Academy cadet visit

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Nicholas Slater and Kurt Ulrkson, Air Force Academy cadets, look into the cockpit of a helicopter June 20. The cadets were given the opportunity to shadow Airmen in different career fields, interact with officers and enlisted personnel and visit with host nation military members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Boutte)

Academy cadet visit

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Staff Sgt. Eric Velazquez, 82nd Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron tactical air control party member, helps Cadet 2nd Class Garrett Dean, Air Force Academy cadet, put on equipment during a demonstration June 20. The cadets are here as part of Operation Air Force, a program that sends cadets to deployed locations to help them experience what military life would be like once they graduate and receive their commission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Boutte)

Academy cadet visit

SOUTHWEST ASIA – An Air Force Academy cadet shoots a M-240 training weapon during scenarios June 20. The weapons simulation trains personnel on scenarios with more precision, safety, and without cost and environmental impact of live ammunition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Boutte)

Academy cadet visit

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Air Force Academy cadets sit in crew positions as if they are sitting in a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle before receiving roll-over training June 20. The cadets learned to egress from a trainer MRAP after a simulated improvised explosive device went off. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Boutte)

Academy cadet visit

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Twenty-three Air Force Academy cadets took a trip to the 82nd Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron June 20. Staff Sgt. Eric Velazquez, tactical air control party member, explains the importance of his job to cadets during a demonstration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Boutte)

"Fly Specks" shadow "The Rock"

Published June 29, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Boutte
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Many students resuming classes in the fall may write the mandatory school report, "What I did over my summer vacation." But, as summer ends, not many will be able to say the spent their summer in Southwest Asia.

Twenty-three Air Force Academy cadets currently deployed to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing will have incomparable stories to tell.

The cadets are deployed as a part of Operation Air Force, an annual four-week program that places cadets at operational bases throughout the world. They experience life as active duty Air Force members in a deployed environment and expose them to career-specific experiences through internship and mentorship.

The summer program transitions their normal academy lessons with real-world knowledge before the cadets start their junior year.

"Our goal here was to expose them to every AFSC [Air Force Specialty Code] the Air Force has to offer in a deployed environment," said Capt. Christopher Osborne, 386th AEW anti-terrorism office officer. "By the cadets getting this experience, they are developing the basic concept on what the careers bring to the table."

During the cadets' visit they had the opportunity to tour flying, support and maintenance squadrons. They were also given the opportunity to shadow Airmen in different career fields, interact with officers and enlisted personnel, and visit with host nation military members.

"Cadets have preconceived notions about Air Force careers and being here has given us a better understanding," Cadet Seth Jackson said.

This real-world experience will make these future second lieutenants better officers Osborne explained.

The cadets agreed their time deployed here will benefit them as they begin their careers as commissioned officers.

"I loved it here," Jackson said. "Interacting with the enlisted corps was probably my favorite and most valuable part. We are here for the enlisted corps and we talked to them about their expectations of officers. This insight will make us better upperclassman and commissioned officers."

The cadets quickly gained an understanding and appreciation for the importance of every job across the wing and how every career attributes to the accomplishment of the Wing mission.

"When the cadets got here, they had basic knowledge on what the Air Force does in a deployed environment," Osborne said. "Now I can say, confidently, when the cadets leave here they will have a solid understanding of how the Air Force performs in a deployed location."