Seamless TFI tour

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Louis Vega Jr.
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Airmen from Luke Air Force Base had the opportunity to help share their passion for service with Air Force Junior ROTC cadets from Basha High School November 16.

Col. Clifford Stansell, Basha H.S. AFJROTC senior aerospace science instructor and retired AF aircraft maintenance and munitions officer, brought 43 of his students to Luke for a tour.

“The tour was an incredible experience and I personally was amazed by the hands-on activities,” said Kayliea Landers, AFJROTC cadet. “My favorite part was being able to experience the night vision device along with shooting the paint ball guns.”

Master Sgt. Christopher Buscaglio, 944th Security Forces Squadron NCO-in-charge, provided the cadets a peak in the life of an SFS fire team member.

Another area visited was the 56th Fighter Wing Civil Engineering Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight. Master Sgt. Joshua Flaherty, and four other explosive ordnance disposal technicians from the 56 FW, offered the students hands-on experiences with some of the tools they use including trying on a bomb suit with helmet and controlling an AF medium size robot. They also gave insight into their career field and answered questions.

“My favorite part of the tour was going to the explosive ordnance disposal room,” said McKenna Smith, AFJROTC cadet. “I was fascinated when learning not just about the different types of explosives that can be found in the field, but also the different ways that the AF goes about removing them by identifying them and assessing their sensitivity.”

The group then visited the flight line where they got to see an F-35 Lightning II up close.

Maj. Wyckliffe Furcron, 944th Operations Group Detachment 2 pilot, along with Staff Sgt. James Paterson and Senior Airman Martin Carey, 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit F-35 mechanics, worked together to brief the cadets on the F-35 from a pilot and mechanics perspective.

“I personally would consider joining the Air Force and I am very interested in aviation as well as public affairs,” said Landers.

The tour ended with a pizza party and an informal brief from Col. Bryan Cook, 944 FW vice commander, about his journey to become a pilot and his illustrious career, including time spent in the Guard, on active duty, as well as the Reserves.

“This was a great opportunity for the cadets to expand their horizons, meet great Airmen and see the numerous specialties available to those who choose to serve,” said Stansell. “Airmen today are even more educated and more professional than when I joined in 1984, which is why I truly enjoy opportunities for our cadets to meet them and talk to them about their personal AF responsibilities and skill sets. I only wish all of the students at Basha High School could have such a great experience.”