last modified: Thursday, June 10, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA - EXCELLENT PHOTO OPS OF AIR FORCE PERSONNEL AND CIVIL AIR PATROL CADETS: To schedule, please work through the public affairs office at your local Air Force installation.

MAXWELL AFB, Ala. — Civil Air Patrol cadets will get a first-hand look at military life during CAP National Cadet Week, July 4-11.

Cadets all over the country will visit their nearby Air Force installations during the week. Representatives from the CAP units and Air Force installations will work together to plan each group's activities, designed to help cadets learn more about Air Force operations and the military lifestyle.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper is encouraging Air Force personnel to participate. In a June 1, 2004 memo to all major commands, he wrote, “Attracting youths to aviation and space-related career fields is key to our nation's continued progress in aeronautics and astronautics. CAP's cadet program is an investment in America's future, both in producing responsible citizens for our nation and building a potential workforce for our air and space community. During the observance of CAP Cadet Week, your activities can help make our outstanding Air Force world come alive for these dedicated cadets.”

Cadet Week activities may include tours of aviation, maintenance and support facilities at local Air Force installations. The Air Force may also provide CAP cadets with rides in flight simulators, instruction from honor guards or flight crews, and shadowing or lunch with Air Force officers or enlisted personnel.

Some Air Force installations may not be able to participate because of current mission requirements, but can plan activities with CAP cadets as their schedules permit.

“This is the first year for our Cadet Week program, and we expect enthusiastic participation from our members,” said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Richard Bowling. “The program is a win-win for CAP and the Air Force. For the cadets, Cadet Week offers a fun and worthwhile summer learning experience and a chance to see first-hand what a military career would be like. For the Air Force, it's an excellent recruiting opportunity - a chance to interact with outstanding young people who are already interested in aviation and space. And finally, Cadet Week strengthens the working relationships among Air Force installations and their local CAP squadrons.”

Civil Air Patrol, the official Air Force auxiliary, is a nonprofit organization with almost 62,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 95% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 27,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 60 years.

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