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Lori K. Sloan
The NWI Times
Watson Boys Academy Gets Tour of Gary Airport
STUDENTS SEE NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, BOEING FACILITY
GARY | The excitement of young minds filled the airspace Dec. 3 at the Gary/Chicago International Airport as the Watson Boys Academy experienced an airport tour.
The nineteen students came well prepared with many thoughtful questions for their tour guides, according to a news release from the airport. Airport management along with members of the Gary Frontiers Club, a service organization, were guides and the tour ended with lunch and a souvenir for the students.
While a recent guest speaker at the school, Airport Director Chris Curry invited the students to tour the airport. Watson Academy Principal Michael Collins swiftly took him up on his offer.
The students actively participated in a mock fire drill as they donned actual firefighter uniforms and hats while visiting the airport's ARFF, or aircraft rescue firefighting facility. Students got a thrill as they raced against one another to be the first fully dressed firefighter.
The excitement continued as the group visited the U.S. National Guard's Readiness Center. Capt. Scott Oden entertained students' questions on topics related to their local duties and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"They are really asking very intelligent questions," said James Dungy, of the Gary Frontiers. Also, students were able to get a close-up view of one of the National Guard's active helicopters and safety gear including night goggles.
The next stop was the Boeing Aviation Facility. Students witnessed a Boeing corporate jet take off and toured the pilot quarters and staff offices. Students were amazed at the size of the hangar space for the corporate jets and questioned how many cars could fit in the building.
"The airport is always willing to provide tours and to visit academic institutions to encourage and inspire youth to consider aviation as a career path. It is one of the few careers that a large variety of jobs are available that you can earn a great salary, without having a college degree. The reason that I am in aviation today is because a television program that showed the responsibility of air traffic controllers at work inspired me," Curry said.
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