MIDDLETOWN, Pa. -- Airmen from the 193rd Special Operations Wing, Middletown, Pennsylvania, welcomed local Civil Air Patrol squadrons as well as Airmen’s spouses aboard EC-130J Super J aircraft orientation flights April 6-7.
Orientation flights combine necessary, standard flight training for wing aircrew with the opportunity to familiarize others on the flights with the 193rd SOW mission and aircraft.
A familiarization orientation flight was conducted for the Civil Air Patrol squadrons in order to acquaint them with Air Force aircraft and missions. This is an important piece of CAP training, due to the fact that the CAP normally has aviation-related responsibilities, according to Air Force Instruction 11-401.
Forty one cadets and members of leadership from three local Civil Air Patrol squadrons, to include Harrisburg International Composite Squadron 306, Lebanon Composite Squadron 307 and Reading Composite Squadron 811 participated in the CAP orientation flight event at the wing April 6.
“I have been in this program for four years, and I’ve done some very cool stuff, but I’ve never flown on an Air Force aircraft before,” said CAP Cadet 2nd Lt. Michael Rafizadeh. “I am beyond excited and I hope that the other cadets really appreciate what a special, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this is.”
Fifteen military spouses affiliated with the 193rd SOW participated in the spouses orientation flight event April 7.
These orientation flights are conducted for military spouses to familiarize them with the unit aircraft and mission to enhance their understanding of the military member’s role and contribution to the Air Force mission, according to AFI 11-401.