Airmen showcase mission, embrace ethnic diversity at SDSM&T Cultural Expo

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Rachel Allison
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  More than 30 Ellsworth Airmen from several squadrons participated in a two-day Cultural Expo at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, March 27 and 29.

The volunteers joined Mines student groups in sharing displays, conducting demonstrations, sharing foods and stories from other countries and cultures, all to highlight the diverse culture found throughout the Air Force.

Don Bell, 28th Bomb Wing Equal Opportunity director and one of the organizers for the base's involvement in the expo, said the event gave participants an opportunity to interact with students while in uniform and share their cultures while demonstrating pride in their professions.

"It also gives our Airmen an opportunity to touch base with people from different backgrounds," said Bell.

Members from the 34th Bomb Squadron, 28th Security Forces Squadron, 28th Contracting Squadron, 28th Medical Group, and 28th Civil Engineer Squadron volunteered their time to improve base-community relations and share information about their jobs and lives.

The first day focused on sharing the represented cultures with youth from throughout the Black Hills region, as groups from local schools traveled to the expo for field trips.

Capt. Tim Grace and 1st Lt. Shawn Combs, 34th BS B-1 weapon systems operators, participated both days of the expo and answered questions about the B-1 bomber ejection seat and flight equipment as part of their display.

"The highlight for me was just seeing the excitement of the kids getting to witness something they don't normally," said Combs. "I think it's good to get them interested and help them realize that there's another slice of society out there."

Airmen 1st Class Stuart Anderson, 28th SFS defender, joined several other members of his squadron to showcase the many different facets of security forces. The defenders brought a full assortment of weapons, riot gear, taser equipment and other items necessary to perform their duties as part of their display, said Anderson.

"It's to show the local populace and those who come out what the military does," Anderson said. "If they have any questions or need to know anything about it -- they can come here and learn about it."

Airman 1st Class Nicholas Payne, 28th CES explosive ordnance disposal technician who spent much of the expo in his unit's bomb suit, agreed. Payne explained that his main purpose was to demonstrate his profession and communicate a sense of the military culture to the public.

"We're just as much of a different culture as the cultures here today," added Payne. "We have just as strong of an impact on Rapid City."