Air Force Academy cadets help build PSFB infrastructure
Photo By Gwendolyn Kurzen |
U.S. Air Force Academy cadets participating in the Operations Air Force program visit......read moreread more
Photo By Gwendolyn Kurzen | U.S. Air Force Academy cadets participating in the Operations Air Force program visit Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., May 19, 2026. During the visit, cadets toured with the Space Launch Delta 45 Civil Engineer Squadron to gain a better understanding of the unit's mission and its role in improving infrastructure across the installation. (U.S. Space Force photo by Gwendolyn Kurzen) see less
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Air Force Academy cadets help build PSFB infrastructure
PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. -- On May 19, 2026, United States Air Force
Academy cadets visited Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force
Station to participate in the Operations Air Force program. During their 10-day stay,
cadets toured the 45th Civil Engineer Squadron, 1st Range Operations Squadron, 5th
Space Launch Squadron and Air Force Technical Applications Center.
The Operations Air Force program is attended by rising junior cadets over the summer.
Its purpose is to expose cadets to the operational Air Force and its many jobs. Typically,
cadets tour different squadrons across the installation, which aims to assist them in
selecting their ideal career field following completion of the program.
This Operations Air Force program differed as it was comprised of only cadets who
major in civil engineering. Typically, Operations Air Force iterations are not major-
specific. Because of this, the itinerary was curated more towards things like
infrastructure, and they were escorted around the installation by members of the 45th
CES.
“I think this opportunity is incredibly important because, while the technical aspects
emphasized in an engineering major are critical, being an officer involves much more
than technical expertise alone,” said U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Hana Hill, 45th CES officer
in charge of program development and action officer for this tour. “Gaining exposure to
the day-to-day leadership responsibilities and developing more hands-on skills is
essential.”
On May 19, a few of the cadets assisted in a pothole repair on Patrick SFB. This
opportunity allowed cadets to not only learn how the 45th CES supports the daily
mission but also allowed them to get directly involved in the action. With shovels and
pickaxes in hand, the cadets aided in removing the previously damaged pavement and
clearing the area of debris. They were given the opportunity to tour and witness the
employment of heavy machinery such as a backhoe, construction vacuum and concrete
saw during this repair effort. Though they did not operate any machinery or participate
in the actual pavement repair themselves, it was still a valuable experience.
“The cadets’ participation in this process helps keep them motivated when they return to
school by showing them exactly what they will be contributing to and the mission they
can become a part of once they commission,” said Hill.
This construction effort is just one in a large string of many projects aimed at upgrading
both the infrastructure of Cape Canaveral SFS and Patrick SFB. While launch
infrastructure is adapting to an accelerating launch schedule, base infrastructure is
modernizing to improve the quality of life for Space Launch Delta 45 personnel and their
families.
No matter where their careers lead after graduation, these future officers have done the
vital work of laying the cornerstone for the future of the United States Space Force.
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