Kingsville, Texas— Civil Air Patrol Cadets and CAP Officers from South Texas gathered at Kleberg County Airport to commence the 2009 FALL Cadet Orientation Flights on 16 October 2009. This marks the continuation of said flights for the growing unit.

C/Amn J. Silguero, C/AB S. Jimenez, C/Amn E. Mejia and C/Amn R. Lara, Cadets from the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron’s Kingsville located Brahma Cadet Flight, were thrilled as they took the controls and learned, hands on, the lessons of Aerospace education.

Their pilot for the affairs this occasion was Lt Col John Barfoot, CAP of Ingleside, Texas. Facilitating the event were Maj Joe Ely Carrales, CAP (of Premont, Texas), Squadron Commander, and Maj Fidel Alvarado, CAP (of Corpus Christi, Texas), Deputy Commander for Seniors and acting Administration Officer.

“I was delighted to see the excitement in their faces,” said Major Fidel Alvarado, “it is a real reward to see them enjoy the flights.”

Cadets flew from Kingsville to T.P. McCampbell airport near Ingleside where they exchanged seats for the return flight. CAP Cadets are to have 5 powered orientation flights during their career.

Cadets are made of youth ages 12-21 and can join a local unit where they serve in the three missions of the Civil Air Patrol, Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and Cadet Programs.

The Cadet efforts are greatly assisted by the local airports including Nueces County Airport, Kleberg County Airport, T.P. McCampbell Airport and the Corpus Christi International Airport, the prior of which houses CAP assets and latter of which is host to the unit’s main home. Orientation Flights rotate between said facilities based on fuel, pilot and the residence of attending cadets. Such efforts would not be possible without such support.