Civil Air Patrol holds open house
Columbia Basin Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol cadets had the opportunity to show interested students some of the CAP gliders and around the squadron building at the open house.
REBECCA PETTINGILL/SPECIAL TO THE COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Cadets have the opportunity to have unique experiences through the Civil Air Patrol program that other children do not, Jonathan Henke, health services officer for the local squadron told attendees of the open house.
There were about half a dozen families who showed up to get more information about the Civil Air Patrol Cadet program.
Four senior cadets addressed the audience and shared their personal experiences with the cadet program.
The open house gave interested parents and students the opportunity to hear about all the unique experiences this program can bring and ask any questions they may have.
EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol held an open house at their squadron building at the Ephrata Municipal Airport this past weekend to give interested parties the opportunity to hear about the program.
“There are going to be things you will be able to do that none of your friends would have ever dreamed they’d be able to do,” said Jonathan Henke, health services officer for the local squadron.
The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force and its mission is to provide training in emergency services, aerospace and STEM education, and leadership training through the Cadet Program.
The open house allowed interested students and their parents the opportunity to learn more about the Civil Air Patrol organization and cadet program, ask questions and address concerns.
Squadron commander Lt Col Roger Patry addressed the group and explained that all the adults involved in the cadet program are volunteers and many, like himself, got their start with Civil Air Patrol. He said he spent 20 years in the Air Force and then another 20-plus years in the airline industry before retiring and returning to CAP.
“It’s my chance to give something back so that’s why I’m here,” said.
Four senior CAP Cadets — 1st Lt. Ben Belino, Chief Master Sgt. Noah Baker, Staff Sgt. Teagan Baysinger and Tech Sgt. Austyn Miller — told those in attendance how long they had been in the program, why they joined and what their best experience has been so far.
Belino started the program in 2018 and said he joined because he was interested in airspace.
“My best experience so far is attending national level activities where I got to meet people from all over the country and serve communities across the nation,” Belino said.
Baker, who joined in 2021, said his cousin convinced him to join and then said his cousin ended up moving just two weeks later. His favorite experience so far was encampment, which he described as military boot camp but toned down because of the cadet’s ages.
Joining in 2020, Miller said he wanted to participate in CAP because he has an interest in planes and wants to join the military when he is older. His favorite experience was being able to be aboard a KC-135 military refueling flight.
“We went in a military plane over southern Idaho and we got to refuel two F-18s, and that was a really fun experience just getting to watch them fly under us and refuel while we were still in the air,” he said.
Baysinger said she joined only a few months ago, in February, because other current members convinced her to. Her favorite part has been the glider flights she has been on.
As said by Cadets Miller and Baysinger, cadets have the opportunity to receive orientation flights in powered and glider CAP aircraft and occasionally in military aircraft through the U.S. Air Force.
Cadets in the local squadron come from all over the Columbia Basin such as Odessa, Othello, Soap Lake and Quincy, but a majority come from Moses Lake and Ephrata.
Participants learn about and focus on leadership, aerospace, fitness and character. As they learn, they advance through a series of achievements, earning honors and increased responsibilities along the way.
“Today we learn, tomorrow we lead,” a description on the wall in the cadet leadership classroom reads.
“CAP isn’t only limited to Washington, it’s nationwide,” said Henke. “There are different flight academies that you can go to all over the country, various activities and training you can do around the country where you get to meet other CAP members such as yourselves, make friends all over the country, it’s truly an amazing experience.”
Rebecca Pettingill is a freelance journalist and photographer who lives in Grant County.
Want to get involved in CAP?
Applications are open for new cadets through Sept. 14 to boys and girls ages 12-18. Adult volunteers are always welcome. Applications will reopen again in January. For additional information, contact Lt. Col Kathy Maxwell at 360-951-6719.
