An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Youth learn about Air Force during seminar at Scott AFB

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Patrick Jones
  • 375th Civil Engineer Squadron
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  More than 30 volunteers from across the base teamed up with the Scott Air Force Base Lewis Lynch Tuskegee Airmen Chapter to host a youth seminar the weekend of June 24 to 26 during which youth learned about aviation and even met an original Tuskegee Airman.

The chapter welcomed 21 students from various states in the central region and taught them about aviation, military organizations, citizenship responsibility and the history of the Tuskegee Airmen.

The seminar kicked off Friday night with an icebreaker where members from the 618th Air and Space Operations Center (TACC), including Lt. Col. William Johnson, Maj. Travis Diltz, Master Sgt. Pat Davis, Tech. Sgt. Bryan Appleba, and Tech. Sgt. John Yanders shared their experiences with aviation. Tyrell Rhodes, Scott AFB Aero Club student pilot, also shared his experiences.

The next morning, Col. Mike Hornitschek, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Candler, 375th AMW command chief, welcomed the attendees to Scott Air Force Base. After the welcoming speech, Colonel Hornitschek and Chief Candler were coined by retired Capt. Claude Platte, an original Tuskegee Airman.

Throughout the day, students toured various locations on base including the Scott Aero Club, fire department, dining facility, air traffic control tower, dormitories and static displays. The students also took part in orientation flights at the Scott Aero Club and received hands-on training in a KC-135 flight simulator.

The seminar wrapped up with a banquet and words of wisdom from Tuskegee Airman Captain Platte commemorating the students' completion of the program. At the end of the weekend, the students expressed interest in aviation and camaraderie for their new-found friends.