News>A future in the Air Force Reserve may start here
Photos
ROTC cadets from North Carolina State University flew with the 916th Air Refueling Wing in September. More than 350 ROTC and Jr. ROTC Air Force cadets will fly with the wing this school year. (USAF photo by SSgt. Nathan Clark, 440AW/PA)
10/15/2012 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- For many years running, the 916th Air Refueling Wing has been one of the few, if not the only, Air Force Reserve wing to host continuous familiarization flights for North Carolina Junior Air Force ROTC and college Air Force ROTC cadets.
In September, the Public Affairs Office started the new school year by hosting nearly 40 students aboard a KC-135R. From September through May the wing will fly nearly 350 cadets, and that does include the flights it hosts in the summer for Air Force Academy cadets and Civil Air Patrol.
The program helps high school cadets learn more about the Reserve mission in the hopes they will join upon graduation. As for the college cadets, the wing realizes that many of these youth have a active duty contract awaiting, but many active duty officers join the Reserve later in their careers. 916th leadership wants to ensure these future officers see the Reserve as a viable place to continue their career versus just leaving military service.
The 916th's program is so active that it can only provide orientation flights to North Carolina schools with an Air Force ROTC or Jr. ROTC program.
