It has been said that there is no substitute for first-hand experience and the student-cadets from Alabama State University’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 019 now have plenty of it under their collective belts. They have completed a recent visit to both Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field in Florida to gain knowledge about life in the United States Air Force. The two-day visit provided cadets with an opportunity to interact with military organizations and to communicate with Air Force officers about everything "under the sky" concerning their chosen military careers.
The commander of the cadet unit said that on-site visits and one-on-one communications between students and career officers is positive and good.
“I am always pleased to talk to the cadets about the Air Force, but this visit allowed the cadets to experience the Air Force for themselves,” said Lt. Col. Ann Graham, AFROTC Detachment 019 Commander. “I appreciate ASU’s leadership for their support, as well as the U.S. Air Force for providing opportunities for our cadets to broaden their knowledge.”
During their trip to Hurlburt Field, the cadets visited the 1st Special Operations Wing's Air Traffic Control Center, Weather Operation Center, Air Flight Equipment Division, 4th Special Operations Squadron, which included night vision goggles demonstrations and a tour of the Logistics Readiness Squadron. At Eglin AFB, the cadets had a chance to visit the McKinley Climate Lab, Security Forces Squadron (including K-9 demonstrations), and the Air Force Armament Museum.
The cadets were lodged at Hurlburt Field’s Visiting Officer Quarters (VOQ) and ate at the bases' dining facilities. They also had a chance to visit the Base Exchange store, gymnasium and on-base beach recreational area. The trip ended with a team building laser tag adventure.
“The base visit to Eglin AFB/ Hurlburt Field was very informational and exciting,” said Cadet Aliyah Stewart, a freshman biology major. “I enjoyed the opportunity to have a firsthand look into a number of the jobs in the United States Air Force. Overall, I enjoyed my time at Hurlburt Field the most, and I hope to be stationed there for my first assignment.”
Cadet Eran East, a senior enrolled at Faulkner University and member of ASU’s AFROTC Det. 019, said the trip was definitely an-eye opening experience.
“Even though I already know my job for active duty, the trip allowed me to see how my area and other jobs interact to complete the Air Force mission," East said.
About Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field
Eglin AFB, located near Valparaiso, Fla., is an Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) base serving as the focal point for all Air Force armaments. Eglin is responsible for the development, acquisition, testing, deployment and sustainment of all air-delivered, non-nuclear weapons.
The base plans, directs and conducts tests and evaluations of U.S. and allied air armament, navigation and guidance systems, and command and control systems. Severe weather testing of aircraft and other equipment is carried out at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory.
Hurlburt Field (Home of Air Force Special Operations) is located in Okaloosa County, Fla. It is part of the greater Eglin Air Force Base reservation and is home to Headquarters 1st Special Operations Wing.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Tuesday, February 14th 2017 at 6:12PM
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