Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Erica Jaros | First Lt. Robbie Barnes, C Company Executive Officer, 1-118th Combined Arms Battalion,...... read more read more
Story by: Sgt. Erica Knight
EASTOVER, S.C. – The 2009 Air Ground Expo was a monumental task in planning, including the Combined Arms demonstration at the finale each day. Capt. Ben Thornton, B Co. Commander, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and 1st Lt. Robbie Barnes, C Co. Executive Officer, 1-118th CAB, were responsible for coordinating the M-1 Abrams main battle tank and the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles for that demonstration.
For their tremendous effort in making the event run smoothly, they received an incentive flight in an F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 169th Fighter Wing based at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, Eastover, S.C.
Both soldiers looked eager and excited as they got strapped into the harness of the two-seat F-16. They flew for an hour and a half, along the coast and then returned to McEntire.
“This [flight] was an opportunity for Capt. Thornton and me to identify and learn, how and at what level the Air Force could assist troops on the ground”, said Barnes. “It is always an exciting opportunity to work with other branches of the military and see how their equipment works”.
Afterwards, the soldiers where ribbing each other because Thornton pulled 8.2 G’s during his flight and Barnes only did 7.6.
“Hands down this was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire military career”, said Thornton.
Thornton took his flight on Dec. 10 and Barnes on Dec. 14.
| Date Taken: | 12.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.23.2010 07:45 |
| Story ID: | 62525 |
| Location: | EASTOVER, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 85 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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