B-52 Pilots Do It With Real Class!

[SASless]

There is an Annual Christmas Event called the "Snowball Express" that has grown over the years that renews your faith in Mankind.

American Airlines and many other groups, individuals, and corporations including Gary Sinese (Lt. Dan of Forrest Gump fame) and his
Foundation put on events for the Children of American Military Personnel killed in the line of duty.

This year they flew 1750 Kids and a family member to Disney World for four days as part of those events.

This account that follows happened four years ago.


JAX Center: Snowball 3 you have B-52 traffic at your ten o'clock passing overhead one thousand feet above...

FO Yeager: Roger we got'em ...hey any chance you can let those guys know we have some of their precious cargo on board?

JAX Center: Yeah my boss is already on the UHF with them as we speak advising the crew the nature of your mission.

FO Yeager: Please let the Commander know we have over 60 smiling little faces pressed on all the windows.

JAX Center: Snowball 3, they are well aware Sir.

And at that very moment the BUFF Drivers yank and bank giving us the biggest wing rocking salute I've ever seen. Had to be 60 degrees of bank. In a B-52! (In pilot speak that means sh** hot) They passed overhead and did what looked like a fighter break. Stunning visual and it happened so quick. Our Maintenance Technician was in the back and was able to take a couple of photos as they were getting level again.

Edit: I should add... With every center handoff each controller spoke on behalf of that particular ARTCC's division and thanked us for what American Airlines did for these families and kids. Some of the controllers would get choked up. It's understandable and very emotional. Especially when they could hear the kids cheering in the background as I would transmit (we had the cabin PA selected on the cockpit speakers too just for that very reason cause we are smart like that 😎). They yelled and cheered and had a great time with things like the B-52 salute and all the fun things our amazing Flight Attendants had planned for these kids...

Before we could switch frequencies my colleagues at other carriers would chime in with a "Awesome job guys SWA****, Well done gentlemen Delta*****, Good job fellas United***, Very cool guys JetBlue****, etc....

Every. Single. Time.

Very proud moment to be a pilot for American.




​​​​​​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMiTrKpfOxQ


While you enjoy your Christmas.....think about those who have lost family serving in the Military.

[TBM-Legend]

So awesome it caused me to shed a little tear...

[dagenham]

Dusty hear too TBM... very dusty indeed

[Wander00]

Well done them - very dusty atmosphere in Boldre

[Downwind.Maddl-Land]

Outstanding - well done AA and my fellow ATCOs. Very gratifying to see the support proffered to the Military by the American public; in the UK the bereaved families would likely be hounded by HMRC for receiving a 'benefit in kind' or somesuch!!

And if that YouTube video doesn't put a lump in your throat, you have no soul

[NutLoose]

Do the RAF still do similar? we used to every winter put a VC10 on to go see Santa in I think Finland or Legoland in Denmark for a wish foundation or similar, the fuel was donated by the likes of Shell, the crews gave up leave and the RAF donated the aircraft.

The other I remember was a VC10 doing a Nav Ex to Disney in Florida as genuine crew training, some bright spark had an idea and it was thrown open to the Station families to go on it, they had to fund their hotel etc, and those with Kids being given preference., but it allowed a lot of station personnel to take their families on a cheap day trip to Disneyland during the crews rest period before returning back to Brize, I remember a lot of beaming kids and families boarding as we saw it off and a lot of still beaming if tired kids getting off on their return when we saw them back in.. A win win, a moral boost to those that went, the kids loved it and the RAF got kudos in doing it.


Excellent film BTW

[Martin the Martian]

Oh my. It's suddenly gone very dusty here as well. What a wonderful organisation and wonderful people.

[Timelord]

Is there a charity doing similar work in the UK? If not, why not? Pprune foundation anyone?

[Asturias56]

Do the RAF still do similar? we used to every winter put a VC10 on to go see Santa in I think Finland or Legoland in Denmark for a wish foundation or similar, the fuel was donated by the likes of Shell, the crews gave up leave and the RAF donated the aircraft.

The other I remember was a VC10 doing a Nav Ex to Disney in Florida as genuine crew training, some bright spark had an idea and it was thrown open to the Station families to go on it, they had to fund their hotel etc, and those with Kids being given preference., but it allowed a lot of station personnel to take their families on a cheap day trip to Disneyland during the crews rest period before returning back to Brize, I remember a lot of beaming kids and families boarding as we saw it off and a lot of still beaming if tired kids getting off on their return when we saw them back in.. A win win, a moral boost to those that went, the kids loved it and the RAF got kudos in doing it.


Excellent film BTW

Ref the RAF I knew a Falkland Islander who was diagnosed with terminal cancer a few years back (?5 ish?) and was sent to the UK for treatment. Alas it was not successful and he was flown back from Brize in a pretty bad state. I heard the flight made several low level passes over the islands at an angle of bank so he could see his home from the air for one last time..................... people can be really good when they get the chance..............

[SASless]

Timelord......as promised.

Having lost so very many friends and having had contact with some of their families.....this video is so moving....on so many levels.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyQg7XKAXSc

[Bergerie1]

And in the UK they have Dreamflight:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaUBsoEOdEE

[tartare]

Knew little about Gary Sinese, but this thread led to me learn more.
A hard working supporter of the military, a musician (a bass guitarist - even better)
What a great guy.
We need more people like him.