Coast Guard Helicopter Flies into Aeroflex Airport for Local Youth Group
Andover, New Jersey
LCDR Mike Wightman standing in the door of the Coast Guard rescue helicopter, addressing the crowd at Aeroflex Airport.
For Immediate Release
Pilots from the United States Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City flew into Aeroflex Airport Tuesday June 29th to exhibit aerospace career opportunities to Civil Air Patrol cadets. This visit was performed as part of the Civil Air Patrol’s mission to give children hands-on learning opportunities in aerospace education. Visitors had the opportunity to ask the helicopter crew questions about how they found careers working in the United States Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard crew demonstrated the capabilities of the Airbus MH-65 rescue helicopter in air by lowering and raising the helicopter’s rescue basket while hovering and performing a high-speed low pass over the airport.
On the ground, the helicopter had its doors open while the crew showed off the helicopter’s cockpit and rescue equipment. Members of the crew described rescue missions they have performed in the aircraft off the coast of New Jersey. Two of the crew members were former Civil Air Patrol cadets themselves, giving those who visited an appreciation for how their activities in the organization can turn into a full time job.
Civil Air Patrol cadets looking inside the cockpit of the MH-65 rescue helicopter while LCDR Mike Wightman shows rescue equipment.
Two squadrons–Picatinny Composite Squadron and Lone Eagle Composite Squadron–joined the Andover Fire Department and Police Department at the display that lasted from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. The crew welcoming these visitors included LCDR Mike Wightman, LTJG Bryan McAlister, AMT3 Estan Rodney, and USCGA 2/C Taylor Young.
The Picatinny Composite Squadron recently relocated to Aeroflex Airport and is currently accepting new members, both adults and youths aged 12 to 18. If you are interested in learning more about aerospace while helping your community, state, and nation through volunteerism, you can find information about our squadron at picatinny.cap.gov.
About us: Civil Air Patrol is the congressionally chartered civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Founded just days before the US entered WWII, more than 63,000 volunteers serve today as part of the USAF’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 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 155 lives in Fiscal Year 2018. CAP’s 63,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 26,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for more information.
For More Information:
1st Lt Robert Oszust
Picatinny Composite Squadron Commander and Public Affairs Officer
Dover, New Jersey
(862) 242-0491
robert.oszust@njwg.cap.gov
