JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- Cadets from the Civil Air Patrol, Virginia Wing, received a guided tour of the Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Wing, July 8, 2023, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The cadets observed Airmen in various career fields to learn about the opportunities in the VaANG and how each supports the mission.
The Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Many of their missions involve serving communities with search and rescue, and recovery. The CAP’s mission later expanded to education, bringing in younger cadets.
“I really think [this visit] was very educational for the cadets,” said CAP Capt. Lawrence Zambrano, Virginia Wing squadron commander. “This is encouraging for the cadets because it can help them decide what kind of future they’d want to follow after high school.”
Guided by 192nd Wing Recruiting, the CAP cadets began their tour by attending a morning briefing with the VaANG’s student flight. They also observed a combatives training showcased by the 192nd Security Forces Squadron.
During the tour, the cadets also met with 192nd Medical Group medical technicians and 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron low observable aircraft specialists. During these demonstrations, the CAP cadets interacted with VaANG members, asked questions, and viewed a static display of the F-22 Raptor.
“The visit today was amazing, I really liked the F22s,” said CAP Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Taylor Tetley, Virginia Wing flight sergeant. “I want to be a helicopter pilot, but I also thought the fighter jets were really cool. So, I might want to lean towards that now.”
The Civil Air Patrol is a non-profit organization whose members are composed of volunteers ages 12 and up. According to the CAP Virginia Wing website, their mission is to serve communities and provide opportunities for their members through agile emergency services, a vibrant cadet program, and aerospace education. They provide quality training and relevant experiences to increase knowledge, build skills and empowerment.