Experience the operational Air Force

Mr. Mike Bierman [right], a master falconer with the World Bird Sanctuary and caregiver of the falcons on base, explains to cadets how birds like Sonjia help keep the flightline area safe. More than 120 cadets from all over the United States will visit the base in three groups this summer. The first group arrived June 4 and will stay until June 24. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tiffany Low)

Experience the operational Air Force

Cadet Aaron Magger marshals out a KC-10 after a quick demonstration of how to communicate with the pilot with hand gestures. Cadet Magger is part of the Rising Sophomore program, which exposes rising Reserve Officers’ Training Corps sophomores to an enlisted perspective of the operational Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tiffany Low)

Experience the operational Air Force

Cadet Aaron Magger, a student from Hattiesburg, Miss., and Cadet William Moffat, a student from Blacksburg, Va., dispose of foreign objects they found on the flightline. The two cadets are participating in Operation Air Force, a 3-week summer program designed to expose United States Air Force Academy and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets to the operational Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tiffany Low)

Travis hosting cadets for summer program

Published June 19, 2006
By Airman 1st Class Tiffany Low
60th AMW Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Throughout this summer, Travis will host more than 120 officer candidates in support of Operation Air Force.

The three-week summer program is designed to expose United States Air Force Academy and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets to the operational Air Force.
Cadets from all over the United States will visit Travis in three groups. The first group of cadets arrived June 4 and will stay until June 24. The other groups are scheduled to be here from June 25 through July 15 and from July 16 through Aug. 5.

“They will have a busy schedule during the three weeks they are here,” said Capt. Sandra Thompson, Travis representative for Operation Air Force. “During this time, you may see cadets around the base and working in your squadrons. They will also participate in C-5 and KC-10 orientation flights, K-9 demonstrations, tours and orientation in each of the 60th Air Mobility Wing groups. In addition, cadets will travel to Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, for a three-day jet-orientation program.”

“Operation Air Force is truly adding to our leadership and military experiences,” said Cadet Luis Contreras, a student from Fairfax, Va. “We were told that ‘one of the most important aspects of being an officer is experience,’ and experience is exactly what we are getting here.”

“It’s good to see an active-duty Air Force base and meet some of the people working in different career fields,” said Cadet Stephen Brightman, a student from Boston, Mass. He says the program gives him a chance to figure out what he would like to do when he becomes an officer.

With cadets working and living on the base, many Travis members may wonder what the proper customs and courtesies are.

“Cadets should be addressed as ‘cadet’ and are afforded the rights and privileges of a junior officer. However, they should not be saluted,” said Captain Thompson.

Operation Air Force consists of three programs: Rising Sophomore, Brevet Lieutenant and Third Lieutenant for cadets going into their second, third and fourth year of college respectively. Depending on the program cadets are in, they may work around the enlisted force, perform tasks alongside a company grade officer or get experience in their potential career field.