Airmen at Beale AFB Launch Minority Outreach Program

In 1929, Lt. Gen. Elwood R. Quesada set a sustained inflight refueling record by flying six continuous days over Los Angeles. Today, Quesada's trailblazing legacy inspires Beale Air Force Base Airmen as they introduce students from underrepresented communities to STEM and pilot careers within the Air Force.

On Feb. 3, eight Beale AFB Airmen from various career fields visited Anna McKenney Intermediate School in Marysville, as Project Quesada's first event.

"Project Quesada is an Air Combat Command initiative where the Air Force is reaching out to minority serving institutions and including them in our new diversity and inclusion program, while also reaching out toward younger groups of junior high, high school, and college age students that may not necessarily have thought that something like becoming a pilot was even an option," said Lt. Col. Eric Antonietti, 9th Operations Support Squadron director of staff.

Anna McKenney students received a hands-on demonstration of the U-2 Dragon Lady space suit, a Q&A session from first term and career Airmen, and an opportunity to try the tubed food unique to U-2 pilots.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lauri Manuel, 9th Physiological Support Squadron NCO in charge of U-2 operations, squeezes chocolate pudding flavored tube food for a student Feb. 3, 2023, at Anna McKinney Intermediate School, Marysville, Calif. — Staff Sgt. Lauri Manuel, 9th Physiological Support Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of U-2 operations, squeezes chocolate pudding-flavored tube food for a student Feb. 3, 2023, at Anna McKinney Intermediate School, Marysville, Calif. Chocolate pudding is one of many flavors of tube food offered to U-2 pilots to eat during flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Juliana Londono)

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