Learning to fly

Published Sept. 11, 2009
By Howdy Stout
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Rubber bands, empty soft drink bottles, plastic spoons and bits of cardboard litter the highly-polished conference table. Unless you're McGyver or the A-Team, you wouldn't normally think of these things as rocket-building materials.

But it isn't McGyver, or even bored rocket scientists, building the rockets. But, someday, they might be.

"We're making junk rockets," explains cadet Airman Jordan Brimage, one of more than a dozen Civil Air Patrol cadets belonging to the Flying Castle Composite Squadron based at Tinker. The junk rockets are a lesson in physics for these young cadets, many of whom aspire to careers in aviation.

"I'm joining," says Nathan Anders, a 12-year-old attending his first CAP meeting. "I want to get my wings. That's mainly why I'm here."

Tinker is home to the Flying Castle Composite squadron, one of nearly a dozen CAP squadrons in Oklahoma. The headquarters for the CAP's Oklahoma Wing is also based at Tinker.

Founded in the dark days of the Second World War, the Civil Air Patrol consisted of volunteer pilots patrolling America's coasts on the hunt for German U-boats or Japanese submarines.

Patrolling out of sight of land, often in their own light aircraft, the CAP also generated America's first heroes and were the first to personally receive air medals from President Roosevelt.

In recognition of their efforts, the Civil Air Patrol became the official auxiliary of the then U.S. Army Air Forces and, later, the U.S. Air Force. In that role, it supplements and supports Air Force missions. In fact, CAP aircraft were the first non-military aircraft airborne after 9/11 and were used to assess damage and dangers to rescue crews at Ground Zero.

Most often, CAP aircraft and crews are used during search and rescue operations, looking for survivors of missing aircraft or assisting in disaster relief operations as aerial observers. With more than 500 aircraft throughout the country, the CAP is often the first to respond.

"Civil Air Patrol performs 90 percent of the inland search and rescue missions," explains Col. Bob Castle, commander of the Oklahoma Wing of the CAP. It is a mission, he says, the CAP performs on a regular basis.

The CAP also runs aviation educational programs and a cadet program where those as young as 12 can join and are tutored by adult, senior members.

"The cadets are introduced to a military environment and learn things like drill and military customs and courtesies," says Meredith Albrecht, Flying Castle squadron commander and CAP captain. "In addition, we place great emphasis on aerospace education to give the cadets a thorough understanding of the history of aviation and space flight as well as basic aeronautics. Also, cadets are encouraged to participate as Search and Rescue team members and receive extensive Search and Rescue training."

"I was interested in aircraft and when I heard they did search and rescue, I wanted to do it," said cadet First Sgt. Ryker Lirley.

Sergeant Lirley joined the squadron three years ago and -- besides learning -- is also teaching.

"That's the great thing about this program," he said. "When you learn enough you get to teach it as well. Not only do you get to learn about the subject you're interested in, you get to teach about what you're interested in."

Teaching provides satisfaction to the senior, adult members as well. Senior Master Sgt. Michael Garrity of the 552nd Air Control Wing spends his Tuesday nights at the squadron's weekly meetings, sharing the knowledge and experience of a 26-year Air Force career.

"I like working with the cadets," he explains. "I'm very passionate about aerospace. Using my experience and passing it on to these kids, that's my satisfaction."

The cadets are eager students. For many, their cadet experience shapes their career choices.

"I joined as a cadet in 2005," says senior member 2nd Lt. Ryan Jones. "Civil Air Patrol got me motivated."

Now a senior member and in his last year at the University of Oklahoma's aviation program, Lt. Jones won a flying scholarship through CAP and will commission into the Air Force next May with a coveted pilot training spot.

"I cannot wait," he said. "I just love airplanes and being around them. I can't wait to start flying Air Force airplanes."

Senior member Justin Dang also joined the CAP as a cadet. He, too, will soon be transferring to OU's aviation program with an eye on an Air Force career. "Hopefully, I'll commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force as a pilot."

"I joined CAP as a cadet to gain an understanding of the military since I have always wanted to be a military aviator," explains Captain Albrecht, who is one of a handful of women military aviators and the only female pilot with the Navy's Strategic Communications Wing ONE. "Being a CAP member really inspired me to keep working towards my goal and was able to prepare me for the rigors of the Naval Academy."

A naval aviator for VQ-3 based at Tinker, Captain Albrecht was appointed Flying Castle squadron commander in February. She plans to gain her flight instructors rating in order to begin teaching cadets.

"I've been inspired to get my certified flight instructor rating so I can be a part of the National Flight Academy next summer and teach cadets how to fly," she said. "I plan on staying with CAP as long as I can."

For some, like Colonel Castle, the CAP experience inspired an Air Force career and a later career as a professional pilot with U.S. Customs.

"I started out as a cadet in the 1960s when I was in high school," Colonel Castle said. "And then I rejoined the CAP when I retired from the Air Force."

But be it wing commander or cadet, fun and learning begin with the first step.

"It's been incredible to watch the squadron evolve from what it was just a few months ago to what we have now," Captain Albrecht said. "We've had a sharp increase in membership and everyone is getting out and being extremely active."

Active like Cadet Brimage, one of the squadron's new members. Although his junk rocket didn't win any awards, he did earn a promotion to cadet Airman for his participation since joining the squadron four months ago.

"This is the first promotion. It's a big one," said Captain Albrecht as she pinned the airman's insignia to a proud Brimage's uniform. "Keep tracking."