First group of Operation AF cadets arrive Published June 11, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The first group of Air Force Academy cadets arrived June 3, facing lost luggage and thunderstorms, to begin their three-week acclamation to the Air Force as part of Operation Air Force. The cadets are rising sophomores, junior and seniors at the Air Force Academy. Two more groups, for a total of more than 45 cadets, will follow in the weeks to come to begin their immersion. Each cadet is paired with a facilitator who will show a cadet what the facilitator's job is all about. Facilitators and cadets are matched up one-to-one, based on a list of interests the cadet sends in ahead of time. Such interests are restricted to support operations, like security forces, public affairs, medical operations or maintenance. "It's a great opportunity to pass on the knowledge I've gained in the six years I've been in the military," said Capt. Sara Carder, chief of protocol and a facilitator volunteer. "How does anyone know what they want to do in the military without seeing it? If you see it, then you can at least understand what you're signing up for." Captain Carder said she asked her cadet what his interests were, and then tried to show him careers that fit those interests. That, according to program point of contacts, is exactly what the program is all about. "The program is to give the cadets a glimpse of the Air Force," said Capt. Frank Bartek, a flight commander with the 364th Training Squadron and an Operation Air Force coordinator. Cadet 2nd Class Jeremy Fox, from the Air Force Academy, said he hopes to "see what future career I want," when he is commissioned. He said he looked forward to experiencing the Air Force outside of the educational environment. The cadets were welcomed to Sheppard by Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux, 82nd Training Wing commander, and Col. Jeffrey Kendall, 80th Flying Training Wing commander. "There are few bases, especially training bases, where you'll see such diversity," General Devereaux said. "This is going to be a valuable experience for you. There's nothing like the exposure you're going to get here." General Devereaux encouraged them to ask questions and try out things while they were here. Colonel Kendall mirrored the general's sentiments, saying, "what you take out of this program is up to you. It ought to be an experience you can remember and use." The cadets will spend their time at Sheppard following their facilitators, experiencing Sheppard's sights and sounds and having fun in the Texoma area. In addition, each cadet will have mentoring sessions with an active duty Air Force member, based on their year in college. Sophomores will be mentored by senior enlisted members, like a chief or first sergeant, while juniors and seniors will have sessions with a field-grade officer. These mentoring sessions aren't necessarily with their facilitators. The second group of cadets will arrive June 25 and the third will start their visit to Sheppard July 16.