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CADET ACTIVITIES  >  ITERNATIONAL AIR CADET EXCHANGE
Turkey Photo
  IACE - "Congratulations, C/Lt Col Paul Rojas, you have been selected for the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) from July 15, 2006 - August 2, 2006! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to experience the culture of another country; while at the same time highlighting the best of America."

"You have been selected to go to Turkey, a country at the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East. Its location makes it a center for trade. While relatively a young nation, its cultural history goes back thousands of years."

As I read the email from CAP NHQ that had just arrived in my inbox, I realized that my summer plans had just changed and I had much preparation in the coming months. Fast forward four months, IACE Turkey had arrived! It had been a long road to get here and the hard work was paying off. I left for Washington DC for the start of my trip. I was welcomed by the IACE staff and our briefings began. I was joined by about 40 other cadets all who were headed to other countries for IACE. We spent two days in DC for briefings and sightseeing. Then we departed Monday for Turkey for the start of our trip.

The flight lasted about ten hours and finally we arrived in Instanbul. Customs was a breeze and after getting our luggage we met with our Turkish hosts, Ayse, Beste, Sermet, and Sahin. We were taken to our dorms and awaited for the arrivals of all the members of IACE Turkey 2006 group. Cadets from Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands completed our group. We were all disappointed that we were not joined by our Israeli counterparts due to the conflict with Lebanon. We headed for due to conflict with Lebanon. We headed for Ankara the next morning. The sights along the way were breathtaking. Our stay in Ankara was at the Turkish Army Officers Base. Spending three days there we visited the 4th Main Jet Base, met with various officials from the Aerospace Industry. We went to see Ataturk's Mausoleum, who is the patriot that brought the Turkish people from the dying Ottoman Empire to the Country of Turkey, after the Mausoleum we met with the Governor of Ankara. We had a formal dinner that night with more Aerospace Officials, following the dinner we spent the evening learning various Turkish Dances.

 

 

 Rojas Photo
We headed to Inonu which is the flight training center. The drive to us past more breathtaking. The next day we had flights on an old plane from post-World War II era. After lunch we had glider flights over the mountains. That night we spent a memorable evening stargazing with the mountains as the backdrop. Morning soon arrived and we headed for the 1st Main Jet Base which is home to the f-4 Fighter and Recon Squadrons. We were welcomed warmly by the Base Commander and then after a quick briefing we were ushered into a bus. "We have a surprise for you. You are Special Guests and we have arranged some flybys of our F-4s" we were told. Flybys we thought, we had all seen flybys, and little did we realize that this were to be DIFFERENT. The bus drove us onto the flight line and up to the runway. As we waited, four F-4s pulled onto the runway and were within twenty feet of our group. We stood in awe as none of us had been so close to a jetfighter, but yet before us was four jetfighters. We watched take offs, landings and flybys.

Magazine Cover IACE
The next day we departed for the resort town of Kusadasi, a coastal city on the Mediterranean, for leisure and relaxation. The following day we departed for the ancient city ruins of Ephesus, and house of the Virgin Mary. The scenery was something to behold since there was so much history of the world in that one location. We spent the following day relaxing on the beach at Kusadasi National Park. We departed for the last leg of our IACE journey back to Istanbul. We visited the Military Museums, various palaces and the famous Sultanahmet Mosque. The last day was spent sightseeing on the Bosphorus and shopping in the Grand Bazar. We had our farewell dinner and that morning departed for our home countries.

The Turkish Government, Hosts and People were very generous, friendly and accommdating. They went out there way to make sure we were all taken care of. I appreciate their kindness and generosity for making this trip very memorable.

My journey halfway across the world allowed me to see sights and sounds most teens my age would never experience. How can I become an IACE cadet? You may ask. Simple, obtain your Earhart Award, be well rounded in school and extracurricular activities, and be at least 17 before you apply. All cadets have the potential to participate in IACE. The memories, experiences and friends made on your trip will last a lifetime!