U.S. Air Force Media Flight – Travis Air Force Base … PART I

The photos below will tell the story of my day and I hope you take the time to read the blog to maximize this awesome opportunity.

This blog post is incredibly special to me because it documents one of the most exciting and extreme once in a lifetime opportunities of my life!! On July 28th, I along with other photographers got to fly on a KC-10 Extender to photograph aerial refueling of the US Air Force Thunderbirds! This flight’s purpose was to promote the Travis Air Force Base Air Expo that was on July 30-31, 2011, as well as to inform the American Public about Travis Air Force Base’s contribution to national defense. The photographers that got to participate on this flight were mainstream television and print media photographers, aviation specialty photographers, as well as non-media photographers. Six other non-media photographers and myself were selected by LtCol Robert Couse-Baker to participate in this special event.

Our day began by meeting at 7AM at Travis Air Force Base. Since I was traveling from San Francisco, I left my house at 5:45AM to the base.

Once we were all together, we made our way to the Travis Passenger Terminal.

Here is a photo of my special media pass for the air expo. This special pass gave access to the media platform that was center stage of the air expo!

While waiting for our 10AM flight on the KC-10, we hung out in the waiting room and took some photographs. Here’s a picture of me! :p (Don’t mind the bed head, I had to wake up early ;)).

When it was time to head out to the airplane, we took a bus to our destination!

Everyone was in “awe” just seeing how big the planes were. Knowing all us photographers, we just have to shoot all the time! Even if it’s out the window 🙂

Below is the KC-10 Extender that we got to fly in. Before boarding, we got to take photographs of the exterior.

The photo below is the window of where the aerial fueling station is. This window gave all us photographers the opportunity to witness aerial refueling in front of our very own eyes! You’ll soon see in the upcoming photos :).

Our refueling track was a 3 hour flight over Neveda and Utah.

This is inside the KC-10 passenger area. There’s definitely nothing glamorous about this plane but all the ruggedness just added to the experience.

When the plane took off, we were backing up. I typically get motion sickness from simulator rides and since this plane didn’t have any windows (where we sat), I felt like I was sitting in a HUGE simulator box just shaking me around. I was scared that I would be sick for the next 3 hours but thank goodness the flight was pleasant enough to where I didn’t get sick :).

In the photo below, Dave (on the left side) is the boom operator (he controls the boom “a long extendable metal arm that connects two aircraft for fuel transfer”).

The flight was pretty loud so I wore ear plugs the entire flight.

When it was time to head down to the refueling station, we had to walk across the empty cargo area which looks like this:

During our flight, we go to refuel Thunderbirds and C-17‘s. By the time it was my turn to go take photographs of the C-17, the refueling was already done :(… But I did get a sneak peak of what it looks like to sit in the belly of the plane and look out the window! We had to climb down these steep stairs that felt like basement stairs.

And once you made down the stairs, you get to see Dave. Hi Dave! Dave seriously has the coolest job ever. Well, maybe second. Photography is definitely the best job! 😉

Seeing this made me speechless… Actually, I wasn’t really speechless. It made me want to scream in joy that I was on a KC-10, in the belly of the plane, looking out the most incredible window, ever!!!! Ahh!!!

Once I got back to my seat, one of the Air Force soldier’s gave all of us a big box of food! Whoa, hello?! FREE lunch??? Holler!!! 😀

We got a TON of food… Way more than I can expect. Water, soda, chips, fruit, sandwich, fruit bar, and a bag of M&M’s… I think I love the Air Force ;D.

Once lunch time was over, we all got to go into the cockpit!!!! Where on earth can you go into a cockpit during mid-flight?!?! The doors were ALWAYS open to the cockpit. So essentially you can go in whenever there wasn’t another photographer in there.. But wow… the cockpit……….

There were so many buttons in the cockpit that I probably wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I was a pilot :x.

Finally, it was time to refuel the Thunderbirds!! We refueled a total of 8 Thunderbirds and the refueling went pretty fast… So getting about 20 photographers down into the refueling station was a bit chaotic. We had to snap FAST and you only get about 2 minutes to shoot this. So during this time, I shot as much as I could and filmed a video (see at the bottom of blog).

