Travis engages cadets by showing them closer look at Air Force

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Angela Martin
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Nine U S. Air Force Academy cadets arrived at Travis June 5 eager to gain a better understanding of their future roles and responsibilities as commissioned officers as part of the Operation Air Force program.

Operation Air Force is a two-and-a-half week program that provides Academy cadets with a first-hand look at the daily operations of an Air Force base.

"By touring David Grant USAF Medical Center and spending time with Airmen in the maintenance, operations and mission support groups here, we are ensuring the cadets gain a better understanding of wing organizations and how Travis carries out the mission every day," said Capt. Julie Honeycutt, 60th Operations Group executive officer and primary point of contact for Operation Air Force here.

The group also traveled to Beale Air Force Base, Calif., where they toured the U-2, T-38 Talon and Global Hawk. They are scheduled to spend time with the 621st Contingency Response Wing here, giving the cadets a diverse look at Air Force capabilities.

"By visiting the different groups, I've gained a better understanding of the elements that go into supporting the flying mission and really seeing all of the hard work the people in the maintenance group, medical group, and mission support group do to make sure the pilots can do their job," said Cadet Nicholas Nowland.

Fellow cadet Matthew Rizo echoed similar appreciation for the experiences Operation Air Force provides future officers.

"At the academy, we don't really get exposed to just the operational Air Force, we mostly deal with school," Rizo said. "This gives us a good opportunity to see all the different career fields and what else the Air Force has to offer besides being pilots."

According to Lt. Col. Thad Middleton, 9th Air Refueling Squadron commander and U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, Operation Air Force changed his life.

Prior to the program, he aspired to become an F-4 Phantom II pilot. However, having the opportunity to fly with E-3 Sentry and C-130 crews taught him the concept of team work and opened his eyes to other possibilities. He went on to pursue his new dream of becoming a C-130 pilot.

"The program is set up to give you a wide understanding of what the Air Force is about," Middleton said to the cadets.

In addition to gaining senior leadership perspectives, the cadets spent time with company grade officers to learn about the challenges of being a new lieutenant and gained insights from senior NCO's on leading the enlisted core.

"Credibility and trust is the first thing you need to establish," said Senior Master Sgt. Todd Bradley, 60th Aerial Port Squadron cargo operations superintendent.

With the, Bradley stressed the importance of becoming an active member of the unit and learning how to care for Airmen.

The next set of cadets are scheduled to arrive June 24 and the last session begins July 17.