Master Sgt. Joe Shepard, a 68th Airlift Squadron flight engineer, Joint Base San Antonio explains an instrument panel to Air Force Academy Cadets Second Class Terry Tilghman and Ryan J. Gourley during an orientation flight on board a C-5A Galaxy assigned to the 433rd Airlift Wing. The cadets observed an aerial refueling mission during the orientation flight. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)

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Lt. Col. Thomas K. Smith, 433rd Operations Group deputy commander, explains the particulars of an aerial refueling mission to U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Second Class Ryan J. Gourley. Twelve USAFA cadets received an orientation flight onboard an Air Force Reserve Command-operated C-5A Galaxy cargo aircraft June 13,2012 at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)

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U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Second Class Kari A. Baker sits in the naviagtor's seat during an aerial refueling mission.Twelve USAFA cadets received an orientation flight onboard an Air Force Reserve Command-operated C-5A Galaxy cargo aircraft June 13,2012 at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)

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U.S. Air Force Academy Cadets, Second Class Anthony Wooding Jr. (left top) and Adam N. Krause observe Lt. Col. Thomas K. Smith Jr., 433rd Operations Group deputy commander, piloting a C-5A Galaxy during an aerial refueling mission over Kansas.Twelve USAFA cadets received an orientation flight onboard an Air Force Reserve Command-operated C-5A Galaxy cargo aircraft June 13,2012 at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)

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Lackland Reserve wing hosts Air Force Academy cadets

Published June 17, 2012
By Seniro Master Sgt. Minnie Jones
433 Airlift Wing

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Twelve U.S. Air Force Academy cadets received a C-5 orientation flight during a visit to the 433rd Airlift Wing June 13 as part of "Operation Air Force".

The three-week program, which is part of the cadets' professional development, deploys cadets to various Air Force bases to educate them on the workings of Air Force units and to acquaint them with the everyday tasks, activities, and perceptions of Air Force personnel.

"Operation Air Force is a very important program for cadets and our Airmen," said Lt. Col. Thomas K. Smith, 433rd Operations Group deputy commander. "The interaction the cadets get with our Airmen accomplishing the mission is a big motivator, regardless of what career field they choose to pursue. It's always a privilege showing our future officers the operational aerial refueling capability of the C-5." Cadets interacted with both commissioned and noncommissioned officers and observed a C-5A receiving fuel from a KC-10 Extender during flight over Kansas.