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Civil Air Patrol Kentucky Wing has record visitors at the Statewide Open House

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Kentucky Wing

Civil Air PatrolClarksville, TN – Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Kentucky Wing just finished its first statewide Open House event. It was the largest recruitment event for Civil Air Patrol in Kentucky and the Great Lakes Region. Great Lakes Region is made up of 6 states, over 200 squadrons, and more than 6,000 members.

There were fourteen squadrons that participated in the 11-day event. It was a huge success with over 270 guests in attendance.

Civil Air Patrol Kentucky Wing Open House.
Civil Air Patrol Kentucky Wing Open House.

The Fort Campbell 216th Composite Squadron located in Clarksville, Tennessee was one of the units that welcomed visitors to get a glimpse into the organization programs and special activities.

Cadet Staff Sergeant Tyler Mathews a member of the Fort Campbell 216th Composite Squadron in Clarksville, Tennessee, said, “I enjoyed working at the membership booth and telling prospective cadets why they should join the Civil Air Patrol, what is like being member of a team, and all the exciting activities they can participate of as a CAP member.” This vibrant cadet is preparing to go to college and become a pilot because of the experiences he has had in CAP.

Kentucky Wing has 18 squadrons that are located across the Commonwealth. Three of the squadrons are adult squadrons that consist of pilots and aircrews. Kentucky has nine planes used for search and rescue mission, disaster, and humanitarian missions. When the pilots are not flying a mission, they give cadets orientation flights. Cadets are youth ages 12 to 18 years old. Six squadrons are dedicated to the Cadet Programs. The remaining nine squadrons are a combination of adult and cadet programs.

Civil Air Patrol Kentucky Wing Open House.
Civil Air Patrol Kentucky Wing Open House.

The Fort Campbell 216th Composite Squadron located in Clarksville, Tennessee is keenly aware of the need to develop career interests in aviation-related careers revolving around Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

The Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education program is an excellent conduit to these efforts and supports it through a K-12 curriculum aligned with 15 STEM kits that the U.S. Air Force gives to educators who join the Aerospace Education Member (AEM) program.

In support of Open House activities Captain Pacheco, the squadron’s Aerospace Education Officer, met with Mrs. Karen Harper the STEM Coordinator at the Clarksville-Montgomery Country School System, Col. Michael Taliento, the JROTC Director of Army Instruction, and Mr. Charles Weigandt, the Director of Aviation Science at Austin Peay State University, to discuss all the benefits of being an AEM, the CAP mission, and the various opportunities available to both Cadets and Civil Air Patrol Senior Members.

The Aerospace program provides many opportunities for adults and cadets to discover rocketry, quadcopters, astronomy, and flying Cessna planes. Civil Air Patrol offers teens and adults with experiences that build skills while serving their community.

Civil Air Patrol Kentucky Wing Open House.
Civil Air Patrol Kentucky Wing Open House.

Deputy Commander for Senior Members, Lt Col Joel Evans a G1000 Flight Simulator demonstrator at the Open House had this to say, “I enjoy sharing my knowledge of CAP programs and activities with visitors, prospective cadets, and pilots. It is always a treat to share my love of aviation with the public and to encourage our youth to pursue careers in the aviation field”.

The Civil Air Patrol has three missions: Cadet Programs, Aerospace, and Emergency Services. It is a volunteer part of the Total U.S. Airforce. It operates a fleet of 560 aircraft and performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions (AFRCC) that saves an average of 80 lives annually.

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 60,000 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 25,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.

Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for more information. To find a squadron near you, visit www.kywg.cap.gov

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