Airmen Battle Nor’easter to Educate Students Published Oct. 13, 2015 By Capt. J. Travis Doyle 9th Airlift Squadron DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- On Oct. 2, 2015, a group of six Airmen from Dover AFB, Delaware travelled to Georgetown, Delaware to educate and inspire the next generation of Air Force officers and enlisted personnel. Despite heavy rains and flooding from the Nor'easter, which cancelled many weekend events, the aviation day was too important and the show went on. This annual event, Wings and Wheels Aviation Education Day, attracted 14 vendors from around the area to include the Army, Navy, Dover AFB, several universities and NASA. Last year, 109 high school students from Delaware attended and this year was a bigger hit, with more than 150. "I think aviation day is important because it gives high school kids the opportunity to gain valuable information they can use to mindfully plan for their future," said Capt. Jennifer Nolta, 9th Airlift Squadron pilot. "There are many different ways to get into aviation but I don't think a lot of kids understand that they have to start planning and taking action early. Hopefully this event opens their eyes to that." Students had the opportunity to meet with vendors, and of all the vendors, Dover AFB had the largest representation, to include Capt. Jen Nolta, Capt. Josh Federer, Senior Airman Taylor Beams, Staff Sgt. Jacob Johnson, Airman 1st Class Jeffery Alix and myself. The 9th AS, 3d AS, and 436th Operations Support Squadrons were all represented. It was important to have a wide variety of aviation specialists at this event. There are numerous areas to specialize in and the more people Dover AFB had, the better the students would be educated. Some of the key speakers invited were Sen. Brian Pettyjohn and NASA astronaut Joe Edwards. "You all provided a wealth of educational and an employment opportunity for the kids that came out and it is my hope that the kids took some of these possibilities along with them," said Linda Price, head of the Aviation Day. "To our speakers, I think you gave the kids even more to think about because there were so many options available to them and not just as a pilot." When Linda presented me the opportunity to speak as a key speaker, it was a little daunting, especially in front of astronauts and senators. It was an awesome event to be a part of and our guys and gals did an amazing job representing the 436th AW and the Air Force. I wish I had this kind of event when I was growing up, but I'm glad I was able to help. Next year, the event will take place on Sept. 30, 2016. Dover AFB and the 436th AW will continue to support and educate Delaware's youth.