Det 270
Wildcat Warriors
Summer 2010 Newsletter
CC’s Corner
Hello Cadets, Alumni and Friends of Det 270,
The Wildcat Warriors had a busy summer.
Details are included below but here are some
highlights. We said “Farewell” to two cadre
members and “Welcomed” a new Commandant
(COC), Recruiter (UAO) and Personnel NCOIC. We
sent and graduated 13 from Field Training and had
cadets across the CONUS, in Europe and Asia on
summer training programs. Further, several cadets
chipped-in and made improvements to the Cadet
Lounge, AFROTC stairwell, our supply room, and to
the Det’s website.
As the summer draws to a close, cadre and cadets
alike are energetically engaged in first two weeks of
the fall semester. Plans are underway for an AFB
Visit, fund raising, LLAB Guest Speakers, attending
the USAF marathon, and visiting McConnell’s Air
Show to see the Thunderbirds. If you’re in the area
and have the time, please call and/or stop by; the
cadets always enjoy talking and visiting with KSU
grads/Det alums. Go Cats!
Very Respectfully,
Lt Col Ed “Oscar” Meyer, USAF
Commandant’s View
Wildcat Warriors,
It is a privilege and honor to
join AFROTC Det 270! A sincere
welcome to KSU's new and
seasoned AF cadets for the Fall
2010 semester; I am eager to begin
working together and serving as
your Commandant of Cadets. I am confident our
cadre-cadet team will produce positive results for the
Cadet Wing and local community.
My family and I PCS'd from Beale AFB, CA,
where I served four years as a Force Support Officer.
As an AFROTC graduate myself, I have deep respect
for this program and am committed to producing
great officers for the world’s best Air Force!
As the semester unfolds keep in mind three
important things: grades, involvement, and attitude.
An AFROTC career is made or broken by grades;
make sure you do all you can to achieve your
academic goals and maximize your potential.
Involvement within the Cadet Wing is an easy way to
stand out among your peers. A positive attitude can
carry an individual. One of my favorite quotes is
from Ralph Marston, a 1920's professional football
player, “Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.”
Good luck this Fall Semester and remember my
door is always open.
ADAM L. MCKEE, Captain, USAF
Commandant of Cadets
Recruiter’s Pitch
Wildcats,
This semester is one of great
transition and great potential. For
some of you, like myself, this is a new
beginning. For others (the seasoned
cadets), it is getting close to an end. I
received my commission through Air Force ROTC at
Oklahoma State University and love all that this
program stands for. Along with my fellow cadre, I
am excited to see how we can make Det 270 and its
cadets reach their true potential.
I have the honor of teaching the Freshmen and
new POCs and serving as the Unit Admissions
Officer. My active duty background is in Aircraft
Maintenance at Grand Forks AFB, ND…a career
field where it’s imperative to lead both from the front
and by example. This is the standard I hold for
myself, my troops and now my students.
I look forward to getting to know each and every
one of you during the next 3 years. In the words of a
great military leader, General George Patton “Lead
me, follow me, or get out of my way.” Here’s to a
great year, Go Cats!
MALLORY A. CONLON, 1Lt, USAF
Unit Admissions Officer
What’s Inside
-Field Training……………………..………………Pgs 2-3
-PDTs……………………………..………………..Pgs 3-6
--NRO…………….………………………………...Pg 3
--FERL – Free Fall – STO/CRO………….…….. …Pg 4
--Space Operations………………………..…….…..Pg 5
-Operation Air Force (Ops AF)……………………....Pgs 5
--Kadena-Kirtland-Dyess-McChord……..…………Pg 5
--Elmendorf …………………………..…………….Pg 6
-Benefactors Thank You………………………………Pg 6
Field Training/AFROTC Summer Camp
CTA Experience
Being a Cadet Training Assistant (CTA) was the
most rewarding thing I have done to date in Air Force
ROTC. If you get this chance, do not turn it down.
All CTAs arrived 1 week before the cadet trainees
of their respective Maxwell Camp. This first week
was used to train all Field Training (FT) staff mbrs.
We standardized training processes, established goals,
and set trainee standards. This was done so each
trainee would receive a common FT experience.
If you think being a CTA is fun duty, without
question it is! However, the amount of work required
to properly prepare for CTA duty greatly exceeds that
of being a FT trainee. CTA’s are held to a high
standard, have greater responsibility, and must have a
higher level of knowledge in all areas. CTAs are
responsible for a significant portion of the trainees
training. CTAs must know the rules and regulations
and be sharp on all drill and ceremony and customs
and courtesies. Each CTA must be the epitome of a
role model for all cadet trainees. Despite this, the
reward and experience far out ways the time and
effort cost.
