CAP Cadets Meet USAF Thunderbird Pilot

The Air Show at Barksdale Air Force Base on April 21 and 22 turned out to be a huge opportunity for recruitment and fun. Barksdale Cadet Squadron had a recruiting booth set up to attract new members and the people visiting showed much interest in the program.

Barksdale Civil Air Patrol cadets watched the Thunderbirds' practice show from the flightline on Friday afternoon, and attended the morning performers' aircrew briefings each morning before the Air Show. The performances at the air show were amazing. From the B-52 Wall of Fire to the USAF Thunderbirds, it was a great show.

On Saturday cadets from the Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas wings had the opportunity to meet Thunderbird #3, Major Nicole Malachowski. In addition to being a Thunderbird pilot, she is also a former Civil Air Patrol cadet. Major Malachowski met the cadets at their booth and talked with them for about 20 minutes about the USAF Academy, being a fighter pilot, and being a Thunderbird demonstration pilot. She talked about what a great program Civil Air Patrol is, and how being in CAP could help the cadets to do all of the things she has done. It was inspiring for the cadets to know that they might one day grow up to be someone like Major Malachowski.

The Air Show ended Sunday afternoon with another breath-taking performance by the Thunderbirds. Events like the Air Show offer great learning experiences and opportunities for cadets and senior officers. Article submitted by: C/SSgt Heather King

Louisiana Wing and Texas Wing Cadets with Major Nicole Malachowski (a former CAP Cadet) and TSgt Bob Stephens

Left to right - Major Nicole Malachowski and TSgt Bob Stephens