Aviation students learn about the U.S. Air Force

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Russ Jackson
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Eight students belonging to the Aviation Explorer Post 1735 took full advantage of learning what it takes to get a C-17 Globemaster III in the air during a tour of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Oct. 25.

The Aviation Explorer Post 1735 is comprised of a small group of students from the Gig Harbor, Wash. area who are between the ages of 14 and 20 years old.

The group does their best to discover different aspects of aviation within the civilian world however during this weekend, it was McChord Field's turn to show them just what flying is all about.

Tom Jones, Aviation Explorer Post 1735 committee chairman and retired Air Force lieutenant colonel C-141 Starlifter pilot, brought the group of students to McChord Field and showed them what takes place on an Air Force installation.

"The idea behind aviation exploring is to expose the kids to every aspect of aviation whether it's flying, weather, air traffic control, maintenance, or anything to do with aviation," Jones said. "The post is run by four full time adult leaders who are volunteers and mostly retired military pilots who are trying to pay it forward and keep the idea of aviation alive and get kids interested."

Jones and his fellow instructors do not conduct any flight training however they focus mostly on flight orientation to include small aircraft flights as a way to get the students educated and interested in flying.

During their tour, the students were able to visit the aircrew flight equipment shop and learn how Airmen prepare aircrew members to survive in case of emergencies as well as ensuring they have the proper gear to operate during the night.

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Owens, 62nd Operations Support Squadron NCOIC aircraft operations, showed the students a fully packed parachute, egress and survival equipment, oxygen masks, and night vision goggles which must all be prepared and inspected to ensure aircrews stay safe and efficient while flying the aircraft.

Next, the students had the opportunity to visit McChord Field's control tower and see a C-17 take off.

They were met by Staff Sgt. Aubrey Brady, 62nd Operations Support Squadron control tower operator, who explained what it takes to be successful in a day in the life of an air traffic controller. The students watched as she spoke with an aircrew of an active mission, giving them clearance to take off from the airfield. Upon watching the jet take off, they observed the plane on the radar screen and were given the chance to turn on the airfield runway lights. 

After a short visit to the McChord Air Museum on Heritage Hill, the students arrived to the C-17 simulator complex.

The group was met by Capt. Jimmy Moxley, 7th Airlift Squadron pilot and Capt. Travis Delzer, 10th AS pilot who took the young aviators into the simulator and let them "fly" the C-17. They also spoke in depth with the students about their own interests in flying while they were adolescents, which resulted in them becoming Air Force pilots.

"I've always been interested in aviation. I've always liked flying," Delzer told a few students. "This sounds like a great opportunity for you guys to get involved early and if flying is something you want to do, that's great, follow your dreams."

While the Aviation Explorer Post 1735 focuses on aviation, that is not solely what they focus on to ensure success for the students in the future.

"You can't be a pilot or part of any aspect of aviation if you don't lead a good life," said Jones. "We push the character aspect of things just like the big organizations, like the Boy Scouts or the Boys and Girls club. If you give kids constructive things to do, they'll lead a constructive life afterwards."