2:24 p.m., April 28, 2008--U.S. Army helicopters may not be the most common way to get around the UD campus, but they are always a popular component of the UD Army ROTC's annual display of military technology.

Two helicopters operated by members of the 238th Aviation Regiment were among pieces of military equipment open for inspection at Frazer Field on April 17. Other equipment included Humvees, weapons displays, a night-vision goggle tent, a flight simulator trailer and an inflatable obstacle course.

"We do this to help students and members of the UD community gain awareness of the Army ROTC and the regular U.S. Army and the Delaware National Guard," said Andrew Camponelli, a cadet major and Batallion S-5 public affairs officer. "This is cool, fun stuff. We wanted to show students that there is an option and that you can get college paid for and have fun, too."

Cadet major Paul Jaffa said he enjoyed the helicopter ride he took earlier in the day. "It was pretty neat. We circled the campus and then went down to the C & D (Chesapeake and Delaware) Canal. It was quite a view and quite a ride."

Capt. Zeke Austin, an instructor in the Army ROTC program at UD and scholarship officer, said that visitors seemed to be enjoying the displays that included several types of missiles, an M16A2 automatic rifle and M249 SAW (squad automatic weapon).

"I think we are getting the word out about all this," Austin said. "It's really a pretty good display."

Staff Sgt. David Lewis, a recruiter from the Army Recruiting Station in the Newark Shopping Center, said that the Army has a wide range of training options, from nursing to pilot training.

"People always ask us about flying opportunities in the Army," Lewis said. "They also are interested in Officer Candidate School. We want students to know what opportunities are here for them. It's about skills, learning a trade, something you can always fall back on."

Capt. Christian Miller, company commander of the U.S. Army Recruiting Center in Dover, said that during his 18-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, helicopters were the only way to traverse the rough terrain that often lacked any kind of paved surfaces.

"In the United States, we take a lot of things for granted," Miller said. "In Afghanistan, there are places where there are no roads. We were involved in helping to build an infrastructure. We became involved with community leaders, including local leaders. It was a huge effort between the militaries and government units of many different countries."

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Kathy Atkinson