15th Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Thompson Jr., left, and public affairs officer 1LT Margaret Blice, right, pose with Variety reporter Emmanuel T. Erediano during Agile Reaper 24 Community Day on Saturday at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport.
LOCAL family members had fun exploring military aircraft during Agile Reaper 24 Community Day, which was hosted by the U.S. Air Force 15th Wing and 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport on Saturday.
In collaboration with the Commonwealth Ports Authority, the 15th Wing from Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and the 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska allowed members of the community to take a close look at a C-17 cargo aircraft, an F-22 Raptor fighter jet and a C-130 search and rescue plane.
Community members boarded the C-17 and C-130 aircraft and talked with the pilots and crew members.
With the F-22, however, parents and their children were only allowed to view the aircraft and take selfies near it.
15th Wing public affairs officer 1LT Margaret Blice said they want members of the community to learn what Air Force service members do on a day-to-day basis as well as their capabilities as an Air Force.
She said it was also a great opportunity to see “super happy faces.”
“It was just a wonderful day seeing children who loved to salute the service members, and it’s very exciting to see how we can have conversations with the community members on Saipan,” she added.
Command Chief Master Sergeant Anthony Thompson Jr., for his part, said they are building a relationship with the people of Saipan.
He said Community Day is also an opportunity for young people and teenagers who are interested in joining the military to have a glimpse of what the U.S. Air Force airmen do.
“Just from the bottom of my heart, as the command chief of the 15th Wing at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii — thank you for the hospitality,” Thompson said. “I’m just grateful to the people of the NMI for letting us be here.”
