12/Jan/2008
Civil Service: CAP Serves Community by Providing Emergency Response, Youth Training & Taste of Military Life
By Maj. Lois Hopwood
Civil Air Patrol
A private airplane flying a family home for the holidays is reported overdue by anxious relatives. A hurricane devastates low-lying areas of the state and emergency response managers desperately need high-resolution images of the disaster area.
Either of the above crisis situations may require the activation of the Civil Air Patrol, the non-profit, all volunteer auxiliary of the United States Air Force.
“Thanks to state of the art technology and a high level of professional training, our emergency response capability is among the best in the world!” said Maj. Robert Davis, commander of the Capitol City Composite. He said they respond within an hour of being notified. The Squadron is based at the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.
Several members of the CAP are Zachary residents, such as Lt. Col. Brian Capone, Capt. John Williams, Capt. Sean Chenevert, and Maj. Lois Hopwood. Along with nearly 40 other squadron members from around the area, these men and women are trained and ready to serve as needed.
“Having a military background and a love for flying led me to volunteer with Civil Air Patrol,” Capone said. “I have been a member since 1985 and recommend the CAP to anyone that wants to give back in some way.”
Capone said he has had the opportunity to conduct search and rescue, obtain good emergency services training, and introduce youth to the thrill of flight and a taste of military life. “It really hit home when I participated in search and photo flights after Hurricane Katrina. My family and numerous relatives grew up in Plaquemines Parish and St. Bernard Parish and all lost homes. To be on the scene within days of the hurricane made me feel proud I was helping them in despair. It’s a great organization.”
Senior member, CAP Maj. John Williams said he has been a member of Civil Air Patrol since 2006 in both Texas and Louisiana. “The Civil Air Patrol gives me great satisfaction training with other members devoted to the service of serving our local community, while also helping our state and our nation. I am a professional airline pilot, but still find time to volunteer my love of flying with other people of similar interests. My son, Brennan, is really looking forward to joining CAP next summer when he turns 12,” Williams said.
While emergency services garner quite a bit of attention due to incidents like the Steve Fosset search in September and the extensive response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, CAP is charged with two other vital missions for America.
The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program stands as one of the premier youth organizations in the country. Cadets, aged 12 to 21, develop key leadership and life skills through a structured program designed to train the leaders of tomorrow. Along with an opportunity to participate in real life missions under the close supervision of screened adult leaders, the cadet program provides opportunities for young people to attend national encampments, compete for college and flight scholarships, and attend an annual international air cadet exchange in designated foreign countries. Cadets develop moral values, leadership skills, confidence and learn to set life goals.
Aerospace education is another Civil Air Patrol mission. Under the auspices of the aerospace education umbrella, CAP members are on the cutting edge of knowledge relating to aviation and space progress. In addition, CAP provides training and materials to classroom teachers in schools across the nation, including an annual week long Aerospace Education Conference at little or no cost to the teachers.
Linked by a common desire to serve the community, CAP members come from diverse backgrounds. Doctors, lawyers, professional pilots, and folks from all other walks of life train together and work together to become non-paid professionals dedicated to accomplishing missions for America.
The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization was founded on Dec. 1, 1941, less than a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that led to America’s involvement in World War II. Its members soon proved their worth by conducting aerial patrols, and vigilance that discouraged and eventually stopped deadly German U-boat attacks on shipping in American waterways. Sixty-four heroic members died while carrying out CAP missions during the war.
“Our members have a proud legacy of selfless service to their country and their communities,” said Brig. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAP’s interim national commander. “That service spans nearly seven decades and expands constantly as needs arise.”
Civil Air Patrol presents an opportunity to serve the community second to none. Men, women and young people with a desire to explore the opportunities available in CAP are encouraged to explore the possibilities with the Capitol City Composite Squadron. The squadron meets on Monday evenings from 7 to 9.
By Maj. Lois Hopwood
Civil Air Patrol
A private airplane flying a family home for the holidays is reported overdue by anxious relatives. A hurricane devastates low-lying areas of the state and emergency response managers desperately need high-resolution images of the disaster area.
Either of the above crisis situations may require the activation of the Civil Air Patrol, the non-profit, all volunteer auxiliary of the United States Air Force.
“Thanks to state of the art technology and a high level of professional training, our emergency response capability is among the best in the world!” said Maj. Robert Davis, commander of the Capitol City Composite. He said they respond within an hour of being notified. The Squadron is based at the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.
Several members of the CAP are Zachary residents, such as Lt. Col. Brian Capone, Capt. John Williams, Capt. Sean Chenevert, and Maj. Lois Hopwood. Along with nearly 40 other squadron members from around the area, these men and women are trained and ready to serve as needed.
“Having a military background and a love for flying led me to volunteer with Civil Air Patrol,” Capone said. “I have been a member since 1985 and recommend the CAP to anyone that wants to give back in some way.”
Capone said he has had the opportunity to conduct search and rescue, obtain good emergency services training, and introduce youth to the thrill of flight and a taste of military life. “It really hit home when I participated in search and photo flights after Hurricane Katrina. My family and numerous relatives grew up in Plaquemines Parish and St. Bernard Parish and all lost homes. To be on the scene within days of the hurricane made me feel proud I was helping them in despair. It’s a great organization.”Senior member, CAP Maj. John Williams said he has been a member of Civil Air Patrol since 2006 in both Texas and Louisiana. “The Civil Air Patrol gives me great satisfaction training with other members devoted to the service of serving our local community, while also helping our state and our nation. I am a professional airline pilot, but still find time to volunteer my love of flying with other people of similar interests. My son, Brennan, is really looking forward to joining CAP next summer when he turns 12,” Williams said.
While emergency services garner quite a bit of attention due to incidents like the Steve Fosset search in September and the extensive response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, CAP is charged with two other vital missions for America.
The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program stands as one of the premier youth organizations in the country. Cadets, aged 12 to 21, develop key leadership and life skills through a structured program designed to train the leaders of tomorrow. Along with an opportunity to participate in real life missions under the close supervision of screened adult leaders, the cadet program provides opportunities for young people to attend national encampments, compete for college and flight scholarships, and attend an annual international air cadet exchange in designated foreign countries. Cadets develop moral values, leadership skills, confidence and learn to set life goals.
Aerospace education is another Civil Air Patrol mission. Under the auspices of the aerospace education umbrella, CAP members are on the cutting edge of knowledge relating to aviation and space progress. In addition, CAP provides training and materials to classroom teachers in schools across the nation, including an annual week long Aerospace Education Conference at little or no cost to the teachers.
Linked by a common desire to serve the community, CAP members come from diverse backgrounds. Doctors, lawyers, professional pilots, and folks from all other walks of life train together and work together to become non-paid professionals dedicated to accomplishing missions for America.
The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization was founded on Dec. 1, 1941, less than a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that led to America’s involvement in World War II. Its members soon proved their worth by conducting aerial patrols, and vigilance that discouraged and eventually stopped deadly German U-boat attacks on shipping in American waterways. Sixty-four heroic members died while carrying out CAP missions during the war.
“Our members have a proud legacy of selfless service to their country and their communities,” said Brig. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAP’s interim national commander. “That service spans nearly seven decades and expands constantly as needs arise.”
Civil Air Patrol presents an opportunity to serve the community second to none. Men, women and young people with a desire to explore the opportunities available in CAP are encouraged to explore the possibilities with the Capitol City Composite Squadron. The squadron meets on Monday evenings from 7 to 9.
