Civil Air Patrol holds weekend training session

Some Oklahoma teenagers got hands-on experience in emergency search and rescue training this weekend. <br><br>Volunteers with Oklahoma's Civil Air Patrol went through a mock rescue at the Pogue Airport

Monday, September 8th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Some Oklahoma teenagers got hands-on experience in emergency search and rescue training this weekend.

Volunteers with Oklahoma's Civil Air Patrol went through a mock rescue at the Pogue Airport in Sand Springs. News on 6 reporter Patrina Adger says the Civil Air Patrol or CAP's performed several ground and air search exercises, training their young cadets on how to assist authorities in emergencies.

This weekend's training is one of six annual sessions, which allows nearly 800 teenage cadet members to keep up with their emergency service skills. Most of the cadets are between the ages of 13 and 18. Some start as young as 12 and many have already performed several real-life scenarios.

CAPS' is a volunteer auxiliary of the US Air Force. They help support aerospace education programs and mentor the youth through the cadet program. Major Charles Newcomb, US Air Force Auxiliary, "we do this every two months, six times a year in various weather conditions and we go out and practice the types of things we would be doing in search and rescue and disaster relief operation."

Lt Sonya Martin, Civil Air Patrol cadet, "it helps you to be better prepared to do the team ground work and lead others."

Many of the cadets are hoping their training will give them a leg up when they decide to enter the military.