OBAP’s ACE academy visits the 15th Wing

Lt. Col. Paul Lopez, 19th Fighter Squadron commander, demonstrated equipment that F-22 Raptor pilots take with them on flights at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 28, 2022. During the tour, Lopez educated guests about the technological advances that have been implemented on the fighter jet, allowing it to be fully capable of operational concepts vital to the requirements of the Air Force mission in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alan Ricker)

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OBAP’s ACE academy visits the 15th Wing

A student with the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Aerospace Career Education Academy wears a 19th Fighter Squadron F-22 Raptor helmet during a tour at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 28, 2022. Lt. Col. Paul Lopez, 19th FS commander, briefed on the squadron’s history, aircraft and mission in the Indo-Pacific during the tour. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alan Ricker)

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OBAP’s ACE academy visits the 15th Wing

Visitors from the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Aerospace Career Education Academy try a bite sleeve during a military working dog demonstration at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 28, 2022. Airmen assigned to the 647th Security Force Squadron performed detection and detainment training, demonstrating the MWD’s utilization and capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alan Ricker)

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OBAP’s ACE academy visits the 15th Wing

Airman Miya Lyons, 15th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment apprentice, adjusts night vision goggles on an Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Aerospace Career Education Academy visitor during a base tour at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 28, 2022. OBAP provides kids between the ages of 13-18 different opportunities in aerospace by supporting, mentoring and educating members and communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Makensie Cooper)

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OBAP’s ACE academy visits the 15th Wing

A member from the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Aerospace Career Education Academy dons a life jacket during a brief on safety equipment outfitted in different aircraft during a base tour at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 28, 2022. OBAP was founded in 1976, and has since encouraged diversity in the avionics industry by supporting aspiring aviation professionals through a series of scholarships, mentoring, training and education programs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Makensie Cooper)

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OBAP’s ACE academy visits the 15th Wing

Staff Sgt. Benjamin Soto Garcia, 15th Operations Support Squadron airfield management operations supervisor, identifies a C-17 Globemaster III to members of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals as it lands at Hickam Airfield at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 28, 2022. The goal of OBAP is to educate children between the ages of 13-18 to opportunities that exist in the aviation industry. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Makensie Cooper)

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OBAP’s ACE academy visits the 15th Wing

Airman 1st Class Christal Schaff, 647th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and Ula, 647th SFS MWD, demonstrate detaining an aggressor portrayed by Staff Sgt. Jeremy Goff, 647th SFS MWD handler, during an Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Aerospace Career Education Academy tour at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 28, 2022. The academy learned how MWDs are trained in patrol work and specialize in different types of detection, such as patrol and drug recognition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alan Ricker)

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OBAP’s ACE academy visits the 15th Wing

An Airman assigned to 15th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron speaks with visitors from the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals during a base tour at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 28, 2022. The tour was a part of the Aerospace Career Education Academy, a collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration and OBAP. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Makensie Cooper)

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OBAP’s ACE academy visits the 15th Wing

Members of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals tour a C-17 Globemaster III during a base tour at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 28, 2022. The tour was a part of the Aerospace Career Education Academy, introducing children between the ages of 13-18 to opportunities that exist in the aviation industry. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Makensie Cooper)

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OBAP’s ACE academy visits the 15th Wing

Published Aug. 10, 2022
By Airman 1st Class Makensie Cooper
15th Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Members from the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals attended the first Honolulu Aerospace Career Education Academy and toured 15th Wing to learn about the mission and the role we play in aviation in the Indo-Pacific.

The ACE Academy is a collaboration between the Federal Aviation Administration and OBAP. The goal of the academy is to introduce children, ages 13-18, to opportunities that exist in the aerospace industry.

“It’s important for these kids to see what might be available, we show them what opportunities are available in the civilian side and the military side,” said Thomas Witts, local OBAP academy director. “This group, a total of 16 kids, are particularly interested in becoming fighter pilots, and today they had an opportunity to tour the F-22 Raptor squadron, see different aircraft and see all the different aerospace components.”

Founded in 1976, OBAP members encourage diversity in the aerospace industry by supporting and encouraging aspiring aviation professionals through mentoring, training, scholarships and youth-focused education programs.

“This is an amazing opportunity, this program and other programs that the Air Force has, I'm so happy to be a part of it and share my experiences,” said Major Matthew “Weave” Roland, Air Force Recruiting Service Det 1, Assistant director of operations. “A lot of times it just takes one defining moment in a kid's life that they can see something they can strive for, so bringing them out to a base like this, getting to see multiple aviators, and aviation opportunities could be the spark that some of these kids strive to become.”

OBAP is a leading force in showcasing aviation to all interested youth. This week-long camp exposes highschool kids to different aspects and opportunities within aviation by touring and networking within the civilian sector and multiple flying units and support agencies within the 15th Wing.

Since the first ACE Academy, introduced in 1992, over 30,000 youth have been inspired by countless avionics leaders.

“I think that this was an invaluable and a priceless experience for these kids because they have had a chance to see and interact with somebody and touch the gear that we work with on a day to day basis which has a lasting impression,” said Lt. Col. Paul “Loco” Lopez, 19th Fighter Squadron commander. “I really think it made a difference in those kids' lives, and I really look forward to seeing a lot of those young men and women come back and serve in the civil sector or in the military as leaders in the aviation community.”