Arriving at Maxwell AFB prepared to be a CTA is
very important. It is amazing all the little things one
notices that are slightly incorrect or horribly wrong.
The most common error made was the wording of a
command. I was particularly disciplined and hard on
myself to ensure all commands I called were spoken
correctly and all orders were given intelligently.
One of the neatest things a CTA sees at FT is the
performance of many individuals under extreme
pressure, their predictable “collapse”, and then
ultimate transformation into a team that has bonded
and then succeeds. This entire process of Forming,
Storming, Norming, and Performing is clearly
evident throughout FT.
Unfortunately, there are some trainees who are
unable to make it out of the storming phase. These
trainees are sent home and disenrolled from Air
Force ROTC. Other reasons trainees washout of FT
include inappropriate conduct, failing their physical
fitness test, height/weight check, or not meeting other
tough standards. This elimination process happens
every camp but those who succeed should be proud
of their accomplishment and know they have reached
the next step toward becoming an officer in the
world’s greatest Air Force.
Cadet Ashton L., AFROTC
CTA, Mike Flight Maxwell 3 (Jun-Jul 10)
Cadet Trainee Perspective
Maxwell 1
Although all of us attended Max-1 together, it is
safe to say we each had a different and unique
experience. We all had different people evaluating
and instructing us. Cadet Rhoades endured a flight
delay enroute which led to a late Maxwell arrival and
therefore some special attention when he did arrive.
Luckily, the other three of us arrived on time and had
a smooth first few days at Maxwell. We all got to do
the “normal” awesome FT things (C-17 flight, shoot
M-16s, Combatives), and experienced firsthand what
true teamwork and leadership really means.
All of us thought we were well prepared for FT.
Although our Det270 spring semester cadet trainers
did not tell us what to expect every minute of Field
Training, we had a good idea what to expect when we
stepped off the bus at Maxwell. We learned rather
quickly how to adapt to adversity and how to be
flexible.
One area which would have aided us a little more
was the importance of followership and how to
exercise proper followership in a team or small group.
A couple of us did not fully understand what
“followership” meant before FT and had a steep
learning curve.
There were some “fun” moments at FT; yet, fun is
not how we would describe our time at Maxwell 1. It
was a very challenging and rewarding experience.
We enjoyed FT immensely because it helped us
determine who we are as individuals and what we’re
capable of accomplishing when placed in difficult
situations under pressure.
Max-1 FT was rough and tough, but we are
absolutely convinced we became stronger people and
better cadets for successfully completing the training.
Cadets Matt H., Marc M., Joseph M., & Justin R.,
AFROTC
Maxwell 2
FT was a major
step in our officer
candidate training
and development. It
taught us a little
about ourselves
(strengths,
weaknesses, and
CTA providing some purposeful, professional
character) and
pressure to a Max-3 Cadet Trainee at Maxwell AFB.
offered a glimpse of
active duty life. More importantly, it provided us an
indication of how we might react and respond as
leaders when placed in stressful situations. Finally,
we saw and were able to compare ourselves (and in
general all K-State AFROTC cadets) with cadets
nationwide.
Although we were well prepared for FT, it was
exponentially more mentally and emotionally
challenging than physically; this caught us off guard.
Throughout the experience we were fortunate to
make numerous new friends while creating lasting
memories.
Without question, our FT experiences and lessons
will definitely make us better AF leaders and better
individuals.
Cadets Kathryn B., Ben B., Tyler L., and Jaelyn M.,
AFROTC
Maxwell 3
Without a doubt FT was the most stressful,
exciting, and rewarding experience thus far in our
lives; it helped us grow as cadets. The best part, by
far, was the team problem-solving that took place all
the time. Any and all tasks put in front of us were
always a challenge. These difficulties helped change
and mold us and individuals and our respective
flights starting on Training Day 1.
Some of our FT lessons learned that have
manifested themselves into near-term goals include:
improve our physical strength and endurance (to earn
the cadet Physical Fitness award) and aggressively
continue to plan and support Det 270’s community
service activities this fall.
FT also gave us a better understanding of what
many deployed service members encounter in
overseas locations like Iraq and Afghanistan. While
many of the simulated deployment exercises were
routine there were several that challenged our
leadership and followership skills.
