Spouses of U.S. Air Force members stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct 27, 2012, disembark the CV-22 Osprey. Husbands and wives of Air Commandos are welcomed to the base and given the chance to ride in a military aircraft during annual Spouse Orientation Flights. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)
Air Commando spouses receive a pre-flight briefing at the 551st Special Operations Squadron before heading out to the flight line at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 27, 2012. Cannon's annual Spouses Orientation Flights offer a rare opportunity for husbands and wives to take to the skies in a military aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew)
Aircrews of the CV-22 Osprey standby as they await the arrival of eager Air Commando spouses at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 27, 2012. Cannon's annual Spouses Orientation Flights offer a rare opportunity for husbands and wives to take to the skies in a military aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew)
Air Commando spouses are escorted to on to the flight line by aircrew members of the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 27, 2012. Cannon's annual Spouses Orientation Flights offer a rare opportunity for husbands and wives to take to the skies in a military aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew)
Spouses of U.S. Air Force members stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct 27, 2012, catch a ride to the flightline. Husbands and wives of Air Commandos are welcomed to the base and given the chance to ride in a military aircraft during annual Spouse Orientation Flights. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)
Air Commando spouses snap away pictures as they take their first flight in a CV-22 Osprey at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 27, 2012. Cannon's annual Spouses Orientation Flights offer a rare opportunity for husbands and wives to take to the skies in a military aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Landmesser smiles as a spouse of a Air Commando works up her courage to look out the back of a CV-22 Osprey at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 27, 2012. Cannon's annual Spouses Orientation Flights offer a rare opportunity for husbands and wives to take to the skies in a military aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew)
Air Commando spouses snap away pictures as they disembark from their first flight in a CV-22 Osprey at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 27, 2012. Cannon's annual Spouses Orientation Flights offer a rare opportunity for husbands and wives to take to the skies in a military aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ericka Englbom and Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew depart the flight line after documenting a CV-22 Osprey flight for Air Commando spouses at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 27, 2012. Cannon's annual Spouses Orientation Flights offer a rare opportunity for husbands and wives to take to the skies in a military aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Landmesser gazes out the back of a CV-22 Osprey during a flight for Air Commando spouses at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 27, 2012. Cannon's annual Spouses Orientation Flights offer a rare opportunity for husbands and wives to take to the skies in a military aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew)
Air Commando spouses gaze out the back of a CV-22 Osprey at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 27, 2012. Cannon's annual Spouses Orientation Flights offer a rare opportunity for husbands and wives to take to the skies in a military aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew)
A member of the 20th Special Operations Squadron leads spouses to a CV-22 Osprey at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct 27, 2012. Husbands and wives of Air Commandos are welcomed to the base and given the chance to ride in a military aircraft during annual Spouse Orientation Flights. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)
The spouse of a U.S. Air Force member stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct 27, 2012, takes a picture while aboard a CV-22 Osprey. Husbands and wives are welcomed to the base and given the chance to ride in a military aircraft during annual Spouse Orientation Flights. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)
A CV-22 Osprey takes off from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct 27, 2012. Husbands and wives of Air Commandos are welcomed to the base and given the chance to ride in a military aircraft during annual Spouse Orientation Flights. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)
by Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
10/29/2012 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- More than 200 Air Commando spouses got a bird's eye view of Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., as they took to the skies with Cannon aircrews during annual orientation flights, Oct. 27.
In addition to providing an up-close and personal look at the 27th Special Operations Wing mission, the 25 flights gave participating spouses the opportunity to step into the shoes of Cannon flyers.
"My flight experience was awesome," said Deedra Johnson, wife of Master Sgt. James Johnson, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Squadron flight chief. "I participated in the orientation flight last year, so this is my second time flying in a CV-22. I think it's an awesome event and I look forward to it all year. All spouses should take advantage of this opportunity if they haven't already!"
