Special program brings international air cadets to Midwest, Offutt

  • Published
  • By Delanie Stafford
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Six air cadets from around the world traveled to America's heartland July 26 - Aug. 5 as part of the International Air Cadet Exchange program.

The program, which was established in 1946, exchanges air cadets with other cadet programs across 20 different host countries with the goal of promoting international goodwill and fellowship.

"IACE is a life-shaping experience," said Maj. Tom Pflug who is a member of the Nebraska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. "IACE participants will receive special access to factories, airports, engineering laboratories and government agencies; learning about how [the cadet's] host country contributes to the aviation community."

All of the cadets visiting the U.S. first met in Washington D.C. for two days where they received an orientation and toured the nation's capitol. From there, they traveled to their respective host CAP units across the U.S. The cadets chosen for Nebraska had the opportunity to participate in many aviation and recreational activities over the course of their stay including a visit to Offutt Air Force Base where they each took turns flying a $15 million state-of-the-art RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft simulator.

"You don't really notice that you're in a simulator because the visuals are just amazing," said Ashley Jansen who is a police officer from the United Kingdom and a six-year member of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets program. "You look out and you see cars driving along; and you don't realize that it's just computerized."

"The acceleration on the ground was very realistic," said Lachlan Price who is a senior air cadet from Australia and a first year college student pursuing an engineering degree. "The kind of mathematics and design that would have had to gone into that simulator in order to make it feel like you are actually accelerating is pretty phenomenal."

The cadets visiting Nebraska this year were from Turkey, Australia and the United Kingdom. The cadets were hosted by local families associated with Nebraska's CAP. According to Pflug, the interaction between the cadets and the host families helps build a better understanding of their various cultures, which is one of the most beneficial parts of the program.

"They get to know each other as people," Pflug said. "There's more laughter and more late-night stuff that goes on just because they are getting together and having fun with each other. They get a tremendous appreciation for what we do as a nation militarily, but at the same time they're developing relationships with one another that last."

Time was also set aside to experience Midwestern culture through activities that included hose-back riding, a rodeo, a Winnebago Indian pow-wow and tanking down the Calamus River.

"I've loved every minute of being here," Jansen said. "I've been to New York and Florida before. I definitely think Nebraska is the best trip I've been on. The hospitality and the things we've done were just brilliant."

More than 500 cadets participate in the IACE program annually. Cadets must apply for the program and only the top cadets are chosen from each country. The program is considered to be one of the most sought-after opportunities among the cadet corp.

"This is the ultimate activity I think for every single air cadet program on the planet," Price said. "The best thing has been meeting people. We come over here and make new friendships and contacts, and see how the rest of the world does things."

The local Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force with three primary mission areas focused on aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. Those interested in joining the Civil Air Patrol, should visit their website www.gocivilairpatrol.com for more information.