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Network news anchor gets a taste of reserve life

  • Published
  • By Major Bill Walsh
  • 315th Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. --  ABC World News anchor, Charles Gibson had the chance to experience something his nephew has been talking about for years, a reserve weekend training mission in a C-17 Globemaster III. 

Mr. Gibson traveled from New York to Charleston Air Force Base and flew with the 317th Airlift Squadron, and in particular, Major Rob Oswald who was not just the aircraft commander, but the national newsman's nephew. 

"I still think of him as an 8 year old playing with his toys and now he's flying this huge airplane. Kind of makes me nervous," Mr. Gibson said laughing as he sat in the cockpit during an air refueling. 

He talks to millions of viewers each night about news from around the world and now has some real world experience to use as a foundation, especially for military stories. 

"In the last 18 years, I have always wanted to do something to show him the training that I have received but also show him the different capabilities of the aircraft, the stuff that impressed me what I started flying the C-17. It was just nice to tell him about our mission," explained Major Oswald. 

Recently Mr. Gibson has had lunch with the President, drove the new lunar rover at NASA and interviewed world leaders but put this experience right up there on his best list. 

"This is a great experience," he said while noting how quiet the airplane was during the flight. "It's amazing how fast it gets off the ground for the size." 

The mission profile was a standard training line including an air refueling and engine running offload. 

"It was an incredible experience to get to fly with a family member who's seen me in different stages of childhood and finally gets to see what I can do now to help out the Air Force." 

Mr. Gibson spent time with the entire crew and took pictures will everyone who wanted to share a few moments with the famous American.