Fighter jet flies to life for students

Louisiana Air Guard turns history into hands-on learning

By Tech. Sgt. Sienna M. Schehr
159th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office

BELLE CHASSE, La. – More than 30 students from St. Angela Merici Catholic School in Metairie spent the day at the 159th Fighter Wing to see the F-15 Eagle fighter jets up close and personal at the Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans, April 13.

The gifted students from second to fifth grade were able to tour the 159th Operations Group and flightline, and received a briefing by a fighter-jet pilot as part of the students year-long school project, “The History of Flight.”

Pilot Lt. Col. Jeff “Homer” Samuel, 122nd Fighter Squadron commander, introduced the F-15 to the children and showed them a short video of how the fighter jet maneuvers in an aerial dog fight.

“I have the greatest job in the world, and I can say that with an open heart and mind,” said Samuel about his job as a fighter pilot. “You have to work hard in school, have dedication and be really good in math and science if you want to be a pilot.”

Many of the children asked questions about the theory of flight, how the instruments work and what role of the 159th FW played during the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

“The Louisiana Air National Guard was one of the first Air Force units in America to get jets airborne to protect the president,” answered Samuel.

Samuel fired questions at the students to test their knowledge. Much to his surprise, the gifted students were able to answer more than half of his questions.

“One fourth grader was able to explain how a jet engine operates as far as the intake and compression of air to create thrust,” said Chief Master Sgt. Michael D. Schehr, 159th Maintenance Squadron superintendent and tour guide for the day. “Thats pretty impressive.”

“I like to read a lot, and I did my book report on the SR-71 Blackbird,” explained fourth-grader Scott Hawkins on his knowledge of the jet engine.

These elementary students are members of the schools enrichment program called Challenge, which is run by Sharon Payne, teacher and developer of the programs curriculum.

“I chose ‘History of Flight to coincide with the schools theme of ‘Soaring to New Heights,” said Payne, from Norco. “I didnt have a curriculum, so I had to do all the research and planning for the children. I learned as much as they did.”

The group of students also received a hands-on tour of the fighter jet by Tech. Sgts. Mark Cusimano and Bertrand Woods, both F-15 crew chiefs from the 159th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Woods showed the inside of the cockpit to the students and gave them a detailed explanation of how the ejection seat works. Cusimano showed the excited students the weapons systems, fuel cells and the air intakes on the jet.

Using a static display engine, Master Sgt. Michael Dupre, an aerospace propulsion technician from Marrero, explained the F-100-220 Pratt and Whitney jet engine and secondary power within the aircraft.

“It looked like the kids really enjoyed themselves today being able to put things into perspective and to actually touch an F-15,” said Payne. “This tour was very informative and very well put together. We all really appreciate these men taking time out of their day to further educate our children.”

“I really liked being able to see and touch an airplane that I learned about in the classroom,” said Mia Cantrell, 8.

What was their favorite part of the tour?

“Seeing the inside of the cockpit!” the children all shouted.

Please visit http://www.dvidshub.net/units/LAANG for the latest Louisiana National Guard releases, photos and videos

 

BELLE CHASSE, La. – More than 30 students in the Challenge enrichment program along with their teacher, Sharon Payne, and school counselor, Ceily Gandolini, from St. Angela Merici Catholic School in Metairie, spent the day at the Louisiana Air National Guards 159th Fighter Wing to see fighter jets up close and personal as part of their year-long school project, “The History of Flight”, at the Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans, April 13, 2011. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Dan P. Farrell/ RELEASED)