Cadets set to arrive at Sheppard Published May 16, 2007 By Capt. Melissa Pyatkov 82nd Logistics Readiness Squadron SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Cadets from ROTC detachments and the United States Air Force Academy are coming to Sheppard as part of Operation Air Force. Three separate groups will participate in the three-week program. The first group arrives June 3. The program, initiated by former Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James Roche, is intended to give cadets greater exposure to the Air Force early in the cadets' careers. The cadets participating in the program will have just completed their freshman, sophomore and junior years at various universities and the academy. Former Secretary Roche said he was concerned that the Air Force may lose some of our brightest cadets due to the lack of attention during the summer. Operation Air Force is designed to immerse the cadets into daily operations of the center, wing and group with primary emphasis on squadron and flight level activities. Cadets will be assigned to facilitators throughout the 82nd Training Wing and 80th Flying Training Wing and will be introduced to the diverse organizational missions and functions found at Sheppard. In addition, the cadets will become familiar with the daily duties and responsibilities of Air Force enlisted personnel. Throughout their visit, the cadets will get a feel for what the operational Air Force is like and will participate in their assigned organization's daily activities. Learning by doing is paramount to the success of the program. ROTC programs and the Air Force Academy focus on teaching the cadets how to be officers, but don't offer a lot of exposure to the enlisted side of the military. With Operation Air Force, some of the cadets will work side-by-side with the enlisted members gaining a better perspective on how the Air Force operates. Secretary Roche said he hopes this experience will motivate the participants to continue pursuing a commission in the United States Air Force.