Community learns about Civil Air Patrol during Putnam County 4-H Fair

Members of Civil Air Patrol’s Putnam County Composite Squadron staffed an information booth on July 29, 2017 during the 4-H Fair held at the Putnam County Veteran’s Memorial Park in Carmel, NY.

Visitors to the squadron's community booth learned about Civil Air Patrol’s three primary missions: Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs and Emergency Services. Senior and cadet members answered questions about Civil Air Patrol membership throughout the day under the direction of Squadron Deputy Commander, Major Philip Feldman.

Major Ralph Langham, Aerospace Education Officer, spoke with parents about the opportunities and engaging activities cadets can participate in, such as rocket building, balloon launching, robotics, physical fitness and cybersecurity classes, as they progress through the cadet program. Younger visitors enjoyed launching straw rockets after Major Langham explained the underlying forces involved in propelling the straws. Cadet Airman Joseph Depaola treated spectators to a mini unmanned aerial vehicle flight and cadet Airman Nathaniel Esteves demonstrated the workings of a robotic arm.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 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 78 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol’s 56,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. Performing missions for America for the past 75 years, CAP received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. 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 for more information.

Members of the Putnam County Composite Squadron meet on Friday’s from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Paladin Center, located at 39 Seminary Hill Road, Carmel, NY.

For additional information contact Captain Elena MacDermant, Civil Air Patrol, Putnam County Composite Squadron Commander at (845) 216-5433, email Elenamac@aol.com or visit www.facebook.com/PutnamCountyCompositeSquadron