ROTC units tour Barksdale

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets from Tulane University and Louisiana Tech University visited the base March 30 to get an inside perspective about life on an Air Force base.

The Air Force's future leaders toured a variety of squadrons and had opportunities to meet with both officers and enlisted personnel.

"ROTC is its own world," said Cadet Lt. Col. Aaron Harrelson, Air Force ROTC Detachment 320 vice-wing commander. "Base tours help give us a view of the 'real Air Force' and a chance to see the careers available on active duty."

According to the Air Force ROTC website, cadets have more than 150 officer career paths to choose from after graduation. Base tours allow these future Airmen to see a few of their options first-hand.

The cadets began their day at the Air Traffic Control Tower where they had the opportunity to learn about the training ATC Airmen go through to ensure all flight missions are executed safely. They watched a B-52H Stratofortress maneuver around the flightline and learned how to assess distance using their own eyesight and mile-markers such as the tree line and runway.

The second stop on the tour was a B-52 static on the flightline. Cadets were led around the aircraft as an electronic warfare officer pointed out the important pre-flight inspection areas and described the various parts of the B-52. In groups of approximately six, the cadets were given the opportunity to climb into the aircraft to get an insider's perspective of life in the cockpit.

"I loved being able to climb in and sit in the cockpit, ask the crew questions about the aircraft and flying," said Cadet Col. Jeffery Monteverde, Air Force ROTC Detachment 320 wing commander. "To be standing next to such a beast with such phenomenal history was amazing."

Following the aircraft tour, the cadets socialized at the Barksdale Club with members of the Company Grade Officers Council to get ideas about career fields they are most interested in.

Harrelson's favorite part of the tour was visiting with Airmen at the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron located in Hangar 2.

"Prior to this base visit, I had never seen that aspect of aviation," Harrelson said. "The maintainers and their lieutenant were all very professional. I was intrigued to learn about the process of phasing a plane, to completely clean and overhaul all of the operating parts."

Learning about 2 AMXS was just one of the highlights for the cadets. They also enjoyed learning from the various ranks in the shops.

"I found it very beneficial to hear from both enlisted and officer personnel," Harrelson said. "It definitely helps me to speak with senior enlisted about what they look for in a newly commissioned second lieutenant. I can take these lessons and apply them to myself, since I am commissioning in the next few months."

The cadets also visited with Airmen at the 2nd Security Forces Squadron building. They were given the opportunity to walk through the new facility, watch Military Working Dog demonstrations and learn about and hold various military weapons including the M-4, M-9 and M-16.

To conclude the tour, the cadets visited the 8th Air Force Museum to read about the accomplishments of previous military leaders and the advancements the Air Force has made throughout the years.

"It was awesome to see all the stuff in the museum," Monteverde said. "Being from Louisiana, born and raised, I love anything that has to do with my state. Seeing the history and lineage of the base, its bombers and those who worked out there was amazing."

Air Force ROTC is a college-based program offered at more than 1,000 campuses across the country that prepares young men and women to become leaders in the Air Force.