Looking out the window in the cargo area, you got to see the Thunderbird’s fly right next to us!! WOW!!

As you can see, all of us photographers were trying to shoot at every window!

By the time we landed and got off the plane, the Thunderbirds were doing a few practice runs for the upcoming air expo.

Below is a C-17 about to make its landing.

Canon’s RULE?!?! 🙂

After our flight, we had the opportunity to go up close and personal to the Thunderbirds. We even got to talk to a few pilots!

So, I just have to point out that Pilot #5 of the Thunderbirds, Maj. Aaron Jelinek, Lead Solo (photo on the left, below), is totally cute! Haha. He has a great smile and he even came up to talk to me… I felt like I met a celebrity!! LOL.

Notice that Maj. Aaron Jelinek’s number 5 is upside down. The reason for this is that he flies upside down in the Thunderbird majority of the time. So when he flies upside down, the numbers align perfectly with the other Thunderbird’s by his side.

This is the Pitot tube on the front of the Thunderbird. It’s used to measure the air speed of the plane.

About to touch down is a Lockheed U-2 Spy Plane. This plane was designed to fly 15,000 feet higher than any other airplane. It is one of the most difficult planes to land in the entire U.S. Military.

It has one main landing gear, in the middle of the plane. It has to land exactly straight, like landing a bicycle. The chase cars help the pilot know how far off the runway the U-2 is. Notice the white chase car in the photo below helping the U2 plane to land. (Source: James Huggin’s).

The plane landed safely :).

This experience is one to remember for the rest of my life. I hope you enjoyed my experience on this special media flight! Stay tuned for PART II of the Travis Air Expo photos!! 🙂

Here is a sneak peak:

See the video of the aerial refueling I shot, here!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCXIeWY79gk]

If the video above does not work, head over to YouTube to see the video.

I’d like to express my deepest appreciation to LtCol Robert Couse-Baker for inviting me to this event. You gave me the opportunity of a lifetime and I am truly thankful for it! 🙂 THANK YOU!!!

Don’t forget to….

Check out my official website: www.jasmineleephotography.com

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jasmineleephoto

Like me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jasmine-Lee-Photography/222291357817187

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  1. jR says:

    What an incredible experience to fly with the US Air Force. The view is amazing. The US Air Force refueling is something you only see in the movies.

  2. nakean says:

    Great Shots! So jealous! I would have been giggling like a little boy watching those planes refuel. Thanks for recording a bit!

  3. Stephanie says:

    Fantastic photos! I My fave would have to be the refueling of the Thunderbird jet with the clouds and fields in the background. 🙂 Awesome! Yes, Canon’s do RULE! 😀 ahhaha This is just another wonderful photographic opportunity to add to your OMG list!

  4. WOW! These was an incredibly cool experience!! The photos are amazing and the ppilot was really cute 😉

  5. Jonathan says:

    This entire post is blowing my mind. I can’t even imagine how thrilled you must have been to be involved in this. Big congrats! The pictures seem to do the experience justice, too =)

  6. Diana says:

    This is awesome, Jas! Truly once in a life time. I want to scream for you too, Whoohoooo!! Some awesome shots there! Did you use a super wide angle? Look really nice.

  7. Kelven says:

    Amazing set of photos Jas! This must have been such an exhilarating experience especially considering you were so close to these uber expenses and top of the line air planes and fighter jets. I mean how many people in the world get a front row seat like this? haha. Thanks for sharing!

  8. joe chan says:

    I’m so glad you told me that you posted this. I was looking for them earlier, but then forgot. You made some really nice captures of the day. Very well documented! There was so much to shoot that day and you and I both shot a bunch! It is really hard to show just the right amount of images and you did this really well.

    It was a super day all around!!!

  9. Glen says:

    Just wonderful Jas!! What can I say? Well, I’m jealous, but seriously happy for you that you got to do this. Really, you should have pushed those guys from NBC out of the way, the bums! Superb series!!! Cheers!!

  10. Wow. I mean, really: WOW!

    This must have been an incredible experience — I’m so glad you’ve been Freshly Pressed so that we can all share in the moments.

    Thank you!

    🙂

  11. John Fanai says:

    Wow wow!! Incredible!

