U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --
Airmen from the 23d Wing visited Cadet Squadron 9 to provide mentorship and insight to cadets here Oct. 16-18.
As CS-09's sponsor base, Moody Airmen had the opportunity to tour the academy with cadets from the squadron and provide a Combat Search and Rescue Task Force demonstration for the Cadet Wing.
Academy graduates, Airmen and cadets agreed the interaction provided valuable learning experiences for all involved.
"The biggest advice I can give to these cadets is listen, ask questions and learn from the [air officer commandings] and enlisted folk they encounter... and never stop learning," said 1st Lt. Dustin Heideman, 23d Communications Squadron and 2011 Air Force Academy graduate.
In recognition of her work at the Academy, U.S. Air Force Cadet 4th Class Ashlen Bible of CS-09 flew in an HH-60G Pave Hawk during the CSARTF demonstration.
After flying, Bible, who wants to be a pilot herself, spoke with the HH-60 pilots and said she felt inspired to continue pursuing a flying career.
"I talked to some of the pilots and they told me, 'Have fun, but focus on why you're here too,'" said Bible. "[We cadets] are all here for one main goal: to become leaders so we can lead others."
As part of the tour, Moody Airmen hosted a Q-and-A with the cadets and Col. Chad Franks, 23d Wing commander, had some expectations to communicate to the future officers.
"Our Airmen do a lot for us and they deserve the best leadership they can get," said Franks. "That leadership is what I expect from each and every one of you."
In order for Bible and other cadets to achieve the goal of becoming a leader, education is essential, and according to Heideman, education and learning "doesn't stop at the Academy."
"It's good to impart any knowledge I can and to hopefully teach them some things I wish I knew when I went here," said Heideman. "It's good to see the newer guys walking in our footsteps and being back in this atmosphere."
A 2008 academy graduate, Capt. James Corless, 71st Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II pilot, added to Heideman's words that it was "surreal coming back."
In addition to providing an active duty Air Force perspective to cadets, Moody Airmen learned about the academy's mission and training programs.
"Having our Airmen, whether officer or enlisted, visit the academy and see what's under the curtain was unique," said Corless. "By commissioning through ROTC or [Officer Training School], you don't get to see that other side of officer training, so this tour was beneficial and rewarding for everyone.
"It's a long four years there, and it was always a challenge for me to keep sight of the end of the tunnel."
For his last minute advice for the cadets, Corless said to "Stick with it because what you see in the operational Air Force is worth the effort."