Members of Team Tyndall attend 2012 AETC Symposium

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  More than 100 members from Team Tyndall attended the 2012 AETC Symposium Jan. 12 to 13 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas.

The commander of Air Education and Training Command, Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., kicked off the command's 2012 Symposium.

The AETC symposium offered more than 4,000 attendees a multitude of venues to learn about the current and future environments of recruiting, training and educating America's Airmen, along with Air Force operational and emerging topics and issues.

There were more than 100 class sessions which provided the opportunity for attendees to learn, network, and discuss on education and training topics.

"The best part of the symposium was the opportunity to learn about topics you might not have been previously exposed to," said Corey Coleman, 325th Force Support Squadron marketing director. "For example, I attended a class on women in the military and it was extremely inspiring."

Attendees ranged from civilian personnel, base commanders, to senior and junior officers and enlisted Airmen.

"Even though not all of the sessions could be applied to newly enlisted Airmen, I really enjoyed that we were given the opportunity to select sessions that we found interesting," said Airman 1st Class Nicole Stibick, 325th Air Control Squadron pilot simulator. "The symposium also allowed us to socialize and learn from Air Force members from other bases."

Information was also offered through two keynote speaker luncheons.

Additionally, the Alamo Chapter of the Air Force Association hosted an exposition hall featuring more than 120 military, industry and education exhibitors displaying leading edge capabilities and information. The commander of Air Mobility Command, Gen. Raymond Johns Jr., was the luncheon keynote speaker Jan. 12. President and chief executive officer of USAA, retired Army Maj. Gen. Josue Robles, is the luncheon keynote speaker Jan. 13. Under Secretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton was the keynote speaker at the banquet.

This year AETC honored several heroes as special guests of the command who were wounded during combat operations overseas. Capt. Therese Frentz, Office of Special Investigations agent; Tech. Sgt. Jason Scott, security forces member; Tech. Sgt. Marc Esposito, combat controller; Staff Sgt. Brent Olson, military working dog handler; and Staff Sgt. Scott Lilley, security forces member, had either attended or were honored at the symposium for their contributions to America's defense.

Also this year, Lucasfilm pre-screened its new movie "Red Tails" to symposium attendees. Actor Nate Parker introduced the film. "Red Tails" opened nationwide Jan. 20. It's an action-adventure film that pays tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Several original Tuskegee Airmen also attended the screening.