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Operation Air Force gives cadets a look at the real thing

  • Published
  • By Capt. Josie Stewart
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  While they still have more than a year to go before being commissioned into the United States Air Force, 50 U.S. Air Force Academy and Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets will have a much clearer picture of their roles and responsibilities as an Air Force officer.

Thanks to Operation Air Force, created from a 2004 mandate from the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, these cadets will be more informed and more knowledgeable about the operations and day-to-day experiences in the Air Force.

“Air Force Materiel Command supports this effort and this year we're able to host three times the cadets, to help mold our future officers,” said Lt Col. Anmy Torres, 96th Communications Squadron commander and Team Eglin Operation Air Force director.

The first of three sessions began June 4 when 10 cadets, all from the U.S. Academy, arrived, anxiously waiting to see and participate in the day-to-day operations of the Air Force.

“We want to ensure the cadets gain a better understanding of wing organizations and the products and services Team Eglin personnel produce and provide to the Air Force,” she said. “We strive to provide the cadets with an environment where they can better appreciate what everyone in the Air Force team brings to the fight, the teamwork and the culture that exists on every base.”

“I’m excited to get a first-hand look at the job I will have in the Air Force after I get commissioned,” said Cadet Brad Breaux, an Air Force Academy rising senior whose hometown is New Iberia, La. “I know this opportunity will allow me to get the answers to the questions I have about being an officer and engineer in the United States Air Force.”

The three-week program kicked off June 5 morning with a full schedule, which included meeting the Air Armament Center and the 96th Air Base Wing commanders, several briefings and various tours, including the Air Force Armament Museum and then wrapped up with a social hosted by the installation commander, Col. Dean Clemons, 96th Air Base Wing commander. The remainder of the time will be spent shadowing and working side-by-side with volunteer officer and enlisted sponsors.

“We also want the cadets to experience Air Force life outside of a classroom environment,” Colonel Torres said.

According to Colonel Torres, various officer and enlisted personnel volunteered to be mentors and sponsors for these cadets. Her team matched senior cadets to sponsors who have the same Air Force specialty. Other cadets were matched based on availability of volunteers.

“Having participated in the Operation Air Force Program back in the summer of 1996 while at the Air Force Academy, I know this program is very effective in providing the cadets an excellent idea of what to expect after they graduate,” said Capt. Greg Sevening, 329th Armament Systems Group contracts manager. “It provides the cadets an opportunity to interact with the individuals (officers, enlisted, civilian and contractors) they will one day be working with in the next office, lab, plane, etc.”

According to Colonel Torres, cadets are ranked into three levels, dictated by whether they are rising sophomores, juniors or seniors.

In the Operation Air Force program, sophomores receive hands-on experience by participating in enlisted duties as an entry level airman equivalent, in hopes of gaining an enlisted perspective of the operational Air Force. These cadets shadow senior non-commissioned officers.

Rising juniors, known as third lieutenants, receive tours of the 46th Test Wing, 33rd Fighter Wing and tour all four groups in the 96th Air Base Wing. They are exposed to company grade officer duties in both the operational and support units through direct participation within those units.

The seniors, known as lieutenants, participate and gain career-field specific experience in an area of interest to the cadet or their Air Force Specialty Code assignment.

All cadets will participate in a weekly luncheon with Eglin chief master sergeants, company grade officer council members and first sergeants. The three-week session concludes with a one-day cadet exchange to Hurlburt Field.

The next session starts June 25 and the last of the three three-week sessions begins July 16. The second and the third sessions both have 20 cadets, some from ROTC and some from the Academy.