Future officers experience today's AF

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Darlene Foote
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Twelve future officers got a sneak peek of active duty Air Force life here at McConnell recently. 

The cadets were participants in Operation Air Force, a program that allows cadets from the Air Force Academy and various ROTC detachments to spend three weeks at an Air Force base interacting with active duty members. 

According to 1st Lt. Ryan Ulrich, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron maintenance engineer and wing point of contact for Operation Air Force, the program is designed to introduce participants to the operational Air Force. 

Participants worked side-by-side with many of Team McConnell's members, from first term airmen, to senior NCOs and Company Grade Officers. "We wanted to give the cadets a realistic view of what they can expect before they actually become part of the Air Force," said Lieutenant Ulrich. 

Cadets were divided based on their year of graduation. Sophomores got an opportunity to see what the enlisted force does, juniors were given a company grade officer perspective and seniors shadowed an individual from the career they are entering. This was the third, and final set of cadets McConnell hosted this summer. According to Lieutenant Ulrich, approximately 30 cadets benefited from the program this summer. 

"Operation Air Force is an outstanding opportunity for cadets to develop an understanding of what they can expect from an Air Force career, and what will be expected from them," said Maj. David Cutter, 349th Air Refueling Squadron director of operations and base director for Operation Air Force. According to Major Cutter, the program has evolved from the simple "base tour" of years past, to a detailed and varied exposure to the expeditionary nature of today's Air Force. 

Nine of the 12 participants in this group were sophomores. Senior Master Sgt James Dowell, 22nd Air Refueling Wing superintendent and facilitator for the enlisted portion of the program, viewed this segment of the program as valuable insight for the cadets. 

"This was a wonderful opportunity for our future officers to get a real sense of how hard the enlisted force works and what enlisted members expect from Air Force officers," said Sergeant Dowell. 

Sophomore cadets got hands-on experience in enlisted members' duties. While here, participants were licensed on two different bus sizes with the 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, went through augmentee training and pulled gate duty with the 22nd Security Forces Squadron, and filled work orders with 22nd CES troops to include operating heavy equipment, as well as many other things. 

Another important aspect that sophomores received, according to Sergeant Dowell, was senior NCO mentorship. "I think it's vital that these individuals understand the enlisted force and that we are here to support them." 

The cadets also got a first-hand view of the KC-135 refueling mission during a flight to Hawaii and back. "This was an eye-opening experience that really gave me a greater appreciation and understanding of what the real Air Force is like," said Cadet Beverly Broome. 

"I believe this program is an investment in our future officers that will help produce better officers for tomorrow's Air Force," said Major Cutter.