AFA cadets get bird’s-eye at CAFB

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. – The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Operation Air Force program sent six summer-term cadets to Columbus Air Force Base from June 2-20 to get a better understanding of the operational force they will be joining after graduation. The ‘Ops Air Force’ program is to immerse AF cadets in the service’s culture and active-duty environment, according to Capt. Daniel Hill, director of training with CAFB’s 37th Flying Training Squadron. This program helps cadets see what type of work their preferred AF specialty code does operationally versus academically. The cadets flew on familiarization flights in all three of the 14th Flying Training Wing aircraft: T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and T-38C Talon; and visited multiple shops across CAFB. Cadet Tech. Sgt. Bridger Barker said he never imagined being a pilot until he experienced some G-force, and now, that’s what he wants to pursue. Capt. Hill says the cadets’ confidence was boosted by this trip and program. (Source: CAFB 06/22/18)