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    Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol proud to call Fort Indiantown Gap home

    Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol proud to call Fort Indiantown Gap home

    Courtesy Photo | Civil Air Patrol cadets sound off in front of Building 8-80 on Fort Indiantown Gap...... read more read more

    FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, UNITED STATES

    08.23.2016

    Story by Maj. Angela King-Sweigart 

    Fort Indiantown Gap

    FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa.- The installation is home to several tenant organizations, one of which, the Headquarters of the Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol, hosts events and meeting throughout the year here including its annual Cadet Training School.

    Formed in 1941, the Civil Air Patrol began as an organization to help protect the U.S. homeland during World War II. Since then its mission has evolved into performing coastal/border patrol, search and rescue, natural disaster relief, air defense support and joint training with the military. The tenants of the organization include its commitment to its cadet training program, aerospace education and emergency services.

    What is lesser known is that the Civil Air Patrol is the Official Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and included in the Air Force’s definition of the total force, according to Civil Air Patrol Lt. Joel Mutschler, deputy commander of Group 2 and advisor to the wing commander. Mutschler is a Pennsylvania Air National Guard veteran. The close ties with the military are enhanced by the headquarters being located on the installation as well as the substantial number of military members who are or were involved with the Civil Air Patrol either as cadets or active members.

    One former Civil Air Patrol Cadet is a current aviator in the Pennsylvania National Guard and says he attributes his success to the fundamentals and foundations of discipline and leadership he learned in the Civil Air Patrol. Maj. Timothy Zerbe, operations officer for the 28th Combat Aviation Brigade, 28th Infantry Division, said, “Because of the Civil Air Patrol and the skills I learned, I was able to transition to military service very easily. In addition to leadership and discipline, I developed a strong work ethic and character traits sought after by the Armed Forces such as integrity, selfless service and honesty.”

    One of the highlights of the year for the organization is its annual Cadet Training School held here. The Pennsylvania Wing has more than 910 cadets state-wide and many of them arrive here each summer for their leadership development.

    “The camp is unique in that it is run by the cadets,” said Civil Air Patrol Lt. Rusanna Kasriel, public affairs officer for the Cadet Training Academy. “The cadets are given a structured environment to learn and practice their leadership skills. Fort Indiantown Gap offers an excellent environment to do that.” Cadets are authorized to use the installations barracks, and training facilities like the leadership reaction course.

    "Thanks to Fort Indiantown Gap, cadets of Civil Air Patrol are given an opportunity to not only view all the military has to offer from afar, but to actually immerse themselves in the environment. We are grateful for being welcomed on the base and for our cadets to be able to see and experience things like an obstacle course and leadership reaction course their favorite part of the Cadet Training School," said Kasriel.

    Civil Air Patrol Lt. Col. Roysetta Bruner, commander of Group 2 and a 40 year Civil Air Patrol veteran added, "There are always great kids in the world."

    Fort Indiantown Gap trains more than 130,000 people annually and is the busiest National Guard training center in the nation.

    For more information about the Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol including how to join please visit: http://pawg.cap.gov

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.23.2016
    Date Posted: 08.23.2016 15:35
    Story ID: 207979
    Location: FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, US

    Web Views: 555
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN