The United States Air Force Auxiliary
C i v i l   A i r   P a t r o l

"...to serve America by developing our nation's youth; accomplishing local, state and
national missions; and informing our citizens about the importance of aerospace education"

Aerospace Education Weekend - X-Prize Cup at Holloman AFB, New Mexico!

   The 2007 X-Prize Cup trip to Alamagordo, New Mexico was a tremendious success! Cadets and Officers from the Civil Air Patrol - San Juan Composite Squadron and the Cortez Flight enjoys several days of activities at this year's event. Many thanks go out to the USAF and the Alamagordo Composite Squadron for hosting our members during this event!

(Photo Courtesy of A1C Rachel Kocin, USAF
Still Photographic Apprentice)

   Getting up early on the morning of the 28th was only the begining. I'm not sure that everyone knew what they were going to be in store for. After a 10 hour drive to Alamagordo, New Mexico both cadets and officers were looking forward to some rest and relaxation. Little did the cadets know that fire watch duty and morning PT were going to be a part of this trip. Two-by-Two cadets stood watch over barracks and ensured that all was well as there fellow CAP service members slept. Good things too! One the first night of fire watch cadets caught an intruder trying to sneek in. Captain Shirley Kay, the Squadron Commander for the Alamagordo Composite Squadron was stopping in to drop off some items to make our stay more comfortable. Cadets were vigilant and made a note of it in the fire watch log.

   Zero-Five-Thirty, on the dot, the sound of a bugle playing revellie sounded through the barracks. Many looks of surprise and bewilderment were on cadet faces as they were told that it was already 0535 and they were guilty of sleeping in. At a quick (but maybe not lively pace) cadets dressed in BDUs and lined up outside of their rooms for morning inspection.

   Following morning line up and inspection, a day full of activity started. Friday was a setup day for the show and the group had the chance to tour the show before anyone else! Lt Col Blevins of the Alamagordo SQ joined us each morning to help us get our bearings.

   Day Three was a duty day for the cadets. The morning brought on a patrol with the security force on the base. Cadets roved with Airmen and Women around the event helping to observe safety and security. That evening brought some guests from Albuquerque, New Mexico Squadrons (Thunderbird COMP SQ & Falcon COMP SQ). They had come expecting to have a lesurely visit and a fun Aerospace experience. I like to think we made it more fun! As we had arrived first DurangoCAP took point recruiting the Albuquerque cadet into fire watch and morning PT. The following day we welcomed cadets and officers from Texas!

   The show offered cadets the opportunity to learn about almost any facet of all the aircraft on display. From engine mechanics to manuverability and