Scouts enjoy the day at the 445th Airlift Wing

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Approximately 200 Boy and Girl Scouts from across Ohio and Michigan enjoyed various activities on the 445th Airlift Wing flightline May 19 as part of the wing's annual Scouts Day.

The Scouts were given the opportunity to tour the wing's C-17 Globemaster III, take part in mock security forces operations, sit inside a fire truck and talk with firefighters, and gain knowledge 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron mission.

"This is totally different than what we do in the Boy Scouts, except for some of the medical (procedures)," said 15-year-old Cody Hess, a Scout from Danville, Ohio. "This is my first time on an Air Force base and it's been a lot of fun."

The Scouts were in awe when they stepped inside the C-17. 89th Airlift Squadron loadmasters Master Sgt. Chuck Fritz and Senior Airman Zachary Webb demonstrated how equipment is loaded onto the plane and discussed the various types of cargo they've handled. 89th AS pilot Capt. Aaron Port lead each Scout through the flight deck, allowing each one to sit in the pilot's seat. AES demonstrated some of their equipment they use and demonstrated the use of oxygen masks on simulated patients. They also let the Scouts and adult Scout leaders move one of the simulated patient litters for a better understanding of loading patient litters on an aircraft.

Just outside the C-17, Staff Sgt. Gustavo Medina and Senior Airman Brian Horn, 445th Security Forces Squadron, set-up barricades and had fake rifles for the Scouts to play with. The Scouts moved from barrier to barrier pretending to hold off the enemy.

"Events like this show the community that we do more than just go to war," said Medina, summing up the day's activities.

The 445th Civil Engineer Squadron volunteered two of their fire trucks for the event. Fire fighters Tech. Sgt. Zacherias Thorpe and Senior Airman Jennifer Godsey let the Scouts try on various firefighter gear and allowed them to climb into the truck. The group got a taste of the type of gear firefighters have to wear when called to an incident.

"This is great public relations. Here we are reaching out to the community and giving these young people insight to the 445th and the Air Force Reserve," Godsey said. "The kids and adults usually see us from outside of the fence. Today they get to see what we do up close and from inside of the fence."

As the Scouts left the flightline after their tour, comments such as, "That was cool!" and "I want to fly in one of these planes!" could be heard on the bus ride back to the parking lot.

"I'm very impressed that the Air Force and Air Force Reserve let us enjoy these great facilities and show us such great hospitality," said Chuck Winter of Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

(Master Sgt. Charlie Miller contributed to this story)