MARI

High school students from regional Junior ROTC programs view displays from different agencies and squadrons inside Hangar 233 April 23, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The demonstration was part of the annual Junior ROTC Expo that provides an overview of the mission at Little Rock AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Harry Brexel)

JROTC

Members of Cabot High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC program tour the air traffic control tower April 23, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Approximately 500 JROTC cadets from 13 different high schools across the region visited the base to see how Little Rock Airmen execute combat airlift. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Harry Brexel)

JROTC

Staff Sgt. Aaron Bethard, a 19th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, shows Air Force Junior ROTC cadets how parachutes are packed April 23, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The demonstration was part of a JROTC Expo that provided an overview of Air Force career fields that contribute to combat airlift. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Harry Brexel)

2015 JROTC Expo

Published April 30, 2015
By Senior Airman Harry Brexel
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Team Little Rock members showed nearly 500 high school students various Air Force career opportunities and available resources at the 2015 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp Expo April 17, 2015.

The JROTC students traveled from schools across Arkansas and from as far away as Missouri to spend the day experiencing life as an Airman.

The day included tours of the Airman dormitories, fitness center and the inside of the air traffic control tower. The students also donned bioenvironmental and chemical warfare suits, interacted with an aircrew inside of a C-130 and saw how aircrew flight equipment technicians ensure safety during flight.

"Seeing all of this changed my opinion. It makes me want to join," said Little Rock Central High School sophomore Devon Johnson. "I give the expo a ten out of ten."

Representatives from the sexual assault prevention and response office, TRICARE, the base education center and chapel were also set up in hangar 233 for the students to learn about programs that help Airmen through off-duty life.

More than 100 Little Rock Airmen assisted with the event. The JROTC Expo was a learning experience for the students as well as the volunteers.

"I learned a lot today," said volunteer Airman 1st Class LeeAnne Ogle, a 19th Medical Operations Squadron family health technician. "Showing local high school students around the base made me feel proud to be in the Air Force. I am new to the base so I was able to experience a lot of new things along with them."

Despite a tour for nearly 500 JROTC members on base, the event went off without a hitch. Capt. Byron Luckett, a 50th Airlift Squadron C-130H pilot, was in charge of coordinating the event.

"I think the event went very well," Luckett said. "It couldn't have been done without all of the support from the 19th and 314th Airlift Wings, as well as the 913th Airlift Group."