COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.-- Cadets from the local Golden Triangle Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol (CAP), held a change of command ceremony, at the Base Chapel, Apr. 15, 2021, on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
Cadet Major Hunter Chunn, cadet commander could not attend due to COVID-19 restrictions, however, cadet Chief Master Sgt. Dakota Oswalt, stood in his place to relinquish command to the incoming cadet commander, cadet 2nd Lt. Matthew Carden.
“There is a Civil Air Patrol Wing in every state,” said 1st Lt. Corey Goodwin, Golden Triangle Composite Squadron commander. “In the Mississippi Wing we presently have 112 cadets and 300 senior members. Nationally there are almost 21,000 cadets and 33,000 senior members in numerous squadrons servicing the communities, state, and nation as volunteers. “
As of Apr. 6, 2021, CAP is credited with search and Rescue operations resulting in the safe return of 53 people by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.
“CAP is often the first to overfly an area after a disaster, such as tornados, to take photo and video for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), so they can plan how to respond,” said Goodwin.
According to Goodwin, although the learning curriculum is similar, what sets CAP apart from school based ROTC programs is that CAP is an Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and a part of the Total Force. CAP can be called out to help in a time of crisis by the U.S. government, school based ROTC programs cannot.
The Civil Air Patrol will turn 80 on Dec.1, 2021. For more information you can visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com.