Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Kerry Barrett Reporting As we mentioned at the start of this series, Kerry Barrett's husband, Capt. John Barrett, is among the pilots deploying. It is his first combat deployment. Kerry feels it an honor to share some of her personal experiences with you.
So, we start this final piece of "On a Wing and a Prayer" by looking at the night of that final departure, by sharing our own experience with you, the emotions we went through, first hand.
All the months and years of training shrink rapidly and disappear in this single moment.. the good-bye. My husband, John and I, have our own.
Two days ago, a heavy knot settled in the pit of my stomach. Tonight it's joined by butterflies, and a nervousness settling in my chest. It's hard to breath.
You try not to let loose with all your fears. You don't want to make it any more difficult. Time is precious. You make your own moments.
Capt. John "Grin'en" Barrett, Pilot Deploying: "We both recited our vows to each other. It was pretty neat to be able to do that just before I left."
I drop him off, attempt-- and fail-- to tell him how proud I am of him and his colleagues. A hug good-bye and they're gone, leaving their immediate family to join a bigger one.
From then on out, it's work.. constant until the day they leave to head back home. They get their game faces on, discussing last minute strategy at dinner at one of the chow halls on base. It's quick, they've got a lot of work to do.
Heading to the squadron for final briefings on everything from spots to divert, their order on take-off, to weather conditions, and flight paths. An ocean of information.
Sitting... listening... you wonder how they manage to ingest it all. But they look out for one another.
"You guys are prepared for this. Slower is faster tonight, so take it easy. And keep track of each other as you go across the pond."
Capt. Aaron "Ice" Jelenek, Deploying Pilot: "Any one of these pilots, any one of these personnel would step in front of me to take a bullet if need be. And I would step in front of the gun to take a bullet for them."
A statement that tonight, at this moment, becomes much more than sentiment.
Maj. Tyler "Split" Nelson, Deploying Pilot: "We're scared. Don't let anybody fool you by saying they're not scared to go into combat, because who wouldn't be?"
That's when training, experience and commitment take over.
Rep. Rob Bishop, Utah Congressman: "What you are about to do will make this country safer. And for someone staying here, for your helping me and my family and your families as well, I just thank you. I am honored to be with you today. Good luck."
They suit up in special exposure suits to prolong their survival time should they crash into the Atlantic. Final words, final details, and a final prayer. They head out to the flight line. The night is crystal clear, cold and quiet. That silence is soon broken by what many call "the sound of freedom."
They taxi out and it is an awesome sight. One last sign of squadron pride lining up. The anticipation reaches the breaking point, and they're off, one after another. The ground shakes. It sends chills down your spine.
Before these men and women left, their Commander, Lt. Colonel Pete Gersten, asked each of them to write a letter to their spouse, or girlfriend or boyfriend, or their parents. He asked the contents of the letter not be shared with anyone. He asked that it be sealed and given to him, delivered to that significant person and opened only in the event that the airmen died while in combat.
These men and women are extremely confident and well- prepared, but that request speaks volumes about the danger of this mission and the seriousness with which they view their commitment.
They refuel constantly on the way over, just topping off their tanks continuously. That way, if there is an emergency over the ocean, they should have enough fuel to divert. They meet up with a refuel tanker on the east coast, that tanker refuels the tanker they're actually flying with, and they continue.
They stop at a half-way point for crew rest and food, and then move on to Iraq, where they start flying sorties and missions just a day or two after landing.
