St. Catherine of Siena School students (shown left to right) Patrick F., grade 8, and Michael B., grade 7, both have a love of aviation and the United States military. They are preparing for their future by rising to the challenge of cadet membership in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol.
Patrick joined the cadet program in April 2007. Since joining, Patrick has worked his way up to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He now leads his squadron’s color guard team. Patrick has been on 5 orientation flights, flying to places like High Point, New Jersey, and the Poconos. He attended basic encampment at McGuire Air Force base last summer and is hoping to attend a glider encampment this coming summer.
Michael became a cadet in February 2008 and has recently been promoted to the rank of Senior Airman. He has been on an orientation flight, flying to Princeton, New Jersey and is a member of the color guard team. He is planning to attend a week-long basic encampment at McGuire Air Force base this summer.
The Civil Air Patrol is the auxiliary of the United States Air Force. It has three missions: aerospace education, emergency services, and the cadet program. The cadet program is for young people between the ages of 12 and 21 who are interested in aviation. Cadets learn about space and aviation, participate in air shows and model rocketry, and go on orientation flights in both powered and glider aircraft.