  12. abichica says:

    wooowwww!!! really cool pictures, what an exciting thing you got to experience.. :-).. thanx for sharing it with us

  13. thepoolman says:

    Very cool! Thanks for sharing. I had occasion to fly trans-Atlantic several years ago with an Air Nat Guard unit flying C-130s. I was invited to sit in the cockpit for much of the trip. I loved it.

  14. hottabb says:

    my dad is a former pilot, so we always attend air-shows and have seen the thunderbirds…I’ve even met some of the thunderbirds pilots….due to my dad’s thoughts…flying is the most amazing profession in the world… (:

  15. hottabb says:

    nice video as well- gorgeous views

  16. WOW – this looks like it was absolutely wonderful. it must have been such an experience. and the pictures are absolutely amazing.

  17. fani says:

    que fotos tan bonitas te mando este comentario desde Gran canaria.saludos Epifanio..

  18. I was there as well!! Not in your group obviously but what an amazing day! Beautiful photos

  19. Canons do rule. All the prose use the white telephoto lenses. I love flying and airshows. I would give my left nut to have this photo exercise.
    John Wilder

  20. Woah these photos are awesome dude!

  21. Oh yes…pilot #5 is VERY cute! There’s just something about a man in uniform… 😉

    Love the photos! Thanks for sharing!

  22. JT says:

    Thank you Jasmine for sharing what is I’m sure a lifetime memory for you! I can only imagine the adenaline rush you had that Day! Nice job documenting this amazing experience and congrats on being Freshly Pressed!

  23. ournote2self says:

    GREAT pictures!! Thanks so much for sharing!

  24. huffygirl says:

    Amazing photos and an amazing experience. How cool are you? And Freshly Pressed to – go girl!

  25. realfunfood says:

    I used to be in AFROTC and this was the one thing I always wanted to see. AWESOME photos!!

  26. rf401 says:

    Awesome shots, what an opportunity!

    Rob

  27. doornpa says:

    Hi Jasmine,

    what a beautiful pictures ! Very well done. I got to your weblog by accident but it reminded me of many years ago when I was shooting pictures of military aircraft myself. I have also been a reserve officer with the Dutch air force. But ten years ago I entered a new world, the spiritual world, which changed my life.But that’s another story.

    About twenty years ago the Thunderbirds came to Soesterberg AB in the Netherlands. By then that was the home of the 32nd TFS, the Wolfhounds, which flew with F-15 Eagles. TheThunderbirds made an enormous impression. Especially for their professionalism and fantastic flying. I can see that you have succeeded in capturing some of these moments.

    I wish you good luck with your photography,

    Sincerely,

    Paul van Doorn
    the Netherlands.

    • Jasmine Lee says:

      Thank you Paul for sharing your story. I Agree, the Thunderbirds are tremendously professional and AMAZING flyers. I get a huge adrenaline rush when I watch them fly and meeting the pilots in person is just… WOW! Haha. Thanks for visiting!

  28. Martin says:

    Superb photos. Great experience. Very jealous! All best.

  29. Stephanie says:

    whoo hoo! front page on wordpress! 🙂

  30. 4myskin says:

    These are breath taking! Soooo soooo sooooo wonderful! I love airplanes, and that would be a dream come true. Thank you so much for sharing!

  31. Great photos and I can imagine you jumping up and down like an excited kid – or wanting to! – several times during the day 🙂 I think I would be, anyway!

    Mr. X

  32. Hi Jasmine,
    May I say, Your photos were incredible. Really impressive. Congradulations on being FP!!!

  33. Jonathan says:

    Congrats on freshly pressed, Jasmine!

  34. You’re a very lucky individual to have a chance to take this flight. Thanks for sharing your excellent photos and for telling your story. I tried the video link, but for some reason, my browser refused to open it. Maybe next time, it’ll open without my browser pitching a fit. For now, thanks again for sharing, and congratulations on being “Freshly Pressed”.

  35. Katie says:

    I LOVE your photos! Thanks for posting!

  36. karmajane says:

    Unbelievable! Beyond exciting! Love your photos… thanks for sharing such an awesome experience!

  37. spenceey says:

    Incredible pictures, great to see the places where normal people wouldn’t get to shoot.

