Sequim students receive Civil Air Patrol honors

Published 11:32 am Tuesday, December 23, 2014

The Dungeness Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, announces achievements for three cadets from Sequim:

• Cadet CMSgt. (chief master sergeant) Siana Turner, a Sequim High School student, has been appointed the squadron cadet commander. New squadron commander 1st Lt. Matthew Stewart appointed Turner, the ranking squadron cadet, on Dec. 2.

• Cadet Tyler Morales, a Sequim Middle School student, has been promoted from the rank of cadet airman to airman first class. Morales received the General H.H. “Hap” Arnold Award ribbon for completing his second achievement.

• Cadet Madeline Patterson, also a Sequim Middle School student, has been promoted from the rank of cadet airman first class to senior airman. Patterson received the Mary Feik Award ribbon for completing her third achievement.

With guidance and direction from adult officers, Civil Air Patrol cadets largely supervise and train each other within an Air Force-style command structure. Cadets advance through 13 achievements from cadet airman to cadet colonel by completing training in aerospace education, physical fitness, leadership and character.

“The Civil Air Patrol cadet program is an excellent way for teens to get involved in aviation and prepare for education or careers involving high technology,” Stewart said. “For many, it’s the best way for parents to encourage their kids’ interests in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).”

Male and female teens, ages 12-18, are encouraged to visit the squadron, which meets Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. in the Sequim Middle School cafeteria. The group recently moved to Sequim from facilities in Port Angeles and adopted its new name, the Dungeness Squadron.

The squadron also seeks prospective adult officers, known as seniors, who are interested in the Civil Air Patrol’s three missions of aerospace education, the cadet program and emergency services.

For information about the Civil Air Patrol, visit gocivilairpatrol.com or visit the Dungeness Squadron on Facebook at facebook.com/dungenesscap.

About CAP

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 volunteers 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 participating in the CAP cadet programs. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 71 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.