Posted on 06/27/2007 5:31:25 PM PDT by SandRat
6/27/2007 - F.E. WARREN AFB, Wyo. (AFPN) -- Two special children got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to "launch" intercontinental ballistic missiles June 11 from F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
Ariana Ruskey-Moffett and her family visited F.E. Warren AFB to participate in the base's first Missileer for a Day Program, where sick or disabled children learn about what it's like to be a missileer in the Air Force.
"I've learned a little about being a missileer," said Ariana, a 9-year-old cancer survivor. "I've enjoyed myself a lot."
Ariana and her 6-year-old brother, Avery, received a personalized tour of the base and learned the base's primary mission from a missileer who was their tour guide.
The tour began in the operations building where the children were given their own flight suits complete with patches and name badges, a short brief about the missileer mission and a personal welcome from Lt. Col. Jeff Smith, the former 320th Missile Squadron commander.
Afterward, the children toured the missile procedure trainer where they were able to complete a countdown checklist to a launch, including an actual key-turn.
"We pretended to launch rockets," Ariana said.
Then the family traveled to the 37th Helicopter Squadron and climbed into the seats of a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter. After a quick stop for lunch at the Chadwell Dining Facility, the family witnessed a military working dog demonstration and a tour of the missile maintenance training facility. The children also explored a security forces Humvee that was parked for them to explore.
"My favorite part was the helicopter. I turned some knobs and pretended to fly," Avery said.
"It's fun to see them get excited," said 1st Lt. Shaen Gutzman of the 320th MS who served as tour guide for the Ruskey-Moffett family. "Hopefully, there will be more visits in the future."
Making a Child’s Wish Come True.
I'll never forget setting off actual demolitions at a USMC family field day in Camp Lejeune a few years ago.
Just a little missile humor.
"Wham! Bam! There goes Iran!"
Yes!!! Good job, Ariana.
What a cutie! She could be a model for Cabbage Patch!
Wonderful story. Thanks for posting it. My husband was stationed at F.E. Warren in the early sixties. There are two missiles set up near the front gate to the base. He helped erect them. IIRC, Warren is the the only Air Force Base without a runway. (missles have no need for them)
I was a missileer at Ellsworth back in the early 80’s.
Still have my SCS key.
Bump!
Bump!
I used to torment the Space Ops guys when at Peterson AFB about wearing a flight suit (being an old aviation guy it was great fun to knock them down a couple of pegs). I asked them if they had to throw themselves on their console if it caught on fire. It was great fun to watch them screw themselves into the ceiling and they never had the guts to try to get back at a guy wearing aircrew wings.
Not a big fan of “Lost” in Space Command (hard to get excited about a missile or a satellite), but they did a really cool thing, that those kids and their family will never forget. I loved showing my aircraft off at air shows to the public too (especially for the kids), something the “pocket rocket” guys don’t usually get to do. Way to go Air Force!
You know, someone who was a fool could say this was a violation of international treaties prohibiting child soldiers.
Ellsworth gave up its last missiles about 10 years ago. It’s all B-1’s now. They still have one silo open, operating as a museum. If you ever get back to the beautiful Black Hills, let me know.
They probably did.
Will do. I used to love me trips out past Wall Drug. Send my friend a jackalope, he about freaked. Told him it was real.
Driving around my first week I would see fences with signs that said O2, A7, E5. Use of Deadly Force Authorized. My friend said that is where I would be working. I said there is nothing there. He said, “wait, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
He was right.
“Hold muh beer and watch this!”
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