  38. David Emond says:

    I don’t know you, but thanks for sharing an incredible opportunity!

  39. Terry says:

    Wow, what an experience. Great post and photos.

  40. joccoaa says:

    Wow. I know some photographers and people in Australia who would be very jealous of you!

    Thankyou for sharing your great photos of a fun day.

  41. Very cool! It’s funny that I found your post Freshly Pressed because the Thunderbirds are in my town through the weekend for an airshow. 🙂

  42. keeweekeepaa says:

    Awesome photo story telling and ends with a video. Totally feels like i’m part of the experience too. Hahaha!

    Thank you for sharing!~

  43. jaykubert says:

    hey i really liked the post! I wanted to know how you came upon this oppertunity because i would LOVE to do this as a photographer. Best of luck-Jay Kubert
    Also check out some of my photography and tell me what you think!
    Jaykubert.wordpress.com

    • Jasmine Lee says:

      Thank you! I know a photographer that’s in the USAF and he was in charge of inviting the non-media photographers. I was one of them. Just keep shooting and you will progressively keep getting better! I checked your website but I didn’t see anything.

  44. Thanks for sharing the photos! Your enthusiasm really comes through. Beautiful work!

  45. Wow! So awesome! I remember sitting in the cockpit of the C-141 from Guam to Clark Air Base. Thanks for sharing your experience and wonderful work!

  46. I LOVE that you thought to include the explanation why his number 5 was printed and painted upside down…Great detail. Imagine flying upside down. Gulp.

    Great photos and what a fun, cool experience you had. I love love love airplanes.

  47. ls zhao says:

    first time to see soooo clear pics about American air army. thanks for sharing.

  48. adrienne82 says:

    That was incredible! Thanks for sharing your pictures!

  49. mykz78 says:

    This is amazing! m/

  50. Nathan says:

    Fantastic photos! Dumb question, are these licensed by chance? If so, under what license?
    Thanks for your time.

  51. gokulraman says:

    These are amazing Pics… Looks you have changed a couple of lenses… Those fish eye shots are are really good.

  52. cool………its amazing.. i like it.

  53. OK Sport says:

    You.. lucky girl :)! Great job done!

  54. would have been giggling like a little boy watching those planes refuel. Thanks for recording a

  55. achih1076 says:

    That must of been incredible being up there! wish i had a chance like that, thank you so much for sharing! ^^

  56. Linda says:

    How much fun you had! Woo Hoo great photos and I sure do love a man in a flight suit. Lucky you.

  57. Gregoryno6 says:

    Thanks for this excellent series of photos. I’m forwarding the link ASAP.

  58. Congrads on being chosen for FP. Four of the best years of my life was as a administrative specialist, while a member of the U.S. Air Force on active duty (June-1959-July-1963). My first duty station was Hunter A.F.B. in Savannah, Georgia, then a SAC wing in the Air Force (June 1960-1962). One of my responsibilities was to schedule and control crew chief’s flying time on KC-97’s which were the refueling plans for B-47’s, then B-52’s at that time. The men who mained these refueling plans worked long hard mission hours each week. Many a week was a typical sixty hour week in carrying out our militaries mission in securing the safety of our great country. Those who maintain these refueling plans are truly the “best of the best,” that our country has to offer.

    • Jasmine Lee says:

      Hi John, thank you for sharing your personal experience. It’s very interesting to learn about your past. I couldn’t agree more with how our country has the hardest workers, especially those in the military.

  59. Michelle says:

    Some great photos!

  60. Andy Brown says:

    WOW! INCREDIBLE! As gorgeous as those pics are, I think pic #6 really takes the cake! 🙂
    By the way, as a person who tries balancing pic taking with video shooting, my hat’s off to you for your wisdom and insight in capturing the video of the refuelling (brilliantly) and then flicking over to pic mode and all within only a 2-minute window. Now that’s talent! Congratulations!

  61. […] Read more from the original source: U.S. Air Force Media Flight – Travis Air Force Base … PART I … […]

  62. Faiza Butt says:

    nice posting i like this page very much

  63. Hassaan says:

    i am jelous.. 🙂

  64. De Rao says:

    Great..may I Tag cockpit picture at my Facebook please..

