Chopper pilot volunteers to help children Published Jan. 9, 2012 By Ron LaBar Aerotech News Air Force Base, Nev. -- About a month ago, my wife and I attended a training meeting for "Books and Buddies, Spread the Word Nevada," a volunteer organization dedicated to helping elementary-age children with reading through weekly one-on-one help sessions. There were about a dozen of us waiting for the class to start when in walked a tall, attractive young lady wearing a flight suit with pilot wings. As we introduced ourselves, we learned that she is Jennifer Aupke, a helicopter pilot assigned to the 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base. As an old retired Air Force guy, I felt a surge of pride that this young woman, as busy as she must be, could find time to help out in the community. I am sure everybody in the room felt the same way. When I interviewed Maj. Jen Aupke for this story, I found out that she is from Pittsburg, Pa., and is a 2001 graduate of the Air Force Academy. She flies Search and Rescue missions on HH-60G Pavehawk helicopters, was involved in hurricane Katrina rescue efforts and has deployed four times to Iraq and Afghanistan. This is Maj. Aupke's second tour at Nellis. Major Aupke learned about "Books and Buddies" on the internet through VolunteerMatch.com. After she returns from a two-week temporary duty assignment to the Philippines, she will be assigned a student at Craig Elementary School in early January 2012. In addition to an obvious love for children, Maj. Aupke thought "Books and Buddies" sounded like a "cool program" to help often struggling young people on a one-to-one basis. Through the "Books and Buddies" program, my wife and I have been working with children at Whitney Elementary School for a little over a month. I have a fourth grade boy, and my wife has two second graders, a boy and a girl. They are smart and delightful kids, just in need of a little personal help and attention. Anyone interested in getting involved in the Las Vegas community through mentoring young people should contact Libby Erickson (also a retired Air Force spouse), Books and Buddies program coordinator, at (702) 564-7809, or at www.spreadthewordnevada.org. I think you will find it as rewarding as we do. Our thanks and appreciation to Maj. Aupke, a busy lady who finds time to volunteer with this worth-while program.
