Experiencing the thrill of the B-1B

Airman 1st Class Tefera Workneh, Air Force Financial Services Center station gain technician, experiences the thrill of flying a B-1B in the Weapon Systems Trainer on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Dec. 29, 2011. He was one of 144 people who signed up for the tours, designed to give people a better understanding of what it takes to fly and operate the B-1B. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anania Tekurio/released)

Experiencing the thrill of the B-1B

Published Dec. 30, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Anania Tekurio
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Nearly 144 Ellsworth Airmen, their families and friends got to experience the thrill of flying a B-1B as part of the base's annual simulator tours, Dec. 27 and 29, 2011.

The Mission Employment Center staff teamed up with volunteer aviators to answer questions about the simulator and prepare participants for their bomber missions.

"It was fun and awesome," said Airman 1st Class Tefera Workneh, Air Force Financial Services Center station gain technician, who will be relocating to another base in a few months. "I'm glad I got to experience that before I leave."

There are only five B-1B Weapon Systems Trainers (simulators) that exist in the world and Ellsworth is home to two of them. Built in 1985, the B-1B simulators are used to create a variety of realistic scenarios to help train and prepare aircrew members to operate the B-1B systems. The technology and graphics of the simulators are so optimal that a few of the tour patrons felt slight effects of motion sickness.

"It was a good thing I took Dramamine before going," said Jennifer Chrest, the wife of Master Sgt. Joshua Chrest, 28th Munitions Squadron unit deployment manager.

Plans are being made to provide the experience for Airmen and their families again next year.