  65. darlene says:

    Wow… totally mind blowing. You are so very lucky to be there. Wish I was there but I am equally happy to have the ability to see all those stuff through your lens. Thanks a lot for sharing. Totally fantastic!!!

  66. What a fabulous experience and you have captured it wonderfully. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on being Freshly Pressed.

  67. Charlotte says:

    I’m really into planes lately and i absolutely adore thunderbirds! Fantastic pics =)
    Thanks 4 sharing and congrats for beeing fp

  68. NM says:

    What an astonishing blog, love all of these photos! Hopefully I’ll see more in the future!

  69. PC PHOTO says:

    These air show events are known for unprecedented access to craft and crew. I would love to have been your shoes for the extra access! Fabulous series of photo’s. 🙂

    If you have some time stop by my archives for shots I got from the Sun ‘n Fun airshow this spring in Florida.

  70. James says:

    woow .. amazing photos !! I like it..

  71. amazing photographs 🙂

  72. merz6 says:

    WOW! That’s really amazing! I didn’t knew that it is allowed, to share such precise pictures in the internet about the air force… AMAZING! Really cool shots!

  73. Great picture & technology. Thanksyou, Jasmine Lee.

  74. battemateers says:

    I have flown F-16s for 14 years and been exposed to Air Force air refueling for more than 20 years. These are some of the best photos I have ever seen! Well done. And yes, “Ice” is a super nice guy. I’m sure you enjoyed “Nuke” and “Mother’s” company as well. They rock!

  75. Lonnie says:

    It’s one thing to be given an opportunity. It’s another to nail it! I am happy that you were given the opp and that you did a great job. Thanks for sharing.

    Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!

  76. […] e la Rinascita Photography e la Rinascita agosto 13th, 2011 | Category: Senza […]

  77. What an amazing opportunity! So jealous;). When I was in the Air Force that was where I wanted to be stationed. You captured the day beautifully. How did you get a chance to be chosen for this out of curiosity?

  78. […] U.S. Air Force Media Flight – Travis Air Force Base … PART I (via Jasmine Lee Photography) Posted by Luiz Fernando on agosto 13, 2011 The photos below will tell the story of my day and I hope you take the time to read the blog to maximize this awesome opportunity. This blog post is incredible special to me because it documents one of the most exciting and extreme once in a lifetime opportunities of my life!! On July 28th, I along with other photographers got to fly on a KC-10 Extender to photograph aerial refueling of the US Air Force Thunderbirds! This flight's purpose was to … Read More […]

  79. […] http://photosbyjas.wordpress.com/2011/08/07/u-s-air-force-media-flight-travis-air-force-base-part-i/ Share this:ShareEmailLinkedInLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. Airplane StuffCool StuffF-16Good StufflinkagePlane Pr0n ← Previous post About your humble author Retired Navy. Married to Sharon for 28 years. Dad. Grand Dad. Sometime railroader, mechanic and airplane builder. Currently a glorified plane captain on the F16 at Edwards AFB. Cancer Survivor. Conservative. A walking contradiction, Partly truth and partly fiction, Takin' every wrong direction, On his lonely way back home……. Pages […]

  80. ecosway says:

    very good.thanks

  81. ORPO1 says:

    Outstanding!
    I am an F-16 Crew Chief at Edwards AFB in the Mojave Desert.
    The pictures are great! I have linked from my WordPress blog, Among the Joshua Trees and will also have it up at my Blogger blog, Old Retired Petty Officer.
    Pictures like these should get a lot of exposure. I have friends and followers who are Retired from the Armed Forces and we do love this stuff!

    Humbly,
    Glenn Mark Cassel
    AMH1(AW)
    United States Navy
    Retired

  82. I’ve totally enjoyed this experience through your enjoyment. Pictures and video are a bonus, congratulations on hear, speak and see combination. Thank you for the ride.

  83. What an amazing experience!

  84. reynaldo e. sarmiento says:

    Wonderful photographs Jasmine! Have been a photography buff before and I think your good.

