Florida Civil Air Patrol squadron flys on AFRC C-17 on Aerospace Education mission

  • Published
  • By SSgt Adam C. Borgman
  • 927 Air Refueling Wing / Public Affairs
MACDILL AFB, Florida --  Fifteen Civil Air Patrol members from the Clearwater Composite Squadron, Clearwater Florida flew on what may be one of the final flights for the C-17 Super Shuttle, Oct 31-Nov 2.

The Super Shuttle is a C-17 mission that has departed from Charleston Air Force Base  twice  a month for the last five years to transporting Air Force Reservists from five different states  for their unit training assemblies.

In December of this year, this program is scheduled to draw down.
In addition to transporting reservists on UTA weekends, this shuttle has been essential in the Aerospace Education mission of CAP by allowing their personnel to fly on a C-17 Globemaster III on a space available basis. 

Established five years ago by Lt. Col. Glen Wattman, CAP Reserve Assistance Officer in the Southeast Liaison Region, this program has allowed more than 1,800 CAP personnel to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

"As an RAO, I am tasked with the oversight of CAP activities within the state of Florida," said Wattman. "I was extremely fortunate to find countless people who understood the incredible value this could bring to our young people, in allowing CAP personnel space on their C-17s."

The staff of the Clearwater Squadron recognizes this collaboration with the AF Reserve as extremely beneficial to the cadets and other CAP personnel able to attend.

"I am excited that our cadets were able to have this opportunity to see directly how the Air Force operates," said Maj. Yvonne Rodriguez, Civil Air Patrol, Clearwater Composite Squadron Commander. "This experience keeps our cadets on top of their game, and I am so grateful that the Air Force Reserve made this possible."

In addition to flying on the C-17, the CAP squadron was given a tour by the 315th Air Refueling Wing and a briefing by the 701st Airlift Squadron which added to their aerospace educational experience.

Wattman feels that the many cadets who have participated and the Civil Air Patrol have benefitted from this program, but so did every Airman that interacted with these young people.

"I would bet a week's pay that every time a cadet looked their way, every single Airmen stood a little taller, and smiled a little more, expressed more enthusiasm for their duties," said Wattman. "And trust me; those cadets did indeed look, intently. What does the Air Force Reserve get out of this? Everything!"

For more information on the Civil Air Patrol, visit: www.gocivilairpatrol.com/.