12 international air patrol cadets visit Sheppard

  • Published
  • By Debi Smith
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Twelve civil air patrol cadets converged on Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, July 30 as part of the International Air Cadet Exchange program, an annual voyage to the United States that builds international relationships through cultural, team building and life skill training. 

The 15 members were part of 70 of 30,000 cadets specifically selected by their countries to participate in the program. Three Israelis, two from France and Canada and five from Britain were on the educational expedition. 

The group went on an eight-day adventure across the United States, including stops in Washington, D.C., Oklahoma and Texas. 

French Cadet Karl Tricoche said he was amazed at how much bigger and grander the Air Force is from what he originally believed. He said he by visiting Sheppard gave him an even deeper desire to become a pilot in the French air force. 

"(This visit has made me) more open minded and helped me broaden relationships," he said. Through this shared experience, I got the chance to share myself, the civil air patrol program and learn about the United States." 

The assembly of aviation aficionados' rugged schedule included river rafting, a visit to the Oklahoma governor's office to become honorary citizens, orientation flights at the Civil Air Patrol International Flight Academy, museum jaunts, a baseball game and a tour of Sheppard - the only military installation on the agenda. 

The International Air Cadet Exchange is an annual program designed to forge international relationships through cultural, team building and life skill training during the trip. Their motto, 'to learn, to service and to advance' delivers through leadership, drill, athletics, survival skill training and first aid as part of the curriculum. 

This year's IACE tour of Sheppard included a windshield tour of the base, lunch at the Sagebrush dining facility, opportunity to explore the F-15, B-1, B-52 at the 361st Training Squadron and the Heritage Center. 

Flight Lt. Paul Woodcock of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve said he planned for about a year to attend the journey. He coordinated the visits of 72 cadets from the United Kingdom to visit various locations. 

"Twenty-one came to the United States with a goal of fostering good international relations, seeing how various aviation organizations run their programs and laying a foundation for the future," he said. "The cadets just melded naturally together and the Internet has eliminated all boundaries. They create long-lasting friendships and we've designed a Facebook page where alumni just keep coming back to stay in touch." 

Cadet Sheldon Forbes, from Canada, said he realized that teenagers around the world aren't much different. 

"You can truly see firsthand that we all enjoy the same things, talking about the same things (and) liking the same TV shows," he said. "It shows us the world and people are the same everywhere."