LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 47th Flying Training Wing hosted their second bi-annual STEM Expo as part of the 2026 Fiesta of Flight airshow at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, March 27.
The event showcased numerous STEM career opportunities within the Armed Forces and Del Rio community to over 1,300 guests and students from surrounding school districts, including San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated School Division and Brackettville Independent School Division.
“It’s incredible to see so many students, teachers and parents here today,” said Col. Tyler Ellison, 47th FTW commander. “You all will shape the future, and I see many soon to be engineers, scientists and pilots doing just that today.”
Guests interacted with exhibitors including Laughlin Airmen, the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, Team 4063 TriKzR4Kidz (Del Rio High School Robotics Team), U.S. Border Patrol, Department of War recruiters and other partners within the Air Force and nearby communities.
Exhibitors showcased their career skillsets through various interactive displays and hands-on activities. Guests engaged in activities such as piloting T-6 flight simulators, stepping inside the SHOCKWAVE (VR) 4D experience and viewing the cockpit of T-6 Texan and T-38 Talon aircrafts. Guests were even able to immerse in the history of Air Force service as Airmen from the 47th FTW donned historical uniforms as part of the Living History exhibit.
“For many of them, this may have been the first time they stood beside a T-6 or T-38, or try a flight simulator,” said Master Sgt. Michael Kent, 47th Communications Squadron operations flight chief and STEM Expo coordinator. “I observed a great deal of genuine interest from students throughout the expo.”
With the rapid advancements being made in the STEM career field, Team XL aims cultivate the next generation of innovators.
“This expo may have inspired some of our future Air Force aviators, communicators, scientists or engineers,” said Kent. “As they grow older, they may look back on this experience as the moment that motivated them to pursue a STEM-related career.”