Photo By Master Sgt. Kellen Kroening | Scouts from the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast pose with their event badges in...... read more read more
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MILWAUKEE – The 128th Air Refueling Wing hosted hundreds of local scouts April 12-13 for its annual Scouts Weekend, an immersive two-day event to educate and inspire youth through the Air National Guard mission.
Scouts from the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, Three Harbors Council, and the Potawatomi Area Council participated in the event, which featured interactive tours, hands-on demonstrations, and one-on-one mentorship opportunities with Airmen from across the Wing. Volunteers from the 128th Air Refueling Wing helped facilitate the event, which was aimed at showcasing a wide range of careers and capabilities within the Air National Guard.
Brig. Gen. Adria Zuccaro, former commander of the 128 ARW and current Chief of Staff for the Wisconsin Air National Guard, was a highlight for attendees as she returned to engage with scouts to share her story of service, teamwork and resilience.
“Bringing kids on base helps them understand that military service is not that different from other types of professions,” said Zuccaro. “Once they see the base is essentially a small town complete with a fire department, medical facilities, finance, engineering and airplanes, it seems less mysterious.”
Scouts rotated through a series of activity stations that showcased different aspects of the Wing’s operations. Highlights included an in-depth tour of the unit’s aircraft and hangars, where scouts got an up-close look at the KC-135 Stratotanker and learned about air refueling missions and maintenance procedures.
A popular station was the Wing’s Cyber Operations section, where scouts earned a Cyber Badge by learning about digital defense, online safety and the role of cyber security in modern military operations. Airmen explained how they protect vital information networks and respond to emerging threats in real-time, sparking interest among many tech-minded participants.
Scouts also visited the base Fire House, where they engaged with emergency personnel to learn about firefighting equipment, rescue operations and essential first aid skills. Airmen taught CPR, fire extinguisher use and rapid response skills for emergencies.
"Scouts Weekend is an important outreach event for the 128th Air Refueling Wing. It gives our youth a behind the scenes look at the mission, equipment, and people that power the Air National Guard,” said Senior Master Sgt. Ali Saffarini, one of the lead coordinators for the event. “It develops an interest in aviation and potential Air Force careers by connecting scouts with aircrew, maintainers, and support. Seeing our unit members share their passion for the mission and aviation reminds me why the Air National Guard is the premier fighting force.”
Scouting Weekend also included an aviation experience through a partnership with the Young Eagles program, which provided scouts the opportunity to fly in a small aircraft with a certified volunteer pilot.
Flights departed from General Mitchell International Airport, where scouts received a pre-flight briefing, learned basic aviation concepts, and took a short flight over the Milwaukee area. Each participant received a certificate and was logged in the official Young Eagles flight record.
Parents and troop leaders praised the event for its educational value and the rare opportunity to engage directly with service members. For many scouts, it was their first time on a military installation, and organizers made a point to ensure it was a welcoming and memorable experience.
Scouts Weekend reflects the 128th Air Refueling Wing’s commitment to community outreach and youth development. By bridging the gap between military service and civilian life, the Wing aims to foster mutual understanding and inspire future leaders—whether they choose to wear the uniform or not.
“Scouts Weekend is often the very first time many youth have ever been on a military base or met a currently serving Airman,” said Zuccaro. “They also learn serving as a guardsman makes them unique, in that they are duty bound to protect their nation and state.”
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2025 17:05 |
| Story ID: | 495257 |
| Location: | MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 168 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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