Civil Air Patrol wins Quality Cadet Unit Award
C/MSgt Conner McKibben, Mosier taking his first of five Orientation Rides provided free to all cadets through the US Air Force. McKibben flew from Hood River to Bend.
From Gorge Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol:
The Gorge Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Composite Squadron was one of four squadrons in Oregon that qualified and won the Quality Cadet Unit Award.
“Whether we met on-line or met in-person at Hood River Airport, all the cadets were enthusiastic and committed; that is why we won this award.” said CAP Gorge CAP Cmdr. Capt M Donahue Revier
Currently, Gorge CAP has 25 members total, 17 of whom are cadets and 8 adults.
“Since we have started meeting in-person in April, our squadron is growing. On Tuesday, Oct 5 we are hosting another Open House for students ages 12-18 interested in aerospace education, search and rescue and learning more about leadership.” said 2nd Lt Katie Walker, Deputy Commander of Cadets.
The whole Squadron contributed to earning this award:
Have three adult members train in Cadet Programs.
Study Aerospace Education and complete projects in such for six months.
Complete a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) kit supplied free of charge by National Headquarters. (Gorge CAP kit focused on quadcopters.)
Have a percentage of cadets earn their fourth stripe in promotions.
New cadets promoted within 8 weeks of joining
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, one area of measurement different this year than last was the number of cadet attending military style encampment, or participating in CAP aircraft orientation flights. However, Gorge CAP still offered 13 Orientation Rides this year to cadets in the Squadron.
CAP formed during the early days of World War II as an organization of citizen airmen. The CAPs mobilize the nation’s civilian aviation resources for national defense service and has evolved immensely since its founding in 1941.
CAPs are considered Total Force partner and Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. They are equipped to search for and find the lost, provide comfort in times of disaster and work to keep the homeland safe.
Cadets practice landing quadcopters on miniature aircraft carrier built by C/CMSgt Jakob Stanbrough, Goldendale.
Every month, cadets explore aerospace and STEM activities.
—-
Established in 1941, Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 single-engine Cessna aircraft and more than 2,000 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and performs about 90% of all search and rescue operations within the contiguous United States as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Often using innovative cellphone forensics and radar analysis software, CAP was credited by the AFRCC with saving 130 lives during the past fiscal year.
54,000 of CAP’s members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. As a nonprofit organization, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education using national academic standards-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.
Members also serve as mentors to over 20,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.CAP.News or www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information.
