Memphis Tour CAFB

University of Memphis Reserve Officer Training Corps Students from Detachment 785 step off of a C-17 Globemaster III after landing on Columbus Air Force Base March 11. The students were on Columbus AFB for a two-day tour to learn more about life in the Air Force and military careers. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Daniel Lile)

Memphis Tour CAFB

University of Memphis Reserve Officer Training Corps Students from Detachment 785 pause for a photo March 12 outside of the 37th Flying Training Squadron building. The students spent time learning about the different flying training squadrons located on Columbus Air Force Base on their tour. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Stephanie Englar)

Memphis Tour CAFB

University of Memphis Reserve Officer Training Corps Students from Detachment 785 grab their bags and load up in buses March 12 before departing Columbus Air Force Base at the end of their two-day tour. During their tour, students traveled to different facilities around Columbus AFB and got to experience first-hand what life in the Air Force was like. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Stephanie Englar)

University of Memphis students tour Columbus AFB

Published March 12, 2014
14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Thirty eight students from the University of Memphis Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps visited Columbus Air Force Base Tuesday and Wednesday, March 11-12, to learn more about the United States Air Force and receive a first-hand look at various career opportunities.

"We had a fantastic time here on the tour," said Lt. Col. Marc London, Commander of United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 785. "There was great support from the entire population of Columbus Air Force Base. This really gave the cadets an opportunity to see all different kinds of jobs and career choices in the United States Air Force and now they will be able to take some of that information back home and relay what we teach them about leadership and how to become a good Air Force officer."

During the two-day tour, the students got to experience the flight simulators first-hand, watch the military working dogs perform in a demonstration and take a tour of the Base Fire Station. The students also had the opportunity to sit down at lunch and discuss life in the Air Force with members of the Company Grade Officers Council.

The University of Memphis ROTC program doesn't just include students from U of M, it also includes students from Rhodes College, Christian Brothers University, Southwest Tennessee Community College and LeMoyne-Owen College.

The students landed via C-17 on March 11. The C-17 is from the Memphis Air National Guard unit in Memphis, Tenn.