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Team Osan Adopts a School for a Day

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paul Kilgallon
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affair Office
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Airmen from the 51st Dental Squadron and Operations Group here joined together to Adopt-A-School for a day June 19 when more than 30 students from the Seojenongri Elementary School visited Osan.

"We were very proud to host the Seojenongri Elementary here and be able to show them what we do on the base," said Capt. Robert Mensah, 51st Dental Squadron. "This was a great chance for students to see what goes on inside the main gate and to help them understand the mission we perform here as part of the U.S. Forces on the peninsula."

During their visit, the students received a tour of the base and the flightline where they could see where the men and women on Osan live and work.
During the flightline tour, the students got a chance to see both an F-16 and an A-10 fighter aircraft up close and talk with the Airmen who fly them.

"I felt this was a great opportunity to interact with the students from the local community," said Capt. Kristopher Holstege, an F-16 pilot assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron. "Most of the time people see our aircraft flying, but never really understand what our Airmen do and the mission we perform."

"Its programs such as this that really make the difference because they help increase the local communities understanding of our mission and the Airmen who make it happen," he added.

The students were given explanations on how each aircraft works, some of their unique characteristics and a chance to see what the inside of the cockpit looks like.

The students were given a tour of the 25th Fighter Squadron where they got to see some of the equipment the pilots wear and a chance to try some of it on.

"I thought the entire tour was very rewarding and the students really seemed to enjoy the chance to see some of the things we have here on base," said Capt. Diamond Cookson, 51st Operations Group. "I feel the best part of the tour is that the students are leaving the air base with a little bit more knowledge about who we are and exactly what we do."

According to Ms. Gu, Mi Seong, one of the teachers who accompanied the students, the trip was more than just to see what the base looks like; it was a great learning experience.

"The children really loved and appreciated learning about what happens on Osan AB," said Ms. Gu. "This was great chance for them to meet some of the Airman on the base and for them to understand what it is the base does."

The Adopt-A-School is just one of many Good Neighbor Programs offered at Osan AB. Airmen interested in volunteering in the local community can contact the Airman and Family Readiness Flight at 784-5440 or the 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office at 784-4044.