Airmen visit Australian primary school

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brendan Vargas
  • AFN-Yokota
At a primary school about 15 kilometers from this year's Australian International Air Show, a group of Airmen introduced themselves and the U.S. Air Force to local primary school students curious about the airplanes they've seen flying overhead during the last few days. 

During the school visit the group took questions from the kids who wanted to know everything about them as well as the aircraft they fly. Captain C. D. Henderson, an Electronic Combat Officer from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan said that he enjoyed having the chance to meet with Australian kids.
 
"They're real great," he said. "They're just like American kids and asked the same kinds of questions. They have the same amount of enthusiasm." 

The Lara students were excited as well, and aircrews spent two days at the school ensuring that they got to talk to every student there and answer every question that was asked. 

Anne Hollander, school principal, said experiences like this for her students are invaluable. 

"The whole school has a buzz about it," she said. "I just visited a couple of the classes and the students there are writing about the pilots' visit and sharing pictures. I can tell you that many of these pilots will be receiving email and letters." 

Along with the schoolwide presentations, one group of Airmen took time to meet some students designing a model airplane for a competition, giving them advice and helping them with their project by looking at their ideas and offering their knowledge. 

This visit was one of three made to local schools in the communities while the Pacific Air Forces Airmen were in Australia supporting the airshow.