Those words describe the experience of Lt. Gen. Michael Wooley, Air Force Special Operations chief, who got to fly his command’s first operational CV-22 Osprey to its home at Hurlburt Field, Fla., last week. The full Wooley quote is: “That is the way to start a day, let me tell you. The CV-22 is an absolute dream to fly.” Unfortunately, he had to turn over the aircraft to Lt. Col. Ed Corallo, boss of Hurlburt’s 8th Special Operations Squadron, which will be AFSOC’s first operational Osprey unit. Critical to this new startup for the 8th SOS are the unit’s two—so far—flight engineers, SMSgt. Scott Marston and TSgt. Chad Ackman. AFSOC journalist Jamie Haig reports that the two airmen have been working with the Osprey program for years, Marston most recently flying with Marine Corps Osprey units.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.