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|  L-R Former Minnesota Wing Commander Jerry Rosendahl, C/SMSgt John Stout, C/2d Lt Jessica Holmes, C/CMSgt Devin Wikstrom, C/2d Lt Nathan Olson, C/CMSgt Emmett Richardson at Glider Academy graduation. - photo submitted | Cadet Richardson Receives Pre-Solo Flight WingsWeb posted March 5, 2013 It’s the time of year when retired Snowbirds are planning their next “flight”- the return north where the promise of clear sailing in warm weather seems just around the corner. Some area teens are in the planning stages of their next flight, too, but they intend to head south in the summer for flight school. Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Emmett Richardson, Fifty Lakes, was one of four cadets from the Crow Wing Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol who attended the North Central Region’s Roger Brogren Glider Academy in Mankato in July 2012. Another cadet attended the powered flight academy. Richardson flew over 30 glider sorties with a certified flight instructor, received classroom ground training, and had the opportunity to serve on the flight line crew. He received a graduation certificate and was presented with his presolo wings, a pre-requisite to the 2013 academy where he will be eligible for solo glider flight and a possible FAA glider pilots license. Richardson and other cadets were able to attend the academy last summer through a generous sponsorship by the Brainerd VFW, DAV, and Auxiliary. CAP uses its gliders to introduce America’s youth to flight through its cadet orientation program. The opportunity to fly is a major attraction for cadets; almost 32,000 orientation flights were provided by CAP over the past year. Over 10,000 of these were in gliders with the rest in powered aircraft like the Cessna 172. In addition to its cadet orientation flights, each summer CAP offers national, regional, and wing glider and powered flight academies specifically designed for cadets who want to learn to fly. Participants receive formal ground instruction and cockpit time with a certified flight instructor, and some participants get the opportunity to solo. While the Crow Wing Composite Squadron is primarily composed of members from the Brainerd area, the opportunities for flight training, leadership skills, and emergency services training draw young people from throughout the area. In addition to Cadet Richardson, local members include Cadets Jared Schroeder of Emily, Nickolas Glenn of Crosby, and Zac Myhre of Mission Township; Senior Members Ken Baalson of Emily and Tim Richardson of Fifty Lakes, and 2d Lt Cindy McCarthy of Fifty Lakes. Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 61,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to nearly 27,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or for more information or call Crow Wing Squadron Commander Marcel Kobberdahl, 218 534-5418. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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