Overall, FT was the best time we ever had that we
never want to have again. Despite all of the yelling
and harping we received from cadre and CTAs alike,
the experience was very rewarding and one in which
we were proud to partake. In closing, we would like
to compliment the 2010 spring semester FT Sq staff
for the outstanding job they did to prepare us for
Max-3. Without their guidance and instruction we
would’ve been hard pressed to successfully complete
the program.
Cadets Jesse F. and Christopher S., AFROTC
Honor Guard
Det 270 Honor Guard got an early start this fall
when it was invited to present the colors at a KC
Royals baseball game this summer. Every year, a
local Manhattan radio station hosts “Manhattan Day
at the K” to recognize and support the good people
and students of our fair city. We were asked to
represent the Det, the USAF and the city of
Manhattan during opening ceremonies of the 31 July
game against the Baltimore Orioles.
This was the first time any of us had performed on
a baseball field. Fortunately, this limitation didn’t
diminish our performance or require any special or
tricky maneuvers. When our detail was finished we
were luckily granted free admission to the game.
Overall, it was a great experience and a wonderful
opportunity to showcase the AF, AFROTC, Det 270,
and Manhattan. Thank you to Cadets Jones, Maier,
Mollenkamp and Simonson for making this event an
unqualified success. EMAW!
Cadet Matthew H., AFROTC
Commander, Honor Guard (Fall 2010)
Professional Development Training (PDT)
National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
This PDT provided AFROTC & service academy
cadets the chance to gain valuable insight into some
of the NRO’s operations. The NRO specializes in
innovative overhead intelligence systems for national
security and the analysis and dissemination of the
data procured from these systems.
My assignment was within the Operation Product
Quality department at the East Aerospace Data
Facility. I was issued a project that required me to
analyze imagery of various locations using an
experimental technique. While performing this duty
I incorporated various programs (e.g. MATLAB) in
an attempt to automate the experimental image
analysis technique.
During my time in Washington DC I had the good
fortune to tour the White House, the Pentagon, and
the Central Intelligence Agency’s headquarters. I
was also able to participate in Meet & Greets with
distinguished NRO personnel.
I am very privileged and honored to have been
one of nine
applicants
selected
among 700
AFROTC
cadets
nationwide to
participate in
this
prestigious
Cadet David T. was presented a Coin of Excellence from the
NRO Director, Mr Bruce Carlson, for his PDT contributions.
program. I am excited I was exposed to areas that
related to my desired AFSC (Cyberspace), my KSU
degree, and my personal interests.
Cadet David T., AFROTC
Field Engineering and Readiness Lab (FERL)
FERL summer training consisted of two parts, two
weeks of Operation Civil Engineering Air Force
followed by an actual FERL the final three weeks.
My flight had the privilege of visiting Anderson AFB,
Guam for our Ops trip. While there we toured every
CE and Red Horse related facility and construction
site to include Explosive Ordinance Disposal and the
base Fire Station. We learned how a CE squadron
works solo, or in concert with other engineering units,
to accomplish the mission. We also learned about the
various tasks of each CE shop and how they
coordinate and work together.
After Ops on Guam we returned to Colorado and
stayed at Jacks Valley on the AF Academy’s grounds.
This part of FERL was the hands-on learning of reallife engineering practices. We attended class all day,
five days a week (which included quizzes & tests),
studying a variety of topics that included concrete/
steel design and construction, surveying, water
treatment, heavy equipment operations, and much
more.
Overall, FERL was a great learning experience
that provided excellent hands-on training. Cadets
who attended got dirty and could see in action, and
put into practice, what was being taught.
Cadet Benjamin B., AFROTC
Commander, Mission Support Group
Free Fall
Air Force
Academy
Free Fall was
easily the
most fun I’ve
experienced
so far while
wearing the
uniform. My
class of 35
ROTC cadets
Cadet Ben B. (standing, in BDU pants & ballcap) on Guam
with USAF Academy cadets during FERL Ops training
and one AF
TSgt spent 30 hours in three days at the Academy’s
Ground Training Facility learning how to properly
wear the parachute harness, safely exit the airplane,
properly arch, quickly execute correct emergency
action procedures during the fall, and safely contact
the ground and land. On the fourth day each of us
experienced simulated free fall via a vertical wind
tunnel located in Denver. That same afternoon we
returned to the Academy, boarded Twin Otter aircraft
and experienced our first jumps. Over the next
several days each of us executed the remaining four
jumps needed to earn the Basic Parachutist badge.
