The Cadets and staff of 121 ( Nuneaton ) Squadron were recently given an insight into the activities of cadets in the US Civil Air Patrol (CAP) when Captain Andy Sumner visited the unit.

Andy Sumner as some of you may know is no stranger to the ATC. In fact he joined 121 ( Nuneaton ) in the 1970's as a cadet before joining the RAF. He later rejoined the unit as an Adult Warrant Officer and was subsequently commissioned. Andy left 121 Squadron to take up the post of Officer Commanding 198 ( Hinckley ) Squadron before emigrating to the United States two years ago.

Andy's obviously didn't leave his interest for the Air Cadet movement behind when he moved to the US . He joined the Cadet section of the US Civil Air Patrol and has recently been promoted to Captain.

Captain Sumner is now the Commander of the cadet section of the
VT 033 (Capitol Composite) Squadron located in state of Vermont . A CAP Composite Squadron is one which has both a senior section of adult volunteers and a cadet section.

The CAP performs three main functions; emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet training.

The CAP Cadet Program is very similar to the UK 's Air Cadet movement in that it aims to inspire the country's youth to become leaders and good citizens through their interest in aerospace activities.

There are approximately 1,700 individual units in the CAP. Each US state has its own wing which is subdivided into groups and squadrons. Membership consists of approximately 26,000 cadets and more than 35,000 adult volunteers. Members of the CAP wear the US Air Force uniform, with distinctive CAP emblems and insignia.


If you would like to know more about the US Civil Air Patrol visit
VT 033 Capitol Composite Squadron Vermont