News

Future Airmen gain experience at Robins

  • Published
  • By Wayne Crenshaw
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
A group of cadets from the Air Force Academy are spending some time outside the classroom this summer getting real-world experience at Robins.

As a part of Operation Air Force, which introduces cadets to Air Force field work before they are commissioned, seven cadets have been at Robins since May 31. Their current stint here ended June 18, followed by a new group of cadets who will visit Robins from July 12-30.

Cadets have come to Robins in previous summers but this year they are getting a wider variety of experiences, said Maj. Eddie Taylor of the 78th Force Support Squadron.

After starting with an orientation of base operations, their experiences have included, among others, flying with the 116th Air Control Wing, visiting with senior officers, working in the 78th Medical Group, and participating in a training exercise with the 5th Combat Communications Group. They also did physical training with the units to which they were assigned. 

Cadet Doug Zschoche, who is entering his senior year at the Academy, has been to one other base as part of Operation Air Force, but he said his time at Robins has been eye-opening.

"It's been interesting because it's such a large base and there's so much going on here," said Cadet Zschoche, who is the cadet-in-charge of the group.

Cadet Michael Hampton, also a rising senior and starting center on the Air Force Academy football team, had a similar impression of Airmen here.

"I never really heard a lot about them but they make a large contribution to the war," he said. "It's incredible to know that they go so unnoticed."

Last week they spent two days with the 5th CCG as they prepared for an upcoming field exercise. About 20 members of the 5th CCG went into a wooded area for small-unit combat tactics training. They were attacked by the cadets, who were waiting behind trees in the woods. The M-16s they were using fire blanks and a laser system indicates when a participant has been hit.

Sgt. Leo Heng, a 5th CCG trainer, worked with the cadets on survival training.

"They are go-getters," he said. "When push came to shove, we had to eat worms and crickets, and they jumped in and had their share."

Although he wouldn't order it at a restaurant, Cadet Zschoche said it wasn't so bad.

"You just put it in your mouth, wash it down with water, and try not to taste anything," he said.

Operation Air Force also involves Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets, but all those currently at Robins are from the Air Force Academy.