Although not everyone who attends Free Fall
earns the parachutist badge, just completing part of
the training and experiencing the program increases
one’s self confidence. Since training only simulates
real-world to a certain degree, each trainee must
overcome their fear, trust their training, and execute
to the best of their ability. The AF Academy Free
Fall is but one great example of this.
Cadet Alexander C., AFROTC
Commander, Operations Group (Fall 2010)
Cadet Alex C.(far left) with a portion of his AF Academy Free Fall class, June 2010.
Special Tactics Officer (STO)/Combat Rescue
Officer (CRO)
This PDT was an excellent opportunity; it enabled
me to visit the home of AF Special Operations and
AFSOC. During the first of two weeks at Hurlburt
Field, FL I trained in the pool, utilized their workout
equipment, and had Q&A sessions with active duty
special operators. I also had the chance to observe
both free fall and static line parachute training jumps.
Week two was spent on AFSOC’s side of the base,
meeting and talking with those who had been in the
career field for years. I also toured many AFSOC
aircraft to include the AC-130 Gunship and MC-130
Combat Talon. My PDT also had the good fortune to
receive a static display and walk-thru of a CV-22
Osprey and its training simulator.
Overall, this PDT was an amazing chance to see
some of the latest and greatest of the AF's elite
SpecOps career fields. It increased my motivation to
earn an invitation to join this unique brotherhood.
Cadet Nathan T., AFROTC
Inspector General
Space Operations
This past June, I joined 24 cadets from across the
US for one week at Vandenberg AFB to learn about
the AF’s space and missile defense missions. During
this week we received daily briefings from officers
who represented a wide variety of space and missile
AFSCs. We also toured a few of the training
simulators and an Atlas V rocket that will launch a
satellite into space this fall.
The most exciting part of the week, and easily the
highlight of the training, was watching a Minuteman
Missile test-launch. Sadly, this PDT lasted only one
week.
Overall, my summer TDY was an excellent
training event. It increased my desire to serve in the
AF, and possibly the space and missile career fields.
It also provided me the opportunity to meet and
network with other AFROTC cadets and a few active
duty officers in the Space Ops business.
who work under you. These officers constantly
described our enlisted airmen as “overworked and
underpaid”.
Cadets Joseph J. and Nick S., AFROTC
C/Quincy
W. sits in
the cockpit
of a C-130
pilot
simulator
and trainer
at Dyess
AFB, TX
earlier this
summer
during his
OpsAF
PDT, June
2010.
Dyess-Holloman-Kirtland-McChord AFBs
Cadet Mark B., AFROTC
Operation Air Force (OpsAF)
Kadena AB
During our trip to Kadena AB on the island
of Okinawa, Japan we saw many things other
cadets won’t see until they commission. We
toured many parts of the base and some of us
were lucky enough to receive an F-15E Strike
Eagle orientation flight.
One of the best parts of the PDT was a flight
on a C-130 airlift aircraft. We were assigned a
sortie that included a paratrooper drop but their
mission was scrubbed at the last minute due to
weather. Upon hearing this, the pilot began to
RTB and while enroute, over the Pacific Ocean,
descended to 100 ft and opened the aircraft’s
ramp. Some of us were able to sit on the ramp;
this was one of the most enjoyable parts of our
visit to Kadena AB.
Other interesting things we did included a tour of
Kadena’s massive weapons depot, flying the F-15
aircrew flight simulators, and a Q&A with a veteran
F-15 pilot. The flight simulator gave us a greater
appreciation of the difficulty to fly and employ a
fighter aircraft. Col Wolfe’s comments were very
inspiring, and motivating.
One of the biggest things that we took away from
this PDT was the difference between enlisted and
officer jobs. Most of the officers’ jobs revolve
around leadership while the enlisted airmen do most
all of the manual labor/”dirty work”. A common and
recurring theme from several officers we met and
spoke with was the need to take care of the people
Several cadets visited the bases listed above this
summer in June and July (Dyess-C/Quincy W., HollomanC/Myla G., Kirtland-C/Timothy W., McChord-C/David M.);
these are there stories and observations.
Each cadet attendee enjoyed their visit experience
and is eager to earn their commission and serve on
active duty, hopefully with some of the same people
they met on their trips. A previously unidentified
benefit of this PDT was meeting cadets from across
the US and sharing a common experience. This
brought us closer together, formed a bond among us,
and demonstrated the strengths and benefits of
diversity within the AF.
