Cadets see opportunities at Shaw

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Senior Airman Gerald Ratulowski, 20th Maintenance Operations Squadron munitions systems specialists, shows Sourth Carolina Civil Air Patrol cadets how to attach the seeker head assembly to a guided bomb unit June 27. The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the Air Force which conducts aerospace education, cadet programs and search and rescue missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Coleman)

Cadets see opportunities at Shaw

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- South Carolina Civil Air Patrol cadets' board a C-17 Globemaster for an orientation flight during a visit June 27. The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the Air Force that conducts aerospace education, cadet programs and search and rescue missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Coleman)

Cadets see opportunities at Shaw

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Rocky, 20th Sercurity Forces Squadron military working dog, and Staff Sgt. Christopher Le-Blanc, 20th SFS dog handler, demonstrates how to take down a suspect resisting arrest for the South Carolina Civil Air Patrol at Shaw June 27. Civil Air Patrol is a completely voluntary program to train young men and women in teamwork, moral leadership, aerospace education, technical skills to support emergency services, and military history and customs, according to the CAP public Web site, http://www.cap.gov/index.cfm. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Henry L. Hoegen Jr.)

Cadets see opportunities at Shaw

Published June 28, 2007
By Senior Airman Holly MacDonald
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C -- More than 100 South Carolina Civil Air Patrol cadets had the opportunity to experience a day at Shaw June 27 to learn about a variety of jobs and the day-to-day of active-duty life.

"The most beneficial part of the tour is taking these teenagers at a decision point in their lives and allowing them to see the men and women, only two to four years older than them, working with cutting-edge technology," said G. Mark Rutan, S.C. State director of liaison.

Civil Air Patrol is a completely voluntary program to train young men and women in teamwork, moral leadership, aerospace education, technical skills to support emergency services, and military history and customs, according to the CAP public Web site, www.cap.gov/index.cfm.

The CAP is best known for its members' work in search and rescue and disaster relief missions, CAP is expanding its role in the 21st century to include an increasing number of homeland security operations and exercises, according to the Web site.

The day began with Brig. Gen. Blair Hansen, 9th Air Force vice commander and U.S. Central Command Air Forces deputy commander, presenting the General Carl A. Spaatz Award to Cadet Christopher Todd of Hilton Head, S.C.

The cadets were divided into five groups and continued the tour with various demonstrations including weapons load, military working dog, explosive ordnance disposal and altitude chamber.

Also on the agenda was a C-17 airlift from Charleston AFB, S.C. The C-17 from loaded up twice with cadets and flew around the local area.

"The tour exposes the cadets to America's finest and hopefully the lasting impression the cadets get is 'I can do that,'" said Mr. Rutan.

One of the cadets, 15-year-old, CAP Airman 1st Class Chatham Harris, said he has known he wanted to be a pilot since he was five years old.

"Today's airlift just added padding to my dream. It was amazing. I know now I would be content flying either a fighter or a heavy," Airman Harris said. "And the pilots gave me some good tips on the direction to take to make my dream possible."