Academy cadets get taste of real AF

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Every year Moody Air Force Base sponsors a cadet squadron from the U.S. Air Force Academy to visit the base. During the visit the cadets are able to see many aspects of what the Air Force does.

During this year's visit, Cadet Squadron Viking Nine came to visit Moody. The 26 cadets that participated in the tour were able to see military working dogs, a demonstration by pararescuemen, try the flight simulators and take a HH-60 Pave Hawk ride.

"We come to Moody to learn how things operate in the real Air Force," said Cadet Adetunji Fisayo, Air Force Academy cadet and prior enlisted Airman. "It also gives us a taste of possible career choices. At the Academy we have a set routine, and it's refreshing to see that at the end of the road there is a life after the Academy."

The annual trip is a privilege, and not every cadet has the opportunity to participate.

"Not all cadets get to visit a base," said Capt. Meagan Bender, 23rd Aerospace Medical Squadron human performance flight commander. "They have to be in good academic standing. There are about 120 cadets per squadron and only 26 cadets came on this trip."

Captain Bender graduated from the Academy in 2003.

"When I was a cadet, I was in Viking Nine," said Captain Bender. "I was happy to do this. I like interacting with Academy cadets."

A majority of the pilots in the Air Force are Academy graduates. During the tour all cadets got to try out the flight simulators.

"Most of these cadets want to be pilots," Captain Bender said. "This trip gives the cadets a taste of different careers in the Air Force."

During the visit, Moody Airmen presented the cadets with a good impression of the operational Air Force.

"The Air Force personnel are very professional," said, Cadet Mikhail Legaspi, Air Force Academy cadet. "They know what they are doing, and are very confident. If you are a pilot, it makes you feel good knowing that the people who maintain your aircraft know what they are doing."

The cadets of Viking Nine were thankful at the opportunity to visit the base.

"It's been great," Cadet Fisayo said. "All of the Air Force personnel have been great. It's an encouraging experience. I want to thank all the people who authorized this trip."

The cadets of Viking Nine represent the future leaders of the Air Force and were grateful to the Airmen that took time out of their day to mentor and give them guidance on possible careers.