Pilot surprises girlfriend, proposes after flight

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  After most final flights at the 80th Flying Training Wing, friends and family gather around to congratulate a pilot and celebrate. But Nov. 23, Capts. Curtis Weddle and Tony Hebert had something slightly different planned other than the traditional festivities.

After egressing his T-38C Talon as usual, Captain Weddle did something completely out of the ordinary and much to the surprise of someone standing on the tarmac - he dropped to one knee with a tiny box in his hands, ready to ask his girlfriend, Monica Morris, for her hand in marriage.

"It was so unexpected," Ms. Morris said. "He is usually such a reserved person, so for him to do something like this so publicly was a huge surprise."

Ms. Morris, the airport administrator for the Wichita Falls Municipal Airport and Kickapoo Downtown Airport, had waited, patiently, with other friends and family for the aircraft to land.

But the ruse began much earlier than that with the two captains. It was meant to be a monumental event for Captain Hebert, special assistant to the 90th Flying Training Squadron commander. But the special assistant was willing to turn the day over to the 90th FTS assistant flight commander and T-38 instructor pilot.

"My friend, Tony, helped out a lot with the plan," Captain Weddle said. "It was his fini flight, which would usually be his party, but he and his wife, Kylene, were generous enough to let us steal the show."

After the two pilots landed, Captain Weddle stepped down from the aircraft with a bundle of roses, bent down on one knee and proposed to Ms. Morris.

Captain Weddle said there wasn't a particular significance to the date. He said it was just the right place at the right time and the right people there to enjoy the moment.

"Monica and I had spent a lot of time with Tony and Kylene, so we were able to ask her to go without being too suspicious," he said. "The proposal actually went exactly the way it was supposed to. I was really nervous about the plan, but everything turned out just right and she said yes."

Ms. Morris and Captain Weddle first met at the Sheppard Oktoberfest in 2005, but didn't start dating until February 2007 and have been dating since. He said with both having careers in aviation and with flying being a favorite interest, it seemed the most appropriate and exciting place to propose.