COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Breakfast was hurried on the morning of 3 August 2009, and we soon headed for the United Launch Alliance Horizontal Integration Facility where Delta IV rockets are prepared for launch. “My favorite part of the day was getting to see the Delta IV launch vehicles,” said Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Lydia Wiff. “They were huge.”

Next, Capt. Shana Figueroa briefed us on the 5th Space Launch Squadron. The cadets found it very interesting. Capt. Figueroa talked about the difference between mission insurance and mission assurance, the launch histories of both the Delta IV and Atlas V rockets, and their significance. She continued with a history of the rockets and how these specific ones had evolved, her job, and how it all tied into the space program.

Over lunch, the 45th Space Wing Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Larry Malcolm, took time to talk with us. He told us about Air Force careers, and said one can find a job in the Air Force to match any skill sets one might have. He also talked about what a great time he had lived through, passed on invaluable advice to us, and answered the cadets’ questions -- with which he was bombarded.

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[1] AFSPC-FC 2009 in front of a Delta IV rocket. [2] After the meeting, 45th Space Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Edward Bolton and Cadet Capt. David Resnick, New Jersey Wing, after the meeting. [3] Cadet Lt. Col. Nicholas Longhi, New Jersey Wing; Cadet 1st Lt. Bryan Lewis, Tennessee Wing; Cadet Tech. Sgt. Robert Ramirez, Tennessee Wing; Michael Stoddard, MD; and Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Noto, Illinois Wing.

After talking with the Wing Command Chief, we had the privilege of meeting the Commander of the 45th Space Wing, Brig. Gen. Edward Bolton, who made a slot for us in his very busy schedule. He asked each one of the cadets what grade they were in school, where they were from, what they wanted to do in their careers, and discussed with them the responsibilities of a base commander -- as well as answered their eager inquiries.

“For me, the coolest part of the day was getting to talk with the Wing Commander and the Command Chief. It was motivating,” said Cadet Master
Sgt. Tim Gooler. The cadets are obviously enjoying themselves, are learning a lot, and have the grades to prove it.

Mr. Chris Malbon, the Deputy Commander for the Human Space Flight Support Unit, gave a presentation on the several contingency plans in case of component failure on the Space Shuttle or the Orbiter itself. He also talked about which type of personnel would deploy in certain cases, and the basics of some innovative designs for the astronauts’ survival gear. Students and Staff alike found the lecture riveting, and hardly moved a muscle.

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[4] 2nd Lt. Gordon Barnhill answers a question. [5] Cadet Master Sgt. Timothy Fisher and Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Lydia Wiff take notes during a class.  [6] Cadet Lt. Col. Josue Rivera, Puerto Rico Wing, takes the daily test. (Photo #1, Michael G. Woolley, Launch Operations Customer Support, United Launch Alliance; All others, Cadet 2nd Lt. Christian Nelson)

2nd Lt. Gordon Barnhill, our escort for the day’s excursions, also gave a slide presentation on the subject of the 45th Launch Support Squadron. The 45th is mainly responsible for the supervision of contract civilian personnel, while they are working on high-priority payloads.

Finally, we went to a long-awaited dinner. We enjoyed steak, turkey noodles, mashed potatoes, gravy, buffet salad, and our choice of drinks. We definitely won't starve.

Directly after dinner, we cadets took the daily test and then enjoyed a class taught by Capt Gary Dahlke on the old space-age history that is as complicated and intricate as it is long, the coming space age and matching technology, and where the current space program is headed.

Weather held us in the classroom for a quarter hour, but it didn’t come close to dampening the cadets’ spirits. Tomorrow, 4 August, we'll be getting up extra early to go see an extra special surprise. We can’t wait to see it.