A Deluxe Space-A Ride -- on a C-17??

Author Message   Barry Cantor Senior Member Username: Barry_c Post Number: 1004 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 66.194.158.66 Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 03:48 pm:    As many of you know, I work for lodging @ Patrick AFB, FL. Over a year ago, Then Lt.Gen Johns and his wife stopped by for a few days. At that time he was D/CS Plans & Ops, HQ USAF. I checked him and his wife into the DV suites. His wife asked alot of questions about the local area and recomendations for sights and restaurants. I had occassion to bring then some extra coffee the next day. When he checked out he came to the front desk and handed me one of his coins and said thanks for the fine service and your service of over 20 yrs on active duty. His coin occupies a favored space on my mantel. This is a leader...we sorely need more of them.   Jack T. Paxton Senior Member Username: Jpaxton Post Number: 855 Registered: 07-2003 Posted From: 24.27.231.67 Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2010 - 08:05 pm:    Great post! Great leadership from the "top" of AMC...   Danny Hamilton Senior Member Username: Dannyhamilton Post Number: 612 Registered: 03-2004 Posted From: 68.105.203.149 Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2010 - 03:49 am:    Nor did we! Freezing on a C-130 from Sig to Lajes.   E.L.Fink Intermediate Member Username: Yahootie Post Number: 117 Registered: 08-2009 Posted From: 75.247.184.86 Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2010 - 09:21 pm:    We didn't have it as well. elf   FHYL Advanced Member Username: Fhyl Post Number: 400 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 68.68.130.56 Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2010 - 11:23 am:    Wow Oui Zowie! Taking care of the troops. Now thats the kind a guy I'd jump thru hoops for (without being asked). THANK YOU GEN "Ray" Johns, SIR! You are Leadership at its finest. [and thanks for sharing the post....!]   steve mccoy Intermediate Member Username: Nuhusker Post Number: 57 Registered: 04-2009 Posted From: 173.27.220.234 Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2010 - 12:16 am:    WOW!!!! What a neat experience!!   Phil Doubleman Senior Member Username: Phil Post Number: 1616 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.35.26.65 Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2010 - 08:29 pm:    Thanks for sharing. I can see why he is a 4 star.   Judy Osborne Member Username: Maplady Post Number: 29 Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 24.197.4.27 Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2010 - 06:05 pm:    The General is really a nice person! We flew with him from Scott to Hawaii and could have flown on to Australia, but got an earlier flight without a stop in Guam. He is really for Space-Aers. We were told that he does not want any "empty" flights!!   Carole G Advanced Member Username: Greengal Post Number: 208 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 68.205.151.181 Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2010 - 04:47 pm:    You were one lucky space a passenger! What a great ride. Thanks for telling us your story.   John R Garrison Senior Member Username: Majorg Post Number: 2674 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 208.81.157.86 Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2010 - 03:58 pm:    Fabulous! Thanks for sharing! Happy Travels, John   TR Advanced Member Username: Travel_ready Post Number: 250 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 74.192.161.189 Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2010 - 03:34 pm:    Awesome!   Jim Hunt Intermediate Member Username: Jhunt66 Post Number: 73 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 66.31.169.240 Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2010 - 03:22 pm:    Flt on C-17 Hickam to Scott via Travis very recently (no dates because we're not supposed to discuss senior officer movements). Upon boarding, we notice two skids on the starboard side of very plush executive seats (12 total) complete with fold down desks, individual reading lights and carpeting. Better than first class on AA. As soon as us 20 or so of us SPATS had found our seats (troop seat version, of course), a cadre of 10 very senior O's and an E-9 with Command Chief MSGT insignia get on. Finally, a 4-star General comes bounding up the ladder. He's wearing a flight suit and a huge smile. He proceeds down the SPAT line on the port side, greets each SPAT with a big smile and firm handshake and to each one says "Thank you for flying with us and thank you for your service". Having no idea who he is, I got up and asked the CCMSGT who his boss was. Turns out he was GEN Raymond ("call me Ray") Johns, Commander of AMC. He and his entourage were returning to Scott after a 3-week inspection tour of all Pacific AMC installations. CCMSGT told me that the General is checked out in the C-17 and makes all takeoffs and landings. Takeoff from Hickam was normal, if anything a bit steeper climb-out than normal. As soon as we reached altitude, I asked the Loadmaster if it was OK to roll out my little mattress and catch some Z's. Sure, but try to stay in the rear so as not to interfere with the official party. I bundled up in two blankets and a heavy jacket and am soon sound asleep. A few miunutes later , I felt another blanket being gently placed around me and I turned to thank the kind soul, only to see GEN Johns smiling down at me and saying "Sweet Dreams"!! Turns out he put extra blankets on all of us who had stretched out. After refueling at Travis, we climbed out on final leg to Scott. Gen Johns came down from the flight deck and started waving his arms at his staff (too loud to hear what he was saying - but we figured something was very wrong). A few minutes later, every single staff member got out of the big executive seats and GEN Johns grabbed me and says - please take these seats. You could have knocked me over with a feather! He put the first 10 of us in those seats and then went from person to person in turn and showed us how to work the swivelling, 6-way seat/leg rest mechanism. Then he went back to one of their cargo boxes and pulled out 10 Bose noise canceling headsets (with intercom) and showed each of us how to use it. Then with a big wave, he disappears back up to the flight deck. The staff (including a COL and the CCMSGT) finished the flight in our troop seats. I had a hard time falling sleep in the totally prone position while cradled in genuine marshmellow leather -- about 10 seconds! So, hats off to all of AMC - especially The Boss. What a great Sea Story - and THIS one is true! As evidence, I submit the attached photo of my travelling mate with the General turning to assist the next passenger.