Fantasy ride

  • Published
  • By Megan Just
  • 452 AMW Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. --  An episode of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory was taped at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., Sept. 10 and aired on MTV in October.  Fantasy Factory is a reality television program that features Dyrdek, a professional skateboarder. In the episode filmed at March, Dyrdek flies in an Air Force Reserve Command F-16 while Dyrdek's co-star, Chris "Drama" Pfaff, flies in a KC-135.

The episode was a joint effort between MTV and the Air Force Reserve Command.

"We're thrilled that the U.S. Air Force Reserve allowed us to tape Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory and take Rob and Chris along while fulfilling Rob's lifelong dream," said Christian Duguay, supervising producer with MTV. "This episode was exciting to tape and Rob had a great time!"

"We're really excited about partnering with Rob Dyrdek and MTV," said Chief Master Sgt. Glen Barnes, chief of advertising with the U.S. Air Force Reserve. "This outlet provides us with a great opportunity to show MTV's audience a glimpse into the thrilling aspects of the Air Force Reserve through the eyes of Rob, Chris and MTV staff."

Filming began after months of coordination and a production meeting at the base Sept. 8. Dyrdek and co-star Chris "Drama" Pfaff, traveled to Edwards AFB Sept. 9 for simulator training and flight preparations. Two F-16s from the 301st Fighter wing, Carswell AFB, Texas, landed at March later that day and Dyrdek was able preview the aircraft in which he would be flying the next day.

Pre-flight briefings began at 8 a.m. on Sept. 10. Directly after, Dyrdek, Pfaff, and their entourage of producers and cameramen went to LIFESUPPORT, then directly out to the waiting F-16s. As the F-16s made their final preparations, the MTV cameramen split, some staying behind to film from the ground, while Pfaff and the others boarded a 336th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135.

Aboard the KC-135, the Pfaff joined boom operator Staff Sgt. Joe Parker in the refueling pod, while the MTV crew positioned themselves to film Dyrdek's F-16 as it refueled.

As the second F-16 approached, Pfaff rotated out of his position in the refueling pod and the MTV crewmembers had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of observing a midair refueling.

Tech. Sgt. Scott Wilcox, a combat videographer from the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Charleston AFB, S.C., filmed from the backseat of the second F-16. He had the difficult task of filming the choreographed series of aerial maneuvers the two F-16s performed above Lake Havasu after the refueling.

Sergeant Wilcox was well-qualified for the job with four years of experience flying in fighters. He said he was honored to have been selected and was excited for the mission because he is a Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory fan.

"It was great. A nice day to fly," Sergeant Wilcox said after the Sept. 10 flight. He cited the bouncing plane as the most difficult filming challenge, as well as keeping his F-16 between the sun and the F-16 carrying Dyrdek.

After the F-16s and the KC-135 landed, Dyrdek and crew returned to the briefing room in building 2245 to unwind and eat pizza. Dyrdek graciously signed autographs for his many March ARB fans who, in exchange, gave him Air Force memorabilia as tokens of appreciation.