  85. Harold says:

    An incredibly cool experience! Thanks for sharing and congrats on being FP

  86. gaycarboys says:

    I know it isn’t very socialble to be jealous with a capital J but I can’t believe you got to fly in a military plane, look through a window at 10,000 metres then watch a midair refuel…. I can’t even begin to tell you how jealous I feel. You are fabulous! Thanks for sharing your terrific pics and the great story. It must have been a really brilliant day.

  87. ishootnikon says:

    Wow that really was an awesome shoot. You must have enjoyed it! And never mind the hair. I’d have flown in my PJ if needed!

  88. Ebob says:

    It must feel wonderful to get a chance to assist the US military in this propaganda effort to put a happy face on these sick tools of mass murder and destruction. It’s also reassuring for me to know that I still get to enjoy the privilege of paying for the air force to joy ride all across the country, from air show to air show, despite the fact that our government can’t even pay it’s bills.

  89. FreeFrenchandHaitianCreolePress says:

    Amazing job! Oh such precision and super high tech!

  90. spree says:

    Informative post, nice shots, indeed memorable.

  91. WOW. What an amazing post. Getting to go behind the scenes via your entry was such a treat. And you take stunning pictures!!

  92. avikabir says:

    incredible…!! Made me feel like I was flying too….:)

    I gotta photoblog here…check it out sometime…
    http://www.avikabir.wordpress.com..

    cheers..!

  93. angelique523 says:

    KC10 and KC135 16 years. What a great blog. How cool is it that you don’t have to lay down anymore to fuel. No more sore chest. Wonderful photo journey you have provided here. Keep on blogging!

  94. Gina Trump says:

    Well I’ve decided to be a photographer too LOL What a memorable moments you have here.

    Keep it up!

  95. […] FreshlyPressed August 13, 2011 at 6:56 pm by zeldalegacy Category: Dynasty TrustTags: Base, Flight, Force, Media, Part, Travis, U.S. […]

  96. Jim Ulvog says:

    Awesome photography. Thank you for sharing the pix and your skill. This was a once-in-a-lifetime thrill for you. WIsh I could have been on that trip.

    By the way, this is done many times a day by lots of USAF crews. What is a mind-bending display of skill and technology for us is an everyday routine for them. Kudos to the AF crews!

  97. thanks for the look at the chook.

  98. Something about this post is absolutely captivating! I was watching like a young boy, totally absorbed. I completely forgot all my deep aversion against everything military… Just thank you for taking me along.

  99. Tar-Buns says:

    LOVED your journalism on a once in a lifetime opportunity! LOVE the big birds, catch whatever air shows are available, big fan of the upcoming Chicago Air and Water Show. Absolutely fantastic experience and well documented.

    Just so happens I watched Top Gun last night for the upteenth time. Wish I could fly. So in awe

    Congrats on FP. You are one of the truly deserving selections! Well done!

  100. Superb post, great pictures and well written. I work with the kc-135, better than the kc-10 😉

  101. Russell says:

    Amazing pictures! Thanks for sharing them with everyone. 🙂

  102. Tim Bonno says:

    Jasmine

    WOW! What an opportunity. You are very fortunate. Your pics were fantastic and the video was terrific. Great capture of a “once in a life time” experience. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to Part II.

  103. Jennie says:

    My cousin Harrison Smith is a retired Air Force colonel who flew refueling planes for the better part of his career. I’m going to pass the link to this page on to him so he can relive the good old days. Your photos are absolutely stunning and I’m so envious of your cameras.

  104. techtica says:

    thanks for the fantastic pics and cool video, keep it up
    http://www.techtica.com

  105. Friv says:

    Nice blog and picture. Great Airline

  106. Todd says:

    You are….AWESOME!!! Thanks for sharing!!! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!!!!

  107. These pictures are fantastic!
    I love everything about them. Still surprised they let you take them!

    Cheers,
    Arjun K.

    arjunsmind.wordpress.com

  108. That’s incredible! I’ve seen them at several airshows and they always put on a great show! Beautiful photography as well. 🙂

  109. qetula says:

    Thank you for sharing

  110. Avito Z. says:

    Thanks for sharing your experience through these photos. These are incredible!!

  111. cool,first time to see these amazing pics!

  112. Karl Johan says:

    Absolutely amazing! Thanks!

  113. Cliff Dobson says:

    Awesome opportunity! Great pictures too! I’m jealous!!!!

