Cape Girardeau's Civil Air Patrol Squadron trains at Bonne Terre

Trail of Tears Composite Squadron MO-127, Civil Air Patrol, United States Airforce Auxiliary travelled to Bonne Terre, Missouri, Feb. 20 for ground team and emergency services training. Four cadets and four senior members participated in learning about safety, weather related trauma, grid pattern search, communications and airplane basics.

One of the things that really garners the interest of Cadets are the Civil Air Patrol Airplanes. Captains Allies and Thurman, Civil Air Patrol pilots, Pegasus Squadron out of Bonne Terre, Missouri gave the cadets a technical tour of the electrical, communications and mechanical systems of the aircraft housed at the Bonne Terre Airport.

Though not offered Saturday, one of the many things cadets participate in is Orientation Rides. These rides teach cadets the importance of Civil Air Patrol’s air support team as well as giving them some practical, supervised experience behind the yoke of aircraft which can benefit them later, if they choose to take private flying lessons.

The exciting part of the day for the senior members is when the squadron first laid eyes their new Civil Air Patrol Van. Captain Steve Vogt, Missouri’s Civil Air Patrol Wing Director of Communications, assisted Major Timothy Willis, Commander, Trail of Tears Composite Squadron, in installing communications equipment and running coax for the equipment.

Civil Air Patrol is an Auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Its mission is to support America’s communities with emergency response, diverse aviation and ground services, youth development, and promotion of air, space, and cyber power. Youth 12-18 years of age comprise the cadet members and adults 19 years old and up comprise the senior members. For further information about Civil Air Patrol and its duties visit the national Civil Air Patrol website, gocivilairpatrol.com or visit the squadron Facebook page, facebook.com/MOCAP127.