2026 Encampment Day 3
Encampment Day 3
Awards
Honor Flight: Bravo Flight
Honor Squadron: Squadron 2
Student: C/TSgt Harry Light, Hotel Flight
Line Support NCO: C/MSgt Israel Kodiaga, Hotel Flight
Line Support Officer: C/1st Lt James Thatch, Squadron 2 Commander
Staff Department: First Aid Support Team (FAST)
Staff Support NCO: C/CMSgt Urijah Waters, Communications Team
Staff Support Officer: C/Capt Sophia Tubbs, Public Affairs Team
The excitement surrounding the Lt. Col. James Card Encampment shows no signs of fading as Day Three gets underway. If anything, the momentum is building.
Cadets pushed to new literal and figurative heights as they boarded a C‑130 aircraft for an introductory flight, gaining a rare, firsthand look at the demanding, high‑stakes world of an Air Force aircrew. The roar of the engines and the sheer force of the military cargo plane offered an unforgettable glimpse into the power and precision behind Air Force operations.
Back on the ground, the intensity didn’t fade. The afternoon shifted to physical training as cadets pushed their endurance and agility across the obstacle course. Nearby, others crowded into the gym for team‑building sports, trading the grit of the course for the fast pace of friendly competition.
Every drill and every game carried a dual purpose: strengthening bodies while forging a tight‑knit corps. Watching cadets boost one another over a wall or rally together for a win made it clear that something meaningful is taking shape. An encampment simply cannot function without the commitment these students bring to every challenge.
By nightfall, the barracks finally fell quiet. After a grueling but exhilarating day, cadets turned in—exhausted, proud, and eager for whatever tomorrow demands.
Written by Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Carson Cook
