Russ's 50th Anniversary of Joining CAP

03 June 1956 - 03 June 2006

• I haven't been active in the Civil Air Patrol program since the 1960's. But since 2006 was the 50th anniversary of joining the program, I decided to make this page in remembrance of the old days. Things have changed a bit since then but the memories remain.

• On Saturday 20 May 2006 I met up with (ex) Lt Margaret Egan and (ex) Cadet Captain Terry {Egan} Kumm from SQDN407 for an impromptu reunion. Marge passed away later that year on September 7th, 2006. RIP+.

Cleveland SQ 405
Cleveland SQ 407
Cleveland GRP XI

CAP unit assignments and rank attained

• I first joined Civil Air Patrol Cleveland Composite Squadron 405 under the command of Captain Joseph H. Kasper Jr. on 03 Jun 1956. I completed the CAP-ECI course for OCS. I had assignments as Assistant Communications Officer, Communications Officer, Assistant Personnel Officer, and Editor and Publisher of the Dodo Bird squadron newsletter. Held the rank of A1C VOCO 24 Aug 1956, SSGT 23 Oct 1957, TSGT 25 May 1959, and 2nd LT 20 Jul 1960.

• In 1964 I transferred to Dover Bay Cadet Squadron 407 under the command of Major Edward T. Egan as Communications Officer in the rank of 2nd LT.

• Later I was recruited as Director of Communications for Cleveland Group XI under the command of Major Fred Rader at the rank of Captain July 1965.

• Although I was primarily a radio operator and technician I was also certificated in Standard and Advanced ARC First Aid and participated as a Land Rescue Team member on SARCAPs and REDCAPs. I also instructed Cadets and Seniors in Communications, Aviation Meteorology, and Close Order Drill.

• I also attended flight training ground school and pilot training (student pilot) and was a flight crew member as Observer (navigator/searcher) on many practice and actual Search and Rescue Missions. I was also a Mission Coordinator on several Cadet bivouacs.

• In July 1959 I was selected to attend the 1st CAP National Staff College at MSU in Missoula, Montana where among other things we developed CAP Manual 100-1.

• I dropped out of the CAP program in the later '60s.