Local ROK students dubbed honorary pilots at Kunsan

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brittany Y. Auld
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  More than 20 sixth grade students from 20 different middle schools in the local area received a chance to participate in the first-ever 8th Fighter Wing Honorary Pilot Program here Nov. 4.

The program gave students a taste of what an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot's life is like here at Kunsan. They were able to receive an F-16 static display tour, F-35 Lighting II simulation, tour of the base tower, tower simulation, a tour of the 35th Fighter Squadron and participated in hands-on activities such as dressing in a pilot's outfit.

"I feel the interaction between Kunsan AB and the local community is of the utmost importance," said 1st Lt. Shayne Carroll, 35th FS pilot. "We are guests in their city and it is important we show how grateful we are for the warm welcome each member of our armed forces receives when arriving to Kunsan AB."

The students were chosen by their student body leaders at their schools, one student per school.

These select students began their day with a tour of an F-16 static display followed by an introduction to simulated flight provided at the Loring Club by the Lockheed Martin F-35 Simulator. After completing the simulator the students made their way to the food court for lunch at the Exchange and proceeded to the control tower for a tour and a chance to use the tower simulator.

"I think events like the Honorary Pilot Program provide our Airmen the opportunity to reach out to the local community and 'bridge the gap' between our lives and theirs," Carroll said.

Following the tower simulator, the students were taken to the 8th Operations Support Squadron's aircrew flight equipment shop and introduced to all the equipment pilots wear on a daily basis. This tour included an opportunity for a few students to completely dress from head to toe as if they were flying.

Additionally, AFE Airmen explained the process behind packing the parachutes pilots wear and pulled apart a survival seat kit so the children could see exactly what they would have if they had to eject out of an F-16.

After learning how to survive as an F-16 pilot in an emergency situation, the students toured the 35th FS and were awarded their Honorary Pilot Certificates by Lt. Col. Steven Boatright, 35th FS commander.

"At the end of the day each student was deemed an Honorary 8th Fighter Wing pilot," said Ms. Rosemary Song, 8th FW public affairs community relations specialist. "They will be an ambassador of 8th FW and USAF at their school."

Several base agencies came together to put this program in motion. These agencies included: 35th FS, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 8th OSS aircrew flight equipment and tower operations and 8th FW public affairs community relations.

"Neither the community nor the base would be the same without each other, the relationship is important to our operations here in the Republic of Korea," said Carroll.