NY Air Guard holds STEM career fair at Hancock Field Air National Guard base on Thursday, January 18

Media Advisory

HANCOCK FIELD, Syracuse NY (01/17/2024) — More than one hundred Baldwinsville High School students will participate in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) career fair at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base on Thursday morning, January 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Members of the press are invited to cover the event.

WHO: Members of the New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing and Baldwinsville High School Students.

WHAT: This event will showcase unique Air Force career fields that utilize STEM. It will feature a variety of displays, staffed by Airmen who are subject matter experts in their designated Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). An MQ-9 Reaper will also be on display, and students will have an opportunity to tour the Ground Control Station (GCS) cockpit.

WHERE: Media will enter Hancock Field Air National Guard Base through the new main gate on East Molloy Road.

WHEN: The event begins at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 18. The best coverage opportunities will occur from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. and media should arrive no later than 9:30 a.m.

Coverage opportunities:

Still and video images of the STEM career fair event. There will be an opportunity to interview student attendees and military members.

Members of the press must call Major Suzanne Jedrosko at 315-744-0693 no later than 6:00p.m. on January 17th for access to this secure military facility. Press must have identification.

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of the career fair is to generate awareness of, and interest in, some of the most interesting career fields in the Air Force and New York Air National Guard. Several Air Force job specialties relevant to STEM will be on display during this event, to include some of the most technologically advanced equipment available.

TSgt Tray Wynn, an Advanced Recruiter for the 174th Attack Wing and lead planner for the event, said "The career fair offers a direct and efficient way to engage with students in the local area that are already interested in STEM and Remotely Piloted Aircraft, all of which we have here at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse.

One of the unique, in-demand career fields in the Air National Guard is the MQ-9 sensor operator. Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, these highly trained experts perform surveillance and reconnaissance and provide close air support and real-time battle damage assessment, playing a vital role in ensuring mission success.

Students participating in the career fair will have the opportunity to sit down in a GCS cockpit and speak with current sensor operators.

Another interesting display will be hosted by members of the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) from the 274th Air Support Operations Squadron.

There are few things that can change the course of battle like a properly executed air strike. As members of Air Force Special Warfare, Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) imbeds with Army and Marine units on the frontline with the incredible responsibility of calling in an air strike on the right target at just the right time. These highly trained experts go through intense physical, mental and technical training in order to withstand the demanding conditions of battle and provide their team with the firepower they need for continued success on the battlefield.

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