Austyn's F-16 Adventure
8/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Aug. 17, 2011
Junior Austyn Wilson talks about her first ride in an F-16...
This summer, between my three degree and two degree years, I went to Luke AFB in Phoenix, Ariz. This base is well known for its F-16 mission. The entire base, for the most part, is centered around the maintenance and support of the flying mission. I went there first period, right after graduation, for three weeks. While there, I got a once in a lifetime (though hopefully not my last time) chance to both fly in and actually fly an F-16.
The pilot I flew with was absolutely amazing. Our mission that day was to chase another F-16 which was piloted by an officer who was in training. He had successfully graduated from IFS, UPT and then was learning, on his fifth flight, his specialty, the F-16.
The moments in the air were almost indescribable. From the time I strapped in, to the time we were doing rolls and pulling seven G's, they were, by far, the best moments in my short 20 years of life so far. I absolutely love it and have decided without a doubt that this is what I really really want to do for the Air Force once I am blessed with my commissioning in two looooong years. This flight, and both pilots, really inspired me to be and do something greater than I ever previously imagined.
-Austyn
