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National Flying Academy CAP cadets visit Tinker

  • Published
  • By Howdy Stout
  • Tinker Public Affairs
Tinker AFB, Okla. --  Civil Air Patrol cadets participating in a week-long National Flight Academy this summer visited Tinker July 23 for a closer look at the service they supplement -- and may someday -- serve in.

The cadets, including one from the Flying Castle Composite squadron based at Tinker, were undergoing a week of flying training at nearby Shawnee as part of the annual National Flying Academy program. A break in the training allowed the cadets a first-hand look at Tinker and the units stationed here.

"It's all part of our aerospace education program," explains Col. Bob Castle, commander of Oklahoma's CAP wing.

As the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, the CAP is tasked with promoting aviation education in addition to providing search-and-rescue services. Lt. Col. Ed Angala, director of the Oklahoma Flight Academy, said there are 33 national activities this summer, including six flying and two glider programs. The 18 cadets training at Shawnee come from nine different states and are being taught by nearly a dozen instructors and staff in 11 aircraft.

And because the Oklahoma wing's headquarters is at Tinker, the base was a logical place for the cadets to visit. During the day-long tour, the 18 cadets visited the Navy TACAMO facility and the E-6B aircraft, watched a dog-handling demonstration by the 72nd Security Forces Squadron's K-9 unit, received a weapons briefing from Security Forces before touring an E-3 AWACS and the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center.

No doubt spurred by this visit, many of the cadets say they plan to join the Air Force.

"I'm planning to go to the United States Air Force Academy, earn my college degree and become an instructor pilot for the Air Force," said Cadet Kaitlyn Fife.

Joining the CAP several years ago to learn to fly, she has 13 hours of flying under her belt and has already gone solo.

"It was scary, but it was a blast," she said. "Afterward you think it's the best thing that's happened to you."

"I want to fly in a jet for the Air Force," said Cadet Dakota Swearengin.

Dan Crum, a CAP flight instructor and retired Air Force colonel, says tours such as these are often underrated for their effect on recruiting.

"They see this stuff, smell jet fuel and hear the sounds and every once in a while someone comes back and says, 'I know what I want to do,'" he says. And because being a military pilot requires a college degree and an officer's commission, the goal of military flying "gives them a new incentive to continue their education."

During their week-long training, most of the cadets received 10 hours of flight instruction. Flying twice a day for a week, they said the training is intense.

"It's amazing," said Cadet Adison Elliott. "Some parts are pretty intense and you get mentally tired. By the end of the day, you get in bed and you still feel like you're flying."

The instructors, too, are enjoying their time teaching.

"We all have different reasons for doing this," explains Colonel Castle, who himself was a CAP cadet before joining the Air Force. "For me, it's the chance to teach cadets and fly airplanes and give something back to the community."