Nearly 90 interns in the Air Force Premier College Intern Program descended upon Tinker Air Force Base last week.
The 10- to 12-week summer program partners college sophomores and juniors with current civilian employees and introduces them to opportunities available within the U.S. Air Force.
Internships are offered at more than 45 locations around the country. Interns visiting Tinker came from bases including Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California; Robins Air Force Base in Houston County, Georgia, and here at Tinker AFB.
After arriving on base, the interns split up and headed to different areas on base.
They all eventually made their way to Bldg. 3001’s newest addition, the DEATH STAR Computer Lab, which was unveiled in March.
The lab provides Tinker’s engineers and scientists a space to do what they do best – problem solve and find system enhancements, said Bob Wright, the Air Force Sustainment Center policy engineering chief.
“They have the ability to conduct digital support and environmental engineering analysis, all on the computers in this room,” he said.
According to Wright, the lab supports various software including MATLAB, SolidWorks, StressCheck and ReliaSoft.
The group also had the opportunity to tour the rest of Bldg. 3001 and learn about all of its ins and outs, such as the largest-known Scanning Electron Microscope in the world.
The microscope, Germany’s VisiTec Microtechnik GmbH MIRA X, belongs to Tinker’s Metallurgical Analysis Laboratory, and has a 5-foot by 5-foot by 5-foot operating volume, with the capability of examining 60-inch objects.
With this technology, Edith Clemons, of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, said the lab analyzes material properties, to predict how they will perform in their intended operational environment. Lab engineers can also help to determine whether a part can be salvaged and repaired, have its life extended, or if it needs to be condemned.
“[The Metallurgical Lab] is the Air Force’s CSI,” she said.
The group also toured Bldg. 9001, received briefings from the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing and Natural Resources and saw a Military Working Dog demonstration.
For information on future PCIP openings, visit usajobs.gov. Individuals can also learn more about internships and other job opportunities at afciviliancareers.com.