Civil Air Patrol takes off again Published Feb. 16, 2011 By Frank Schuler Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education Officer SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The Spangdahlem Air Base Civil Air Patrol is looking for people between 13 and 18 years old who would like to learn about aerospace, leadership and want to prepare for their future. Overseas Cadet Squadron 126, the local cadet program here, is currently accepting new members. With more than 60,000 members, CAP provides year-round missions for the Air Force and professional development opportunities. New members will find a great deal of leadership and career training opportunities through the CAP Cadet Program. Cadets are supervised and mentored by senior-member officers in three primary phases. The Learning Phase is geared toward educating cadets in aerospace education and drill. The Leadership Phase grants cadets responsibilities so they can become leaders for the newer cadets. The Command Phase places cadets directly in command of other cadets to accomplish tasks and challenges. Completion of the final phase awards the cadet with the Billy Mitchell Award. If the cadet enlists in the U.S. Air Force, he or she will be an airman first class after graduation from basic military training. If the cadet chooses to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy, he or she has priority to attend the Academy's preparatory school. CAP also offers more than $100,000 in scholarships to many aviation schools and universities. This year, the Spangdahlem Squadron has numerous activities scheduled such as assisting the 52nd Fighter Wings survival, evasions, resistance and escape instructor unit with pilot evasion training; a trip to the airplane museum in Hermeskeil, Germany; orientation flights on military aircraft and much more. In the past, the cadets participated in air traffic control tower shadow programs, A-10 Thunderbolt II simulator rides, 52nd Operations Support Squadron life support tours, and the local air show in Bitburg, Germany, as volunteers. The cadets also attended World War II historical functions in the Battle of the Bulge region in Belgium where the cadet honor guard presented the colors during numerous ceremonies, including one in 2009at the Easy Company monument in Bastogne, Belgium. The CAP Cadet Program is not only open to teenagers, but also to enthusiastic adult volunteers, active-duty servicemembers and retirees who would like to mentor and guide cadets through training curriculum and to share their experiences. For more information on the Civil Air Patrol, visit www.cap.gov. To contact the local Spangdahlem unit send an e-mail to nhqos126@yahoo.com or visit the squadron 6 and 9 p.m. Thursdays on the third floor of Bldg. 67 on Bitburg Annex.