These cadets were exposed to many items that had
little or no importance to them, but as the Wg/CV at
McChord AFB commented, “It’s not meant for you
to see, but for it to be seen by you.” This statement
emphasized the criticality that visiting cadets need to
be exposed to all aspects of the AF.
Some of exciting activities were a CV-22 night
flight that included a C-17 airdrop mission. C/Mears
flew on a C-17 airdrop training mission while
C/Whitham got a C-130 flight. C/Gayer rounded-out
the quartet with a T-38 orientation flight.
In summary, each of us enjoyed our experiences
and will carry and apply the knowledge we learned
with us as cadets and into active duty as 2d Lts.
Cadets Myla G., Timothy M., David M., & Quincy
W., AFROTC
C/Myla G. at
Holloman
AFB, NM
stands on the
boarding
ladder of the
T-38 from
her
orientation
flight during
her OpsAF
PDT, June
2010.
what a Mx officer does on a daily basis. I also
particularly noticed the amount leadership and
responsibility that Mx officers and enlisted
maintainers must have to get the job done.
I also had the opportunity to fly in an E-3 and got
to ask the crew several questions as they worked. It
was amazing to sit back and watch the teamwork in
action. It was also interesting to learn a little about
how the AF patrols/defends our northern frontier.
Finally, I also participated in an EME (Emergency
Medical Exercise) and observed how the entire base
responds to a real disaster. The scenario was an F-15
crash into a loaded C-17 (which I was inside). I was
amazed at how fast the firefighters & EMS personnel
responded. Again, the teamwork employed to treat
the "wounded" and get them to the hospital was
astounding.
Elmendorf AFB
There is very little I can say that I didn't like about
my trip (except for the temperature, the warmest day
rose to just 72 degrees). My favorite part of the visit
was when our group was split and sent to different
units. I met a few aircraft maintenance (Mx) officers
and I was able to walk the flight line and see the
different aircraft. This visit really opened my eyes to
Cadet Austen M., AFROTC
Donors to the Wildcat Warriors / Det 270 / Aerospace Studies Department
1 August 2009 – 31 July 2010
~ Thank you to one and all for your support! ~
Gifts $1,000 - $2,499
Andy Burris, USAF
Gifts $500 - $999
Gen/Mrs Dick & Mary Jo Myers, USAF (Ret)
Maj Gen Harvey McCarter, USAFR (Ret)
Capt Andy Burris, USAF
Gifts $100 - $249
Mr/Mrs James & Mary Ann Grimm
Mr/Mrs Dennis & Vickie Lohman
Mr Robert Williams
Lt Col/Mrs Glenn & Linda Caldwell Jr., USAF (Ret)
Mr Bud Cowan
Mr/Mrs Dennis & Carola Deschner
Capt/Mrs James & Shannon Hodgson, USAF
Lt Col/Mrs Jerry & Cheryl Lobb, USAFR
Lt Col/Mrs Don & Carol Kissinger, USAF (Ret)
Mr/Mrs Tom & Sherry Jackson
Lt Col/Mrs Brad & Anne Hebing, USAF (Ret)
CORPORATE GIFTS
Lockheed Martin Scholarship Foundation
James (Col, USAF; Ret) & Eunice Kyle Living Trust
Accounting & Payroll Services, Inc.Capt
Gifts $250 - $499
Dr/Mrs Nathan & Connie Burroughs
Lt Col/Mrs Neil & Christine Neaderhiser, USAF
Gifts $50 - $99
Lt Col/Mrs Michael & Karen Kaiser, USAF (Ret)
Col/Mrs Bruce & Nancy Peters, USAF (Ret)
Brig Gen/Mrs Randy & Irmgrad Gelwix, USAF (Ret)
Mr Robert Vogt
Mr/Mrs Martin & Donna Neff
Mr/Mrs Lawrence & Virginia Propp Jr.
Lt Col/Mrs Kenneth & Janice Shobe, USAF (Ret)
1Lt Megan Enns, USAF
Gifts up to $49
Mr/Mrs Stuart & Kelli Littlefield
Mr/Mrs Michael & Heather Lacy
Mr/Mrs Russ & Christy Wilson
CDR/Mrs Richard & Margaret Hartman, USN (Ret)
Mr/Mrs Steven & Pamela Coloney
Lt Col/Maj Brian & Cydney Willis, USAF/USAF (Ret/Ret)
Capt/Mrs Nathan & Ellen Greene, USAF (Ret)