Civil Air Patrol’s Col. Aaron Oliver took command of the Oklahoma Wing  in July.

“One hundred orientation flights in 100 days,” Oliver said at the wing’s annual conference. “It won’t be easy, but I believe our passion for this program will bring us to do great things.”

Civil Air Patrol’s orientation flight program is a part of its Youth Aviation Initiative. Cadets get the chance to take the controls of an aircraft and fly during the noncritical stages of the flight. In fiscal year 2020 (under the pandemic), CAP, AFROTC, and AFJROTC cadets flew a combined total of 19,184 orientation flights.

“Cadets love to fly,” Oliver stated. “Through the U.S. Air Force, we have the resources necessary to make these flights happen. This is a lofty goal, but I know this, we are stronger together. It is in that unity of purpose that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to.”

“The team has really come together,” 1st Lt. Tamara Shannan, the wing’s assistant orientation flight coordinator, said. “We have 14 pilots, 10 staff and eight aircraft on hand to provide 42 cadet orientation flights. The best part is that 39 of those will be first time flights.”

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees.

For more information, visit okwg.cap.gov.