JOE FOSS FIELD, S.D. -- The 114th Fighter Wing hosted a Night Flying Career Day at Joe Foss Field, S.D. on April 17, 2018.
Career Day allows high school students, parents, and potential recruits to learn about the different career fields Airmen of the 114th Fighter Wing perform on a daily basis.
Approximately 82 high school students and parents attended Career Day. In attendance were Jaetin DeCou and Tyson Stoebner, juniors from Lennox High School, who came to learn more about the South Dakota Air National Guard.
Events like this allow students and parents a glimpse of the 114th Fighter Wing’s capabilities and reinforces the fact that every Airmen has an integral part in accomplishing the unit’s mission.
“It’s interesting to see what they do here on a daily basis.” said Stoebner.
Attendees were treated to dinner prior to receiving a presentation from Maj. Travis Schuring, South Dakota Air National Guard headquarters, about the mission and impact the 114th Fighter Wing has in Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities.
Airmen from security forces, medical, aircrew flight equipment (AFE), and a pilot also discussed their various career fields during the presentation.
After the presentations, students and parents moved to the hangar to learn about maintenance career fields. Airmen from avionics, weapons, munitions, aerospace ground equipment (AGE), and engine shop described their jobs as well as their military experiences.
“I really liked learning about the different jobs and the type of equipment they use.” said Stoebner.
The students and their parents were divided into smaller groups to have a more in depth conversation with the presenters. DeCou, who has attended career days in the past, enjoyed the smaller groups.
“I liked how the recruiters set up stations for us to go to because it gave us more one on one time with the presenters and really learn what they do.” said DeCou.
To everyone’s delight, the students and parents were able to watch F-16s take off in full afterburner.
“I really liked watching the jets take off and it was my favorite part.” said DeCou.
Both Decou and Stoebner enjoyed touring the base and listening to Airmen talk about their jobs and experiences. At the end of career day, attendees were able to talk with the recruiters to set up an appointment for a more in depth look at the career fields they were interested in and further discuss the benefits of joining the South Dakota Air National Guard.