Air Force featured at AirVenture 2003 Published July 30, 2003 By Staff Sgt. Don Nelson Air Force Print News OSHKOSH, Wis. -- The Air Force, a long-time presence at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture air show, brings aviation enthusiasts a new look this year. Alongside the largest display at EAA, the Air Force’s newest recruiting tool offer visitors a chance to “cross into the blue.”Located in the Air Force pavilion, the setup features displays from all 10 major commands, including the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command. Each station has airmen on hand to talk about their command’s mission and how their job fits into it.“What we are trying to do here is reach out to folks that already have an interest in aviation and educate them about what the Air Force does,” said Brig. Gen. Pete Williams, from Air Combat Command.Besides the informational displays, each station shows videos, movies and documentaries about the Air Force’s diverse missions.“This is best way to present how broad the Air Force is, in terms of its various missions,” said Williams. “The display breaks down everything that we do.”The civil-aviation display is a natural place to showcase how the Air Force fits into the aviation world, Williams said.“Because this is the largest air show in the world, this is where we get our best exposure,” said Lt. Col. Wendy Cooper, EAA lead for Air Force Centennial of Flight exhibit.“We fit into the overall mosaic of (the) Oshkosh (air show) by showing what modern military aviation is doing,” Williams said.The Air Force display consists of interactive and hands-on experiences, including an up-close look at the first F-16 Falcon to roll off the assembly line in 1975.Primarily used to attract recruits, the display also educates visitors by helping tell the Air Force story. Recruiters, teamed with airmen fresh from basic military training, are on hand to answer questions and offer a first-hand perspective.“The games we have in the display are a great icebreaker with potential recruits,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Holmes, a recruiter from Menasha, Wis. “(They) let them know that the Air Force is more than just pilots.”The centerpiece of the display is the Centennial of Flight exhibit that provides a historical perspective of military flight.“This display shows where we have been, where we have gone and where we are going to go in the future,” said Cooper. “The audience at EAA remembers much of what we have displayed here. That makes our presence at AirVenture very special.”