Scouts thrilled with 445th AW Scouts Day

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Nelson
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Nearly 400 Boy and Girl Scouts from Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan arrived throughout the day to experience firsthand various missions of the 445th Airlift Wing. The wing hosted its first Scouts Day May 15.

Scouts were given the opportunity to tour the Air Force's largest bird, the C-5 Galaxy, take part in mock security forces operations and gain knowledge of the areomedical evacuation mission.

The Scouts and their chaperons were shuttled out to the flightline where they received a tour of the massive C-5 by various crew members. They were all amazed on how big the aircraft was, shouting, "It's so big and it flies!"

Meanwhile, just outside the aircraft, two airmen from the 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. They also had an opportunity to see a military HMMWV or Humvee.

Not many people are exposed to the tremendous behind the scenes work our maintenance units provide, but the Scouts were permitted this access.

"Even though they are just children, they learned that there is a lot of work that goes into maintaining the aircraft," said Jeff Lynch of Troop 1721 from Trenton, Michigan.

Once Scouts entered the C-5 Galaxy, they were blown away by the size of the cargo hold and thrilled with seeing the cockpit. After the event, Scout leaders conveyed that their children were bouncing off the walls when they learned of their impending tour.

"It is very rare for a person to see, and even to step foot on one of the largest airplanes in the world. For the Scouts who visited the 445th this past weekend, it will be an experience that they will never forget, and hopefully the exposure to what we do as a wing will spark an interest, or perhaps motivate them to make their dreams into realities," said Capt. Andrew Pierce, 89th Airlift Squadron, pilot.

Austin Staiger, son of Lt. Col. Kathryn Staiger, 445th Inspector General, said he liked "seeing all the parts of the airplane..." Austin also said he "liked pretending to shoot things to protect each other," referring to the security forces demonstration.

Austin's mom confirmed his excitement about the day. "These are more words than I normally get out of him when I ask him questions about how his day in school went," Colonel Staiger said.

These comments were echoed by all Scouts, leaders and parents. Numerous parents were overheard telling each other; "They did a great job--everyone was so nice." "We had so much fun with it all!" "Scout Day at the 445th AW was a huge success!"