AFRC flight crews support cadets

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Dennard
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  Flight crews from across the country flew in and set up static displays in support of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Orientation Week at Dobbins Air Reserve Base here Monday.

JROTC Week is a program designed to introduce cadets to the world of the military. The 5,000 cadets were shown career displays, a C-130 orientation flight, and visit by the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Rodney J. McKinley, as part of "Heritage to Horizons," the Air Force's 60th anniversary celebration.

Crewmembers and pilots gave tours and answered questions about the aircrafts as well as about their own career fields and crews from Dobbins ARB and Savannah flew the orientation flights.

"It's great to have these students come out because they already know they want to join the military, but not what they want to do yet," said Staff Sgt. Adam Cartwright, crew chief of the F-16 on display here from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. "When you show them the aircraft and you see the light bulb go on in their head, that's really nice. Our job is to support and defend the U.S., but it's nice to see these kids and help educate them by showing them what we do."

In addition to the F-16, an A-10, KC-135, C-130, and a mini-C-17 replica are also on display. Students bombard the pilots and maintainers with questions.

Maj. Brian Hollis, a KC-135 pilot from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., was candid with his answers.

"When I fly this plane, I feel like a rock star," he said. "I've done a lot of these events over the years," he added, "but this is my first one this year. The kids really seem to be enjoying it. They're asking some pretty intelligent questions."

This event is the highlight of the year for many JROTC cadets, being able to fly on a military aircraft as well as the added thrill of a day off from school. This is the type of day that for some, can determine the direction of the rest of their lives.

"I want to go to the Air Force Academy and try to fly F-22's," said Cadet Airman 1st Class Soloman Drake of Jonesboro High School. "I'm choosing the Air Force because they have the best planes," he added. "This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me."