Civil Air Patrol celebrates 40 years in operation

EPHRATA - The Columbia Basin squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has been training cadets for 40 years at the Camp Robert L. Boucher Emergency Services Training Academy (ESTA).

The 40th anniversary was celebrated at the facility in May.

At the ceremony, Lt. Col. Robert L. Boucher - the facility's namesake, who has been involved with CAP for more than 50 years -received a lifetime achievement award. He is the only lifetime achievement recipient as given by the ESTA of Washington wing of CAP.

Boucher helped build the facility and helped run it for more than 40 years.

The Robert L. Boucher Emergency Services Training Academy is one of three CAP training academies for the Washington wing.

Boucher was presented with a plaque by Washington Wing Civil Air Patrol Commander Col. Dave Lehman and ESTA Director Maj. Vickie L. Scholla.

"This man is the cornerstone of our entire operation," said Scholla. "We really appreciate him. He deserves every respect and honor there is."

Mike Wren, manager of the Port of Ephrata Airport facility, accepted an outstanding service award on behalf of the port authority.