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Awake before the world, yet waking to the early sunshine, the Boy Scout Troop of Yokota Air Base dressed in their uniforms to experience a morning with the crew of the amazing military airplane, the C-130. Among the field of light tan class A’s, congregated in the conference room of the 36th Airlift Squadron, stood out a dark forest green. This was the unmistakable uniform of a Venturer. That’s me!
The date is Friday, April 23rd, 2021. The place is Yokota Air Base, an American military establishment near Tokyo, home to many U.S. citizens and the largest airfield in Japan. Today, Boy Scout Troop 45 and a Venturer from Crew 7 got the once in a lifetime opportunity to learn about military aircraft apparatus and to fly aboard the C-130. This huge aircraft is a versatile tool to the U.S. government because it can transport both cargo and passengers in large quantities quickly, and it holds enough fuel to fly without refueling for over seven thousand miles. These qualities make this airplane an adaptable and extremely helpful addition to the air power of the U.S. Air Force.
We were first given a rundown of the safety procedures and then all of the information about what to expect on our flight. First, we were to see and learn about many different tools that military pilots use, to include night vision goggles and helmets. Then we were to walk on to the flight line and board the plane. Once we were strapped in, we would take off, first fly down to the Izu Peninsula to enjoy the views, then drop supplies out the back of the plane to another military establishment Camp Fuji, and then fly over Tokyo for another amazing view before landing back on base.
The first piece of equipment we saw in the briefing was night vision goggles. The images were not neon green, like former designs, but various shades of gray and white, like an X-ray camera. Then we looked at and tried on different helmets and a gas mask. The masks looked very strange and smelled funny too. They were tight, comprising of a hood with a tinted plastic screen over the face. You breathed into a long tube, making you look like an elephant with a long black trunk. It was not the most comfortable apparel, but it is a useful instrument and has saved countless lives. Plus it makes for a great photo opportunity!
Lastly, we saw all the water safety supplies in case of a crash landing in the ocean. There were huge body rafts with a top seal to stay dry and smaller rafts to carry infants. There was a kit containing a mini first aid kit, instant-water bottles, flares, a few other tools, and a phosphorescent material that glowed bright green when put into water. The color spreads unbelievably fast, covering a space with a mile radius, easy for a rescue team to locate. Also included in the display was a raft repair kit, a general survival kit, including a small knife and water purification tablets, and of course, the aircraft life vests. All of the inflated items came in small compressed and sealed packets, which when activated, instantly exploded into a raft, a life jacket, etc. They were all very clever and creative kits.
Now was the time everyone was waiting for: boarding. We walked out on the flight line and stood by the plane, waiting expectantly for the invitation to board. The sun glinting off the black windowpane of the monstrous machine made an imposing and awesome scene, filling us with awe. The engines revved up, and we all became excited. The engines were loud, even from a distance of over a hundred feet, so we put in our earbuds, which seemed to help. While we were waiting, everyone took the opportunity to eat their breakfast. When we were called onto the plane, we quickly formed a line, buzzing with ecstatic excitement. We were strapped into our seats. The walls of the plane were lined with retractable seats, and many more could be pulled out, but we only occupied the front end of the plane. We were situated so that there were two rows of passengers, one on each side of the plane. We sat side by side. I got a seat with a window right behind me. When we took off, my whole body tingled with the thrill. Many Scouts pulled out their sick bags and a few used them. Poor guys, but they were okay after a few minutes. Looking out the window, I saw the propellers turning and the ground miles beneath. What a beautiful and awesome sight!
It was only twenty minutes to the Izu Penisula, which was so fast compared to the hours of driving my family did for our beach vacation to the same place. Then forty-five minutes later, we approached the drop zone. Unexpectedly, a majestic and sovereign Mt Fuji, capped with snow, showed its face in the window. After thoroughly enjoying one of God’s most marvelous works, we turned back to the inside of the plane. We had work to do. There were two crates to be dropped. Each was attached to a parachute. We would drop twice, once per crate. As we prepared to drop, the back of the aircraft opened. The sunlight poured in. The plane tilted, allowing gravity to work its magic on the heavy crates. My stomach lurched. The rope was cut, and the first box was off! The parachute opened and the crate drifted down to the awaiting Camp Fuji. We circled around, preparing to drop the second crate. Again the back opened and the sunlight poured in. Again, the plane was tilted and my stomach lurched. This time I pulled out my bag, just in case, but thankfully I didn’t need it. The rope was cut, and this time the second box slid out of sight as the plane righted itself. The parachute billowed out and carried the crate down to the earth in safety. Our job completed, we turned around and headed back towards Tokyo.
The flight doctor on board (who just so happened to be my dad) took a few miserable sick Scouts up to the cockpit. It was less sickening up in the front since you were facing forwards and a huge front window showed you where you were going. Then we were allowed to walk around the plane for a little bit. I looked at diagrams pasted onto cabinets and from what I could see, various safety items were stored in various cabinets, and more seats could be pulled out and arranged differently to ensure maximum capacity.
As part of the experience, we were allowed to cycle through the cockpit and look around. As I walked up, the world opened up to me through the vast window. The air was so clear and the sky so blue! We floated gently among the clouds; the world below seemed millions of miles away. My dad passed me his headset. The headset allowed the crew of all connected planes to intercommunicate easily. I could hear the pilot and copilot of this plane and of the other planes in this mission. Yokota was almost in sight, but we would continue flying to Tokyo. I had felt pretty sick in the back, but something about being in the cockpit calmed my anxiety, and my stomach. Listening intently to the pilot’s code language, I looked around. The walls were covered with buttons, levers, numbers, and interactive maps. I was impressed by the fact that the pilots in front of me, in complete control of the plane, knew what each and every single button and lever did and meant. I was in awe, and extremely thankful.
Suddenly I heard my dad being addressed via the microphone. I turned and gave the headset back to him. He motioned to me that I had to go back down to the main body of the plane. I headed to the back and strapped myself into my seat. Sometime later, we were allowed to roam again for a few minutes. I clambered over to the one of the bigger side windows. It was neat to have a birds-eye view of the most populated city in the world! We were too far away to tell for sure, but I thought I saw Tokyo Disneyland down there on the coast.
All too soon we buckled up and prepared for landing back at Yokota. It felt like days and days had gone by, when in fact it was less than three hours since we took off. We came in for a smooth landing, and the engines were left running when we disembarked; the plane had more work to do that day and would take off again shortly. Our feet touched solid ground. Everyone no longer felt sick. I was one of the few who luckily didn’t need to use their bag. As we walked back into the building, and dispersed to go our separate ways, I took time to reflect. Our flight was a wonderful and thrilling experience and I am very thankful to the squadron for letting us join their morning mission. I had a memorable time, and I am sure that all the Scouts are of the same opinion. We conquered the skies.
As a bonus, we got souvenir squadron T-shirts! Their backstory is this: On Fridays, every member of the squadron wears his shirt to celebrate being in the squadron and to display team spirit. I call them “Spirit Shirts”. We flew on a Friday, so I wear mine every Friday to show my spirit and to commemorate the day I conquered the C-130.
