Col. Thomas Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander and F-22 Raptor pilot, gets comfortable on the flight deck of a C-17 Globemaster III before takeoff from Elmendorf Air Force Base, March 26, 2010. It was Colonel Bergeson's first time behind the controls of the aircraft. The flight included a KC-135 Stratotanker refuel, tactical arrivals and departures at Allen Army Airfield and low-level flying. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff. Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

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Col. Thomas Bergeson, left, is briefed by Capt. Charley Morris, right, and Maj. Nathan Drewry before a C-17 Globemaster III flight at Elmendorf Air Force Base, March 26, 2010. Colonel Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander and F-22 Raptor pilot, took the controls of the aircraft for the first time. The flight included a KC-135 Stratotanker refuel, tactical arrivals and departures at Allen Army Airfield and low-level flying. Captain Morris and Major Drewry are C-17 pilots assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff. Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

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Staff Sgt. Adam Koerner explains the egress procedures of a C-17 Globemaster III to Col. Thomas Bergeson before a flight at Elmendorf Air Force Base, March 26, 2010. Colonel Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander and F-22 Raptor pilot, took the controls of the aircraft for the first time. The flight included a KC-135 Stratotanker refuel, tactical arrivals and departures at Allen Army Airfield and low-level flying. Sergeant Koerner is a loadmaster assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff. Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

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Staff Sgt. Adam Koerner explains the egress procedures of a C-17 Globemaster III to Col. Thomas Bergeson before a flight at Elmendorf Air Force Base, March 26, 2010. Colonel Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander and F-22 Raptor pilot, took the controls of the aircraft for the first time. The flight included a KC-135 Stratotanker refuel, tactical arrivals and departures at Allen Army Airfield and low-level flying. Sergeant Koerner is a loadmaster assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff. Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

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A C-17 Globemaster III takes off from Elmendorf Air Force Base March 26, 2010. Col. Thomas Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander and F-22 Raptor pilot, was behind the controls of the aircraft for the first time. The flight included a KC-135 Stratotanker refuel, tactical arrivals and departures at Allen Army Airfield and low-level flying. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff. Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

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A C-17 Globemaster III takes off from Elmendorf Air Force Base March 26, 2010. Col. Thomas Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander and F-22 Raptor pilot, was behind the controls of the aircraft for the first time. The flight included a KC-135 Stratotanker refuel, tactical arrivals and departures at Allen Army Airfield and low-level flying. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff. Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

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Commander flies C-17

Published March 26, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson
3rd Wing Public Affairs

Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska -- Col. Thomas Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander and F-22 Raptor pilot, was behind the controls of a C-17 Globemaster III for the first time March 26, flying with the 517th Airlift Squadron here.

"It's an honor to be able to fly with the premier airlift squadron in the Pacific and see the awesome capabilities of the C-17 first hand," said Bergeson.

The flight included a KC-135 Stratotanker refuel, tactical arrivals and departures at Allen Army Airfield and low-level flying.