Tuesday was a world wind of activity as we took off for Cumberland County with a brief touchdown at the Extension office. We went from there to what was known as Pope Air Force Base which is now part of Fort Bragg and known as Pope Air Field. The Air Force and planes are still there it is just not a separate base any more. As we got through security check points we stopped at the air park and met with Lisa Moore who is with Public Affairs and
Major Deanna Franks who is an airman with the 440th Airlift Wing. We learned about all the different planes at the air park their purpose, many of which is to transport equipment and supplies. Did you know that they can drop a piece of heavy machinery, like a bulldozer, from mid air and it will land safely (with the help of technology and a parachute) so it can be used by soldiers on the ground? We learned about the different technology and sciences that are involved in the planes that the Air Force uses and we learned how much Major Franks enjoys her job as well. When she was done showing us around our youth had a chance to climb under the planes, play with the wheels, read about the history behind each of these aviation marvels.
From the air park we travelled to the 440th OG-Aircrew Flight Equipment center and met with Staff Sergent Mandy Smith and Airmen First Class Marco Pascua. They were kind enough to show us all the survival equipment airmen use. As a matter of fact they demonstrated most of it and wore it for us. Did you know that their survival gear alone adds more than 50 pounds to someone flying? Can you imagine hours in a cockpit wearing an extra 50 pounds? 
That does not even include a helmet or a helmet with night vision goggles that are so heavy they have to add a weight to the back of the helmet so the pilot can keep their head up. While we learned what all the equipment that the carry is for we got the chance to see some really top notch technology that could help save their lives. We also got the opportunity to try on the survival vest, parachute, helmet and test out the night vision goggles. Talk about flying high!
After trying on all that equipment we had worked up an appetite. So we headed to a playground overlooking a set of runways where we enjoyed a picnic lunch from Subway and watched planes take off an land. It was just a hop skip and a jump from our location to our next exciting stop. 
We walked through the doors of a building that houses the 342nd Combat School. There we met Master Sergeant Marcus Millard. He gave us a tour through time showing us different uniforms and technology as it was changed through the years. We saw doors from vehicles with bullet holes and radio equipment that has definitely gotten smaller over the years. 
The highlight of the trip was out back of the building. There we a gigantic tower where the soldiers train. The brave ones, under the strict supervision of the Master Sergeant climbed to the top of the tower and had quite a view. Just in case you are wondering they did not repel down, they climbed down the way they went up. After making it down from the tower we checked out the swimming pool obstacle course and the weight room where they train and strengthen.
After saying goodbye and thank you to Master Sergeant Millard we hit the road again for one
last stop. This stop was off post at the Airborne Special Operations Museum. There our youth got the chance to see a move on aerospace, ride a simulator which made them feel like they were riding a variety of military vehicle, and see interactive displays about various military operations. Our day campers saw how technology has progressed and how everyone has a part in that design and development. They also got a chance to see how important technology is to our everyday lives and comfort at home and in the field.
After an exhausting day we headed back to our respective counties. We processed all of the days events and fun and then thought about what is ahead for tomorrow. Without giving it away all I can say is it science doesn't just fly...sometimes science comes in the form of 4 legs.
We walked through the doors of a building that houses the 342nd Combat School. There we met Master Sergeant Marcus Millard. He gave us a tour through time showing us different uniforms and technology as it was changed through the years. We saw doors from vehicles with bullet holes and radio equipment that has definitely gotten smaller over the years. 
The highlight of the trip was out back of the building. There we a gigantic tower where the soldiers train. The brave ones, under the strict supervision of the Master Sergeant climbed to the top of the tower and had quite a view. Just in case you are wondering they did not repel down, they climbed down the way they went up. After making it down from the tower we checked out the swimming pool obstacle course and the weight room where they train and strengthen.
After saying goodbye and thank you to Master Sergeant Millard we hit the road again for one
last stop. This stop was off post at the Airborne Special Operations Museum. There our youth got the chance to see a move on aerospace, ride a simulator which made them feel like they were riding a variety of military vehicle, and see interactive displays about various military operations. Our day campers saw how technology has progressed and how everyone has a part in that design and development. They also got a chance to see how important technology is to our everyday lives and comfort at home and in the field.
After an exhausting day we headed back to our respective counties. We processed all of the days events and fun and then thought about what is ahead for tomorrow. Without giving it away all I can say is it science doesn't just fly...sometimes science comes in the form of 4 legs.
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