Cadets experience deployment tempo

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shad Eidson
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy spent the month of June here with members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, tenant and coalition units for career shadowing, mentoring and familiarization. 

Nineteen Academy cadets deployed from Colorado Springs, Colo., as part of Operation Air Force, an annual four-week program that places cadets at operational bases throughout the world. 

Two Army cadets deployed here as part of their Cadet Troop Leadership Training. Both programs are designed to help prepare the cadets for their role as the next crop of military leaders. 

"Operation Air Force is designed to give cadets the opportunity to experience everything an Air Force deployed base has to offer first hand," said Maj. Dobbs, who deployed with the cadets as officer in charge. "Cadets are immersed into the Air Force way of life on an Air Force base through tours, receiving hands-on experience, and by shadowing personnel in a variety of career fields." 

The summer program transitions Academy lessons with real-world experience before the cadets start their final year as seniors. 

"The Academy classes help build our character and leadership. Being here has helped us to see how to apply those skills," said Cadet Keane Carpenter, who hails from Newark, Ohio. "I've seen the wingman concept applied everywhere here. Seeing the operational Air Force has let me see just how everyone is part of one big team. Strong core values are covered repeatedly at the academy as an important foundation. I have seen it in every aspect here and how everyone has integrity in what they do every day." 

During the cadets' visit they had the opportunity to tour operational flying, support and maintenance squadrons, said Major Dobbs, who is with Cadet Squadron 20 at the Academy. They were also given the opportunity to shadow Airmen in different career fields, interact with officers and enlisted personnel in mentoring sessions, visit the local U.S. Embassy, and speak with members of the Australian and British air forces here. 

"The program provides the cadets a unique opportunity to learn about the active-duty Air Force from a deployed environment and exposes them to career-specific experiences through internship and mentorship," said the native of Colorado Springs, Colo. 

"The cadets quickly gained an understanding and appreciation for the importance of every job across the wing and how every career attributes to the accomplishment of the 379th AEW mission," said Maj. Brock Larson, the 379th AEW Command Post chief. 

Army Lt. Gen. Buster Hagenbeck, the U.S. Military Academt superintendent, observed Cadets Juan Trevino and Alex Saul, who are attached to C Battery, 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery. 

"This is a great opportunity for our cadets," General Hagenbeck said. "Cadets Trevino and Saul are gaining a valuable experience including what it means to plan and execute in a deployed environment. This is what will be expected [of them] as young officers." 

Cadet Gina Koenigsberger, the Air Force group's cadet in charge, added that she enjoyed the entire Operation Air Force experience and said it is of real value to all cadets. 

"This is a really good experience to see the operational side and to see how all the pieces come together," said Cadet Koenigsberger, who hails from Mequon, Wisc. "Many experiences here will stick with me throughout my career from this deployment. I have learned so much talking to pilots about how they handle the deployment life and mission, and talking with senior NCOs about how we can be the best lieutenants after graduation."