AETC Airmen gather at command symposium

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
  • Air Force News Agency
SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --  More than 2,000 Airmen flocked to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center Sept. 6 and 7 here to attend the 2007 Air Education and Training Command Symposium.

The event kicked off with a speech from Gen. William R. Looney, the commander of Air Education and Training Command, who said Airmen attending the symposium were benefiting in numerous ways.

"Not only are our Airmen having the opportunity to socialize with one another and appreciate what they do, they also have the opportunity to attend the seminars to enhance their knowledge and visit our corporate sponsors and industry partners to see what's on the horizon," General Looney said. 

The symposium featured four tracks of instruction: Expeditionary warfighter, deciphering culture, the long war and accelerating change.

The main floor of the convention center was packed with booths from different organizations. There were also lectures for all four tracks of instruction and luncheons on both days. The event ended with the Air Force 60th Anniversary ball, which featured Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne as the keynote speaker.

Matthew Zimmermann, a ROTC cadet from the University of North Texas, tried his hand at a virtual-reality simulated A-10 Thunderbolt II flight deck.

"Some of the displays in here are pretty cool," he said. "It is a great opportunity for me to be able to meet all of these Air Force people."

The symposium provided an opportunity for the Airmen in his command to refocus, General Looney said.

"It provides us an opportunity to enhance our awareness and understanding of the world we live in and the one we are going to have to operate in," he said. "I hope the individuals who wear the AETC badge will take away an awareness of the great command they belong to." 

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