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Investing in the future: 412th MXS hosts high school students on tour

  • Published
  • By Giancarlo Casem
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

Nearly 30 students from Victor Valley High School received a close look at the 412th Maintenance Squadron’s Propulsion Flight during a tour of Edwards Air Force Base, California, Dec. 3.

The students were members of the high school’s aviation maintenance classes, which include airframe and power plant classes as well as aircraft composite repair and fabrication.

Gregory Peria, Propulsion Production Superintendent, 412th MXS, believes it is important for Edwards to host students with interests in certain types of technical fields to help prepare them for the future.

“We are trying to spark some interest about getting them into the aviation maintenance field, showing them some of the tasks that they may actually be doing helps with that,” Peria said.

Peria gave a tour of the engine maintenance facility where the students saw the inner workings of various engines and the high-level of workmanship and precision goes to each one. The students also witnessed a test of an F100-PW-220 engine, found in F-16Ds, at the Jet Engine Test Cell. Test engineers fired up the engine to approximately 24,000 lbs. of thrust which is equal to around 1,500 mph or Mach 2.

The tour was organized by Peria and Eric Silva, an instructor at VVHS. Peria and Silva both served together, starting in the engine maintenance field in the Air National Guard. Through the years, the two maintained contact and eventually Peria wound up at Edwards while Silva became a teacher.

He moved on to become a teacher and I moved up here, but we kept in touch and I have mentioned how hard it has been to get qualified/motivated personnel,” Peria said. “We both thought this may help.”

Silva agreed and said he believes it is beneficial for students to see real-world applications of the lessons his students learn in class.

“They need to see the realization of training so they can set goals to accomplish it,” Silva said. “Today, seeing it makes a positive outlook towards making it a career.”


Slide show

Investing in the future: 412th MXS hosts high school students on tour

  • Published
  • By Giancarlo Casem
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

Nearly 30 students from Victor Valley High School received a close look at the 412th Maintenance Squadron’s Propulsion Flight during a tour of Edwards Air Force Base, California, Dec. 3.

The students were members of the high school’s aviation maintenance classes, which include airframe and power plant classes as well as aircraft composite repair and fabrication.

Gregory Peria, Propulsion Production Superintendent, 412th MXS, believes it is important for Edwards to host students with interests in certain types of technical fields to help prepare them for the future.

“We are trying to spark some interest about getting them into the aviation maintenance field, showing them some of the tasks that they may actually be doing helps with that,” Peria said.

Peria gave a tour of the engine maintenance facility where the students saw the inner workings of various engines and the high-level of workmanship and precision goes to each one. The students also witnessed a test of an F100-PW-220 engine, found in F-16Ds, at the Jet Engine Test Cell. Test engineers fired up the engine to approximately 24,000 lbs. of thrust which is equal to around 1,500 mph or Mach 2.

The tour was organized by Peria and Eric Silva, an instructor at VVHS. Peria and Silva both served together, starting in the engine maintenance field in the Air National Guard. Through the years, the two maintained contact and eventually Peria wound up at Edwards while Silva became a teacher.

He moved on to become a teacher and I moved up here, but we kept in touch and I have mentioned how hard it has been to get qualified/motivated personnel,” Peria said. “We both thought this may help.”

Silva agreed and said he believes it is beneficial for students to see real-world applications of the lessons his students learn in class.

“They need to see the realization of training so they can set goals to accomplish it,” Silva said. “Today, seeing it makes a positive outlook towards making it a career.”


Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.