Shogun-Pacific Air Commando spouses

Jacinta Shelton straps on a helmet as part of her individual protection equipment. Senior Airman Marc D. Esposito, 320th Special Tactics Squadron, helps her with her IPE. Mrs. Shelton, wife of Tech. Sgt. Glenn Shelton from the 353d Operation Support Squadron, was participating in the 353rd Special Operations Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Marilyn Holliday)

Pacific Air Commando spouses get bird's eye view of squadrons, island

Published April 8, 2008
By Master Sgt. Marilyn Holliday
353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Spouses of 353rd Special Operations Group members took a closer look at workplaces and "tools of the trade" during Air Commando Spouses' Day April 4.

Nicknamed OPERATION EXPLORE 353rd SOG, spouses took full advantage of standard pre-deployment briefings before heading to the flightline for orientation flights on board the group's MC-130P Combat Shadow and MC-130H Combat Talon II.

"The flight was remarkable," said Tiffni Otte, wife of Tech. Sgt. Aaron Otte, a 353rd Operations Support Squadron security forces Airman. "In all of my husband's service, I have never had the opportunity to fly on one of the Air Force's aircraft. It's nice to know that the 353d SOG cares and includes its spouses."

Spouses tried on specialized military equipment and once on board the flights, were harnessed and able to take in the view of Okinawa's island from high above.

"Honestly, I was scared out of my mind while I walked toward the MC-130," said Joleen Baker, wife of Senior Airman Joshua Baker from the 17th Special Operations Squadron. "I just felt fear rising in my throat, because this was the first military aircraft I had ever flown on in my life. As I looked out the cargo door, I knew. I finally understood why my husband loves what he does so much. It isn't because he loves flying. It's to protect the world's perfectness and its innocence for future generations."

"We all know that spouses are the backbone of the United States military," said Col. David Mullins, 353rd SOG commander. "Each and every family member is crucial to our mission success. Ensuring the welfare of our families means we have less to worry about while we're fighting the fight."

More than 100 spouses visited the squadrons for briefings and demonstrations and flew with aircrew from the 1st and 17th Special Operations Squadrons. Children from the group also participated in tours.