139th Airlift Wing helps St. Joseph Scouts earn their merit

By: Angela Jean
Missouri National Guard Public Affairs






ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - More than 300 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts took home a merit badge over the weekend thanks to the 139th Airlift Wing members.

The scouts camped out from Friday through Sunday outside the gates of Rosecrans Memorial Airport learning basic survival skills. Those skills were put to the test Friday night as a thunderstorm ripped through the area.

"It was awesome," said Jordan Hill, 9, of St. Joseph. "It started raining and the tents blew in on us. It started flooding water everywhere. I was afraid the other tents were going to blow away, too."

During the day, the scouts participated in activities hosted by the city airport and the 139th. Scouts learned land navigation techniques, toured C-130 aircrafts and the fire department while eagle scouts attended safety briefings and went on flights at the city airport.

"I had a lot of fun going into the C-130," said Cub Scout Trey Segrist, 9, of St. Joseph. "This weekend has been awesome. I'm really excited about getting a new badge because I really like to get badges on my uniform."

"The kids are having a blast," added Master Sgt. Jeff Dunning, of the 139th. "They are asking a lot of questions. You really have to educate them on the types of planes we have and what we do. We enjoy working with them and hopefully we can spark their interest in the Guard."

At the end of the weekend, the scouts earned their Rosecrans Camporee Merit Badge.

Also coordinating the event with the 139th and Boy Scouts were the Missouri Pilot Association, the Civil Air Patrol and the Experimental Aircraft Association.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.