Cadets and adult volunteers from two local Civil Air Patrol squadrons experienced aviation history first-hand with a recent trip to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton. The 15 cadets from the Licking County Composite Squadron based in Newark and the Capt. Peter Chapman II Composite Squadron out of Mount Vernon made the trip.
“We can talk about the milestones in aviation and aerospace,” said 1st Lt. John Morgan, deputy commander and public affairs officer for the Mount Vernon unit, “but to be able to experience this history in person, allows them to see the big picture of the importance of aviation to our nation.”
As the civilian Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP is well represented at the museum. In addition to two World War II era CAP coastal patrol aircraft on display, a modern-day CAP Cessna 172 has a special exhibit. This particular aircraft, which retired from CAP service in 2024, was the first civilian plane allowed to fly over New York City following the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The aircraft crew provided the first detailed aerial images of the damage to “ground zero” and the surrounding area for governmental agencies…