Van Horn JROTC Students ‘Soar’ at UCM

Much like the 2015 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals, the Van Horn JROTC knows how to take advantage of an opportunity! When a last-minute chance to learn from instructors at the University of Central Missouri’s (UCM) Aviation Department presented itself, aviation-interested cadets were ready to spring into action. During their visit to Warrensburg and UCM’s Skyhaven Airport, students received a complete orientation to the university’s aviation program- learning about pilot training, aviation maintenance and flight operations- from a former Whiteman Air Force Base B-2 Stealth bomber pilot!

Capping the day, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Tony Monetti, UCM’s assistant dean of aviation, and several other certified instructors, took the cadets for a ride- a ride in the sky! Students soared high above central Missouri during a 10 minute flight designed to familiarize aviation students with the aircraft and its operation. It was a day the Van Horn group will always remember.

“It was a great eye-opening glimpse into what is possible with proper education and post-high school training,” said retired Army Lt. Col. Michael Byrd, Van Horn’s senior JROTC instructor, “plus the weather for the orientation flights was perfect!”