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Chaplain candidates learn about Air Force space mission

  • Published
  • By Capt. Tricia Hill
  • Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Forty-five chaplain candidates arrived at Patrick AFB, Fla., July 15. It was the second stop of their 28-day tour of military bases in the Southeast to learn more about missions supported by the Air Force.

The trip to Patrick AFB included a tour of Cape Canaveral, the Air Force Space and Missile Museum, the Morrell Operations Center and the Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing.

The candidates also took part in a memorial service at Pad 34 Apollo Saturn, the site of the Jan. 27, 1967, tragic flash fire that took the lives of three astronauts during a launch pad test of the Apollo/Saturn space vehicle preparing for the first piloted flight, the AS-204 mission.

"I've enjoyed the opportunity to explore the global mission of the Air Force in which chaplains play a vital role in serving the military, Department of Defense personnel, and their families," said 2nd Lt. Chris Ford, a chaplain candidate. "I also had the opportunity to live out a childhood dream of visiting a space command base and seeing the inner workings of the MOC and its role in space exploration."

The most moving experience for chaplain candidate 2nd Lt Leslie Unruh was the memorial service at Cape Canaveral, which was organized by the candidates.

"I felt like I was standing before all the astronauts who lost their lives supporting the space program," said Lieutenant Unruh.

After the tour, the candidates will continue to pursue their seminary education before becoming Air Force chaplains.

They left Patrick AFB on July 21 for Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. Other stops on the itinerary include Charleston AFB, S.C., and Eglin AFB, Fla. The trip will end where it all began - at Robins AFB. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)