Civil Air Patrol hosts open house

27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

link U.S. Air Force photo: Senior Airman Jette Carr

A member of the Albuquerque Civil Air Patrol squadron briefs visitors during the open house.

link U.S. Air Force photo: Senior Airman Jette Carr

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Armando Carrion, an Air Commando from Cannon Air Force Base who serves as a captain and commander in the Civil Air Patrol Clovis High Plains Composite Squadron, guides an aircraft.

The Civil Air Patrol Clovis High Plains Composite Squadron hosted an open house June 22 at the Clovis Municipal Airport in Clovis. Spectators were able to get close and personal with CAP aircraft, such as the Cessna 172, 182 and 206, while being treated to mission aerial displays with an emphasis on search and rescue.

"We focused the open house around search and rescue because there is a huge need for that in our area," said Master Sgt. Armando Carrion, an Air Commando from Cannon Air Force Base, who serves as a captain and commander in the CAP CHPCS. "There are a couple of other teams out there, but none as organized and as qualified as we are, so we're trying to recruit more people into CAP to better fill that search and rescue void."

The CAP organization is recruiting in three different areas: the Aerospace Education Program, the Cadet Program and Emergency Services. Though CAP is a volunteer program, it allows people to earn certifications through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"All of our emergency services personnel, whether they are pilots, ground team, communications or finance, are FEMA certified," said Carrion. "Being a member of the Civil Air Patrol is a good way to give back to the community and volunteer, while also furthering your own career."