The Georgia Wing provided orientation flights to Air Force ROTC cadets for the first time since March 2019, taking four sudents from Valdosta State University aloft on a pair of flights from Atlanta Regional Airport — Falcon Field to the Florida Gulf Coast and back again Dec. 7.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Jake Galli, assistant professor of aerospace studies at Valdosta State, initiated the effort to organize the flights. Despite funding hurdles, the mission was swiftly coordinated to ensure all four cadets could fly in a single day.
Lt. Col. Larry Taylor, Georgia Wing director of operations and a retired Air Force major with nearly 21 years of service, flew as orientation pilot.
Cadet Col. Christian Neal of the Peachtree City Falcon Field Composite Squadron served as transport mission pilot, gaining invaluable instrument cross-country flight experience. Neal flew the CAP aircraft from Falcon Field to Valdosta and back, further preparing for his certificated flight instructor training.
The first two Air Force ROTC riders were Cadet Maj. Adrienne Acuña, a senior set to commission this summer as an air battle manager, and Cadet 4th Class Elijah Hopper, a freshman aspiring to become a pilot. Sharing career insights, Taylor inspired the cadets to pursue their goals.
Each cadet had the opportunity to fly the aircraft during their orientation. Acuña capitalized on that opportunity by skillfully banking the aircraft over the Gulf Coast near Perry, Florida.
Air Force ROTC Cadet 3rd Class Diana Ramirez-Gonzalez, a sophomore exploring Air Force career options, and freshman Cadet 4th Class Jonathan Heath, a prior-enlisted cadet enrolled in a nursing program with a strong interest in aviation, shared the second flight.
During the trek Heath and Taylor bonded over their shared enlisted backgrounds, discussing how those experiences shaped their paths as officers.
The day also included a lunch break, giving the cadets time to network, exchange stories, and ask questions about aviation and Air Force careers.
Looking to the future, Galli expressed enthusiasm for expanding the orientation flight program.
“The CAP orientation flight program is fantastic for our cadets, especially at a school like Valdosta State University,” he said. “VSU is relatively inexpensive compared to other schools with Air Force ROTC programs, making it accessible to students from lower-income families who may not have had exposure to aviation.
“For cadets aspiring to become pilots, every flight hour improves their Pilot Candidate Selection Method score, strengthening their competitiveness for pilot slots.”_____2nd Lt. Olivia LowmanPublic Affairs OfficerPeachtree City Falcon Field Composite SquadronGeorgia Wing
