CGOC conducts Native American Outreach career day

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Hailey Staker
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Ellsworth's Company Grade Officer's Council teamed up with South Dakota GEAR UP for a Native American Outreach career day event July 7 at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

South Dakota GEAR UP is a summer school event targeted at low-income Native American teenagers with the purpose of increasing the academic performance of students in the program and preparing them for post-secondary education.

"We, the CGOC, were asked to do an outreach event for local teens of Native American descent in the state of South Dakota," said Capt. Jesus Lopez, 28th Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight commander. "We hosted a career day-type of event at SDSM&T and were represented by various units from across the base, such as the 28th Civil Engineering, Operation Support, and Force Support Squadrons, and the 28th Medical Group, as well as Col. Ty Neuman, 28th Bomb Wing vice commander."

The event was intended to build relationships and reach out to South Dakota's young Native American population, something that has never been done before.

"We enjoy opportunities like these," said 1st Lt. Jayson Sanders, 28th Communications Squadron project officer. "We're developing new relationships with the community, and it gives us a chance to showcase what people can accomplish through us."

The 28th CES explosive ordnance disposal flight, represented by Staff Sgt. Scott Greco, Airmen 1st Class Nicholas Payne and Gerardo Perez, was a huge hit with students, specifically with freshmen.

"We mentored approximately 90 students, and the students enjoyed the EOD demonstrations," Lopez stated.  "Some kids tried on the bomb suit, were able to talk to CE about structures, which was represented by Staff Sgt. Tyler Dunn and Senior Airman Elrico Gonzalez, and Capt. Anthony Changelo from the [28th MDG pharmacy element] came out and talked about his job over at the medical group."

Lopez, who enjoyed organizing the event with Sanders, invited the students to the base to showcase the 28th BW mission on its own soil.

"This is a good step toward our goal of strengthening relationships with our Native American youth," Lopez added. "The kids loved this experience."