ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Forty-three Air Force ROTC cadets from around the country visited Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, throughout the summer of 2024 for immersive tours across the base.
The cadets were fresh out of field training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and came into Altus AFB with ideas of what their future Air Force career would look like. Some expressed the desire to work in weather, others leaned towards medical, but most widened their eyes as they stepped foot onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and exclaimed they wanted to be mobility Airmen.
“I think getting them out into the base agencies to answer questions was really beneficial to them,” said Capt. Kevin Foley, 58th Airlift Squadron instructor pilot. “Especially for the nine or 10 that showed interest in being a pilot - letting them sit in the cockpit and ask whatever they wanted to ask - that was a highlight.”
During their tours, the cadets were escorted through most of the squadrons within the 97th Air Mobility Wing, where they were given opportunities to speak with company grade officers in various units. The officers answered questions ranging from Air Force career advice to what family life looks like for an active duty Airman.
“Having the opportunity to be immersed in different career fields within the Air Force, from both the officer and enlisted perspective, is invaluable to us as cadets,” said Sarah Long, Ohio State University Detachment 645 AFROTC cadet. “We greatly appreciate the time that each team at Altus took to share their experiences with us and show us just a small piece of what it means to be effective leaders in the Air Force.”