SAN ANTONIO - America’s Navy participated in the 2017 Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Air Show and Open House aboard JBSA-Lackland Kelly Field Annex, Nov. 3 - 5.
One of the attractions at the air show, in addition to the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, the “Thunderbirds”, was the Navy’s virtual reality experience, the “Nimitz” supported by Sailors assigned to Navy Recruiting District San Antonio and the Navy’s Partnership Team.
More than 3,200 high school students from San Antonio and surrounding areas visited the pre-day activities of the air show, Nov. 3.
The “Nimitz” experience began with a video briefing on a Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen mission to extract Navy SEALs, the virtual reality mission, and a debriefing on participants’ performance during the mission.
Additionally, the students had the opportunity to demonstrate their prowess by participating in the pull-up challenge and being photographed at the Navy photo booth.
A second highlight of the airshow was the swearing in of 80 future service members by Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, 502nd Air Base Wing and JBSA commander, Nov. 4.
Throughout the air show, students and the public had the opportunity to engage with Navy recruiters about future opportunities.
“It is great that the Nimitz was able to be here at the air show,” said Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Jimmy Castro, a Navy recruiter assigned to Navy Recruiting Station South San Antonio. “We are looking for smart, driven individuals who are eager to serve.”
According to Castro, responses from the public and students about the “Nimitz” have been overwhelming positive.
“It’s about as realistic as it can get,” said the Los Angeles native. “It’s an adrenaline rush for many of the participants. We had a great turnout.”