Patrick hosts AFSPC Civil Air Patrol course
By Capt Joy M. Kaczor, 45th SCS

The 45 SW recently hosted the annual Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Air Force Space Command Familiarization Course. Twenty CAP cadets from CAP wings across the eastern United States participated in the five-day course, July 29 – Aug. 5.

The cadets received briefings and tours from various 45 SW and NASA organizations, including an up-close and personal view of the space shuttle Atlantis. The week's activities included various space and Air Force related events that provided the cadets hands on experience.

The 301st Rescue Squadron provided a mission briefing and gave participants helicopter flights along the beach from Patrick AFB to Cape Canaveral AFS. Cadets also received practice time on the Air Traffic Controller simulator.

The cadets learned basic model rocket building techniques through the Brevard Community College Space Tech program. Even the program director, Lt. Col. Steve DePalo, and CAP commander, Col. Russ Hodgkins, built and launched miniature model rockets with the cadets.

Colonel DePalo and Senior Master Sgt. Christina Stoddard, both Air Force reservists, have been running the program for ten and seven years respectively. Sergeant Stoddard tested the cadets daily on the information they learned from the day's activities.

At the end of the week, the cadets celebrated their accomplishments with a graduation dinner at The Tides. Col. Thomas Bouthiller, 45th SW vice commander, served as guest speaker.

This article appeared on the PAFB Missileer, 8 September 2006, p.4