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Outstanding 333rd RCS Airmen take to the air

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark Getsy
  • 333rd Recruiting Squadron
MELBOURNE, Fla. --  Five members of the 333rd Recruiting Squadron were treated to incentive rides on Air Force Combat Search and Rescue HH-60G Jolly Green helicopters Dec. 13 for their superior performance in recruiting America's finest to join the Air Force team.

The rides of a lifetime were provided by Air Force Reserve's 301st Rescue Squadron (RQS) at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and were the first of its kind for the 333rd. According to Lt. Col. Michael Tillema, 333rd RCS commander, the purpose of the incentive program is to reward squadron members who have excelled in their jobs during the past months.

Airmen awarded the flights were: Master Sgt. Dave Kolmetzky, operations NCOIC; Tech. Sgt. Vince Phifer, Tampa MEPS; Tech. Sgt. Christopher Simons, squadron information manager; Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Kelly, Bradenton, Fla., recruiter; and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Russell, Port Richey, Fla., recruiter.

Before take off, the 333rd members learned about the planning that takes place during the mission briefing conducted by the combat veterans of the 301st RQS. Sergeant Kolmetzky said that the briefing in itself was amazing.

"They discussed every aspect of the mission and how they're going to deal with just about any contingency you can think of," he said. "I left that briefing knowing that these guys had it together and felt like I had nothing to worry about."

The helicopters took off from Patrick and proceeded over the Atlantic Ocean where the crew showed the 333rd members how they train for a search and rescue mission.

"It was the best time I've ever had since I've been in the Air Force," said Sergeant Kelly after her first incentive ride. "One of the greatest parts was watching the gunners and flight engineers fire the M-240 7.62 guns from each side of the helicopters." Sergeant Benjamin Russell loved it too and now wants to cross train to the gunner career field.

After the demonstration, the incentive flight recipients were treated to a bird's-eye view of Cape Canaveral, where they flew over the old Apollo and Gemini launch pads, saw the Space Shuttle assembly building and the Shuttle recovery runway. The helicopters then did some tactical approaches in a landing zone and conducted some more training with their pararescuemen prior to heading back to base.

"What a rush! I've been in the Air Force for 19 years and this was my first incentive ride," said Sergeant Kolmetzky. "It was one of the most exciting things I've done throughout my whole career. I walked away from the flight with an enormous amount of respect and admiration for what the folks of the 301st and other CSAR units do for a living. I want to thank our Reserve brothers and sisters for giving us the opportunity."

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