  114. Peter says:

    Even if i’m not a Friend of weapons and Military Equipment, I must say, that this is a great Story and very amazing Pictures.

  115. Raja Mesin says:

    Nice Posting and Amazing

  116. What a glorious opportunity! I’m envious!

  117. Usman says:

    OMG! This is totally amazing.ur so damn lucky to see all this happen…i mean even when i ws seeing the photos it looked so amazing!
    im a tech blogger: http://www.thetechnogeeks.wordpress.com

  118. jimmurphy66 says:

    This post was great! I missed the airshow last year at Westover AFB in Chicopee, MA.

    This post made up for it!! Fantastic images kid!

  119. Greg says:

    Jas, Great photos. I am glad you had a chance to experience what I know was the best job I ever had while in the Air Force Reserves. I have refueled the Thunderbirds and many other aircraft’s. I was the Chief Boom Operator on KC-10s before I retired and I Loved my job!!

    I would like to share this link with some of my retired and current boom operators that I am still in touch with.

    Greg
    CMSgt (Retired)
    Chief Boom Operator

  120. this is awesome, wow!

  121. thoughtfactory says:

    Nice photos. Liked the inverse 5 concept 🙂 … i too am crazy about aircraft and so i sketched a few on my blog — http://niranjanshukla.wordpress.com/2011/08/04/sukhoi/ and http://niranjanshukla.wordpress.com/2011/06/18/globemaster/

  122. Absolutely wonderful. What an amazing job these men and women do for our country. I would have felt like I had seen a celebrity too! Wonderful pictures, you really told the story of your experience.

  123. Excellent job showing behind the scenes pix……and nice pix of the other photogs getting pictures too.

  124. Whoa, cool photos! The photos says a lot more than any narration on this kind of adventure. Nice!

  125. Wow your pictures and video are amazing, what a great photographer you are!

  126. Great photos! I’m in the Air Force and I don’t even get to experience this….

  127. Hi, congratulation tho this very great post 😉

    I would have loved to be there too 🙂

  128. 老虎 says:

    recall my child time when i made all the f16 models with thunderbird paintings.

  129. ekoprastyo20 says:

    one word : amazing 🙂
    i’m very like with your colection photo’s ,..

  130. This truly is one of the most amazing set of photos I have ever seen… on any blog. A winsdow to a world few of us ever have the chance to witness. So, so, so impressive. Excellent pics and video clip. I am not the world’s best flyer-so I have to say I would’ve been pretty freaked out but…. this was amazing!

  131. We think you hit the jackpot with the Chips and Pepsi! Thank you for sharing with us, the photo’s are truly one of a kind!

  132. ORPO1 says:

    My friend, Buck, loved this when I linked it.
    He is Retired Air Force.

  133. Jasmine, I served as aircraft navigator on the KC-135 in the ’90s. As a crewmember, I’ve seen just about every airplane “parked” off the wing and in the back gassing up…but we never refueled the Thunderbirds. I LOVED stumbling upon your blog today and enjoying your photographic gifts. Thanks so much. Will share with my USAF buddies!

    Graciela Tiscareño-Sato
    Captain, USAF Reserve

  134. jimkane says:

    Awesome pics Jasmine! Thanks for sharing this!

  135. […] The photos below will tell the story of my day and I hope you take the time to read the blog to maximize this awesome opportunity. This blog post is incredible special to me because it documents one of the most exciting and extreme once in a lifetime opportunities of my life!! On July 28th, I along with other photographers got to fly on a KC-10 Extender to photograph aerial refueling of the US Air Force Thunderbirds! This flight's purpose was to … Read More […]

  136. srqpix says:

    One of the best photography post ever!

  137. Inspiration says:

    Great post thanks for sharing

  138. JaruWeb.com says:

    Wonderful images, congratulations!

  139. Noel Tendick says:

    Fantastic post – great photos to go with a great experience. Fighter pilot dreams were a huge part of my childhood – I’ll probably never get to do anything like this, so I appreciate you bringing us all along.

  140. Jessica says:

    I saw this post on WordPress’s ‘freshly pressed’ and just had to come over! I love airplanes so this was a treat to get to see! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  141. Gamin Savant says:

    Great series, Jasmine. Took me back to my own Air Force days. Thanks for sharing.

