333rd FS, AMU spouse taxi ride

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Angela Tobin fits Jessica Clingerman in a Gentex HGU-55/P flyer’s helmet prior to an F-15-E Strike Eagle taxi ride on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 4, 2012. Spouses of 333rd Fighter Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit Airmen were given the opportunity to take a taxi ride as appreciation for the support they provide to their husbands and wives. Tobin, 4th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment journeyman, hails from Moreno Valley, Calif. Clingerman is the spouse of Staff Sgt. Steven Clingerman a 333rd AMU armament systems technician apprentice from Houghton Lake, Mich. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

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333rd FS, AMU spouse taxi ride

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Angela Tobin assists Kristin Rhynehart with securing her harness during flight gear fitting on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 4, 2012. Spouses of 333rd Fighter Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit Airmen were given the opportunity to partake in a taxi ride in thanks for their support. Tobin, 4th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment journeyman, hails from Moreno Valley, Calif. Rhynehart is the spouse of Staff Sgt. Jared Rhynehart, 333rd AMU crew chief, and hails from Greenville, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

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333rd FS, AMU spouse taxi ride

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dain Boelter assists Natalie Sisler with adjusting her oxygen mask prior to an F-15E Strike Eagle taxi-ride on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 4, 2012. Boelter adjusts the mask to her face and tests the fit to prevent air leaks while she is aboard the aircraft. Boelter, 4th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment journeyman, hails from Mendota Heights, Minn. Sisler is the spouse of U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrew Sisler a 333rd Fighter Squadron weapons systems officer from Garland, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

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333rd FS, AMU spouse taxi ride

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dain Boelter tests Natalie Sisler’s oxygen mask prior to an F-15E Strike Eagle taxi ride on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 4, 2012. Boelter tests aircrew member’s oxygen masks prior to a flight to make certain there are no air leaks or communication errors. Boelter, 4th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment journeyman, hails from Mendota Heights, Minn. Sisler is the spouse of U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrew Sisler a 333rd Fighter Squadron weapons systems officer from Garland, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

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333rd FS, AMU spouse taxi ride

Starr Brown inspects the contents of her flight bag prior to an F-15E Strike Eagle taxi ride on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 4, 2012. Gear necessary for taxi rides and flights, such as helmets and gloves, are kept together in a flight bag to prevent their loss. Brown is the wife of Senior Airman Chase Brown, 333rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, and hails from Fort Madison, Iowa. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

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333rd FS, AMU spouse taxi ride

U.S. Air Force Airmen and spouses step to their F-15E Strike Eagles for an incentive taxi ride on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 4, 2012. It is so rare for spouses to have an incentive taxi-ride that many of them waited more than 15 years before they were given this opportunity. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)

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333rd FS, AMU spouse taxi ride

Published May 9, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Spouses of Airmen assigned to the 333rd Fighter Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit were given a unique opportunity here, May 4.

Approximately 20 spouses participated in an F-15E Strike Eagle incentive taxi ride. For some, this was an opportunity of a lifetime.

"I have been waiting 15 years for this," said Jennifer Parks, spouse of Tech. Sgt. Christopher Parks, 333rd AMU crew chief. "When he told me, I was so excited I began to panic and begged my boss for the day off from work. Luckily she was excited as well and let me go."

Airmen from the 333rd FS and AMU aimed to show their spouses that the support and dedication they provide daily doesn't go unnoticed.

"My husband hadn't told me much about what I would be doing but I'm very excited to be able to experience a part of his job rather than just hearing about it at the end of his day," Parks said.

Although military members' spouses face hardships during hectic work days and lengthy deployments, they are a part of the support that Airmen need to accomplish the mission at hand.

"I'm really proud of him and everything he does," said Jessica Farnell, spouse of Master Sgt. Jamie Farnell, 333rd AMU section chief. "It's tough being apart, he's actually deployed right now but we're a strong couple."

With knowing that their spouses try to stay positive, leadership at the 333rd FS felt as though they had to be honored in such a way.

"We wanted the main focus to be on the spouses; to show our appreciation for their support and all they do to aid in accomplishing our mission," said Capt. Tanner Hein, 333rd FS assistant director of operations.