Building Relationships Through Civil Air Patrol Education and Training
by Capt Brandon Lunsford, CAP
EDMOND, Okla. (May 4, 2022) – Edmond’s Fire Training facility was a bustle of activity as 65 Civil Air Patrol members from all over Oklahoma joined their wing commander, Col Aaron Oliver, for a multiday education and training event at the facility, located at 5300 E Covell Road.
“Relationships are critical to our success in a volunteer organization,” stated Colonel Oliver. “While the training objectives of the weekend were to better prepare leaders to create meaningful experiences for cadets and other adult members, it was also to bring people together to renew friendships and open dialogue with other volunteers.”
Oklahoma Wing Commander, Colonel Aaron Oliver giving remarks during the weekend training.
(Source: Capt. Brooke Erikson, CAP)
Civil Air Patrol’s cadet program is tasked with producing dynamic young Americans and aerospace leaders through a program based on leadership training, flight training, search and rescue, STEM and aerospace education.
Training in CAP is ongoing for cadets, just as it is for the dedicated corps of adult volunteers. The wing graduated 43 adult members from the weekend’s Training Leaders of Cadets educational training. The program is designed to teach adults how to become better mentors of cadets and more effective managers of their programs. Every generation of cadets says that the No. 1 factor contributing to the success of their cadet experience is the quality of adult leaders.
(Above and Below) Members of Oklahoma Wing during the weekend training.
(Source: Capt. Brooke Erikson, CAP)
The weekend training also graduated 14 adult members from the squadron commander’s course. The course is designed for recently appointed commanders and those interested in pursuing knowledge of leading a local squadron.
“Having a pool of volunteers with this training gives us a professional volunteer corps ready to assume command,” stated Colonel Oliver. “This training maintains the high standards of excellence that our cadets and their parents expect from us.”
Follow the adventures of the Riverside Composite Squadron at facebook.com/okwgcap
For More Information:
About Civil Air Patrol
Established in 1941, Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 555 single-engine aircraft and 2,250 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and performs about 90% of all search and rescue operations within the contiguous United States as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Often using innovative cellphone forensics and radar analysis software, CAP was credited by the AFRCC with saving 108 lives last year. CAP’s 56,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. As a nonprofit organization, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education using national academic standards-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education resources. Members also serve as mentors to over 23,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.
Visit www.CAP.News or www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information.
