Air Force News                                       

Col. Kevin McNellis, USAF             

 

Jayhawk Air Force KU cadets are all over the globe -- East to Aviano AB, Italy, watching flights over the Balkans, then North to Alaska seeing the F-15 and -135 Reconnaissance birds, and West to Korea where they see up close that the DMZ ain't just something in the history books. Closer in we have cadets soaring and free fall parachuting at the Air Force Academy; some take Combat Survival Training (yes, they volunteer for this!) or Airborne training at Fort Benning, and many cadets go to stateside bases where they learn first-hand what life as a 2nd Lt will be like and see the different jobs and great attitudes of our troops and families.

This summer, we have 17 KU-AF cadets at sunny Lackland AFB near San Antonio, TX -- our "Gateway to the AF." I've run these field-training camps -- you cannot believe how great the ROTC cadets do when they are not burdened down by jobs, academic projects, and other distractions. You'd be amazed and proud. I personally saw bright and attractive young men and women responding with pep in their step and some charged-up officer candidates who were pushing their limits to perform under pressure. Our Air Force future is in good hands.

We are continuing having KU cadets selected for pilot training get their private pilot's license at Lawrence Airport and in Topeka. Absolutely great program -- very cost effective. It's a lot cheaper to learn in a Cessna than a jet trainer and there are much fewer washouts. We have also added training for Navigators, too! Pilot candidates get 50 hours of flying, future navigators get 25. So if you see some eager young college students with short haircuts at the airport, they're probably our fledglings.

Temporarily, we have a lieutenant assigned as a recruiter -- 2nd Lt Dan Nibbelink. He has family in the Overland Park area and he's waiting for his UPT pilot slot in November. So he's busy working with KU admissions and visiting our feeder schools. Super troop!! If you're looking for a motivated troop to talk to youth, he's it!

  

Looking forward to a busy fall, we're planning a great welcome for our largest incoming scholarship class in 10 years. We're also making plans for Veterans Day and our POW/MIA vigil honoring our nation's heroes. Last year we coordinated with the numerous Veterans' groups and had one combined ceremony with speaker Lt Col Barry Bridger -- 6 and a half years in Hanoi. We'll work again this year to have unified commemoration and a 24-hour vigil.

Change of Command. After an extension for a 4th year, Col McNellis and Karen are retiring to nearby Prairie Village where they grew up and dated at age 15! Col Mike Lee, an Academy grad and a Special Ops C-130 pilot, will be on board in late July. His wife, Kris, is a native of Lawrence and her folks' home is here. Jayhawks at heart. Capt Jim Cooper will escort Mike to the next chapter meeting. Karen and I are transferring to the Sunflower Chapter that you folks helped establish. Sincere thanks for all the fellowship and support to our cadets. Enjoy the summer!

Colonel Kevin McNellis

 
 

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