Airmen connect with Tucson youth

Published June 23, 2023
355th Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Airmen collaborated with the University of Arizona for the Arizona Youth Impact Program, a free two weeklong program for Tucson area middle school aged boys to enrich them with STEM activities, military discipline and football at DM and the college campus, June 12-23, 2023.

A photo of a group of people on a football field.

“Boys from all different backgrounds attend the program,” said Syndric Steptoe, University of Arizona football team senior director of player and community relations. “They are able to learn from one another and grow together.”

Around 100 boys participated in the program led by University of Arizona staff, football team players and 20 Airmen from DM.

At DM, attendees toured the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, watched a military working dog demonstration, inspected explosive ordnance disposal equipment and looked inside the aircraft flown at the base.

A photo of a man demonstrating how to perform a low crawl.

Airmen served as coaches and counselors during the program and were alongside their team for all daily activities and led them in military themed physical training.

“We provided discipline and structure for the boys as well as being mentors for them,” said Tech. Sgt. Ahmad Long, 355th Wing command chief executive assistant. “We kept them accountable and helped them learn and accomplish their goals everyday.”

This was the third year of the program and their main science, technology, engineering and mathematics project was recreating the DM flightline. They learned basic electrical skills for lights and motors, how to scale down buildings and to work as a team.

A photo of a child using a small battery to power lights. — Airmen connect with Tucson youth

An Arizona Youth Impact Program participant learns how to use a battery to power lights at the University of Arizona, Ariz., June 19, 2023. Participants learned basic electrical skills for lights and motors, how to scale down buildings, and worked as a team to create a model of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base flightline. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paige Weldon)

A photo of a model of a helicopter made with tape. — Airmen connect with Tucson youth

A model of an HH-60 helicopter is on display on a replica of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base flightline created by Arizona Youth Impact Program participants at the University of Arizona, Ariz., June 22, 2023. Youth Impact Program participants were split into 10 teams and worked together to recreate the DM flightline as part of the STEM education portion of the program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paige Weldon)

A photo of children sitting in a classroom during a presentation. — Airmen connect with Tucson youth

Arizona Youth Impact Program participants attend a class educating them on how to be smart with their money at the University of Arizona, Ariz., June 21, 2023. The class consisted of learning how to create a budget in order to save for future needs and wants. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paige Weldon)

In addition to the STEM project participants were taught how to budget their money and save for their future.

University of Arizona football players met with the participants and led the football portion of the camp with daily drills and advice.

“The Youth Impact Program exposes participants to what it’s like to be a college student athlete or an Airman,” said Steptoe. “If they are never exposed to it, they may not know it is an option.”

With support from the local community and the University of Arizona, Airmen were able to connect with Tucson youth throughout the program by being mentors and educating them on what the Air Force does to keep them and their families safe.