Civil Air Patrol Howard Composite Squadron hosts Open House

The Howard Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol hosted an Open House on March 13, 2014, in the cafeteria of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. Squadron Commander Maj.Elza Redman, Maj. George Mader, and Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Jason McSweeney welcomed the approximately 30 guests, who enjoyed an evening exploring the opportunities available in CAP and the squadron.  

Exhibits and activities throughout the evening included:

- Slideshows of squadron photos and national videos, which showed guests a wide variety of CAP activities.

- 2nd Lt. Matthew Taylor and Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Cody Taylor (Howard Composite Squadron’s Cadet Commander) demonstrated the rigging of a Stokes airlift basket, “rescuing” simulated victim Cadet Joshua Kwon after diamond lashing him into the basket.

- The use of an elper, which is a radio direction finding tool, to find a practice Emergency Locator Transmitter beacon was demonstrated by Emergency Services Officer Maj. John Taylor.

- Cadet Capt. Joni Taylor, previous Cadet Commander of Howard Composite Squadron and current cadet in the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets, spoke about the benefits of participating in CAP’s cadet program.

- The Aerospace Education exhibit included Civil Air Patrol publications, model rockets, and model aircraft. Attendees also learned about basic principles of flight from Aerospace Education Officer Lt.Col. Ronald Whitehead, by means of hands-on activities such as Alka-Seltzer rockets and straw planes.  

CAP National Archivist 1st Lt. Colleen McCormick, formerly a member of Howard Composite Squadron, provided a historical display of artifacts and publications related to the cadet program from CAP’s National Archives and Historical Collections. This included early CAP cadet uniforms and insignia, as well as publications dating to World War II. She said she was “glad to have the opportunity to display some of Civil Air Patrol's national collection of historical materials to local units and the public.”  

Light refreshments were provided by the squadron, including 1st Lt. McCormick’s specially decorated Civil Air Patrol cookies.  

The evening was well received by attendees, and Maj. Jacob Gerstein, the squadron’s Public Affairs Officer, described the Open House as “a huge success!” He went on to say: “We accomplished our goals of introducing the public to CAP’s three primary missions (Cadet Programs, Emergency Services, and Aerospace Education) and informing them about our Organization’s history. Our demonstration and display leaders did an excellent job putting everything together. I was glad to see how many members brought friends and colleagues, some of whom are now interested in joining. New members help keep our squadron healthy and vibrant.”

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 61,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually. Its unpaid professionals also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 26,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 72 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.  

Nearly 1,700 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with five finds and one life saved. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,106 hours in all mission categories. Volunteers contributed services estimated at 4.6 million dollars. For more information contact the Maryland Wing at www.mdcap.org or follow the Wing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol.  

Howard Composite Squadron meets on Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. During the school year, the squadron does not meet on days that Howard County public schools are closed.