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Scott hosts annual CAP professional development weekend

  • Published
  • By CAP Capt. Greg Hoffeditz
  • Scott Composite Squadron Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Scott Composite Squadron, with the assistance of Detachment 2 of the Mobility Operations School, hosted Civil Air Patrol's Illinois Wing's annual professional development training at Scott AFB.

Twenty two members from units throughout Illinois and Missouri participated in sessions which included the Corporate Learning Course, Squadron Leadership School and Training Leaders of Cadets. These courses are designed to increase leadership and management knowledge in CAP operations from squadron through national levels and are required for advancement in the program.

The training also included information regarding the Air Force and CAP relationship. CAP is the congressionally chartered civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force.

CAP Capt. Jennifer Smith, deputy commander for cadets at the Wentzville Composite Squadron in Missouri, enjoyed the Training Leaders of Cadets course.

"I was actually amazed at how much information I took away from the weekend," she said. "The sharing of knowledge across squadrons, wings and even regions was tremendously valuable. Members of the Illinois Wing and the Scott Composite Squadron were very hospitable. I felt a part of their group and enjoyed the training."

At the end of the weekend, CAP Col. Rickey Oeth, Illinois wing commander, presented certificates of completion to the attendees. He also presented the Det. 2 commander, Lt. Col. Lance Peterson, and his deputy Jerry McCrave, with a framed lithograph depicting Civil Air Patrol's role of coastal patrol during World War II.

About Civil Air Patrol

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 61,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 26,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 71 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans.

Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com for more information.