Saturday, February 18, 2012

Missouri Aviation Historical Society Meeting Celebrates Civil Air Patrol Birthday

By Carmelo Turdo













The Missouri Aviation Historical Society bade the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) a belated 70th birthday at its February meeting this week.  Guest speaker, Civil Air Patrol 1Lt. Larry Corbin, gave a primer on the CAP, the United States Air Force Auxiliary, from its humble beginnings on the eve of World War II to the modern day.  1Lt. Corbin discussed the missions of the CAP - Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and Cadet Program - and gave historic and current examples of how the CAP performs these missions.  From coastal patrol and other missions in support of the U.S. Army Air Corps, to current emergency response and education of the next generation of aerospace leaders, the CAP has shown its ability to perform these missions efficiently and competently over the last seven decades.  Society member Carmelo Turdo told the group about his experiences as a CAP cadet during the 1980s, including the achievement of earning the Carl A. Spaatz Award and having the opportunities to solo in a sailplane and Cessna 152.  Several other Society members were also former CAP members.      

Additional CAP squadrons are planned for eastern Missouri and neighboring Illinois, including one that will be based at the Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum's historic Curtiss-Wright Hangar 2 at St. Louis Downtown Airport.  More information about the Civil Air Patrol can be found at http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/.

Members of the MO Aviation Historical Society Meet This Week

CAP 1Lt. Larry Corbin Presents the CAP Story

Former CAP Cadet Carmelo Turdo Prepares for a Solo Flight

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