Pilots help Cub Scouts soar to new heights

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shanice Williams-Jones
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Liberty Wing Airmen visited the 1st Lakenheath Scouts Group at The Scout Hut, Lakenheath, England, March 26.

The aircrew, assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron, helped the cubs earn their air activities badge and aimed to challenge them through fun educational activities.

“Being a pilot can seem magical to children, and I wanted to be able to share the fun side of the job with them,” said a 492nd FS pilot.

One of the requirements for the cubs to earn their air activities badge includes learning about at least one kind of aircraft. The aircrew helped educate the cubs by conducting a fun, interactive demonstration of how various aircraft are built and the reasons behind their designs.

“I was pleasantly surprised that they knew as much as they did about the specs of the aircraft,” said another 492nd FS pilot. “It brings you a sense of humility to see their interest.”

Another step to earning the air activities badge includes making an aircraft from paper. The pilot used this opportunity to show the cubs how to construct a complex paper aircraft.

One cub bragged about the ability of her paper airplane’s ability to fly.
“The paper plane was hard, but mine went farther than most people’s airplanes, so I think I made it right,” said a Lakenheath cub.

While the visit gave the aircrew an opportunity to give back to the community, it also gave one of them a chance to call on his personal experience as a scout to inspire others.

“I was a scout myself, so it was my natural inclination to volunteer to come speak to the cubs,” said a 492nd FS weapon systems officer.

Speaking to the future generation of potential pilots is a good step in maximizing the 48th Fighter Wing’s ability to maintain strong partnerships with the local community.

As a cub scout you can learn survival skills, first aid, or even how to fly a plane. The scout program promotes meeting and interacting with influential and inspirational people from various walks of life to develop well-rounded individuals.

“When you earn a new badge it means that you know even more things,” said the cub. “This badge means I know a lot about airplanes that my friends don’t even know.”