U.S. military inspires South African youth

WATERKLOOF AIR FORCE BASE, South Africa -- Brig. Gen. Mark Dillion, Strategic Air Force International Affairs, director of regional affairs from the Pentagon, Washington D.C., speaks to Edric Van Rensburg and Danielle Badenhorst, both national essay winners from Port Natal High School in Durban, after presenting them with coins at the 2012 Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition here, Sept. 21. Both students wrote essays on why they should be able to attend the exposition and were selected to attend this year's event. The children participated in the Youth Development program which partners U.S. and South African military personnel with youth to develop techniques to empower them both socially and economically. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Debbie Lockhart)

U.S. military inspires South African youth

WATERKLOOF AIR FORCE BASE, South Africa -- Members of the U.S. military participating in the Africa Aerospace and Defense exposition pose for a picture in front of a C-17 Globe Master III with students from Jerusalem High School after a tour of a C-17 Globe Master III during the Youth Development Program event at the 2012 Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition here, Sept. 21. For many of the children in attendance this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to personally speak to pilots, engineers and other service members involved in aviation from both the South African military and the U.S. military. Partnering with this program gives the U.S. military means to enhance cooperation and capabilities with South Africa while helping to build up future generations here through education and awareness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Debbie Lockhart)

U.S. military inspires South African youth

WATERKLOOF AIR FORCE BASE, South Africa -- Gcina Dhlu, a student from Jerusalem High School in White River, Mpumalanga, smiles as she sits in the pilot's seat of a C-17 Globe Master III for the first time during the Youth Development Program's tour of U.S. military aircraft at the 2012 Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition here, Sept. 21. The program partners U.S. and South African military personnel with youth to develop techniques and empower them both socially and economically. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Debbie Lockhart)

U.S. military inspires South African youth

WATERKLOOF AIR FORCE BASE, South Africa -- Tech. Sgt. Justin Palmer, 300th Airlift Squadron loadmaster from Joint Base Charleston, S.C., answers questions from Jerusalem High School students in the cock-pit of a C-17 Globe Master III during the Youth Development Program's tour of U.S. military aircraft at the 2012 Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition here, Sept. 21. The program partners U.S. and South African military personnel with youth to develop techniques and empower them both socially and economically. Partnering with this program gives the U.S. military means to enhance cooperation and capabilities with South Africa while helping to build up future generations here through education and awareness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Debbie Lockhart)

Changing lives through music

CULLINAN, South Africa -- Boy Boshiane, Field Band Foundation band coordinator, plays the drums after a performance by the U.S. Air Forces in Europe rock band, Touch 'n Go here, Sept. 18. The Field Band Foundation is a private organization that has a goal of educating children within the local community on making good decisions, creativity, music and dance and other important life skills. The foundation aims to keep children away from negative influences and encourage them to be successful in life. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Debbie Lockhart)

Changing lives through music

CULLINAN, South Africa -- A student of the De Beers PPC Cullinan field band, records Tech. Sgt. Jason Cale, U.S. Air Forces in Europe rock band lead guitarist and vocalist, on their BlackBerry during a performance here, Sept. 18. The Field Band Foundation is a private organization that has a goal of educating children within the local community on making good decisions, creativity, music and dance and other important life skills. The band, Touch 'n Go, helped bring awareness to the foundation which aims to keep children away from negative influences and encourage them to be successful in life. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Debbie Lockhart)