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Warbirds Over Monroe Air Show 2016
C/SMSgt Andrew Young (L) of NC-300 showing the aircraft to spectators. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt Terence Gordon, CAP (click image to view full size)
CAP recruiting event a great success
By Capt Terence Gordon, CAP
Public Affairs Officer, MER-NC-137
11/21/2016–MONROE, NC–Saturday, 12 November 2016 was the much-anticipated Warbirds Over Monroe Air Show that took place at the Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport in Monroe, North Carolina.
Much preparation prior to that day had been done in order to get everything arranged and ready for the 12th. Saturday came much like any other day for this venue. Around 9am aviation enthusiasts, vendors of all sorts - ranging from food vendors to aircraft sales vendors, military equipment and aircraft restoration project fundraisers. Other attendees included military re-enactment performers, paratroopers and pilots along with support staff doing last minute preparations to get the show started.
From the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the MER-NC-137 Mavericks led the effort in getting the event together. Our preparations began in August with a team (including Lt Col Tom Schick, Major Lou Ovnic, Capt. Terence Gordon and NC-137’s squadron commander Capt. Gene Merklein) to ensure that all paperwork from the city, including the insurance and other assets, were ready by the city’s due date. CAP's participation in the air show was primarily for recruitment purposes. We had a CAP recruitment booth and all of the CAP literature and give-a-ways to go with it.
In addition, CAP displayed our Cessna 182 with the G1000 cockpit for spectators to be inspired. With much support from the Composite Squadron of the Waxhaws (MER-NC-300) which provided almost a dozen cadets and their senior members assisting in the effort. Individuals were particularly impressed by the knowledge that the cadets had of the aircraft on display, and their professionalism. Lt Col Paul Steele, from the 111th Search & Rescue Composite Squadron was also in attendance showing his support. It was very evident that CAP impressed many visitors who stopped by. The Wing’s Recruitment Officer, Lt. Dawn Stange, also stopped by to give us perspective on the efforts being done for recruitment at the Wing level. This was truly a CAP event since we also had several cadets and senior members from the York County Composite Squadron (SC Wing) assisting visitors who live in SC and who were interested in CAP activities in the SC Wing.
The Saturday weather was relatively sunny and the show went on as planned. On Sunday, however, the weather produced lingering rain and a damp atmosphere. Despite the weather conditions, the cloud ceilings were high enough so that performers could still carry on with the show. But with falling temperatures and relatively low turnout, vendors began to pack up early.
Nevertheless, the recruitment effort by CAP was a success! Many young inspired individuals, as well as adults, showed interest in becoming part of CAP. CAP members spread the word about Civil Air Patrol and what it means to be a part of it, along with the benefits it provides to the communities it serves.
NC-137 would like to send a special thank you to all who made this event possible, from Wing HQ to the group level and down to the squadrons who implemented and carried out the tasking. This was all made possible because of team effort.