Warren welcomes cadets for summer tours Published Aug. 1, 2007 By Airman Alex Martinez 90th Space Wing Public Affairs F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- Every summer, Air Force Academy and ROTC cadets have the opportunity to participate in programs designed to expand their knowledge on the operational Air Force. Some programs include a 12-day freefall program, where cadets partake in a parachute program; combat survival training, which is conducted at the academy, and a 15-day soaring program, where cadets experience the fundamentals of flight by using non-powered glider operations. Cadets participated in the special training program here July 18 for the program's fifth visit to Warren this year. The 10-day program is takes place at many bases throughout the United States. The program helps cadets get an understanding of different careers that contribute to the Air Force mission, and at Warren, they learn about the space mission. "The program gives [the cadets] a good insight into exactly what our unit missions are here," said Lt. Col. Lloyd Buzzell, 319th Missile Squadron director of operations. Colonel Buzzell is the liaison between Warren and the academy for the visits. "It's real nice to be able to see how a specific part of the Air Force works," said Cadet Lee Washington II, a senior ROTC cadet from Alabama State University in Montgomery. "It's so interesting and a real eye opener." About 50 cadets visit every tour. After the final visit Wednesday, more than 300 cadets will have experienced the space mission conducted here. "It's definitely important for [the cadets] to be introduced to all the knowledge they receive here," Colonel Buzzell said. While touring Warren, cadets see examples of what space professionals here do daily. The examples include a mock pre-deployment brief, insights into maintenance equipment and computer systems, and a tour of a practice launch control center. "I really like this whole visit," said ROTC Cadet Michelle Santospirito from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. "I have always been interested in space." In addition to cadets getting a feel for the operational Air Force, the visits give them an opportunity to interact with both enlisted and commissioned Airmen. "We have a good mix of both academy and ROTC cadets," said Maj. Kimberly Moncrieffe, AFA instructor and the group's escort for the day. "They are able to interact with each other as well as the Air Force members here, and that's important." Col. Mike Morgan, 90th Space Wing commander, briefed the group during their mock pre-deployment and touched on the importance of the space mission and explained his excitement and appreciation for their service. "Colonel Morgan really took an interest in this program," Colonel Buzzell said. "It's a good experience for [the cadets] to have him speak to them." The group tours are also a learning experience for senior cadets who have leadership roles within the groups. "These tours are real good for the younger cadets who don't really know what they want to do yet," said AFA Cadet 1st Class Joe Robinson, a group leader. "My role here is to keep all the cadets motivated and to keep them encouraged." The sixth and final program tour of the summer takes place Wednesday.