Once a year, Civil Air Patrol gives cadets around the nation the opportunity to take a trip to Washington, DC. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a nonprofit organization that has three core missions, Search and Rescue (SAR), Aerospace Education and a Cadet Program. The purpose for this trip is to talk to the cadets’ home state congressman and senators about their continued support of the program. This year one of our very own cadets from the Sevier Valley Raptor Cadet Squadron in Richfield, Utah was one of two recipients. Cadet First Lieutenant Khyber Lee departed for Washington, DC on February 26, 2020.
The cadets and the adult members arrived in Washington, DC and sat in on CAP training that would help them in making sure the meetings with the congressman and senators went smoothly the following day. The following day, cadets and senior members attended these meetings with the Senators and Congressmen at the capitol building. At each meeting the cadets talked about their CAP experience, how it has helped them in their daily lives, what skill they have learned and why the congressman and senators should continue supporting the program. The senior members briefed on both local and national missions. Throughout the rest of the week the Utah team attended meetings and when they had down time, traveled around Washington visiting various memorials.
Cadet Lee had been a member of CAP since June of 2017. Starting out as a basic recruit (no rank) and continuing program, is currently holding the rank of First Lieutenant. She has attended 5 encampments (summer basic training for cadets), 2 search and rescue dog team field training exercises (working with SAR K-9 Teams), 2 HART ceremonies in Canada (fellowship with Canadian Air Cadets), and multiple other exercises throughout the three years she has been in CAP. She has learned many skills in leadership, aerospace, and emergency services. Khyber has also had multiple opportunities to participate in orientation flights. This is where you get to fly with a pilot in a small aircraft and learn the basics of flying the plane.
CAP’s Cadet Program is a program for kids starting at the age of 12. The units meet every Thursday at the CAP squadron hangar at the Richfield Airport. Due to covid-19 meetings have been suspended until restrictions are lifted but feel free to follow us on facebook to keep updated, Sevier Valley Civil Air Patrol. When meetings resume your child is more than welcome to attend a meeting to see if it would be something they would enjoy.
