LOCAL TEEN HONES LEADERSHIP SKILLS AT PREMIER CIVIL AIR PATROL COURSE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cadet Zack Lynch graduates from Cadet Officer School

(VICTORVILLE, CA) – Cadet Maj. Zack Lynch of Voyager Composite Squadron 120 in Victorville, CA, graduated from the Civil Air Patrol's Cadet Officer School, one of the top professional development opportunities available to youth. Cadets compete for selection, and only the top 15 percent of cadets nationwide are invited to attend. The course was held July 9-19, 2011, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., home of the Air University and professional military education for the U.S. Air Force.

While at the school cadets have a unique opportunity to learn about the Air Force, airpower history, leadership, teamwork, communication skills and problem solving. Patterned after the U.S. Air Force Squadron Officer School, Cadet Officer School is an academically challenging program combining lectures, seminars and hands-on training. Cadets practice what they learn through a series of writing and speaking assignments that will culminate with a group project that tests their ability to overcome obstacles through planning and teamwork.

This leadership opportunity is one of 30 National Cadet Special Activities sponsored by the CAP this summer. These activities allow cadets to hone their skills in a variety of areas, including search and rescue, flight and emergency services, science, citizenship and military courtesies, and to explore aerospace technology and aviation careers. Over 1,000 youth participate in CAP-sponsored summer activities annually.

Through its cadet program, CAP builds strong citizens for the future by providing leadership training, technical education, scholarships and career education to young men and women ages 12 to 20.

Cadet Maj. Lynch has been a CAP cadet since November 2007. In nearly four years of membership, Cadet Lynch has attended three week-long cadet summer encampments, including two as a staff member. He in an active member of the Cadet Advisory Council and has represented his unit, group, and wing at each level. His personal decorations include the Amelia Earhart Award presented for completion of Phase III of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program; this award is earned by an estimated 15% of CAP cadets. Cadet Lynch is also a recipient of the General Billy Mitchell Award and Wright Brothers milestone awards. He has been presented the Civil Air Patrol Achievement Award in addition to a Commanders Commendation Award.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 61,000 members nationwide. CAP, in its Air Force role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 112 lives in fiscal year 2010. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the more than 25,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for 68 years.

Inland Empire Group 3 consists of ten individual squadrons geographically dispersed throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Group 3’s membership is comprised of cadets ages 12-20 and adult members 18 and older. For more information about Civil Air Patrol in the Inland Empire are, phone (877) 504-1316 or visit us online at gp3.cawg.cap.gov or www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:
LOCAL
Crystal Housman, Capt., Civil Air Patrol
Public Affairs Officer
Inland Empire Group 3
(760) 485-0832
group3pao@gmail.com

NATIONAL
Julie DeBardelaben
Deputy Director Public Affairs
Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters
W: (877) 227-9142 Ext. 250
C: (334) 868-0198
jdebardelaben@capnhq.gov