Almost 100 cadets aged 12 to 16 from across Washington are rising to the challenge of a week of basic training at Cascade Falcon XVI, the Civil Air Patrol cadet summer encampment. Basic training is designed to be highly intense and challenging.
The challenge comes as much from the difficulty of the physical fitness training as it does from the required psychological adjustment to an unfamiliar way of life.
The cadets rise in the morning at O’dark thirty for PT before heading to breakfast, preparing their barracks for inspection, and properly wearing the uniform of the day.
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During the day the cadets take classes on aerospace education and leadership and also get to do some very cool activities.
Yesterday the US Air Force provided two C-17 flights for the cadets to experience flight in a military transport aircraft from McChord AFB.
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The cadets also visited Fort Lewis and had the opportunity to complete the obstacle course used to train our soldiers.
Cascade Falcon is being held again this year at Camp Murray, which sits along I-5 between McChord and Fort Lewis.
Successful completion of cadet basic training makes cadets eligible to apply for national and regional activities including flight training and international travel.
Redmond based Overlake Squadron sent the largest contingent of cadets to CFXVI this year, 19 basics, six cadet staff, and three adult supervisors.
Our squadron meets weekly on Tuesday evenings in the Redmond Town Center. Boys and girls aged 12 to 17 are invited to attend.