Air Force Explorer News
Keeping you up dated with general "News Items" on the Air Force Explorers Programs & 396th ATRS News!
396th ATRS OTF 25-02 & Staff visit PIMA Air Museum
6 June 2026 - 396th ATRS Staff & graduating Cadet's journey to Tucson, AZ for their annual Military Training Excursion Base & Museum visits. This year again the visit includes a stop at the PIMA Air Museum in Tucson. Their recent visit included the 390th Bomb Group Memorial Museum in Tucson, across from DM AFB. Some staff from our unit made the trek on remembrance of D-Day. According to 396ATRS/CC, "...It was surreal sitting in the cockpit of their B-17G "I'LL BE AROUND" Co-Pilot position thinking of young 8th AF Airmen sacrifice for their country years ago. Such a rare opportunity today was afforded us by a 396th Alum, Capt. Alex "AROD" Chambers, Ops Officer of the museum casually mentioning, "Just to open up this puppy to sit in cost ya at least $1K." So I humbly pulled out my wallet to show him, my, well, nothing. Jenny has certain rules. But this was a one time special occasion for the WOG.
Thank You to the men and women of the Greatest Generation for your service, sacrifice, and duty to defend our America in foreign lands for our allies with grateful heart felt love and appreciation. We Will Never Forget. --- Col. E. Calvin Lowrie, Jr, Commander-396 ATRS
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1 May 2026 . . .
27th Year Anniversary of the Air Force Explorers & the 396th ATRS!
1 May 2026 - Today marks the 27th year of the establishment as the USAF Explorers 396th Aircrew Training Squadron at the 161st ARW, Goldwater ANGB, Sky Harbor International Airport Phoenix AZ. To date, 181 cadets have graduated from Cadet Officer Candidate School & 32% have joined the United States Military.
Current cadets moving on include:*C/WO Breanna King awarded a West Point Association of Graduates Scholarship to attend Marion Military Academy, Marion, AL for a year of training prior to accepting an Appointment in 2027. She also attended USAFA & USNA Summer Sessions LY.
*C/WO Elsa Nunley is awaiting notification from the USCGA. She attended USCGA and USAFA Summer Sessions LY, in addition to attending CGAS San Diego Familiarization and a tour of USCGC Eagle training ship.
*C/WO James Mills has been awarded an ArROTC scholarship to attend ASU. He attended USMA Summer Leadership Pgm LY.
*C/WO Alan Ferrari will be enrolling at U of A NROTC this coming Fall 26. He attended both the USAFA & USNA Summer Sessions LY.
*C/WO Sophia Munoz has been accepted to ASU Barrett Honors College also enrolling work AFROTC this Fall 26. She attended Girls State LY as a representative from Northwest Christian School. The US Air Force Explorers Program is one of the finest Youth Training Programs in the United States. The primary mission is Military Education, with an emphasis centered on the concept of providing young adults a realistic academic environment in which to learn about military careers.
*C/WO Sophia Munoz has been accepted to ASU Barrett Honors College also enrolling work AFROTC this Fall 26. She attended Girls State LY as a representative from Northwest Christian School. The US Air Force Explorers Program is one of the finest Youth Training Programs in the United States. The primary mission is Military Education, with an emphasis centered on the concept of providing young adults a realistic academic environment in which to learn about military careers.
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C/WO Breanna King (OTF25-02)
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C/WO Elsa Nunley (OTF25-02)
C/WO James Mills (OTF25-02)
C/WO Alan Ferrari (OTF25-02)
C/WO Sophia Munoz (OTF25-02)
June 2024 . . .
Two More AFX Cadets to Service Academies!
396th ATRS - Two more AFX Cadets 'Accepted' into the Air Force & Naval Academies!
1 June 2024 - Two more outstanding Air Force Explorer Cadets from the 396th Aircrew Training Sq., Goldwater ANGB, AZ received their official acceptance into two of the most competitive U.S. Military Service Academies. Congradulation SIRS! on a tremendous accomplishment.
Air Force Academy Appointment!
C/2LT Ruben D. Saavedra (pictured above) has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2028. A graduate of Millennium High School, Ruben ranked at the top of his class and earned recognition as a speaker at graduation. His aspiration is to become an F-35A pilot.
U.S. Naval Academy Nomination!
C/WO John J. Clark has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2028. A top student of Peoria High School, Peoria, Arizona, John excelled in swimming and leadership roles. John also achieves his FAA Private Pilot license and aspires to become a Naval Aviator, and to fly the F-35C Lighting II.
January 2024 . . .
396th ATRS OTF 23-02 Commissioning
396th ATRS - Graduates two more Cadets this January of 2024
A small graduating OTF class this year, but congratulations to Cadets Ruben Saavedra & Cadet John Clark.
1 February 2024 - The Air Force Explorers Program continues its great heritage with two more Cadets Commissioned this past week at the 396th Aircrew Training Squadron, at Goldwater ANGB, Arizona, home of the 161st Air Refueling Wing (ANG). The Cadets were part of OTF (Officer Training Flight) 23-02.