Aviation students visit Reserve wing

Aviaton undergraduate students from Elizabeth City State University talk with a pilot from the 916th Air Refueling Wing on the ramp at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Nearly 50 educators and students from the program toured the Air Force Reserve wing on Oct. 25, 2012. (USAF photo by Ms. Donna Lea, 916ARW/PA)

Aviation students visit Reserve wing

Operations Group Commander Col. Caroline Evernham talks with an aviation student from Elizabeth City State University as 916th Wing Commander Col. Greg Gilmour speaks with more students in the background. Nearly 50 educators and students from the program toured the Air Force Reserve wing on Oct. 25, 2012. (USAF photo by Ms. Donna Lea, 916ARW/PA)

Tour helps aviation undergrads learn Reserve mission

Published Oct. 25, 2012
916th Public Affairs Office

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- They came before, but their numbers were small.

This time they quadrupled in size, intent on seeing and doing more.

Aviation students from Elizabeth City State University visited the 916th Air Refueling Wing nearly two years ago, just last week they came again.

Nearly 50 students and educators from the traditionally minority school spent time with 916th leadership learning about the mission of the Air Force Reserve wing on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. They were also treated to a static display of the KC-135R Stratotanker and were able to visit the 4th Fighter Wing's weapons load barn during their nearly three-hour visit.

"We had a broad range of talent in the audience and any one of those students could be a fit for the 916th or another military organization," said Col. Caroline Evernham, 916th Operations Group commander.

The visit produced a lot of potential recruits for the Reserve wing and strengthened a bond between the military and higher education in the area.

"This is a win/win for the university and the 916th," said Evernham. "We can broaden their education by showing them the application of what they are learning, and in doing so perhaps spark an interest in military service and show the students where they fit into that picture."

The students enjoyed the tour and asked a lot questions. Leadership from both the university and the 916th plan to do another similar tour in Spring 2013.