Virginia Tech's ROTC cadets train with members of the U.S. Air Force in Roanoke

Students in Virginia Tech's ROTC program were able to train with members of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) at the Roanoke Airport!

There were 15 U.S. Air Force members including 11 pilots, 1 flight surgeon, and 3 equipment technicians, in Roanoke from the 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus Air Force Base on February 9.

The 15 Air Force members helped 16 cadets learn to fly using the T-6 Texan II, while another 12 cadets learned in the T-1 Jayhawk at an airport in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Three of the 11 pilots who helped out are Virginia Tech Alumni, and they said they wanted to pay it forward. Those three worked with base and USAF leadership to offer the observer flights to the cadets.

The flight training is part of an ongoing effort to interest students in pursing a pilot's license to try and counter the shortage of pilots across the aviation community.

The event also had a pizza social, pilot training and career briefings that students attended.