APRIL 30, 2009 ISSUE
The Civil Air Patrol: Boone Wing Flying High
The Civil Air Patrol has been in existence for almost 58 years—since December 1, 1941, to be exact. Initially, this all-volunteer organization was formed to augment America’s military force and to protect the country from attack during World War II. Many people in the High Country are not aware that Boone has their own Civil Air Patrol wing.
“The kids run their own program here,” said Lt. Joanne Brown, public affairs officer. “The ‘kids’ are cadets and we have 31 of them right now. The R.O.T.C. program is based on our program. The Civil Air Patrol teaches good discipline and core value—it’s really very military—not a mock military, but real serious. We have an inspection once per month for battle dress uniform, that is the older style pre-Desert Storm style, and one night per month inspection for dress blues as well. Cadets are taught how to salute, their pins have to be just right and they learn how to spit-shine their shoes.”
Lt. Brown explained that the cadets just completed a Phase I training, which is like a mini boot camp.
“The camp was at the First Baptist Church on King Street in Boone and lasted an entire weekend,” she said. “They allow us to use the facilities. In Phase I, a cadet is taught how to possess a military bearing and there is no hazing—it is very closely chaperoned.”
The teenagers, as well as adult members of the Civil Air Patrol, are involved in search and rescue operations, because the organization covers 95 percent of this service.
“We go out when boy scouts or anyone is lost,” said Lt. Brown, “plus we do lots of community work and march in parades. The official air force auxiliary is the Civil Air Patrol. In the past five years we’ve had 5,000 missions including the search for the millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett, who disappeared while flying a plane. The Civil Air Patrol pilots spent well over six weeks searching for him, using fourteen planes.”
Every cadet earns five free flights during their tenure with the organization and many go on to earn a pilot license, though members do not have to fly or work towards becoming a pilot if they do not want to.
“The latest and greatest satellite and computer equipment is used in cadet school,” said Lt. Brown, “and students can also go to the National Search and Rescue School—both of my daughters did. The aerospace program is also connected with the Civil Air Patrol—this is not just about airplanes and cadets can learn other things with NASA besides becoming an astronaut, like weather. The program is not just for pilots.”
The nationwide program currently has 64,000 senior and cadet members, plus 12,000 licensed pilots and is headed by a national headquarters with authority over the national organization, followed by eight regional commands and 52 wings—covering each of the 50 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Cadets are between the ages of 12 to 18 years old and when they reach their 18th birthday, they can become either a senior member or remain in the cadet program until they are 21. While older, adult members serve as instructors, supervisors and operators, they also wear uniforms, as do all members of the organization. Cadets can advance up the ranks and enter programs offered within the organization, such as the National Blue Beret.
“When they become Blue Berets, a cadet gets to go to places like Oshkosh in Washington state, get airplanes and taxi them,” said Lt. Brown. “Oshkosh is one of the biggest airfields in America. And anyone seeking an appointment to a school like West Point, first requires membership in either R.O.T.C. or the Civil Air Patrol.”
For more information about joining the Civil Air Patrol, the Boone Squadron invites any interested teen or adult to stop by the First Baptist Church in Boone. The organization meets there every Thursday beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the basement.
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