Group looks to revive Civil Air Patrol wing in Crookston

Some old-timers might remember when Crookston had a Civil Air Patrol wing back in the 1940s. It was formed in 1944, with the Crookston Jaycees organizing the group of mostly females.
   

“This was all we could find on the Crookston wing,” said Dan Morlan while pointing to a Crookston Daily Times story on the organizational meeting dated March 17, 1944. “So we really don't know any more about it, other than what's in here.”
   

The “we” Morlan was referring to is a small group of people aiming to start up a new CAP unit in Crookston. They've set up an organizational meeting for Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. in RBJ's Restaurant for  youth ages 12-18 and adults interested in becoming members.
 

Morlan, who was active in a CAP unit out of Alabama from about 1977 to the early 1990s and ranks as a captain, joined forces with Lois Kriegh, a first lieutenant with CAP who's been involved in units around the country where her husband was stationed in the U.S. Air Force, to get a Crookston unit up and running.
    

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our youth to develop leadership skills, learn about aviation, fitness, and concentrate on character development,” Morlan said. “It challenges youth to be ambassadors of a drug-free lifestyle, too.”
   

The primary focus of Crookston's CAP, he added, will be on kids, or cadets, but adults are more than welcome to join and help lead the cadets. While everything is still up in the air, so to speak, as organizers must first gauge interest in the program before proceeding further with plans, many options are possible, including working with the University of Minnesota, Crookston and its aviation program, and enlisting other community organizations for involvement.
   

Youth who are considering pursuing a career in the military or aerospace, would like to become a pilot for personal use or are just interested in learning more about these things and becoming more involved in the community are encouraged to attend Thursday's meeting, said Morlan. As an adult, you don't have to be a pilot to become involved, though, as there are many other opportunities to help out in a CAP squadron.
   
What is CAP?
According to information provided by CAP, the volunteer organization was founded in 1941 by some 150,000 citizens who were concerned about defending America's coastline – one week prior to the Pearl Harbor attack. Operating under the Army Air Forces jurisdiction, CAP pilots rescued hundreds of crash survivors during WWII and sunk two enemy submarines. By 1948, the federal government chartered it as a benevolent civilian corporation with the primary missions of aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. Morlan stressed that CAP is not a military program and does not receive military benefits.
   

Although cadets must join when they're 18 or younger, they can remain as members until they turn 21. Senior, Chaplain and Aerospace Education memberships are also available to adults.
   

In terms of aerospace education, CAP offers scholarships, awards, college credit and other benefits to members. CAP members conduct about 90 percent of inland search and rescue tasked by the Air Force Rescue in the U.S., save more than 100 lives per year, provide disaster relief support and transport vital materials when commercial routes are unavailable.
    The CAP Cadet program:
    • Offers orientation flights in powered and glider aircraft, and flight training scholarships.
    • Provides about 10 percent of each year’s new classes entering U.S. Air Force Academy.
    • Provides enlistment in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard at higher pay grade for cadets who have earned the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award.
    • Provides an International Air Cadet Exchange program.
    • Provides opportunities for community involvement through color guard/drill team presentations and an active role in emergency service missions.
    • Provides opportunities to test-fly careers in aviation, space and technology through dozens of summer activities.
    “Our unit won't be getting an airplane for a long time,” said Morlan. “So we'll be working more on ground units, radio systems and other areas that are just as important.”
    The nearest CAP squadrons are Thief River Falls, Bemidji and Walker. TRF is helping to organize the Crookston squadron and Walker will likely be doing the orientation, he added.