Civil Air Patrol Units Host Armed Forces Day Open House at Creve Coeur Airport

By Carmelo Turdo

Three St. Louis area Civil Air Patrol units teamed up with the Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation to host an Armed Forces Day Open House event on May 18 at Creve Coeur Airport. Wentzville Composite Squadron, St. Louis Flight and Gateway Senior Squadron provided informational exhibits and an aircraft as well as the cadet color guard, while the Foundation added their F-4 Phantom cockpit, helicopter static displays and flight simulation sessions in their state-of-the-art sim lab used for the Intro to Flight Program. An additional attraction was the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation Flight Day activity happening simultaneously, with flights in Huey and Cobra helicopters featured in our previous story.

The Civil Air Patrol is the civilian United States Air Force Auxiliary with over 64,000 members that formed at the beginning of the U.S. involvement in World War II. During the war, the Civil Air Patrol conducted anti-submarine patrol, search and rescue and domestic support missions while the military services were mobilizing for global warfare. In the decades following the war and into modern times, the Civil Air Patrol added Aerospace Education and the Cadet Program. They are now a Total Force partner, receiving the latest training and equipment to perform expanded mission capabilities well into the future.

We begin our coverage with a look at the Civil Air Patrol tent exhibit, Cessna 172S Skyhawk static display and cadet color guard posting the colors during the opening ceremony.

   

The Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation's F-4 Phantom cockpit and helicopter static displays were popular with the Civil Air Patrol members and the public throughout the day. The fully-restored F-4 cockpit, and former U.S. Army TH-67 and OH-58 helicopters, provided an immersive experience to match the V/R simulations that were performed in the sim lab.

There was something for everyone at the Open House, and along with the aviation exhibits and activities, there were pedal planes "flying patterns" and several food options were available. 

The Aero Experience thanks the Civil Air Patrol, Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation, Creve Coeur Airport and everyone who contributed to the success of the event. To join the Civil Air Patrol, check the Unit Locator for the squadron or flight near you.