Danger zone: JROTC cadets take on bogies in F-22A simulator

  • Published
  • By George Woodward
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  High school students at the controls of the Air Force's premiere jet fighter shot down about a dozen enemy aircraft Oct. 18 in the skies over Central Asia.

Well, sort of.

The Burkburnett High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets were in the cockpit of Lockheed-Martin's F-22 simulator as part of a tour of Sheppard's brand new $21 million F-22 maintenance training facility.

"It was a lot of fun," Cadet Lt. Col. Neil Kendall. "I enjoyed shooting a couple of missiles at some adversaries. You know, I took down four, and they never saw me." 

· Click here to watch Cadet Kendall's reaction after flying the F-22 simulator.

Giving the cadets a first-hand experience with Air Force technology, like the F-22's stealth and targeting capabilities, is a good investment, according to Maj. Paul Abair, director of operations for the 361st Training Squadron. Not only does it help them understand the operational Air Force, it also motivates them to consider the Air Force as a future career.

"They're starting to have a vision of maybe a military life, and they're interested in the Air Force ... so this gives them a great opportunity to envision themselves in that job, or in that environment," the major said. 

· Click here to see how the cadets' visit benefits the Air Force.

It was a message that came through loud and clear to Cadet Capt. Andrew S. Cain Jr.

"Sitting in that simulator was an incredible, incredible thing. To see the new technology the Air Force has ... just strengthens my desire to be a pilot even more for the Air Force. Especially in the F-22." 

· Click here to get Cadet Cain's reaction after flying the F-22 simulator.

That's exactly the kind of thing Aerospace Science Instructor Master Sgt. William E. Fox likes to hear from his cadets, because goals like that motivate his students.

"A lot of them are going to say, 'You know what, I'd really like to fly that.' And they're going to work harder maybe at school, and maybe get a little bit better grades--apply for scholarships to the Air Force Academy maybe, or at least to ROTC in general in college." 

· Click here to listen to Sergeant Fox talk about the F-22 simulator and the purpose of the JROTC.

As far as Cadet Kendall is concerned, Major Abair and Sergeant Fox scored a direct hit. He's in his senior year, and said he plans to go on to college and eventually the Air Force.

"Flying the F-22 is definitely an experience I am never going to forget," he said. "Who knows? Maybe I'll be the next pilot in that F-22." 

(Video by Videographer Torin Renner, 82nd Communication Squadron Multimedia Center.)