OSU Deans take to the skies
Monday, December 8, 2008
Oklahoma State University officials recently took to the skies at Vance Air Force
Base in a T-38 Talon, which is used to prepare pilots for front-line fighter and bomber
aircrafts. Front row from left: OSU alumni Lt. Robert W. Old Crow, of Edmond, and
Lt. Mateo Bickford, Claremore; and Col. Kevin Kriner, commander of OSU's ROTC Detachment
670. Back row from left: Capt. Chris Kanewski; Capt. Jonathan Burd; OSU alumnus Lt.
Kelly Ennen, Tuttle; Peter M.A. Sherwood, dean, and Thomas A. Wikle, associate dean,
both of the College of Arts and Sciences at OSU; and OSU alumnus Lt. Bryan Garrison,
Edwardsville, Ill.
Peter M.A. Sherwood, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University,
is shown prior to a flight on Nov. 24 at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla.
Two Oklahoma State University professors recently took to the skies in two T-38 Talon
supersonic two-seat trainers. The T-38 is used to prepare pilots for front-line fighter
and bomber aircrafts.
Thomas W. Wikle, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State
University, is shown with Col. Kevin Kriner (right), commander of OSU's ROTC Detachment
670. Kriner is former commander of Vance Air Force Base now stationed at OSU.
But that’s exactly what Peter M.A. Sherwood and Thomas A. Wikle recently did at Vance Air Force Base.
Sherwood, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University, and Wikle, an associate dean, each took to the skies on Nov. 24 in a T-38 Talon. The T-38 is used to prepare pilots for front-line fighter and bomber aircrafts.
The flights are not commonplace. Traditionally, they are used to provide rewards to military personnel for outstanding service or to familiarize those who have aviation-related responsibilities with the Air Force aircrafts.
“After our cadets are commissioned here at OSU, Vance is often the next step for many of them,” said Col. Kevin Kriner, commander of OSU’s ROTC Detachment 670. “The goal in planning this trip for Deans Sherwood and Wikle was to offer them a new perspective of ROTC and Air Force training.”
Before Sherwood and Wikle were eligible to fly they attained a physical from the flight surgeon’s office. They also completed physiological training in preparation for experiencing G-forces.
Life support equipment training, as well as helmet and uniform fittings were the final step. The backpacks alone, complete with parachutes, can weigh up to 50 lbs.
The one-hour flight took the OSU officials to about 20,000 feet over western Oklahoma in a pair of two-seater aircrafts, which took off and landed together. Both Sherwood and Wikle took turns at the wheel guided respectively by Capt. Chris “Canoe” Kanewski and Capt. Jonathan “Jersey” Burd.
“The flight was an amazing experience that provided a unique opportunity to appreciate the capabilities of a supersonic jet fighter, and the incredible skill of our military pilots,” Sherwood said.
“I received excellent demonstrations of the aircraft’s abilities and had my first experience of substantial G forces. Capt. Kanewski was a superb pilot and an outstanding instructor who handled his completely inexperienced ‘co-pilot’ with great courtesy and understanding, and a full description and explanation of each maneuver.”
As a former commander of the 71st Operations Group at Vance, Kriner was able to arrange the flight for the two OSU deans. The group also met with OSU alumni that included Lt. Mateo Bickford, of Claremore; Lt. Kelly Ennen, Tuttle; Lt. Bryan Garrison, Edwardsville, Ill.; and Lt. Robert W. Old Crow, Edmond.
The College of Arts and Sciences at OSU is comprised of 22 departments and two military programs. To learn more visit http://cas.okstate.edu.