San Angelo Central High School AFJROTC visits Goodfellow

Published April 8, 2025
By Airman 1st Class James Salellas

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

Central High School Air Force Junior ROTC pose in front of a decommissioned U.S. Marine Corps Sikorsky CH-53A Sea Stallion following a field training exercise at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 7, 2025. Cadets strengthened their camaraderie by facing challenging situations and making decisions under pressure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class James Salellas)

Cadets from San Angelo Central High School Air Force Junior ROTC program visited Goodfellow AFB for a field training exercise on March 7. AFJROTC is a high school elective with an Air Force structure that combines military organization with classroom instruction, hands-on leadership training, and responsibilities. It also offers extracurricular team activities and community service opportunities such as their visit here. The program emphasizes teamwork and expects cadets to be self-reliant, selfless, and committed.

“We want to expose the cadets to the active-duty military and let them experience what it is like to prepare to deploy and train,” said Christopher Carney, San Angelo Central High School AFJROTC instructor. “They had to work as a team in a simulated active combat environment. They learned it takes more than a couple hours of training to accomplish a mission like the one they had successfully.”

Central High School Air Force Junior ROTC participated in a simulated firefight during their field training exercise at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 7, 2025. JROTC is a high school elective with an Air Force structure combining aspects of a military organization with classroom instruction, hands-on leadership training and responsibilities, plus opportunities for extracurricular team and community service participation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class James Salellas)

At the beginning of their visit, cadets learned various skills and general information utilized in the Air Force such as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazard training, Tactical Combat Casualty Care and the Law of Armed Conflict.

Additionally, they learned combat tactics and signals that were later used in their field training exercise.

The FTX worked as an incentive tool for cadets to pursue an Air Force career and it teaches crucial skills needed to become effective future Airmen.

The visit provided cadets with valuable hands-on experience, reinforcing leadership, teamwork, and tactical skills while offering a glimpse into the opportunities and responsibilities of a future Air Force career.

Central High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets participate in a field training exercise at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 7, 2025. The AFJROTC's mission is to develop citizens of character. To instill values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class James Salellas)

Central High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets lay prone in anticipation of a simulated firefight during a field training exercise at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 7, 2025. The cadets prepared to participate in scenarios designed to increase their decision-making skills under pressure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class James Salellas)