Civil Air Patrol cadets shine at national competition

Alexandria, VA - The Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron has returned from the Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Competition with hardware in tow. The competition, held at Wright State University, Ohio from June 29th - July 1st 2019, saw the team compete in 13 events including Physical Fitness, Leadership Knowledge, Aerospace Knowledge, a Service Project, Uniform Inspection, Uniform Preparation, Color Guard and Standard Drill, Robotics, Drone Piloting, and FAA Remote Pilot knowledge. After 3 days of grueling competition the team learned that they had earned 1st Place in the Robotics event and 4th Place overall. The team had competed among the top 16 teams in Civil Air Patrol, representing .003% of all cadets nationally, and had earned their spot after qualifying at both the local (wing) and region levels.

The Challenger 1 Squadron Cadet Competition Team was comprised of C/SrA Alexandra Arnoldi-Nanis, C/SSgt James McFarland, C/CMSgt Anjulina Abdon, C/1st Lt Caden Nimmo, C/Lt Col Faizan Khurshid (Team Commander), C/Lt Col Kurt Finkenstaedt and was supervised by their senior member escorts 1st Lt Justin Strait, CAP and Capt Rachael Norberg, CAP. Also providing support to the team were Col Caleb Nimmo, USAF and 2nd Lt R. Hunter Ward, USAF.

Civil Air Patrol's National Cadet Competition showcases the full range of challenges in cadet life experienced at the squadron-level and new areas of learning that are important to America. Sixteen teams consisting of six cadets each compete for the USAF Chief of Staff Outstanding Team Championship Trophy. Each team is selected from the very best during previous state- and regional-level competitions. These extraordinary young people train for months and sometimes years to demonstrate their excellence in a wide range of activities in the arenas of leadership, aerospace, fitness and character. During the 3-day competition, cadets compete in physical challenges, test their knowledge of aviation and leadership, demonstrate the highest levels of precision and teamwork in posting the colors, and above all, cheer each other on in the spirit of teamwork.

Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron serves the City of Alexandria and conducts aerospace education programs, ground and airborne emergency services support, and leadership and character development programs for young people and is currently recruiting new cadet members from 12-18, and adults from 18 years of age, no experience required. The squadron meets every Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Nannie J Lee Recreation Center located at 1108 Jefferson St, Alexandria, VA 22314. For more information visit dc060.natcapwing.org. You can also follow the squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DC060 or follow @CAP_DC060 on Instagram.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, 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 80 lives annually. CAP’s 63,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 26,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for more information.