Story and Photos by: 1SG (R) Francisco Ramey

JROTC Takes Flight

An opportunity of historical epic proportion and creative uniqueness presented itself to the Madison County High School Army JROTC program on August 25th-26th, 2023. 9 out of 153 of our Cadets were selected to attend the Red Tail Flight Academy in Tuskegee, Alabama by their JROTC instructors Colonel (Ret) Robert Stuart and First Sergeant (Ret) Francisco Ramey.

Red tail flight Academy Instructor provides pointers on how to navigate on the flight simulator.
Red tail flight Academy Instructor provides pointers on how to navigate on the flight simulator.

Our Cadets were received with a phenomenal introduction from the Red Tail Flight Academy staff, led by Mr. Johnny Montgomery, Director of Flight Operations, Mr. Stephen Barlow, and Mr. Kaleem Santos, Certified Flight Instructors (CFI). Their briefing included: flight simulator training, basic single and dual-engine aircraft and their basic operational functions, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS) before and after all aircraft maneuvers.

Cadet Daniella Huato-Morales conducts a maintenance check prior to flight operations.
Cadet Daniella Huato-Morales conducts a maintenance check prior to flight operations.

A brief history lesson was provided to the Cadets on the rigorous training that the pilots of Tuskegee Institute had to endure to become military pilots and becoming some of the first African-American Commissioned Officers in the United States Army Air Forces.

Our cadets conducted a campus tour to the Aerospace and JROTC Departments.
Cadets conducted a campus tour to the Aerospace and JROTC Departments.

The Cadets were also chaperoned throughout the campus of Tuskegee University by the Army ROTC program highlighting their several engineering programs that were available to the students: mechanical, aerospace, aeronautical, astronautical, and space engineering majors.

Cadet Austin Irvin places engine oil into single engine aircraft prior to their flight.
Cadet Austin Irvin places engine oil into single engine aircraft prior to their flight.

Nevertheless, the highlight that most of the Cadets were waiting for was taking flight on one of the single-engine aircraft. And they did not disappoint! They were ready and did extremely well according to Barlow. “They were the best group that ever came through our Flight Academy!” They were very respectful, engaged, and followed directions as instructed from the beginning to the end”.

Cadet Kennedy Hosley conducts a fuel inspection prior to take off.
Cadet Kennedy Hosley conducts a fuel inspection prior to take off.

“Awesome group that represented your school, program, and community with great pride”.

Cadet Jorja Means and Cadet Kennedi Holsey are the first Cadets that went airborne.
Cadet Jorja Means and Cadet Kennedi Holsey are the first Cadets that went airborne.

We hope to make this a bi-annual event with the hopes of it becoming an interest to our students for their future goals.

At Moten Field Municipal Airport “Home of the Red tail Flight Academy”.
At Moten Field Municipal Airport “Home of the Red tail Flight Academy”.
From Left to Right- Johnathan Dixon-Certified Flight Instructor (CPI), Kaleem Santos (CPI), C/SGT Kennedi Hosley, C/CPL Daniella Huato-Morales, C/CPT Chantae Williamson, C/MSG Lukas LaDuke, C/PFC Blake Fowler, C/SGT Brandy Wood, C/LTC Austin Irvin, C/2LT Jorja Means, C/PFC Benjamin Brackett and Stephen Barlow (CPI).

Thank you to our district and administrative leaders for supporting this adventure.

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