Operation Red Flag

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristen Rohrer
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Office of Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Local high school ROTC students came out for a chance to learn about Air Force career opportunities at the Esquire IMAX Theater in Sacramento Sept. 9 as part of Air Force Week Sacramento.

Recruiters from the Sacramento area as well as Team Travis members were on hand to answer questions for the Valley High School students about anything from joining the military to the different Air Force jobs available.

Several Air Force assets were also displayed at the event to include the Air Force chopper motorcycle and an SUV painted with Air Force graphics that was fully equipped with the Rock Band video game. The students were also able to take home free Air Force items such as shirts, hats, pens, pencils and other giveaways.

Though most of the students intended to join the Air Force one day, many planned on earning a college degree first.

"I want to go to the Air Force Academy and join as an officer," said sophomore Katie Springer, 15. Classmate Geanna Sykes also hopes to attend the Academy. "But I want to graduate and join the Reserves," she said.

After getting the chance to meet with and speak to recruiters, the students then headed into the theater to watch a showing of the movie, Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag. The movie focuses on pilot Capt. John Stratton as he takes part in Red Flag, an advanced aerial combat training exercise used to train pilots from the U.S. and other allied countries for real combat situations.

At the conclusion of the event, the floor was opened to students to ask questions of the pilots and crew who are part of the F-22 Raptor demonstration team as well as other Air Force members.

In addition to this event, a free concert featuring country artist Aaron Tippin will be held at the Capitol building in Sacramento as part of Air Force Week. The week will then conclude with the California Capital Air Show at the Mather Airport Sept. 12 and 13.

For more information on these events, visit the Air Force Week Web site at www.airforceweek.af.mil or the California Capital Airshow Web site at http://californiacapitalairshow.com.