight, I can actually relate and say 'Oh, that's what he's talking about.' when my husband comes home and talks about his day. I definitely think this experience will help us relate to our spouses' jobs and have a better understanding of what they do every day and realizing all the steps and how much effort is involved outside of just flying the jet."

Although the experience only lasted one hour, the memories and gratitude created will last a lifetime with all who participated, added Colleen.

"It really meant a lot to me that my wife got this opportunity," said Szempruch. "The F-15E Strike Eagle has so many capabilities and can go so many places that it's difficult to go home at the end of the day and explain it all in basic terms, especially without using your hands. She sent me a text right afterward and said she had a new appreciation for what I do."

Szempruch said this is something the squadron would like to offer in the future, especially because they weren't able to accommodate all the spouses on both the maintenance and operations side.

"I'm incredibly grateful to the Chiefs and maintenance for helping us put this day together," said Szempruch. "It took lot of coordination, contingency planning, and time, but it was all worth it so see all those smiles."