MacDill Reservists host spouse flight

The 927th Air Refueling Wing hosted a spouse flight March 2, 2019, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., a meaningful flight for spouses to understand how their significant others contribute to mission and national security.

Spouses were greeted by Col. Doug Stouffer, 927 ARW commander, who provided the spouses with a mission brief and plan for the day.

"We couldn’t be more thankful, to be able to share this moment with the spouses who are so vital to mission success," said Stouffer. "For the spouses to be able gain further insight as to what their significant other does during the time when they are gone or when they have to deploy is truly special."

The event was ran like a deployment, each spouse was given a deployment folder, a mobility bag and information about the resources available to them and their spouse while deployed.

The spouses then boarded one of two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft for the flight, where they would witness firsthand an air-to-air refueling mission.

For Sarah Hopkins, wife of Col. Gary Hopkins, 927th Aeromedical Staging Squadron commander, she believes that all spouses would benefit from this flight.

“This was such an amazing experience,” said Hopkins. “I think that this helped me really understand how the mission works and being given that direct look at what has to happen when the service members deploy, made me gain another level of respect and admiration for what they do each and every day.” 

LaKeisha Lawson, wife of Staff Sgt. William Lawson, 927th Logistics Readiness Squadron material manager agreed, adding that "The spouse flight was extremely insightful and something she recommends to all spouses when the opportunity becomes available." 

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity,” Lawson said. “As spouses of servicemembers we don’t always understand what’s going on but this experience tied things together for me and helped me learn more about what my spouse does.”