German officers visit Scott Published Oct. 18, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Brian Butkus 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Scott Air Force Base, Ill. -- A group of German Youth Information Officers, or Bundeswehr, arrived at Scott Air Force Base Oct. 3 to learn first hand about the U.S. Air Force "The purpose of the visit is a German Company Grade Officer level "Spread the word" tour," said Capt. Derek Strunk, project coordinator. "These 35 German officers are on special duty acting as public affairs officers for the Bundeswehr". Upon their return to Germany the Bundeswehr teach military studies and talk to young Germans about the importance of their military and how they support NATO. "Essentially they return home to educate their public on the positive aspects of their military and how their involvement in foreign affairs is important to their country," said Captain Strunk. According to one Bundeswehr representative, "We do not always have as positive public opinion of our military and the associated support like the US public shows it's military so it is not easy for us to explain what we are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan." The CGOs are in the first phase of a four year program and are from the German Army, Navy and Air Force. While at Scott the Bundeswehr toured the 126th Air Refueling Wing with two static display KC-135s and spoke with the crews. Next up they toured Air Mobility Command and received several briefings on their operations. The day culminated with a luncheon at the Officers Club where approximately 20 members of the Company Grade Officers' and Col. Brad Spacy, 375th Mission Support Group commander as the host. During the lunch the groups exchanged gifts, ideas, information and camaraderie. In addition to their Scott tour the Bundewehr also toured the Pentagon and Washington D.C., went to New York City and saw ground zero and visited the Missouri Air National Guard. Next year when a group of Bundewehr visit the U.S. they plan on once again stopping at Scott Air Force Base.