Civil Air Patrol supports Team McConnell

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ronald Lafosse
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Have you ever seen someone in a uniform and it just looks off? Well, they could be a part of the Civil Air Patrol, Emerald City Composite Squadron.

The CAP has both adult and youth cadet programs. Currently, they have 54 members with nearly 20 of those being cadets. Every member serves as a volunteer without pay.

The cadets take classes in aerospace, leadership, character development and physical fitness. They progress through achievement to earn rank. The highest being the Gen Carl Spatz award, cadet colonel. The cadets may also train in the emergency services program of civil air patrol. Each cadet is also given five orientation rides in powered aircraft.

"CAP has a versatile role in search and rescue, blood and organ transport. And to make every cadet a better person in everyday life," said the deputy commander for cadets, CAP Capt. George Bergen.

When CAP Captain Bergen is not performing his duties with the Civil Air Patrol, he is known as Staff Sgt. George Bergen 127th Command and Control Squadron.

The adults, or seniors, train in and perform emergency services such as search and rescue and disaster relief. The adults also administer the cadet program and provide aerospace information to the general public. With CAP being the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, they wear the Air Force uniform. Nationwide there are more than 40,000 CAP members with wings in all 50 states as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Some of the most notable missions they have participated in recently are the Kansas floods and blizzards of 2007 and the Greensburg tornado. Their color guard has also participated in numerous parades during the last year.

They also participate in the wreaths across America program which lays wreaths on the graves of veterans every Christmas.

The Kansas Wing which they are a part of has five aircraft assigned to it; three are Cessna 182's and two are Cessna 172's. These are assigned at various locations around the state.

Their current commander is Maj. Ron Muhasky CAP who is retired from the Kansas National Guard.

For more information about CAP, you can visit http://kswg.cap.gov/.