Local CAP cadets meet with 71st FTW commander

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. David Woodley
  • 71st Operations Support Squadron commander
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Cadets with the Enid Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron met with Col. Darren James, the 71st Flying Training Wing commander, Aug. 5, on base.

James talked with the cadets about topics ranging from basic leadership concepts to challenges that he faced in different leadership roles.

CAP cadets are trained in leadership at the Airmen, NCO, senior NCO and officer ranks learning all levels of leadership. At Vance Air Force Base the CAP program has 12 highly motivated cadets.

Coming with the new school year the cadet squadron will have its own honor guard and will become more active at Vance and in local community activities.

Civil Air Patrol which has been around since 1941 and has hundreds of squadrons and a fleet of 535 civilian aircraft.

It was founded on Dec. 1, 1941, just days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was created to organize and use volunteers who love aviation but also want to serve their country.

During World War II Civil Air Patrol logged over 500,000 flying hours and was credited with sinking two enemy submarines.

May 26, 1948, Congress passed Public Law 557 establishing Civil Air Patrol as an auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force. Three primary missions were also created at this time: Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs and Emergency Services.

Emergency Services is what Civil Air Patrol is better known for and gets the most media attention. Civil Air Patrol has responded with both air and ground teams to support recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina and the recent tornado disaster in the Oklahoma City area.

The Enid Composite Squadron supports Emergency Services by training both senior members and cadets the skills needed to respond to either Oklahoma Wing or National Headquarter taskers.

The Aerospace Education mission is not as well known. Civil Air Patrol partners with local schools to promote aerospace knowledge and understanding.

The Vance Civil Air Patrol Squadron supports aerospace education with a new program called Aerospace Connection in Education. This program is for grades K-6 and here at Vance the focus is on grades K-2. The program will expand to other grades in the future.

The third mission, Cadet Programs, has the most lasting effect on the nation. Right now there are more than 22,000 cadets nationwide. Youth can join at age 12. Cadets earn promotions, wear the Civil Air Patrol uniform, which mirrors the Air Force uniform, and participate in numerous activities ranging from foreign exchange programs to encampment.

For more information, attend a Civil Air Patrol meeting, held Monday nights at 6:30 p.m., in the 71st Operations Support Squadron, Building 690.