Charleston County students take flight in a C-17

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Students from two Charleston County schools had the opportunity to take flight in a C-17 as part of a program showcasing career opportunities in the military, aviation, and STEM fields.

More than a dozen students and staff from Charleston Charter School of Math and Science and North Charleston High School began their day last Friday at Joint Base Charleston speaking with Air Force pilots before boarding a C-17 for an hour-long flight.

The students witnessed a supply drop over a pre-selected location and observed pilots in action in the cockpit. After the flight, students spent time enjoying the Charleston Airshow STEM Day.

The Charleston County School District said the experience was made possible through Aviation Inspiration and Mentorship (AIM) funds and the “Accelerating the Legacy” team, which includes a group of military members dedicated to outreach and promotion of recruitment in the underserved student population.

The project supports community engagement with a mission to inform, influence, and inspire the next generation of Air Force aviators, according to the district.

“Charleston County School District thanks Joint Base Charleston, the U.S. Air Force, and the “Accelerating the Legacy” team for our students’ eye-opening and potentially life-changing opportunity,” the district said.