Several troops of West Virginia Civil Air Patrol cadets will compete in maneuvers, skills and knowledge Saturday at the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center.

 

The competition will include various drills and practices learned by the youth at various locations throughout the state.

 

“They will be doing precision marching in the hangar and special protocol of handling the American flag,” said Thomas Stose, director of the National Aerospace Education Center.

 

In addition to other physical endeavors, including the running of a one-mile course, cadets will take part in written competitions inside the classrooms.

 

Members of the public are invited to stop by and observe activities. 

 

The Aerospace Education Center has hosted the statewide event for the past couple of years.

 

“We work with the Civil Air Patrol, which is part of the aviation family,” Stose said. “We want to promote aerospace education and develop interest in an aviation career and opportunities in the field."

 

But it’s also a public service for the community, he said.T he use of facilities is provided to the Civil Air Patrol at no expense.

 

The Civil Air Patrol is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit organization that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. The volunteer organization performs three assigned key missions: Emergency services, disaster relief and aerospace education. The Civil Air Patrol also works with homeland security. Cadets range from age 12 to 21 and senior members are 18 years and older.

 

“If a plane goes missing, they perform search and rescue,” Stose said. “The Civil Air Patrol performs many philanthropic events in their communities.”

 

The competition will begin 9 a.m. Saturday.

 

Editor's Note: Photo just above is courtesy of WBOY and features Stose with students of the local aviation program. Top photo features West Virginia Civil Air Patrol cadets participating in the 2018 competition at the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center.