Cadets and senior members of the Mesa Civil Air Patrol (CAP) were called out recently on several missions, and the cadet color guard team hosted and competed in a competition at Falcon Field.
One incident in January involved a downed aircraft northeast of Kingman, which scrambled our ground and air teams into action. During our search, which took six and one-half hours, the Prescott search and rescue team, with help from the local sheriff’s department, located the downed aircraft. The pilot was not injured, and everybody went home relieved.
A second incident occurred southeast of Safford, involving two lost hunters. Our teams were scrambled once again. On the third day of the search, they were located at midnight by using their vehicle headlights to signal the sheriff in the area.
Each incident involves a high level of communication between our Mesa CAP mission base radio communications team, emergency services, ground search teams and air operations pilots. Moreover, we are planning with other Arizona Civil Air Patrol squadrons and local law enforcement agencies search and rescue teams. What is done here makes a difference.
All of the volunteers at CAP, cadets and senior members, come to the weekly meetings ready to help any way they can. We are always looking for new members to help serve our community and country. It does not matter what (lawful) skills you possess. You will make a difference.
The Mesa CAP Squadron 305 hosted a cadet color guard competition between five squadrons to be selected for the regional competition in Texas. Each cadet did an outstanding job. Parents should be very proud of their young men and women. The competition consisted of a uniform inspection pass and review, indoor and outdoor presentation of the colors (raising and lowering of American flag), a 50-question written test of aerospace knowledge and quizzing by an Arizona Wing senior officer, as well as a 1-mile run.
Mesa Civil Air Patrol is a non-profit, all volunteer organization and is the United States Air Force Auxiliary. It is located at Falcon Field in Northeast Mesa. In addition to downed pilots and lost hikers, many missions may involve natural or manmade disasters, just to offer a couple examples.
Highly qualified retired U.S. military and/or active and inactive military reservists teach some activities to the cadets (ages 12 through 17). Motivated people like you, who are wishing to give back to their community, teach senior volunteers (ages 18 on up).
Many of these workshops, as well as young activities and special cadet functions would not be possible without public funding. The organization relies heavily upon membership dues, community functions and donations. What the kids get in return is life changing, from leadership and organizational skills, to building self-esteem and moral character.
The Mesa CAP is located at Mesa’s Falcon Field in Northeast Mesa. Take Falcon Drive off McKellips Road. Heading north, the facility is on the left (west) side of the road. Meetings are held every Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The Mesa CAP could help young men, women and adults find a calling in life. Helping your community is very contagious and can only bring out the good in people.
For more information about Civil Air Patrol, call (480) 220-4473 or visit www.azwg.org.