Civil Air Patrol Cadets take flight

Civil Air Patrol cadets take flight

By: Christopher Roche, Maj, CAP

Squadron Commander – Glenn L. Martin Composite Squadron

Churchville, Md. - Civil Air Patrol cadets participate in glider flights on 3 August 2013.

Cadets had an opportunity to participate in glider orientation flights at Harford County Airport. Sm Brian Collins, Maryland Wing Glider Operations Officer, coordinated the flights, conducted by the Atlantic Soaring Club. Fourteen cadets participated from six squadrons. The squadrons included Harford, Martin, Towson, Carroll, Howard and Ft McHenry Composite Squadrons. Cadets learned proper ground handling, launch and recovery procedures. During the flight, cadets learn how to bank, dive and recover to level. At the end of the flight, they are briefed on proper landing techniques, including the use of drag plates to control speed and descent.

As part of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program, all cadets have the opportunity to participate in orientation flights. Cadets are eligible for a total of ten flights, five in a powered aircraft and five in a glider. Cadets can join at 12 years old and before they turn 18.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 61,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 26,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 71 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans.  Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.

Nearly 1,700 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with five finds and one life saved. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,106 hours in all mission categories. Volunteers contributed services estimated at 4.6 million dollars. For more information contact the Maryland Wing at www.mdcap.org.

 The Towson Squadron meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. at the MG Harry C. Ruhl Armory located at 1035 York Rd. in  Towson, Md. Cadet Membership is open to youth ages 12-18, and Senior Membership is open to adults 18 and over. Potential members and visitors are encouraged to attend meetings for more information.