FORT POLK, La. - The cadets from the Civil Air Patrol Central Louisiana Composite Squadron visited Gorgas Army Airfield to view the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, "Task Force Wings," helicopters, Oct. 16, during its field exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center near Fort Polk, La.
Their ages ranged from 12-21 years old. They were excited to see the different types of aircraft TF Wings utilized and learn about them, but there was one highly-anticipated helicopter - the AH64 Apache attack helicopter.
"I want to be more of a fighter pilot, so my favorite helicopter for the Army is the Apache," said 15-year-old Cadet 2nd Lt. Heath Hilton. "Just from what I have heard about it so far, it seems to be such a great aircraft to me."
"My favorite aircraft has got to be the Apache because it's an attack helicopter," said Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Aaron Lachney, 15, the flight sergeant for the CAP CENLA Composite Squadron.
During the visit, pilots and crew chiefs showed what their aircraft is capable of doing and let the cadets sit in the various positions in the aircraft.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brady Freeman, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot with the Company B, 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, said he enjoyed showing the cadets around.
Many of the cadets asked questions about what they saw in the aircraft.
"Is this where they put the repel ropes through the red hooks up here?" asked Lachney. "I think it is cool the Army gets to do things like that."
The cadets said they enjoyed themselves. Some told the pilots and crew chiefs who gave the tours they intended to become pilots in years to come.
"I wanted to be a pilot ever since I could remember, so when I learned about this program I jumped right into it," said Heath. "I enjoy when we get to come out and see the different aircraft the military has."
Freeman said he was use to doing fun things like this at a previous command and he enjoys it tremendously.
"I never had this opportunity as a kid, it's nice to give back and maybe one of these kids will be a pilot one day," said Freeman.