Air Force JROTC cadets fly multicopter at Maxwell

Cadet Senior Airman Cody Powell, Niceville High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, maneuvers a multicopter during a demonstration held at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, June 10, 2015. About 17 cadets from the Florida high school were at Maxwell to demonstrate the capabilities of their newest science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, teaching and learning tool they call the multicopter, or quadcopter, a remote-controlled aircraft propelled by four rotors. Cadets learn how to fly the multicopter and maneuver its camera while also learning how to work in a team environment. (Air Force Photo by Melanie Rodgers Cox/Cleared)

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Air Force JROTC cadets fly multicopter at Maxwell

Published June 16, 2015
By By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala -- Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Niceville High School, Florida, held a multicopter demonstration, June 10, 2015, at Maxwell's Freedom Park.

To showcase one of the Junior ROTC's co-curricular activities, about 17 cadets were here to demonstrate the capabilities of their newest science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, teaching and learning tool they call the multicopter, or quadcopter, a remote-controlled aircraft propelled by four rotors.

"Last year, we at headquarters Air Force Junior ROTC were looking for ways to reinforce science, technology, engineering and mathematics in part of our curriculum," said Col. Bobby Woods, Air Force Junior ROTC program director. "We came up with the plan to provide these quadcopters to a number of units."

The quadcopter was introduced into the Junior ROTC program to modernize the curriculum and invoke excitement.

"This kind of immersive education and giving them hands-on tools are the things that they need, not just a lecture-given class, but giving them something they can participate in," said Woods.

With the older cadets teaching the newer ones, Junior ROTC is not only providing the cadets hands-on experiences, but are letting cadets become teachers themselves.

Junior ROTC Cadet Senior Airman Cody Powell showed his knowledge of the multicopter when Airmen from Maxwell gathered around to hear him explain the abilities and limitations of the device and demonstrate his skills in handling the multicopter.

Powell said that flying and repairing the remote-controlled aircraft fuels his interest and love for aviation. He has been a part of the Junior ROTC program for a year and shares his passion for aircraft with his fellow cadets through the new co-curriculum.

"I believe co-curriculum activities are very important," said Powell. "They distinguish the cadets that really want to be in this program."

(U.S. Air Force Video by Airman 1st Class Zoe Russell)

A prior Junior ROTC cadet himself, Tech. Sgt. D'Andre Broderick, protocol noncommissioned officer in charge at the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development, attended the event to show support for the Junior ROTC program.

"It's a wonderful pleasure to see students at that age come out and see an actual Air Force base and get exposed to Air Force life," said Broderick.

Broderick mentioned that the type of technology presented has notably upgraded since he was a cadet.

"We didn't have this type of technology in 1989," he said. "To see these students come up with ideas and project it for all to see was awesome."

In addition to having the opportunity to show off their abilities in aviation, the cadets were also given a tour of Maxwell and Gunter and visited the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Hall.

"Thank you for allowing us to come and showcase our program, because it really is about the cadets, for the cadets and run by the cadets," said retired Lt. Col. Charles Farmer, Niceville High School senior aerospace science instructor. "We are here to learn from them, share with them and give them the foundation that they need."