Photo By Capt. Jake Valdick | West Point exchange cadets apprehend the Air Force Academy mascot "The Bird" during an...... read more read more
FORT CARSON, Colo—The United States Army relishes on the fact that it remains progressive and flexible in all types of situations. One way it demonstrates this is by enacting joint branch training within its ranks.
West Point, a four-year Army academy in West Point, New York, designed to teach and train future officers and commanders in the Army went through another iteration of the Service Academy Exchange Program.
According to its website, the SAEP promotes professional, academic, and social experiences at each of the corresponding branch’s academy.
Six of the highest GPA cadets at West Point were admitted to this program and got the opportunity to spend a semester at the Air Force Academy.
“My experience as an exchange student at the Air Academy has been truly amazing,” said cadet Grant Parker, one of the exchange students from West Point “The location of Colorado Springs offers so many activities and sights to see you can never get tired of being here.”
There are many opportunities to spending a semester at the Air Academy for West Point cadets.
“We got the privilege of interacting with the Airmen of the Air Force as well as the other services and servicemembers,” said cadet Christian Bobo, another West Point cadet apart of the SAEP. “Also, we all got to do five free fall jumps to earn our Parachutist Badge.
Aide from the opportunities, there are advantages to participating in the program.
“As upperclassmen apart of this program we had a lot more privileges here than we did at West Point,” said Parker. “We were allowed to have vehicles and explore the surrounding area on our free time, truly worth the experience.”
A milestone that these cadets will carry with them throughout their military careers is being able to assist the Army Black Knights football team to a 21-14 win over the Air Force Falcons Nov 6, 2021.
The cadets were able to boost morale for the surging Black Knights by executing a pseudo air assault mission at the Air Academy the ended with the Air Academy’s mascot “Birdie” and the top-ranking cadet in the possession of the West Point transfers.
“We organized a spirit mission by utilizing our contacts over at 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division,” said cadet Kyle Kass, another West Point cadet apart of the SAEP. “Came up with the idea to fly over to the Air Academy to showcase the Army capabilities by taking their beloved mascot right from under their nose.”
The 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div. battalion had heavy participation in the mission and made sure every detail was accounted for to make sure nobody got hurt or anything went wrong.
“There was extensive pre-planning and post flight operations that occurred to ensure safety and well-being,” said Capt. Madison Davis, the pilot of the UH-60 BlackHawk with 3-4 AHB, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div., that conducted the mission at the Air Academy.” After we grabbed them, we took all our passengers on an Army style air tour of Colorado Springs.”
As if their mission had hit its mark, the Army Black Knights pulled through for the win over the Air Academy Falcons.
“The Air Force had some great games this season but didn’t have the overall expertise to pull off a win.” said cadet Aaron Hall, another West Point cadet apart of the SAEP.
Through and through the cadets had an experience that strengthened the comradery between the two branches and enhanced the overall bond that’s been going strong for years.
“This has been a very unique and diverse opportunity for me and fellow cadets,” said Kass, “Pranks and spirit missions are healthy between academies and branches, it helps to express allegiance, pride and bonds. We know that over at West Point the Air Academy transfers are influencing the same kind of unity.”
| Date Taken: | 11.12.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2021 18:49 |
| Story ID: | 409268 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 208 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Cadets Seize "The Bird", by SGT Ashton Empty, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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