  142. Great Photos. there must be a awesome.., seeing refueling in person. lot of buttons and stick on that plane .

  143. […] U.S. Air Force Media Flight – Travis Air Force Base … PART I « Jasmine Lee Photography. […]

  144. Jasmine Lee says:

    THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for visiting my blog! I am overwhelmed in joy seeing the amount of responses that has come through. It really is an honor to share my vision with the world and to help Travis AFB gain the exposure they deserve. Thank you to those that have shared your experiences with me. They all touched my heart. You all are so wonderful! 🙂 Thank you!!!

  145. golfing1234 says:

    hi i love planes so this was my cup of tea

  146. Hello, I shared the similar flight for 3 times. Here is my second in-flight refueling trip. http://blog.xuite.net/mrrf104g/plo1/7703223
    Probably you can’t read the article, please enjoy the pictures.

    Erich

  147. US technology is magnificent. But US citizens 30 years ago looked trimmer than US citizens nowadays. Maybe that’s because you eat too much processed food. 🙂

  148. Amazing, I Like it…

  149. Ady says:

    Must of been an amazing day, brilliant collection of pictures.

  150. Dear Ms. Jasmine Lee,

    Thanks for the beautiful images……Great Jobs.
    I am sure you don’t mind I published on my Blog.
    Again thank you very much.

    Wish you the best (Yappy)

  151. Anna says:

    Such fantastic pictures! Thank you for sharing.

  152. Julio A. says:

    Nice clean photos and a very interesting to see all these planes in the inside and outside. Nice experience.

  153. Anything to do with the air force I am particularly interested in because my son is in the navey & plans to go into central intelligence when he’s done. A good photographer takes lots of photo’s, great job!

  154. I was once assigned to a midair refueling wing of the air national guard, based in Pittsburgh, PA. The unit flies the KC-135. One main difference between the 135 and the KC-10 is that in the 135, the boom operator is actually laying horizontal as he refuels the planes. I got to go up and watch them in action, and it was an awesome experience. So I know you had a blast!

  155. Kallike says:

    Thank you Jasmine for the beautiful USAF pics and story. Like some others have commented, it was a blast from the past for me from my days as a zoomie

  156. dhphotosite says:

    Wow what an experience!! Outstanding photography !! I like your vision.

  157. milezaway says:

    Loving the pictures, great images

  158. Frank says:

    That was incredible. so awesome!

  159. trialsinfood says:

    wow, what a great opportunity! and no motion sickness with free lunch is a bonus! personally, i like pilot #2. 😉

  160. […] U.S. Air Force Media Flight – Travis Air Force Base … PART I … […]

  161. erika says:

    amazing, amazing!!! hehe i see there were a lot of 70-200mms out there… i’m so proud of you!!

  162. bigeyedbob says:

    wow. you have some brilliant pictures. wish I had the chance to go on those planes. Would be an exciting day.

    From Shane @ http://dailyweeklynews.wordpress.com/

  163. Ray Perez says:

    Amazing opportunity. Great shots and Canon does rule!

  164. cece678 says:

    All I was thinking was….buttons! Must press buttons! I loved the shots!

  165. […] blog is a continuation from my U.S. Air Force Media Flight – Travis Air Force Base … PART I blog posted on August 7th. And by the way, I am seriously still amazed that my post made it to […]

  166. […] U.S. Air Force Media Flight – Travis Air Force Base … PART I (via Jasmine Lee Photography) Posted on 19th Aug 2011 by Steve B| Leave a comment The photos below will tell the story of my day and I hope you take the time to read the blog to maximize this awesome opportunity. This blog post is incredibly special to me because it documents one of the most exciting and extreme once in a lifetime opportunities of my life!! On July 28th, I along with other photographers got to fly on a KC-10 Extender to photograph aerial refueling of the US Air Force Thunderbirds! This flight's purpose was to … Read More […]

  167. Sasha says:

    Amazing photos! I really like the one with the pilot refueling his jet.

  168. […] we are on this military topic, let’s revisit an aerial refueling trip I had the opportunity to take a few years ago. I’m so […]