IQUIQUE, Chile -- Master Sgt. Rene Gonzalez, 161st Air Refueling Wing boom operator, explains the auxilliary power unit of a KC-135 to students and faculty of Colegio Macaya during a base tour here Oct. 30. Students were invited to the base to see U.S. and Chilean Air Force aircraft, and meet Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky)

by Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky
12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs

10/30/2009 - IQUIQUE, Chile – More than 40 children of the Colegio Macaya in Alto Hospicia, Chile, visited the Fuerza Aerea De Chile base in Iquique Oct. 30 to view United States and Chilean aircraft and talk with Airmen.

U.S. Airmen participating in SALITRE visited Colegio Macaya earlier in the week to spend time with the students, and invited the class to the base as a way of saying thank you.

“They really loved it,” said Maj. Jeremy Lopes, KC-135 pilot with the Air National Guard 161st Air Refueling Wing. “This turned better than I could have imagined. The kids enjoyed themselves and the FACh did a great job supporting the visit. I don’t think it could have gone any smoother.”

The day started with a quick briefing about mid-air refueling by KC-135 crews, and afterward the children were shuttled to the parking ramp to tour FACh helicopters, rotary wing and jet aircraft. Finally, the kids climbed aboard an awaiting KC-135 and excitedly explored the aircraft through and through.

“We thank everyone so much for inviting us to visit,” said Evelyn Martens, a teacher at Colegio Macaya. “The children had a wonderful time, and the whole day has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”