Local students get glimpse of life as pilot

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  An 11th Bomb Squadron pilot helped a couple of Greenacres Middle School students with a school project Feb. 2 by showing them what life is like as a B-52H Stratofortress pilot at Barksdale.

Lane Williams and Nathan Naranjo were tasked by their teachers to choose a career they were interested in and to spend a day shadowing that career.

Following a couple phone calls from the students, Maj. Ken Cates, 11 BS instructor pilot and assistant director of operations for syllabus development, took on the challenge without hesitation.

"Anytime a young person wants to come find out more about how to serve their country, especially in the same way that I serve my country, I think it's great and I'm more than happy to help answer their questions and get them started down that road to joining the Air Force," Cates said. "I wish they would have allowed me opportunities like this when I was in school."

Upon their arrival at the base, the students got a peak into the life of an Airman. They saw the Base Exchange, commissary, dorm housing, historical housing and numerous squadron buildings and hangars along the flightline.

They spent the majority of their time on base at the 11 BS learning what it takes to become a pilot from behind the scenes. The students learned about the many different education routes available to get them on their way to a military career as well as the continuous training requirements set forth by the Air Force.

They also had the opportunity to meet the 11 BS Commander Lt. Col. William Wharton. After a conversation about their desires to become pilots, they each received their first Air Force coins, something several Airmen at Barksdale would be jealous of.

"My favorite part of the day was touring the B-52 and climbing up inside," Naranjo said.

Cates took the students inside to show them the small areas in which the aircrew can maneuver during their long flights. He taught the students about the different features of the plane and allowed them to watch B-52 landings and take-offs.

"It was an honor to be here," Williams said. "There aren't many kids who get the opportunity to come see all these planes and see what it's like to be a pilot."

Naranjo and Williams left Barksdale with a wealth of knowledge and experiences to share with their classmates.