Spouses take flight with AWACS squadron Published June 10, 2016 By John Parker Staff Writer TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Lifting off from Tinker Air Force Base on two separate flights, Airmen from the 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron "Blue Knights" soared off to South Carolina for a live aerial combat exercise. Battle simulations with fighters from other squadrons are routine for Airmen flying the Airborne Warning and Control System E-3 Sentry, but two recent flights involved training with a twist. This time 18 spouses tagged along. Spouse orientation flights by the AWACS-specialized 552nd Air Control Wing don't occur often, but they do happen for a reason, said Lt. Col. Wayne Frost, 963rd squadron commander. The squadron's deployments to Southwest Asia and other global hotspots are trying not only for AWACS Airmen, but for their spouses and children as well, who must live apart from their loved ones for periods as long as four months. The 963rd is slated for another deployment soon. The squadron as a whole - active duty members, civilian employees and family members - considers itself as a family that supports and relies on each other for anything from babysitting to family crises. Spouses also serve their country, just back at home, Colonel Frost said. "We strive to have a strong Air Force family," the colonel said. "This was a significant opportunity for us to share with the spouses how each aircrew position integrates as a team on the airplane, and it allowed them to put everything into perspective. When families talk during the deployment, they'll have a better understanding since they now have a shared experience." During the flights, the training mission itself was priority. The E-3s flew about two hours to meet up with Air Force fighters divided into "red" and "blue" forces. The E-3s provided battle management and long-range surveillance for the "good guy" blue force and conducted other training scenarios during the six-hour trip. This allowed spare time for the spouses to learn more about the unclassified aspects of their spouses' jobs. Regulations prohibit spouses from the same family to fly together. For Arlene, wife of Tech. Sgt. Ryan, the flight gave her an understanding of her husband's demanding job that she couldn't have learned elsewhere. Her husband has deployed five times in his 12-year career. "I have seen and heard on Skype the exhaustion in his face and voice," Mrs. Arlene said. "I thought I understood. I thought I had an understanding of how he felt - we were both tired after all. "After my experience of actually being on the aircraft, listening to the forced air and the engines in the background all day, and the sensory overload of so many people in such a small space, I now have a much better understanding of his exhaustion while he is deployed." Lauren, wife of First Lt. Craig, said she hopes spouses will have more opportunities to fly. "From smelling the smells, seeing the screens, listening to the chatter, tolerating nausea, experiencing the teamwork and camaraderie ... from start to finish, it was an amazing ride," Mrs. Lauren said. Passenger Trang quipped that it was nice to have her husband wait for her to land for once. She is married to Airman 1st Class Jerrold. She praised the crew's professionalism and focus "to get the job done." Lt. Chris, one of the flight project officers, said the mission was important for the training and for the squadron before it deploys. "For the Blue Knights, one of our priorities is taking care of family and this is just one way for us to show how much we care, especially as we're stepping out the door," the lieutenant said. "It really helps everyone to get in a better mood because it's never fun when you have to leave your family."