Academy cadets shadow Sabers Published June 16, 2009 By Senior Airman Kali L. Gradishar 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Seventeen cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., arrived at Spangdahlem Air Base nearly two weeks ago to get a feel for what a commissioned officer does on a daily basis. The cadets, most in their junior or senior years at the academy, took a look into the ongoing hustle and bustle on the base, going from unit to unit seeing what career field they may best be suited for after graduation. Cadet Anthony Giebelhaus, a junior, was able to visit the 23rd and 81st Fighter Squadrons in his first week at Spangdahlem, and looked forward to his second week with the 52nd Security Forces Squadron. "One of the most important things I've noticed is there is lot more going on than just flying," said Cadet Giebelhaus. "When pilots aren't flying, they're doing administrative paperwork, school work and other things. I think it's a common misconception at the academy - there's a lot more to it than people realize." All cadets, typically between their junior and senior years at the academy, get the opportunity to visit a base to get a hands-on feel for what the "Big Blue" is really like. The program, "Ops Air Force," works similar to that of the active-duty assignment process. Cadets fill out a dream sheet for the types of units, such as an airlift squadron, maintenance squadron or personnel section, they would like visit in ranking order. Then locations are doled out to the cadets and arrangements are made to visit those units. Col. Lee "Tip" Wight, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, is a major supporter of the program. "My son is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and he felt this program offered a look into the daily operations of a wing and assisted in helping many cadets decide what specialty they would like to pursue upon graduation," said Colonel Wight. "They are also seeing the reality of the Air Force as opposed to merely leaning about it from books and lectures at the academy. "It's a tremendous opportunity to help mentor and shape the views of our future Air Force leaders," he added. Breaking up into small groups, the cadets spread across the base to a number of units while others took their turn getting face time with the wing commander. "I expose them to a broad range of activities, to include shadowing me throughout the performance of my daily duties," Colonel Wight noted about the program. "I also have them spend time with (52nd FW) Command Chief Master Sergeant Bruce Kenney to get a perspective on enlisted life, promotions, the assignment system and what an enlisted leader expects from a junior officer." Cadet Marcus Poehler realized just how demanding the role of wing commander truly is. "He's incredibly busy. While we were shadowing him, we had somewhere to be all the time," the cadet said. "While we were driving somewhere, he would wave to everyone and offer rides to people who looked like they needed one. He seems like a commander always ready to be there for his Airmen." Other than shadowing the wing commander, Cadet Poehler was also able to visit the 23rd and 81st FS, as well as the military personnel section. "They do a lot of cool things I didn't know happened. Everyone has ID cards and receives awards and medals, but now I know where all of that comes from," he said. This will not be the only time Spangdahlem has cadets running around base, however. Each summer a number of future officers take a break in their studies to see what an operational wing is like. Three groups visit each summer - each group staying approximately three weeks.