Reaching new heights with 20 SOS Published July 8, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Eboni Reece 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- For someone whose knees get weak when simply standing on a balcony, climbing a high flight of stairs or crossing a bridge over water, one would think that joining the United States Air Force would be non-existent on their life's to-do list. This most likely explains why the most frequently asked question I receive after individuals learn of my fear of heights is "Why did you join the Air Force then?" I don't have a fear of being in the air, military or flying. What I do have is a natural fear when exposed to heights. In fact, most people actually experience this fear to some degree, especially if there is little or no protection. So, as long as I was placed in a career that didn't require me to lean over balconies, ascend stairwells 10 flights high or trek over bridges that extend across large bodies of water each day to accomplish my duties, I figured I would be fine. Upon enlisting, I have gone to great lengths to not allow my persistent fear to hinder any opportunities presented to me in my career field. In fact, during my short stint at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., I can proudly say I have soared to tremendous heights and only surrendered to the effects of motion sickness once during flights on each manned aircraft maintained at Cannon. Well, all except one. This was the same one that true Transformers movie enthusiasts probably dream about each night. It was the one that I had mistakenly called a 'helicopter plane' during my first month on station. I was quickly corrected. It was also the one to which I had referred to its prop-rotors as propellers. I was again corrected. When members of the 20th Special Operations Squadron climbed aboard a CV-22 Osprey for a training flight on June 25, I was along for the ride. Each aircrew member wore a flight suit, combat helmet, Kevlar vest and was armed with an M9 for personal protection. My weapons of choice were a handful of motion sickness bags, enough urine collection devices to ensure there would be no accidents and of course, my camera. As we taxied down the runway and sped up for takeoff, I watched Cannon slowly escape from my view. Still harnessed in my seat, wind whipping past my face, I had already made a conscious decision that I was not removing myself from that spot, let alone joining the other air crew members at the open hatch near the rear of the aircraft. From my seat, I didn't have to accept the fact that I was several thousands of feet in the air, or even off the ground for that matter. Ignorance is bliss and that's where I wanted my thoughts to linger. However, that momentary bliss ended when the flight engineer motioned for me to join him near the opened back hatch of the Osprey. My initial reaction was to pretend I didn't hear him because there was no way I was inching any closer to that opening. That didn't work. He communicated with me via headset and I had no choice but to at least provide a response. After ensuring my gunner's belt was securely fastened and hooked to the flooring of the aircraft, I slowly edged toward him. Several minutes of stalling elapsed before he, not satisfied with my progress, pulled me closer. With my feet near the edge, I stared out to see that we were flying over a small mountain range, just outside of Roswell, N.M. With one hand gripping the nearest stationary fixture for support and the other holding my Nikon D4, I captured photos from my vantage point, while the Osprey maneuvered through mountains and above the plains. Soon, my initial worries subsided and were interchanged with pure amazement. Astonishment coupled with the realization that I come into contact with, and work amongst Airmen every day who see many parts of the world in just the same way that I was viewing parts of New Mexico. These individuals face fear daily and emerge victorious. My qualms seemed miniscule in comparison to the obstacles that many Airmen have to overcome to effectively complete missions and ultimately protect the nation that I call my own. While lost in my thoughts, a quote from a well-known Christian minister came to mind. "Ultimately fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence and the downward spiral begins." - Charles Stanley, Christian evangelist Although fear makes us human, it can also be the very thing to hinder our progress. To think that because of my desire to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground, I could have missed an opportunity that many people will never experience in their life seems petty in retrospect. But, with my feet finally off the ground and amongst the clouds, I took the first step in overcoming a fear that resided within me for more than 20 years. "The first duty of man is to conquer fear; he must get rid of it. He cannot act till then." - Thomas Carlyle, Scottish philosopher This was one small step for me, but one giant leap toward triumphing over my fears.