News United States Air Force
 412th Operations Group travels to Bakersfield to inspire new generation of aviatorsPublished Feb. 13, 2023
                        
                        By Adam Bowles
                        
                        
                        412th Test Wing Public Affairs
                **EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) --**
                A group from **Edwards Air Force Base** traveled on a **C-12 Huron** to the **California Aeronautical University** aviation career day in Bakersfield, Feb 3, to offer hundreds of local area students the chance to experience being a test pilot and flight test engineer with an inspiration through aviation from the team.

"This is their career fair," Jessica Peterson, 412th Operations Group technical director explained." Around 700 students came through, mainly high school students, that wanted to learn about aviation and the opportunities in aviation. They came to learn more about CAU and local aviation opportunities including ours."02:33
    
    

    
    
    A group from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., traveled on a C-12 Huron to the California Aeronautical University Aviation career day in Bakersfield, Calif., Feb 3, 2023. Hosted by the 412th Operations Group representing Edwards AFB, hundreds of local area students got the chance to experience being a test pilot and flight test engineer, aviation and the opportunities in aviation. (U.S. Air Force video by Adam Bowles)






Hosted by the 412th Operations Group representing Edwards AFB, students got to experience being a test pilot and a flight test engineer. Using a virtual reality system, students could also execute traditional flight test maneuvers and control room operations.

During the aviation career day, students also got the chance to fly a simulator fighter aircraft and practice monitoring aircraft speed, altitude and maneuverability. Instruction with one-on-one training was provided by a combination of U.S. Air Force military and civilian test pilots and engineers.
"This career day is a great outreach tool," Capt. Benjamin Kram, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron explained. “Kids can get their hands on what we do and test out flying,” he said. “Kids that maybe didn't think they could fly, they could fly this flight simulator and introduce them to flying and get behind the controls of an airplane without actually going up in the sky."

Additionally, the team provided and answered questions about opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM, careers within the U.S. Air Force.Hosted by the 412th Operations Group representing Edwards Air Force Base, students visiting the California Aeronautical University Aviation Career Day in Bakersfield, California got the chance to experience being a Test Pilot and a Flight Test Engineer Feb 3. (Pictured from to right: Jessica "Sting" Peterson, Technical Director, 412th Operations Group, Lt. Col. Luis Garces, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 412th Operations Group, Capt. Benjamin "Vader" Kram, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, Lt. Col. Jessica Tompkins, Deputy Commander, 412th Operations Group, Alysha Rivera, 412th Operations Group and Capt. James Chambers, Standardization and Evaluation, 412th Operations Group.)Jessica Peterson, 412th Operations Group technical director, Lt. Col. Luis Garces, 412th OG Standardization and Evaluation chief, Capt. Benjamin Kram, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, Lt. Col. Jessica Tompkins, 412th OG deputy commander, Alysha Rivera, 412th OG and Capt. James Chambers, 412th OG Standardization and Evaluation, pose next to a C-12 Huron the group from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., took to the California Aeronautical University to teach young people about aviation and the opportunities in aviation. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
            
            
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    Hundreds of local area students visited the California Aeronautical University Aviation Career Day in Bakersfield, California, Feb. 3.Hundreds of local area students visit the California Aeronautical University aviation career day in Bakersfield, Calif., Feb. 3. A group from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., traveled on a C-12 Huron to the university to teach young people about aviation and the opportunities in aviation. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
            
            
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    Capt. Benjamin "Vader" Kram, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron teaches a young boy about how to use the flight simulator at California Aeronautical University Aviation Career Day in Bakersfield, California, Feb. 3.Capt. Benjamin Kram, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, teaches a young boy about using a flight simulator at the California Aeronautical University aviation career day in Bakersfield, Calif., Feb. 3, 2023. Members from Edwards AFB traveled on a C-12 Huron to the university to teach young people about aviation and the opportunities in aviation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adam Bowles)
            
            
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"I know I want to be in the Air Force after I graduate," Beth from Taft Union High School said. "My dad encouraged me to go there because of his experiences traveling the world and I always thought I wanted to do that and explore the world as well."

The 412th OG is the Air Force's largest flight test operations group. It supports 300 test programs on 76 aircraft of 12 different types which the group hopes will inspire future aviation enthusiasts to follow their dreams in the aviation world.

"We are so excited to meet some local kids and tell them about the opportunities at Edwards that are right here in their backyard," Peterson said.FS 



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