3rd CAB provides Canadian Mosquito Squadron a first class look at HAAF

Photo By Spc. Scott Lindblom | Cadets from the 180th Mosquito Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets strap into a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter during a tour on Hunter Army Airfield March 15. Soldiers and aviators from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade spent the day together learning the different ethos and military customs between the two allied nations. (Photo by Spc. Scott Lindblom 3rd CAB Public Affairs)  

SAVANNAH, GA, UNITED STATES

03.15.2016

Story by Spc. Scott Lindblom 

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade

HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. — The 180th Mosquito Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets spent a day touring Hunter Army Airfield along with an up-close look at the daily life of 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers March 15.

The 56 cadets are part of the Air Cadet League of Canada, a similar to the United States Air Force’s JROTC, that inspire young adults to get involved in their community, military and political systems. The cadets had the opportunity to explore the AH-64D Apache Helicopter and UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopter along with a tour of the facilities on the base.

Michelle Tolentino, squadron flight chief, 180th Mosquito Squadron, ensured that every one of her cadets had an opportunity to climb into the helicopters.

“Every year we have our March break trip and in our organization we try to travel to different military bases to broaden our horizons,” Tolentino said. “We really don’t get to do this back home, and we definitely don’t get to do stuff like this.”

Tolentino described the Engagement Skills Trainer which is a virtual simulated rifle range, as an opportunity that they would never get to experience until they came to HAAF.

“It was an amazing experience. Honestly I was interested in the Canadian Air Force but this really opened my eyes and I am definitely going now,” Tolentino said.

For some like Alex Martins, flight chief, 180th Mosquito Squadron, the focus was on learning what he can take back to his unit.

“I wanted to get a better knowledge of what the military is, of what different military’s are and how they operate,” Martins said. “To be able to come down here and see your values, ethics and how you operate is great. We can take that back to our base and use it.”

The job of a leader is to motivate as Martins describes, and also he believes in stoking their passion at a young age.

“When the cadets have the opportunity to see these aircraft and sit inside them, it is what gets their passion going,” Martins said. “It is humbling to see the hospitality. We had lunch with the soldiers, it was an awesome experience. “

• Date Taken: 03.15.2016
• Date Posted: 03.21.2016 14:30
• Story ID: 193058
• Location: SAVANNAH, GA, US