This is OmahaNebraska.com with…
I am First Lieutenant Katherine O’Meara, and I am part of Civil Air Patrol. Civil Air Patrol is the Air Force auxiliary, and we focus on cadet programs, aerospace education, and emergency services. Our cadet program teaches youth age 12 to 18 leadership skills, aerospace skills, and some of those emergency services skills. Our aerospace education focuses on different topics, and then we also have badges such as model rocketry. Our emergency services focus on disaster relief. For example, if a tornado comes through, we can either fly to assess the damages or we can do some groundwork after that.
How did you get involved?
I got involved when I was 14, so I’ve spent almost five years in the program. What actually happened is I read a book by an astronaut whose name is Chris Hadfield. He’s a Canadian astronaut, and he did this as a kid. I was like, “I want to do that because I want to be an astronaut.” I’m currently studying aerospace engineering.
Where are you studying?
I am studying at University of Missouri, Science and Technology.
So you’ll be going back for school?
Yes.
For those who are interested in the program, how can they get involved?
To get involved, the first step is to visit the National Civil Air Patrol website. Type “Civil Air Patrol” into Google to find our website [https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com]. The next step is to find a squadron near you. For example, Offutt Composite Squadron meets on base. We’re in the little building next to the BX, and we meet on Thursday nights starting at 6:30. But there are squadrons all over the state and all over the country. We even have squadrons in Puerto Rico. So truly anyone can get involved.
Thank you.
Yeah, thank you so much.
Learn more at:
https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com
