Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Real, hands-on flying experiencs are part of CAP training
Cadets learn military customs and courtesies along with drill at the annual Camp Ripley summer encampment.
While taking a tour of the Golden Wings Flying Museum at ANE, members of Fort Snelling Cadet Squadron based at MSP are shown in front of a Ford Trimotor flown by Charles Lindbergh.
"I first joined Civil Air Patrol in the spring of my 8th grade year, when I was 14 years old. My initial interest stemmed from CAP's flight training program. I wanted to attend the Air Force Academy, and eventually fly for the air force. I figured CAP would give me an edge up on the application process and in my career. At the time, I had no idea how right I was. CAP has not only trained me to fly and given me an edge up in my life, it has fundamentally changed who I am as a person. After joining, I quickly realized the extent to which I could take the program. Not only did it offer exceptional and cheap flight training, but also emergency services and survival training, and leadership fundamentals and experience. I have since taken the program to its fullest. Participating as much as I can, I have gained experiences, knowledge, and friends I never would have thought were possible. Here I am, 3 years later, and I still have so much left I want to do. The program simply never ends, there is always something to do. I would say that joining CAP has been one of the most important and beneficial decisions of my life. It has given me everything I expected and more, I do not know where I would be had I not joined." C/1stLt Michael Engelhart
Walking into my first Civil Air Patrol meeting I saw one thing: they were working out. It was "PT" night. Immediately I thought that this program was not for me. But soon I realized something else. Everyone was doing it together and supporting each other through each exercise. Civil Air Patrol is an organization unlike any other. Although I have only been in the program for a little over a year, I have surrounded myself with incredible people and learned the importance of having a team you can rely on. I may not enjoy exercising, but I now know how fully capable I am of doing it. I've learned that being pushed to accomplish a task can be difficult, but never giving up is the most important thing. The cadets and senior members in the Civil Air Patrol have helped me to see my full potential and remind me that they are right there with me. I have had some incredible experiences through CAP and all of its great activities. Many people say that Civil Air Patrol is Boy Scouts on steroids. All I can say to those who haven't gotten involved ... just wait and see! C/A1C Eva Sundheim
You may have seen them at an air show patrolling the flight line. Maybe you saw them last summer helping security at the Burnsville Fire Muster. If a child or an adult is reported lost, odds are these well- trained young volunteers are searching for them. During the holidays they placed wreaths on the headstones of veterans buried at Ft Snelling Cemetery. If a flood or tornado should visit your area, it is likely you will also be visited by the cadets and senior members of the Civil Air Patrol.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is home to The Fort Snelling Cadet Squadron (FSCS) of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), commanded by Major Dan Stone.
CAP is the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). Many people have never heard of the Civil Air Patrol and are often surprised to learn who they are and the community services they perform.
CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services, which include search and rescue (by air and ground) and disaster relief operations; aerospace education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for youth ages 12-20.
The Air Force Reserve's 934th Airlift Wing at Ft Snelling hosts the Ft Snelling Cadet Squadron on base, which makes this squadron pretty unique. Only a few squadrons around the state, and around the country for that matter, are similarly located. Because Ft Snelling is an active military base, cadets are able to get first-hand experience with military life and operations.
Part of cadet leadership learning includes military customs and courtesies. All cadets wear uniforms similar to those worn by the US Air Force, and they know to always salute CAP and all military officers whenever they encounter them!
Cadets learn how to work as a team to accomplish special tasks and services, and they learn to follow their leader's directions. More importantly, they learn how to become leaders themselves. Cadets also learn a broad area of search and rescue techniques. This is important because the CAP is tasked nationally to assist the Air Force in more than 85% of its search and rescue missions. Each year the CAP is credited with saving approximately 100 lives!
The Ft Snelling Cadet Squadron is comprised of cadets from all walks of life, from throughout the Twin Cities metro area. They are middle and high school age students, male and female, some home schooled, while others attend the local public schools, or Twin Cities private and parochial schools.
What these teens have in common is that they all tend to be very focused on academics and athletics, and share an interest in aviation. In fact many take advantage of the free Civil Air Patrol "O" Flights (Orientation flights) provided by pilots of the CAP. It's real, hands-on flying experience and "stick time" in both single engine prop planes and in gliders.
CAP pilots volunteer their time to fly cadets and even instruct them in their private pilot training. Cadets can typically complete their private pilot's license at a greatly reduced cost, and obtain it by about the same time they are getting a driver's license.
In addition to the "O" Flights, cadets get special opportunities every year to fly on military aircraft. It's not unusual to hear cadets talk about the excitement they experienced flying on a Black Hawk helicopter, a C-130 transport or even a Chinook troop transport helicopter.
They get to train each summer with members of the military, getting unparalleled access to highly challenging obstacle courses and other facilities not open to the general public. These are simply experiences none of their school friends will ever have. Unless of course they join CAP ... or the Air Force after high school.
The FSCS is always eager to attract and recruit young people (must be at least 12 years old) who have an interest in aviation, aerospace, emergency services and developing leadership skills. It's a real commitment to be in the CAP, but the cadets typically find it hard to contain their enjoyment and personal sense of achievement, and of pride, as members of the Civil Air Patrol.
For interested parents or teens who would like more information, visit FortSnellingCap.org to find directions to the meetings and other info. Also take a look at the Ft Snelling Cadet Squadron Facebook page to see loads of pictures and updates on Squadron activities and the experiences of cadets.
The Squadron meets Monday evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm on the northern side of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, at the 934th Airlift Wing, Air Reserve Station. Visits to the Squadron can be easily arranged by appointment. Just email the Squadron Public Affairs Officer, Bob Sundheim, at bobsundheim@gmail.com. He can answer any questions and help you arrange your visit.
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