422nd ABG Airman gets 'once in a lifetime' incentive

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • 501st Combat Support Wing
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  An Airman from the 422nd Air Base Group was left speechless after getting an incentive flight in an F-15E Strike Eagle from the 492nd Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England, July 27.

"I sincerely can't put the flight into words. It was exhilarating and breathtaking - literally," said Master Sgt. Gabriel Browning, the NCO in charge of high frequency global systems at the 422nd Communications Squadron, RAF Croughton, United Kingdom.

Browning earned the incentive flight as the 501st Combat Support Wing SNCO of the Year and his deployment where his unit lost nine people, including his boss and co-worker, to an Afghan gunman.

"I've been in the Air Force for 16 years and heard of others getting this opportunity earlier in my career, but I hadn't heard much about incentive flights for several years," said Browning. "I thought they were a thing of the past due to the budget constraints. So this came out of left field for me. I thought the trip to Ramstein [Air Base, Germany] for the 12 OAY banquet was the reward - and that was fine - but, after the flight this morning, and with the highest respect to General [Mark A.] Welsh [III, USAFE commander] and his team, Ramstein doesn't hold a candle!"

Browning wasn't the only one involved with the incentive flight, his wife, Tori, and children Cooper, 7, and Taylor, 4, joined him on the flightline for his departure.

"Tori was happy for me," said Browning. "Not once did she say she wanted to go, but her last words before I got on the F-15E were, 'enjoy this.' She later told me, she was nervous for me and didn't want me to make a mess (yack) or fall asleep (pass out). My son said he wished it was him.

"Tori and I used this as a learning opportunity for our children," said Browning. "That we are surrounded by really good people, and this level of recognition is due to a lot of sacrifice on many people's part. Sometimes we're not rewarded for doing a good job or the right thing, but when we are rewarded, we need to appreciate it. I think they know this isn't a normal occurrence."

With his family looking on, Browning made his way to the F-15E for the pre flight checks.

"I just wanted to make sure I made it look sexy," he said. "I was glad to have my family with me. Honestly my wife deserved the flight more than I did. She's the one who had to deal with life without me for the time I was gone. My family is a great support group and I'm blessed beyond measure. So, for them to be here on a 'once in a lifetime' experience - it was just fitting. And I hope it encourages my children to make the right choices early in their life so they can achieve their future goals. Maybe they can fly for the Air Force one day ... or maybe do communications!"

The flight left RAF Lakenheath and flew west to Wales and back with a few added bonuses thrown in to make it more memorable.

"We pulled 7.9 Gs and I thought I was going to be crushed! But the training they give you for the breathing technique kept me awake," said Browning. "We did a low level flight (about 500 feet) through a canyon in Wales. The walls of the mountains were on either side of us, and we were in the valley banking left and right, pulling a couple of Gs here and there. It was surreal," he said. "The feeling of the Gs is something similar to this old carnival ride called the Gravittron. The one that looks like an old time flying saucer, where you lean against the wall and it spins around. The force held you against a board and the board slid up the wall. It's like that - but way stronger! You can feel your face sliding down your cheek bones and you're just trying hard to stay awake. We had a second ship flying with us and to see another aircraft that close to you in the sky is jaw dropping. I was so impressed.

"I was relieved and glad I didn't sleep or yack during the flight," he said. "When we landed, I couldn't stop smiling, I felt a little cloudy in my head, and my body felt like it'd done something more than just sit there - even though that's all I did. But I couldn't stop smiling.

"I think the fighter world gets a bad wrap ... people say they are too cocky, self absorbed, etc. But I can honestly say the 492nd FS 'Madhatters' are an exceptionally warm and welcoming bunch of people. Every person was super nice. Going back to the squadron on the bus ride, the bus picked up several returning pilots and they all asked me how I liked it, did I have fun, and what I did. They were very hospitable to my family as well. I have such an appreciation for what they do. Thanks to everyone who made this happen, and a special thanks to Col. [Brian] Kelly [501st CSW commander] and Chief [Master Sgt. Scott] Berge [501st CSW command chief] for pushing this through."