Photo By Senior Airman Shelby Jessee | Civil Air Patrol cadets experienced an orientation flight with the 403rd Wing at...... read more read more
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KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --
A new generation of leaders took to the skies and the ground the week of July 28, developing their skills with the Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing.
About 150 cadets from the Louisiana Civil Air Patrol completed a week-long encampment at Keesler Air Force Base, which was designed to mirror Air Force basic training and is a pivotal step in the cadets' journey, said 1st Lt. Josiah May, a CAP senior member volunteer.
They visited the 81st Training Wing and flew on a WC-130J Super Hercules July 29 and toured various 403rd Wing units July 31.
Providing tours for the cadets builds community outreach relationships and provides an opportunity most people would never get a chance to experience, said Tech. Sgt. Kyle Stoeger, 403rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics technician.
“It inspires future Airmen to join, and more specifically for the 403rd Maintenance Group, it provides insight into our mission,” said Stoeger. “I look forward to the event being hosted by our Wing for years to come, and I think the results will show when these young cadets step-up and serve our country in the future.”
In addition to learning about the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, the cadets were also educated about the CAP mission and career paths, said May.
As a congressionally chartered and federally supported non-profit civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, the CAP is a completely volunteer organization for young people between the ages of 12 and 21, said May. It’s built on a foundation of three core programs: cadet training, emergency services, and aerospace education. May, who is also an Airman First Class in the Louisianna Air National Guard, emphasized the program's primary mission: to develop future leaders.
“The encampment offered a unique opportunity for them to immerse themselves in leadership lessons and advance through the program's ranks,” said May. "The biggest things that we train our cadets to be our leaders, whether you go into the military or in the real world.”
For one cadet, the experience was about putting leadership into action.
“I learned how to coordinate and ensure that everything that needs to get done is done, how to delegate the tasks to the proper people, and ensuring it's done in a timely manner,” said CAP Lt. Col. Alexander Morgan.
Beyond shaping young minds, the CAP plays a crucial role in community support. The organization utilizes its Cessna aircrafts to provide vital surveillance and relief efforts during natural disasters, such as hurricanes.
“I decided to join the civil air patrol because I wanted to help serve my community, better myself, my leadership skills and then those around me,” Morgan said.
Through their commitment to service and personal growth, the CAP is ensuring their volunteers are ready to answer the call to lead their community. These young volunteers are not just dreaming of the future; they’re actively building it, one training session at a time, said May.
| Date Taken: | 08.03.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2025 14:00 |
| Story ID: | 548530 |
| Location: | BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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