ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – The 28th Operations Support Squadron hosted B-1 bomber simulator tours for Airmen and their families during the holidays Dec. 19 through Dec. 21, 2016.
The event provided an opportunity for attendees to experience what it is like to “fly” the BONE.
“We’ve been doing the Holiday Sim Tour for a few years now,” said Maj. Richard Morrison, the mission training center chief assigned to the 28th OSS. “We open the simulator here for a few days to let military members and their families in to give them a chance to fly the sim and see what we do as B-1 aviators.”
This year, more than 80 members of Team Ellsworth flew a combined 18 hours in the three days the simulator was open. With such a rare opportunity, families quickly signed up to be involved, grinning ear-to-ear when they walked out.
“It was an awesome opportunity to get to do that,” said Traci Knight, spouse of retired Tech. Sgt. Michael Knight. “To see what actually goes on, the responsibilities and technologies, it’s incredible.”
After soaring the virtual skies, the families leave and the pilots ready themselves for the next group to come in.
“It’s a way of saying thank you to those who are often times in support roles and gives them a chance to see how things are done,” Morrison said. “It’s a unique, once in a lifetime experience to get into our multi-million dollar simulator and fly.”