Incentive Flight Program

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Staff Sgt. Ryan Conversi, 81st Aircraft Maintenance Unit, prepares to take an incentive flight Sept. 29, 2008. Sergeant Conversi earned his incentive flight by earning 2006 U. S. Air Forces in Europe Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jenifer Calhoun)

Incentive Flight Program

Published Oct. 7, 2008

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Staff Sgt. Ryan Conversi, 81st Aircraft Maintenance Unit, prepares to take an incentive flight Sept. 29, 2008. Sergeant Conversi earned his incentive flight by earning 2006 U. S. Air Forces in Europe Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jenifer Calhoun)

Name: Staff Sgt. Ryan Conversi

Unit: 81st Aircraft Maintenance Unit

Duty title: Dedicated crew chief

Hometown: Honeoye, N.Y.

Years in Service: Six

Why joined: College wasn't working for me and I didn't want to stay at home.

Family: My wife, Shalyn, and son, Ben

Hobbies: Playing soccer

Favorite aspect of job: Launching combat sorties and knowing the jets are putting bombs on targets

Most memorable AF experience: 2006 deployment to Afghanistan

Favorite part of F-16 flight: The take-off

Previous flying experience: None

What award earned the flight: 2006 U. S. Air Forces in Europe Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez award

Any advice to future fliers or advice received before flight: Don't eat a big breakfast!

Description of experience: It was fun. Unfortunately, we couldn't see the ground, so we just flew above the clouds. However, being able to fly for a little while was pretty cool too.