13th Air Force to host education day for Hawaiian students

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Toni Kemper
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) --  Members of 13th Air Force is scheduled to host an Air Force Education Day for Hawaii public high school math and science students Sept. 13 at Hickam Air Force Base. 

The event is part of Air Force Week Honolulu, which officially kicked off Sept. 7.

The day allows Hickam AFB Airmen to teach and inspire 800 to 1,200 gifted and talented high school students from throughout the island.

"Air Force Education Day allows local students the opportunity to see, up close and personal, the practical application of science and technology that they are learning about in the classroom, said Maj. Gen. Richard E. Perraut Jr., the 13th Air Force vice commander. "Hopefully, this hands-on experience will further their interest in science and technology and encourage them to pursue careers in technical fields, not necessarily in the Air Force, but in the United States."

During their day at Hickam AFB, students will view aircraft, heavy equipment, maintenance, aircraft loaders, fuels equipment, medical technology, and communication technology displays, a mobile weather station, and a K-9 demonstration. Experts will be on-hand to explain the displays and answer questions.

"Through exhibits and discussions with our Airmen, the students will be able to see how the Air Force applies technology to develop global reach platforms, high-performance aircraft, and employ space technology to enhance national defense," General Perraut said. "Our goal is for the day to be a great learning experience for Oahu high school students, and it will certainly be a wonderful teaching opportunity for Hickam Airmen."

The Air Force is celebrating its 60th anniversary with Air Force Week, which was designed to speak to the American public to honor and celebrate the Air Force's 60th anniversary. Honolulu is one of six cities nationwide and the only city outside the continental United States to host Air Force Week in 2007. The theme "Heritage to Horizons," honors the Air Force's history and the future of the world's greatest force in air, space and cyberspace.

Other highlights for this first-ever islandwide Air Force Week celebration include performances by the Air Force's premier entertainment showcase, Tops in Blue, Sept. 12, and the Air Force Thunderbirds Sept. 15, which will headline the week of entertainment and air power events scheduled to take place in Waikiki, Hickam AFB and around the island.

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