BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Beale welcomed more than 7,000 Boy Scouts May 1 and 2 as part of their 100 years of scouting celebration.
The Boy Scouts erected a colorful tent city in the Dragon Town area of Beale and explored the flightline as they learned about the mission of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing and the Air Force. They also participated in several scouting activities thoughout the base.
"This scout expo is taking the place of a very old tradition in scouting called the jamboree, which is a gathering of all of the scouts from your particular area," said Todd Bernardy, Troop leader for Den 4, Pack 112 from Roseville, Calif.
Having the various scout organizations on Beale created interactions with Airmen and the scouts saw firsthand what they do on a daily basis.
"One of our primary focuses was really giving the kids an opportunity to be mentored by professional Airmen here at Beale," said Capt. Capt. Kendall Gillespie with the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron. "We are an all-volunteer force, a lot of them will end up in the military, and this is great exposure for them."
Most of the Scouts were in awe of the U-2 Dragon Lady and the RQ-4 Global Hawk as they interacted with the Airmen who maintain and fly these aircraft.
"This year we actually got to go up to the U-2s; it was neat to see them up close and personal," said Ted Klein, parent of a Scout from Troop 59 in Elk Grove, Calif. "My favorite is the Global Hawk; it's new and high tech."
Dean Ellyson, Scout leader from Troop 29 from Browns Valley, Calif., said this event gave him a better understanding of the aircraft that fly near his home.
"It's always neat to see what our armed forces are doing," Mr. Ellyson said. "Living close to here and having planes overhead a lot, you are always curious to what that was; where it was coming from and where it is going, and I really appreciate the base opening up for us."
Beale members and the Boy Scouts worked very closely together to ensure the event was safe and enjoyable for all who attended.
"It was impressive, they (Boy Scout staff and volunteers) helped with traffic flow and parking," Captain Gillespiesaid. "Beale security forces were very busy, but they had their Scout counterparts working along with them."
As an active volunteer for the Scouts, Captain Gillespie said the Boy Scouts and the Air Force share many of the same principles and objectives.
"That is what it's all about: Providing them those experiences and being able to identify with those who have similar values and aspirations," Captain Gillespie said. "Appreciating who and what we are in America, we are all about volunteerism and patriotism, and the Boy Scouts and Air Force coming together was a culmination of those great ideals that is America."
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)