Col. Ken Johnston, commander of the Civil Air Patrol's Wyoming wing, told local business leaders Friday that the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force is looking for new members.
"We provide a tremendous benefit to the Air Force and to the local community," he said during a presentation about the group to the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce's monthly Military Affairs Committee luncheon. "And part of the reason I'm here is recruitment."
The Civil Air Patrol, including its Wyoming wing, was created by Congress in 1941 to help with disaster and emergency responses, as well as to provide aerospace education programs and training for cadets.
It is made up of about 60,000 volunteers and 550 aircraft across the nation.
The patrol receives its funding from the federal government, donations and membership fees, since the volunteers routinely have to pay for their travel and other expenses.
Its Wyoming members routinely take part in search-and-rescue operations, where they assist the National Guard or other groups with missions that include finding missing hikers or downed aircraft.
The group also helped with last year's flood relief efforts in the state by taking photos of the flood conditions and sending them to the Wyoming National Guard.
Johnston said the patrol helped save five lives last year alone.
But he said much of the public doesn't even know the group exists. "We've been around a long time, but a lot of people don't know about us," he said. "That's why I consider us to be the best-kept secret around."
But Johnston said he doesn't want to keep the group a secret.
He said volunteers don't have to be involved in the military, and many, like himself, do it part time.
In addition to taking new volunteers, he said the Civil Air Patrol is always on the lookout for 12- to 18-year-olds who want to become a cadet.
The cadet program offers "aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership," according to the Civil Air Patrol's website.
Johnston said the program is especially beneficial for those looking to join the Air Force.
"About 10 of the Air Force Academy members are Civil Air Patrol cadets," he said. "So if they want to get involved with any of the academies, this will give them a step up."
Those who want more information on the Wyoming Civil Air Patrol can find it on the group's website at wywingcap.com.
Original article can be found here: http://m.wyomingnews.com
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