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Alma students visit 188th Wing

By Senior Airman Cody Martin, 188th Wing Public Affairs / Published July 07, 2015

Senior Master Sgt. Carl Schneider, 188th Intelligence Support Squadron cyber systems superintendent, provides a history of the 188th Wing to students of the Alma School District at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark., by showing its last aircraft, the A-10A Thunderbolt II "Warthog", June 11, 2015. The kids were able to see the statics of the aircraft the 188th used in previous missions and sat in briefings about the 188th Wing’s current mission before fishing in Ebbing Lake. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Cody Martin/Released)
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Senior Master Sgt. Carl Schneider, 188th Intelligence Support Squadron cyber systems superintendent, provides a history of the 188th Wing to students of the Alma School District at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark., by showing its last aircraft, the A-10A Thunderbolt II "Warthog", June 11, 2015. The kids were able to see the statics of the aircraft the 188th used in previous missions and sat in briefings about the 188th Wing’s current mission before fishing in Ebbing Lake. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Cody Martin/Released)

Senior Master Sgt. Carl Schneider, 188th Intelligence Support Squadron cyber systems superintendent, delivers a briefing 188th Wing’s intelligence mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark., to students of the Alma School District June 11, 2015. Schneider stressed the importance of critical thinking, problem solving and having a good education. Students of the Alma School District that attend Camp Airedale were able to see the statics of the aircraft the 188th used in previous missions and sat in briefings about the 188th Wing’s current mission before fishing in Ebbing Lake. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Cody Martin/Released)
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Senior Master Sgt. Carl Schneider, 188th Intelligence Support Squadron cyber systems superintendent, delivers a briefing 188th Wing’s intelligence mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark., to students of the Alma School District June 11, 2015. Schneider stressed the importance of critical thinking, problem solving and having a good education. Students of the Alma School District that attend Camp Airedale were able to see the statics of the aircraft the 188th used in previous missions and sat in briefings about the 188th Wing’s current mission before fishing in Ebbing Lake. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Cody Martin/Released)

2nd Lt. Samuel Grounds, 188th Wing assistant executive officer, assists a student of the Alma School District with fishing at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark., by fixing his line June 11, 2015. Students of the Alma School District that attend Camp Airedale were able to see the statics of the aircraft the 188th used in previous missions and sat in briefings about the 188th Wing’s current mission before fishing in Ebbing Lake. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Cody Martin/Released)
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2nd Lt. Samuel Grounds, 188th Wing assistant executive officer, assists a student of the Alma School District with fishing at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark., by fixing his line June 11, 2015. Students of the Alma School District that attend Camp Airedale were able to see the statics of the aircraft the 188th used in previous missions and sat in briefings about the 188th Wing’s current mission before fishing in Ebbing Lake. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Cody Martin/Released)

2nd Lt. Samuel Grounds, 188th Wing assistant executive officer, provides comradery at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark., to a student of the Alma School District by fishing with him June 11, 2015. Students of the Alma School District that attend Camp Airedale were able to see the statics of the aircraft the 188th used in previous missions and sat in briefings about the 188th Wing’s current mission before fishing in Ebbing Lake. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Cody Martin/Released)
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2nd Lt. Samuel Grounds, 188th Wing assistant executive officer, provides comradery at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark., to a student of the Alma School District by fishing with him June 11, 2015. Students of the Alma School District that attend Camp Airedale were able to see the statics of the aircraft the 188th used in previous missions and sat in briefings about the 188th Wing’s current mission before fishing in Ebbing Lake. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Cody Martin/Released)

Master Sgt. Joshua Bull, air cargo specialist, assists a student of the Alma School District with fishing at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark., by helping him unhook a turtle he caught June 11, 2015. Students of the Alma School District that attend Camp Airedale were able to see the statics of the aircraft the 188th used in previous missions and sat in briefings about the 188th Wing’s current mission before fishing in Ebbing Lake. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Cody Martin/Released)
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Master Sgt. Joshua Bull, air cargo specialist, assists a student of the Alma School District with fishing at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark., by helping him unhook a turtle he caught June 11, 2015. Students of the Alma School District that attend Camp Airedale were able to see the statics of the aircraft the 188th used in previous missions and sat in briefings about the 188th Wing’s current mission before fishing in Ebbing Lake. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Cody Martin/Released)

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Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas-- -- Students from the Alma School District attending Camp Airedale visited Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith, Arkansas for tours of the base and an inside look of the 188th Wing's conversion to the remotely piloted aircraft and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions  June 10-24, 2015.

Visiting the base provides campers the opportunity to view the 188th Wing history and to learn about how their local Air National Guard uses their current mission to protect them from threats outside the United States.

Camp Airedale is a new summer learning program for the Alma School District students that are in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. It has a curriculum centered on experienced-based activities and uses more out-of-classroom and off-campus activities than are available during the typical school year.

"Visiting the base can have a significant impact on them," said 2nd Lt. Jake Tidwell, 188th Wing assistant executive officer. "It demonstrates just how technical our jobs can be and that in order to succeed, you're going to need a good education."

After arriving on base, the campers were taken to see static display aircraft from the 188th's previous missions. The kids were then given a briefing from Senior Master Sgt. Carl Schneider, 188th Intelligence Support Squadron cyber systems superintendent.

After the first briefing, the campers sat in on another with the 188th Operations Group, where they also were able to use the RPA Predator-Reaper Integrated Mission Environment flight simulator. To end the day campers visited with Airmen at Ebbing Lake, where they were able to enjoy fishing and camaraderie.

"This was a wonderful experience for all of our kids, several of them have never been fishing or visited a facility like this," expressed Jan Miller, fifth grade teacher at Alma School District. "They got to learn about the planes and everything going on at the base. They were thrilled to be here."