Jill does Aviation Spouses Day here at Fort Rucker!

So I had the chance to do aviation spouses day here at Fort Rucker. Pretty much the give you a taste of what the guys go through for flight school. We got to shoot guns in a simulation, fly a simulated helicopter, do HOST (underwater helicopter simulation) and a leadership course and work as a team.

 

This is our formation where we got into teams. We were team 2 the "Fire bird Assassins." There is a horribly made movie with Nicholas Cage and Tommy Lee Jones about the Apache. Any way we hate the movie and thus the name. I was able to go with some good friends. Emily Baker on my right and Dani Bastian on my left.

This is me shooting an M4. I did my best on this gun. Shot 5 turkeys my first time.

This is our group all huddled and getting ready to shoot. We are being taught on how to load the weapons.

This is me shooting the big 50 cal or the M2. Loved this gun but it was off. They have u aim and shoot and then show you where all your rounds went and mine were a good 3 feet above the target. I know I was aiming. I also got to shoot a 240. That was cool. it has a tripod and you have to lay low to the ground.

This was our group!

We went to the simulators to fly aircraft. They wouldn't let us take cameras in but this was outside the building. When you go to the simulated aircraft it reminds of a part of Star Wars. You walk down a cat walk to a pod and get in. We flew a Kiowa. I was able to shout a machine gun and a Hellfire missile from it. It is such a small cock pit that I got a little nauseated.

This was HOST. Helicopter (Something) Survival Training. This is where they simulate going under water in a helicopter and get out. They teach you to go off a point off you body to find your way out. This is me before in all my gear.

This is me in the water getting ready to do my thing. You have to hold on to a bar and hold your breath and get to a door and then get out. I succeeded.

This is me after my success.

This is one of our leadership survival courses. We had to cross 3 platforms with out touching the ground carrying "top secret" papers. 

Another one of the courses was to carry a big metal barrel up this. I was the team captain on this one. We made it in the time allotted.

This was us getting our barrel over. Yeah!

Me getting my "Wings." I got mine before Daniel did. Funny!

This was our graduating class. I am in the middle. It was a great experience and a fun opportunity. It made me realize how much Daniel went through and all he had to learn. And I only went through a very small version of what he has. He is an amazing man and I appreciate him and look up to him a whole lot more.