Operation Air Force inspires AFA cadets

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Joseph Wingard
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Cadets from the United States Air Force Academy spent the past three weeks here experiencing active duty life.

During that time, they shadowed Team McChord Airmen and participated in daily operations such as repairing flightline lighting, detonating C-4 explosives, firing M9 and MP5 weapons, logging time in the C-17 simulator and participating in C-17 low-level flight training aboard a cargo mission to Hickam and Travis Air Force bases.

The cadets were participating in Operation Air Force, a summer program designed to give cadets an opportunity to experience firsthand everything an operational Air Force base has to offer. Cadets are immersed into Air Force life at bases around the globe through tours, hands-on experience and by shadowing Airmen in a variety of career fields.

The experiences gained this summer help cadets understand how the Air Force functions and influences their future roles in it.

For several cadets, the experience is the last opportunity to explore Air Force career options before submitting job preferences. For Cadet 2nd Class Kelly Spencer and Cadet 2nd Class Rachel Miller, the experience was an eye opener.

Both cadets will submit job preferences in January and are still undecided, though the experience at McChord may have changed that. The time they spent with McChord flying squadrons certainly left an impression on them.

"Flying in the simulator was really cool," said Cadet Spencer. "It made me consider flying."

"The low-level flight made me want to be a pilot," added Cadet Miller. "It was good to see how everyone worked together to accomplish the mission."

In addition to job shadowing, the cadets benefited from junior officer mentorship at McChord.

"I could relate to them." said Cadet 2nd Class Sean Dronen. "They were easy to talk to and understood what we are going through."

The Operation Air Force program also provided cadets insight into what it means to be an Air Force officer.

"I learned a lot about being an officer here," said Cadet Miller. "It's not (only) about maintaining the aircraft ... it's really about the welfare of the people who you work with."

"It was cool to see what the 'real' Air Force is like" said Cadet Dronen. "It all gets put in perspective and gets you ready to start another (academic) year."