Marion County Composite Squadron

SER-FL-361

"Home of the Valkyries"

WC 130 Orientation Flight

Cadets from Marion County Composite Squadron and cadets from the various JROTC units from Marion County were treated to an orientation flight on a WC 130 of the Air Force Reserve Command,  that was on display at the 3rd annual Hurricane Expo, held 14 May 2001 at the Ocala International Airport.

The cadets climbed onboard the aircraft thru the rear ramp and strapped into their jump seats. The silence was broken as the 6 bladed Turbo Jet engines roared onto action. The planed shook a little but all felt the aircraft start to rool out to the runway. The aircraft turned onto the runway and the engines roared into action and the plane started it’s run down the runway, the cabin shaking a little  but then, it was silent as the aircraft stared to climb and head out to the Gulf of Mexico. The crew then let them out of their seats and started the many different instrument stations. They explained how they worked and how the info was sent instantaneously to the National Hurricane Center. Some went to the cockpit area and were also explain the many instruments and answer questions. One question many were interested in being answered was “How bumpy does it get when you enter the hurricane wall “? The answer was Very Vey bumpy with the aircraft ascending or descending very quickly.

Soon the aircraft turned and headed back to Ocala and made asmooth landing and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp door was opened and they all exited very excited having spent an unique experience.

This page was last updated: June 6, 2011