Operation Air Force in full swing Published June 22, 2007 By Master Sgt. Sean Houlihan 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- For the last three weeks the "Wolf Pack" has accepted follow on forces, but in this case these forces are cadets of the United States Air Force Academy that are part of Operation Air Force. "Operation Air Force gives cadets at the Academy the opportunity to see the Air Force structure in an operational environment," Maj. William McCrink, 8th Fighter Wing inspector general and OAF action officer. "These cadets will learn from their facilitators what they will experience as lieutenants after their graduation." Major McCrink said OAF will be the first experience for the cadets with enlisted members and also an opportunity to work in an environment that up to this time they have only experienced through a text book. Each class of cadets will go through different levels of experiences depending on their current year of college. The program is broken down into three categories--brevet lieutenant, third lieutenant and non-comm. A brevet lieutenant is a cadet going into their senior year and for most already knows the Air Force Specialty Code. During their three-week experience they learn the specific tasks assigned to them as a lieutenant in their specific job. The third lieutenant is a junior that has not been assigned an AFSC but will experience operations and support roles by shadowing company grade officers. The shadowing program allows the cadet to appreciate how operations and support roles are integrated and how important teamwork is between the two. The non-comm cadet is a sophomore and for most OAF will be their first experience with active duty Airmen. These cadets learn directly from senior NCOs that facilitate learning three- and five-level tasks just as an Airmen graduating from technical training. These cadets also learn what enlisted expectations are of officers. Major McCrink said every cadet at the academy participates in OAF for three summers and is a building block from year-to-year. He continued that cadets also cross talk between each other and learn from each other as well. He also said that in order for the cadets to excel in the program it takes company grade officers and senior NCOs to volunteer as facilitators. "I thought this was an outstanding program. The program not only gave me an opportunity to mentor a future Air Force officer, but it gave the cadets their first real experience of the Air Force and an enlisted view," said Master Sgt. Daniel Kazumura, 8th Fighter Wing Law Office Superintendent. Sergeant Kazumura said he was impressed by the cadet he facilitated. "At the Academy their experience is centered on them and what they need to do to succeed. When they got here everything changed for them," he said. "This was their first real experience of the AF for most of them. It was also challenging because the cadet I facilitated didn't know if she wanted to continue in the Air Force or not. She came here open minded, had a great attitude and most important she really gave 110 percent. I wanted to ensure she had a great experience. I also wanted her to know what we expect out of an officer and how challenging it can be with the expectations and standards that we expect out of a leader from the enlisted point of view." Besides working along side their facilitator the cadets were able to participate in cultural exchange events through the Good Neighbor Program, and the community activity center tours to include the demilitarized zone. The 12 cadets currently here are scheduled to depart June 22 and a second group of nine cadets arriving Saturday and departing July 13. The third and final group of 10 cadets will arrive July 14 and depart Aug. 3. Company grade officers and senior NCOs wanting to get involved with OAF can contact Maj. McCrink at 782-4850.