Photo By Sgt. Calah Thompson | U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Alexander Johnson, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic and the...... read more read more
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Suwon Air Base, South Korea –Flying high above the Korean Peninsula, weaving in and out of the clouds at the speed of 1,915 kilometers per hour, a U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet aircraft carries its two passengers through the sky. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that only a fraction of people will ever have the chance to experience, and behind the pilot sits a Marine who typically would never be able to see the world from such altitudes.
“It’s really hard to describe. It’s nothing like anything I have ever experienced before, it was incredible,” said U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Alexander Johnson, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic and the airframes staff noncommissioned officer in charge with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW). “It’s been a long-time dream of mine and I’m really excited I finally had the opportunity to do it.”
Johnson was able to ride along on a flight in the F/A-18 Hornet, despite not having a flight MOS or qualifications, because he was nominated for an incentive flight.
“An incentive or orientation flight is an opportunity to fly a non-aircrew Marine in a tactical aircraft, being in this case the F/A-18,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Daniel Langford, the executive officer of VMFA(AW)-224. “It allows for the squadron to put in the backseat someone who is normally otherwise non-qualified to fly in order to give them exposure to the capabilities of the aircraft.”
Opportunities for Marines who are not pilots to be able to go up in an F/A-18 Hornet and experience flight are extremely rare. However, flights like this are periodically awarded to Marines and Sailors for meritorious actions and service.
“It is something that the Marine Corps does to recognize good work and to thank Marines for the service that they have done,” said Johnson explaining the flight. “It’s an opportunity that I am incredibly grateful to have had.”
Squadrons that fall under 1st MAW are allotted four incentive flights per fiscal year. VMFA(AW)-224, who falls under 2nd MAW were eager to be able to take advantage of these opportunities while falling temporarily under 1st MAW as a part of the unit deployment program.
“The orientation flights were granted by 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and [they’re] an exciting opportunity that we submitted for immediately (…) after arriving to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni,” said Langford. “There are plenty of ways to award and reward Marines for their hard work, behavior, and what they contribute to VMFA(AW)-224, the MAG, and the wing. But also the opportunity to be fitted, strapped in and flown in the F-18 is an incredible experience that we are incredibly lucky to offer four of our Marines.”
Incentive flights are not only used to reward Marines and give them the opportunity to experience something new, but also gives them more insight on the aircraft that they work on and help to maintain every day.
“Taking our Marines airborne and exposing them to the capabilities of the Hornet helps bring home the invaluable work they do every day to keep us flying and fulfilling our mission,” explained Langford.
The Marines who had the opportunity to participate in these flights were chosen because they were identified as top performers that demonstrated a hard work ethic.
“The Marines that were selected were selected based on their years of working with 224,” said Langford. “Being granted the opportunity to reward our Marines for years of hard work and to share this experience is something were happy to do and would love to continue doing.”
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| Date Taken: | 07.17.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2024 02:49 |
| Story ID: | 477412 |
| Location: | SUWON AIR BASE, KR |
| Web Views: | 545 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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