8th FTS hosts foreign exchange students

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Michael Creedon
  • 8th Flying Training Squadron
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  The 8th Flying Training Squadron played host to a group of foreign exchange students April 30, providing them with a first-hand look at Vance Air Force Base and America's Air Force.
The high-school students were part of American Field Service, or AFS, Intercultural Exchanges, an international organization promoting peace through intercultural exchange.
Six students were treated to simulator rides, a tour of the control tower and a look at the daily routine of Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training students training to be the next generation of Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps pilots.
"Since several Vance [AFB] families are heavily involved with AFS, showing off Vance AFB to these students was an ideal opportunity to further their inter-cultural experience." said Lt Col Greg Lamb, 8th FTS commander. "The families of Maj Brad Harris, Maj Dave Lineback and Maj Peter Pastor are actively involved with the AFS experience."
Their day started with a welcome and an overview of the 8th's mission provided by Colonel Lamb. He then went on to give the students an insightful look at how a flying squadron functions, before turning the group over to 1st Lts Joe Vigueria and Matt Pommer, who escorted them on their tour of Team Vance's operations.
"It was a great opportunity to escort these students around and show them how Vance [AFB] works," Lieutenant Vigueria said.
Rain and cold winds whipped across the base as the exchange students boarded the bus to the Operations Group building, where the T-37 simulators are located. The cold and wet weather never dampened their enthusiasm, however, as they took turns in the simulator, learning the difficulties of piloting the 'Tweet.'
"All things considered, they did pretty well for their first time out," Lieutenant Pommer said. "There were a couple of crashes though."
From the simulators, the students again boarded a bus and headed to the control tower, where they learned how Team Vance Airmen control one of the busiest airfields in the nation. Finally, the exchange students walked to the 8th FTS, where they took their places in E flight for a demonstration of the daily briefing. They watched quietly as instructors trained JSUPT students to gather and brief all of the information relevant to the day's flying operations. In addition to the highly disciplined and formal briefing, the exchange students were treated to an emergency procedures 'standup,' in which a JSUPT student is called upon to recite how he or she will recover a stricken aircraft.
The tour was organized by Cindy Lamb, who currently hosts an exchange student.
"They all really enjoyed themselves," Mrs. Lamb said.
AFS Intercultural Exchanges was started by volunteer ambulance drivers that had survived World Wars I and II, and sought to promote understanding and peace between nations. The program began in 1947, with the exchange of just 52 students from 11 formerly warring nations. Today, the program sends 11,000 students abroad each year to more than 50 countries. There are currently three students living in Enid, and 22 living in the state of Oklahoma. Local families volunteer to host students for six months to a year, and are not paid for their efforts. Local students are also offered the opportunity to study abroad in such areas as language studies, community service, arts and culture or environment.
For information on hosting a foreign exchange student or arranging to study abroad, visit AFS' website at www.AFS.org/usa, or call Cindy Lamb at 237-0792.