MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - The Civil Air Patrol visited Marine Corps Air Station New River to test out the MV-22B Osprey simulators at the Marine Aviation Training System Site, July 13.
Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary unit for the Air Force. It got its start in World War II as civilian pilots volunteered to patrol shores and borders in search of enemy boats and submarines.
“The Civil Air Patrol is a completely volunteer program,” said 1st Lt. Jonathan Weaver, CAP Cessna 172 search and rescue pilot. “We have three main functions, which are performing search and rescue missions, giving aerospace education classes to cadets and offering a cadet program to youth.”
Cadets must be ages 13 through 21 and at the age of 18 are given the option to become a full member of the CAP.
“Civil Air Patrol has a wing in each state; then squadrons are broken up from each wing,” said Weaver. “We have three squadrons with us today; Cape Fear County Squadron, Brunswick County Squadron and Wake County Squadron. Our wings are made up of usually former and retired military.”
Weaver said the goal for visiting the air station was to give the cadets a first-hand look at the simulators.
“The purpose of today was to give to cadets a little hands-on experience with their aerospace education,” said Weaver. “Coming to the simulators will give them more experience and opens their eyes to the vast amount of career fields that are out there and what possibilities there are for them.”
Marines and Airmen from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 ran the cadets through simple take-offs and landings during their visit.
“The cadets used the containerized flight training devices at Marine Aviation Training System Site on Marine Corps Air Station New River,” said Crystal Mabe, MATSS operation coordinator.
“The cadets enjoyed their visit to New River and really learned a lot,” said Weaver.