CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Kentucky Wing recently held its first statewide Open House event, which was the largest recruitment event for Civil Air Patrol in Kentucky and the Great Lakes Region.

The Great Lakes Region is made up of six states, over 200 squadrons, and more than 6,000 members. There were 14 squadrons that participated in the 11-day event and over 270 guests in attendance. The Fort Campbell 216th Composite Squadron located in Clarksville, Tennessee was one of the units that welcomed visitors to get a glimpse into the organization’s programs and special activities.

“I enjoyed working at the membership booth and telling prospective cadets why they should join the Civil Air Patrol, what is like being member of a team, and all the exciting activities they can participate of as a CAP member,” Cadet Staff Sergeant Tyler Mathews a member of the Fort Campbell 216th Composite Squadron in Clarksville, Tennessee, said.

This vibrant cadet said he is preparing to go to college and become a pilot because of the experiences he has had in CAP.

Kentucky Wing has 18 squadrons that are located across the Commonwealth. Three of the squadrons are adult squadrons that consist of pilots and aircrews with planes used for search and rescue mission, disaster, and humanitarian missions.

When the pilots are not flying a mission, they give cadets (youth ages 12 to 18) orientation flights.

The Fort Campbell 216th Composite Squadron located in Clarksville, Tennessee is keenly aware of the need to develop career interests in aviation-related careers revolving around Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

The Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education program is an excellent conduit to these efforts and supports it through a K-12 curriculum aligned with 15 STEM kits that the U.S. Air Force gives to educators who join the Aerospace Education Member (AEM) program.

In support of Open House activities Captain Pacheco, the squadron’s Aerospace Education Officer, met with Mrs. Karen Harper the STEM Coordinator at the Clarksville-Montgomery Country School System, Col. Michael Taliento, the JROTC Director of Army Instruction, and Mr. Charles Weigandt, the Director of Aviation Science at Austin Peay State University, to discuss all the benefits of being an AEM, the CAP mission, and the various opportunities available to both Cadets and Civil Air Patrol Senior Members.

The Aerospace program provides many opportunities for adults and cadets to discover rocketry, quadcopters, astronomy, and flying Cessna planes. Civil Air Patrol offers teens and adults with experiences that build skills while serving their community.

The Civil Air Patrol has three missions: Cadet Programs, Aerospace, and Emergency Services. It is a volunteer part of the Total U.S. Airforce. It operates a fleet of 560 aircraft and performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions (AFRCC) that saves an average of 80 lives annually.

For more information, visit the CAP website.