Eyes Above
The Horizon Inspires Students
by U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Susan Roberts August
27, 2019
Over 65 students from Jim Ned, Wylie, Abilene and Clyde
independent school districts, ROTC and Civil Air Patrol participated
in the Eyes Above the Horizon outreach event at Dyess Air Force
Base, Texas on May 18, 2019.

U.S. Air Force Capt. David
Galluzzo, 28th Bomb Squadron range operations officer,
answers students’ questions at a B-1B Lancer static display
at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, May 18, 2019. Students
learned about different aerospace, science, technology,
engineering, mathematics and military career fields during
the Eyes Above the Horizon event. (U.S. Air Force photo by
Airman 1st Class River Bruce)
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Eyes Above the Horizon is an opportunity for children from
traditionally under-represented backgrounds to develop and foster
interest in aviation and science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) careers through flights, mentorship and immersion
into the rich history of the Air Force.
“We just want them to
know that these jobs could be their future if that’s something they
want to do,” said Major Boston McClain, 317th Airlift Wing C-130J
Super Hercules evaluator pilot. “Sometimes seeing is believing for
these young students, and we wanted to show them first-hand that we
care and intentionally invest in them.”
During the event,
students participated in team building activities and a college and
career fair, walked through B-1B Lancer and C-130J Super Hercules
static displays, received incentive flights in either a C-130J or a
Cessna, flew flight simulators, and viewed a combat-off load of
tactical air control party specialists from a C-130J.
Over
140 volunteers from five different major commands, including Air
Mobility Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat
Command, Air Force Recruiting Service and Air Force Reserve Command,
came together to make the outreach event happen. Members from the
Experimental Aircraft Association, Chapter 471, provided private
Cessnas to give students incentive rides.
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military
aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Their hard
work and dedication to making a change in the world around them
helped encourage future generations to make similar progress.
As technology advances, STEM career fields are becoming more
prominent and are needed more than ever before, said McClain. Having
the opportunity to be exposed to these types of career fields,
whether civilian or military, fosters an interest within young
students to learn and grow, no matter what their background is.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Anthony Bacoat, 7th Civil Engineering Squadron firefighter,
explains the functions of firefighter equipment to students
during the Eyes Above the Horizon event at Dyess Air Force
Base, May 18, 2019. Students were exposed to a variety of
civilian and military careers to encourage them to think
about their future. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st
Class Susan Roberts)
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Some students received over $2,000 in scholarships at the event.
These scholarships go toward either flying lessons with a local
aviation club or NASA space camp at Space Center Houston.
“I
encourage every student to follow your ambitions, work confidently
toward your dreams and don’t let anyone stop you,” said Col. Brandon
Parker, 7th Bomb Wing commander. “Our future depends on our younger
generations growing and becoming better than we are now. It’s our
job as leaders to inspire our youth and promote innovation with
everyone, every day.”
Students were given three lessons to
remember from the day: know that they are loved even if the world
seems dark, don’t let someone squash your dreams and have fun in
life no matter what you do.
“I draw on personal experiences
and mentors in the Air Force and the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen,
and it empowers me to want to invest in the future generation,” said
McClain. “We don’t get to where we are without the help of other
people.”
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