GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- How
would you like to give the vice president a direct order?
Pilots who fly for the 99th Airlift Squadron at
Andrews Air Force Base, Md., get that opportunity on a regular basis: “Mr.
Vice President please fasten your seatbelt, we are cleared for takeoff.”
The main mission of the 99th AS is to provide
unsurpassed safe, comfortable and reliable distinguished visitor airlift
for the nation’s leaders and foreign dignitaries any time, any place –
including North Dakota. Vice President Dick Cheney stopped here Aug. 6 as
part of a visit to the base, Grand Forks, N.D., and East Grand Forks,
Minn.
“We fly everyone from the first lady, to the joint
chief of staff, to the vice president to the secretary of defense,” said
Lt. Col. Coert Scoggin, pilot, Air Force Two.
Colonel Scoggin applied for the position to continue
doing what he loves – flying.
“As pilots advance in their career they often end
up in managerial positions,” said Colonel Scoggin. “This squadron
gives pilots a chance to keep flying.”
Not just any pilot can apply said Colonel Scoggins.
“You have to have a certain amount of experience to fly for the
president or the vice president,” he said.
Communication is another important skill when it
comes to flying the Air Force Two missions, he added.
“The Secretary of State’s itinerary can change
at a moment’s notice,” said Colonel Scoggins.
“It takes good communication between the crew
members to get the changes coordinated quickly and completely,” he said.
The crew fluctuates depending on the passenger or
the actual destination. Air Force Two had 20 crew members when it landed
here.
The crew consists of flight attendants, crew chiefs,
radio operators, security and other Air Force Specialty Codes, depending
on the passenger and the particular mission.
“I wanted to see the world, try something new and
different and interact with important people,” said Staff Sgt. Melissa
Sizemore, flight attendant.
“I had to go through several boards and interviews
before I was chosen,” she added.
“After I was chosen I had to go through survival
school, water survival school, and culinary school.”
Sergeant Sizemore said that motivated crewmembers
are always in demand.
“All you have to do is apply,” she said.
To be a flight attendant applicants must be a senior
airman or above and older than 21 years of age.