Wendover Civil Air Patrol High School Cadets took top honors in the organisation’s “Encampment” held last week in Wendover.
Cadet Technical Sergeant Enrique Trujillo was presented the Life Saving Award for action he took at Wendover High School when he saved a fellow student’s life this March. The Outstanding Cadet Award was presented to Cadet Airman Moises Rojas, a 14-year old student at Wendover High School. This award is presented to the one cadet who has excelled in every aspect of the training and is the top award. The Most Improved Cadet Award went to Cadet Airman AnneMarie Darrington, a student at West Wendover High School.
More than 120 High School students from all over Utah participated in the eight day long boot camp style training program that included physical fitness, character development, marksmanship, and the opportunity to fly in one of the CAP aircraft.
The week long camp began June 15th and after eight days cadets participated in the colorful Pass in Review Ceremony held at the Wendover High School Soccer Field on June 22nd.
The Wendover Squadron is now one of the largest Civil Air Patrol Squadrons in Utah with 30 cadets. The Squadron will participate in the 4th of July Parade. Later this summer, members of the Squadron will travel to Colorado Springs for a visit to the United States Air Force Academy. Cadets meet on Mondays at 6:00 at the Wendover Air Base Fire House. Annual dues for membership are $33.00. Cadets range in age from 12 to 18. Interested youth are welcome to attend.
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and occupations. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services, which includes search and rescue (by air and ground) and disaster relief operations; aerospace education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for teenage youth. In addition, CAP has recently been tasked with homeland security and courier service missions. CAP also performs non-auxiliary missions for various governmental and private agencies, such as local law enforcement and the American Red Cross. The program is established as an organization by Title 10 of the United States Code and its purposes defined by Title 36.
Membership in the organization consists of cadets ranging from 12 to just under 21 years of age, and senior members 18 years of age and up. These two groups each have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of pursuits; the cadet program contributes to the development of the former group with a structured syllabus and an organization based upon United States Air Force ranks and pay grades, while the older members serve as instructors, supervisors, and operators. All members wear uniforms while performing their duties.
Nationwide, CAP is a major operator of single-engine general aviation aircraft, used in the execution of its various missions, including orientation flights for cadets and the provision of significant emergency services capabilities. Because of these extensive flying opportunities, many CAP members become licensed pilots.
