Photo By Capt. Obakai Grandisson | Capt. Knapp poses with a future aviator following his operation of the mobile flight...... read more read more
PINE BLUFF, Ar, -- Marines touched down at Grider Field to promote aviation alongside the Black Pilots of America (BPA) during the 2022 Memorial Day weekend.
Since 1995, BPA members and local chapters from every corner of America advocate for their shared love of aviation within their respective communities. Their ranks include veterans, aviation enthusiasts, and pilot instructors.
Every Memorial Day weekend, the BPA organization hosts Operation Skyhook in Arkansas. Hosted at the regional Pines Bluff Regional Airport, this event invites children, community members, and BPA members to promote the field of aviation. The 2022 event was the first event in two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During Operation Skyhook, BPA presented awards to BPA members and Pine Bluff community persons of influence for their continued support and advocacy for aviation.
Following award presentations, pilots conducted a friendly “flour drop” flying competition. This event required pilots to drop brick-sized flour packages, wrapped in butchers’ paper, into a marked drop zone to earn points. Following the competition event, teenagers and children were able to fly with BPA pilots. These interactions supported BPA’s mission to educate and encourage youth to pursue flying as a hobby or career.
Near Grider airfield, Marines set up a booth and engaged with veterans and community members. Marines, veterans, and other visitors exchanged stories and discussed their military experiences and job opportunities in the Marine Corps.
Inside the airport, Marine Pilots provided a high-tech aviation experience to visitors with an on-site mobile flying simulator. Marine Aviators Major Trevor “Magic” Sewell and Captain Caleb “Toe” Knapp were on-hand to assist visitors to operate a flight simulator and answered questions from participants about the Marine aviation program. Capt Knapp explained to visitors how the Marine Corps is the only branch that can guarantee qualified students to fly for the Marine Corps upon graduation from college and The Basic School.
Major Sewell is a member of the BPA and regularly liaises between the BPA and United States Marine Corps. He currently serves as the 12th Marine Corps District Aviation Assistant for Officer Procurement and is a CH-53 Helicopter pilot by trade. Captain Knapp currently serves as the 8th Marine Corps District Aviation Assistant for Officer Procurement and is a Weapons Systems Officer by trade.
If you are interested in learning about opportunities to reach new horizons within the Marine Corps, please visit https://marines.com/officer.
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 06.07.2022 10:39 |
| Story ID: | 422034 |
| Location: | PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 135 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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