1st Special Operations Wing sponsors future leaders

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ryan Whitney
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  More than 50 future leaders from the Air Force Academy had the opportunity to visit Hurlburt Field April 9, and orient themselves with the active-duty Air Force as part of the Air Force Academy's sponsorship program.

The Air Force Academy's sponsorship program marries the 40 Academy squadrons with active-duty units throughout the Air Force. The active-duty units then work with the Academy squadrons to help the cadets create a link with their active-duty counterparts while the cadets are going through school.

"The purpose of this sponsor squadron is to remind these cadets what it is they are working for, and to help motivate them when they are getting bogged down with schoolwork to keep their eyes on the goals ahead," said Capt. Joseph Lisanti, 319th Special Operations Squadron pilot and orientation coordinator.

During the visit, the cadets were exposed to various operational aspects of Air Force special operations, including an AC-130 tour, a CV-22 simulator, an Air Park tour highlighting past special operations aircraft and an opportunity to meet Col. Greg Lengyel, 1st Special Operations Wing commander. They also received briefs on the mission of the 1st SOW and many of its operations squadrons.

More than 25 cadets were also able to participate in Orientation flights on UH-1 and M-i17 helicopters from the 6th SOS.

To strengthen the bond with the cadet squadron, Colonel Lengyel also presented the future Air Force leaders with the wing colors to be displayed on their guidon, symbolizing the connection the two groups have with each other.

Though it is more common for Airmen to visit their paired cadet squadron at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Hurlburt Field leadership worked with the squadron and sent an MC-130 that was training near the Academy to pick up the cadets on its return flight home, offering the cadets an even more personalized and in-depth experience.

"As a freshman at the Academy I was able to visit Eglin with my squadron and get exposure to pilots and real-world assets, and I was able to look back on that experience all four years of my time in the academy and remind myself what I was working for," said Captain Lisanti. "To be able to provide that same type of exposure to these cadets is a great feeling, and it wouldn't be possible without the support from the 1st Special Operations Wing."