Civil Air Patrol visits Laughlin

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Desiree Economides
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A group of 31 Civil Air Patrol cadets from across the nation spent June 18 through 26 at Laughlin to participate in the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course.

The week long course gives the cadets the opportunity to experience a condensed version of what student pilots go through during their year-long training at Laughlin.

"CAP offers a variety of summer programs that cadets can participate in, this is just one of them. This year, we had 184 applicants and we brought 31," said Maj. Matt Young, CAP USAF Reserve assistance officer.

Throughout the week, the cadets flew simulators, toured a runway supervisory unit, experienced an altitude chamber, took a flight on a T-1A aircraft and even took an operational test. Each of the courses taken by the cadets reflects the three curriculums the Air Force student pilots go through: academic, aircraft systems and flight.

"The whole course is to find out what it's like to go through the Air Force pilot training. We try to make the experience as authentic as possible," said Major Young.

According to the cadets, it has been a worthwhile experience.

"The program has definitely been an eye opener from the first day. It's been really fun, but I've studied more this week than I have ever done before," said 17-year-old cadet Nathan Arauco, of Ft. Hood, Texas.

Returning for his second year, Cadet Damon Poor, SUPT-FC staff member from McChord Civil Air Patrol, Wash., agreed in having a similar experience.

"I had such a good time last year and I just can't get enough of this," he said.

SUPT-FC is more than just teaching cadets about what Air Force pilots have to complete to be certified. It also strives to teach about military life and opportunities available to them.

"Even if the cadets don't go through the Air Force pilot training track, hopefully we've exposed them to what life in the Air Force is all about," said 1st Lt. Joe Winter, CAP activity director and Major in the program.

Thus far, according to the CAP staff and participants, the program has been a success.

"I learned a lot about how the whole Air Force works that I didn't know before. It is interesting to see how everything revolves around the mission and the program goes from stage to stage," said Cadet Ryan Cole, Clarke County Composite Squadron in Athens, Ga.

Second Lt. Trevor Johnson, a current pilot training student at Laughlin, participated in the CAP program in 2003. He advised the young cadets touring the program that he too had enjoyed coming out to visit Laughlin while he was in CAP and that it was part of the reason why he chose to come back as a student.

"Coming to Laughlin as Civil Air Patrol was probably the biggest influence for me to come back for pilot training," he said.