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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - United States Air Force Academy and
Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets got a taste of what it's
going to be like in the operational Air Force, one to two years
before they graduate and actually begin serving as second
lieutenants from June 2 to 17 at Scott Air Force Base.
The
Air Force Operations Program is dedicated for cadets to get exposure
to a real-world Air Force base environment while letting them see
how base components work together to achieve the mission. First Lt.
Jonathan Davis, 375th Force Support Squadron Readiness Officer in
Charge, and Maj. Jonathan Lauer, 54th Airlift Squadron C-40 Pilot,
are both base directors who organized the operations experience for
the cadets.
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Maj. Jonathan Lauer shows the cadets the exterior of a C-40 and explains to them how to do a pre- flight check June 8, 2015, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The cadets were from the Air Force Academy learning a new perspective from officers. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Megan Friedl)
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“This program is cited by a majority of attending cadets
as contributing greatly to their decisions about which
career field to pursue,” said Davis.
The cadets
visited the 375th Security Forces Squadron and some even
experienced what it would feel like to be tazed and bitten
by the military working dogs in protective suits. They also
visited the Tanker Airlift Control Center, the 375th
Contracting Squadron, the 375th Operations Group, the 375th
Medical Group, the 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron, the
375th Force Support Squadron, the 375th Communications
Group, attended changes of command, received mentoring from
leaders, and were paired up with base company grade
officers.
Part of the Air Force Operations Program
was to take a ride on aircraft from Scott. The Academy
cadets experienced flying on a C-40 around the St. Louis
area. The ROTC cadets flew in a KC-135 and witnessed a
refueling of an F-22 near Florida.
“It was really
cool to fly on a C-40,” said Cadet 2nd Class Kirsten
Mattson, a rising junior Academy student. “It's interesting
to see the perspectives from people that have been on this
aircraft frequently.”
The purpose of the program is
to enhance understanding of how operations and support
functions work together to accomplish a wing's mission. They
are exposed to a variety of career fields to aid them in
future career decisions. It enables the cadets to interact
with senior noncommissioned officers, Department of Defense
civilians, Field Grade Officers and CGOs, and better
understand their role as a future second lieutenant.
Maj. Jonathan Lauer said, “I think the cadets gain a better
and clearer picture of what the Air Force is going to be
after going through this program.”
Davis recalls when
he was a cadet, and said, “As an USAFA cadet I thought the
experience was eye opening. The Air Force is completely
different than schooling. The responsibility of the unit
falls on my shoulders in the AF and accomplishing the unit
functions make the Air Force succeed every day. The
operations program made me realize how important the Air
Force is to the world. After visiting my operational Air
Force base, I wanted nothing more than to join this great
service.”
By U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Megan Friedl
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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