OKLAHOMA CITY - Students, educators and community leaders from across the state attended the 137th Special Operations Wing 2024 Student Flight Fest Invitational on March 28, 2024, at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma.
The invitational allowed for attendees to diversify their understanding of what opportunities the Oklahoma Air National Guard has to offer and engage with Guardsmen who can provide a different perspective into the 137th SOW mission.
“This event gives us an opportunity to let the community really see what we do and who we are,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kasey Phipps, 137th SOW Recruiting Flight Chief. “We only get to talk about so much in the short time we’re visiting schools and participating in outside events as recruiters, so hosting an event on base that allows our Airmen to tell their stories and show off their experience is invaluable. We want our communities to know that we’re so much more than the benefits they read about in our pamphlets or see on TV.”
Attendees didn’t just hear about different career fields in the Air National Guard, but they actively interacted with the equipment the 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron uses, climbed inside various civilian and military aircraft, experimented with some of the 137th SOW Fire and Emergency Services’ gear and so much more. Moreover, this event empowered 137th SOW Airmen to showcase their expertise and how they work as a team.
“A lot of times, you see students leave high school and, unless they are joining another team, they lose that team concept,” expressed U.S. Air Force Col. Shelby Dreyer, 137th SOW Deputy Commander. “What I like to see is for them to come here with their friends and see that we have a team here that they can build on, and they can grow from while having all of this support.”
By continuing to foster a stronger community and uplifting its youth through events like this one, Oklahoma Guardsmen will continue to uphold the Oklahoma Standard and inspire future Airmen.