THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 1995 TAG: 9510130197
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
A Thunderbird swooped from the sky Oct. 6 to deliver an inspirational message to high school students.
An Air Force helicopter, traveling from nearby Langley Air Force Base, dropped in for a visit at Oscar F. Smith High School.
Although school officials were on hand to greet the copter as it landed in the school's large back parking lot, no students were present to view the landing.
``The student body knows about the helicopter landing,'' said career guidance counselor Malia Piper, who helped organize the visit and auditorium program with Chesapeake Air Force recruiter Staff Sgt. Erin P. ``O.C.'' O'Connor. ``The landing at the school is being videotaped so we can show it to the entire student body at a later date. We had to keep the students away for apparent safety reasons.''
This visit by a Thunderbird pilot and his ground crew chief was arranged by O'Connor, working with Piper and the school's Junior ROTC program.
``We knew the Thunderbirds would be in the area to perform over the weekend at Langley,'' O'Connor said. ``Whenever they visit an area they always go on goodwill visits to schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other places. We had them visit Oscar Smith to deliver an inspirational message to some of the students, to help swear in one of our own students into the Air Force and help recognize other members of the student body for good work and attendance.''
The Thunderbirds is the official name for the U.S. Air Force's air demonstration squadron. The team performs intricate maneuvers all over the country and the world. It consists of six top Air Force pilots.
The helicopter's VIP passengers were greeted by the school's principal, Dr. Janet M. Andreco; Chesapeake public school ombudsman, Thomas A. Cupitt; faculty; and members of the school's Air Force Junior ROTC program.
The passengers of honor were Maj. Jeffrey W. Fiebig, one of the prestigious Thunderbird pilots, and his ground chief, Staff Sgt. John Melito, who helps keep Fiebig's F-16 Fighting Falcon in tip-top shape.
Fiebig and Melito's entourage included a Langley and a Thunderbirds public relations officer, a Langley photographer and, of course, the helicopter crew.
The theater was packed with several hundred students. The assembly audience included members of the school's Air Force Junior ROTC program as well as the Tomorrow's Thunder and Future Images student groups.
Fiebig was introduced by Andreco, who said the Air Force pilot was there to drive home the theme ``Attitude is Everything.''
After Fiebig offered a few comments, he introduced his crew chief to enthusiastic applause.
``Nothing is possible without teamwork,'' Melito stressed. ``If you don't do your part, then someone can't do theirs. That applies to all facets of life.''
Melito stressed that Fiebig and the other pilots trust and depend on him and his other crew members to keep the jets in perfect flying condition.
After Melito's message, the students were shown a short promotional video of the Thunderbirds in action, set to rock music.
Fiebig then offered additional comments.
``We have a fun life, but it takes a lot of hard work,'' he said. ``You have to know what you're doing, have a focused mind and total concentration. We fly at top speeds of 1,800 miles per hour and have to execute tight turns in a jet that weighs 1,800 pounds. When you're moving eight miles a minute and are only 18 inches apart from the other jets, you have to stay focused and that takes dedication and hard work.''
Building on that message, Fiebig implored the students to stay away from gangs and drugs.
``You have so much more ahead of you,'' he said. ``Please, be our future.''
After his comments, Fiebig swore 1995 Oscar Smith High School student James Wesley Goodwin into the Air Force. Goodwin, the son of Rachel and John Goodwin, who were on hand to see their son sworn in, was a good example of a student focused on life, O'Connor said.
``Many times people and students don't know what goes on with our program,'' O'Connor said. ``But with a situation like this, when they see one of their peers doing this, it brings it closer to home.. . . We're proud to have him.''
In addition, one dozen students received a small gift and a certificate for their outstanding attitudes toward school attendance and performance. The recognized students were Chad Allen, Anthony Ferebee, Monica Lee, Brian Lewis, Jamar Lewis, Kenneth McCants, Joy Parker, Nate Pate, Garrett Pettus, Kendle Rumble, Thomas Schucker and Merrill Toler. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by HUY NGUYEN
Maj. Jeffrey Fiebig, a Thunderbirds pilot, autographs posters for
some ROTC students at Oscar Smith High School.
A helicopter with members of the Thunderbirds lands at Oscar Smith.
by CNB