Published: August 05, 2011
Civil Air Patrol Trains At Camp Atterbury
By Staff Sgt. Matthew Scotten
EDINBURGH, Ind. - One of the features of Camp Atterbury's training facilities is the diverse nature of the terrain. Just as this has enabled several Department of Defense organizations to train for various kinds of operations, it was also a main factor in what has brought more than 500 members of the Civil Air Patrol here to train over the last few weeks.
From late July through mid-August, the CAP has been on Camp Atterbury conducting their yearly National Emergency Services Academy summer training program.
Cadet Airman 1st Cass Everett Costello (left), from San Diego, Calif., and Cadet Master Sgt.
Photo: Staff Sgt. Matthew Scotten, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs |
CAP personnel training at Camp Atterbury learn a multitude of skills during the summer training program, to include search and rescue techniques, first aid, land navigation, and more - and the resources here have helped accent everything the cadets have done, said Maj. Gary Brockman, NESA academy director.
"We have everything here; woods, hills, lakes, open grasslands, the works," Brockman said. "We have a really strong relationship with Camp Atterbury. Not only do they have great training ranges here, but the service and support we get from the post is second to none."
Brockman said he's been coming to Atterbury to train since he first started in the CAP in 1968. Due largely to the strong relationships Brockman built with the post over the years, the academy started holding its summer training program here in 1998. That relationship has continued to grow and so has the program. "Now, we are the CAP's largest activity nationwide." Brockman said.
Cadets from the Civil Air Patrol practice moving a wounded person on a litter through various obstacles at the National Emergency Services Academy summer training program.
Photo: Staff Sgt. Matthew Scotten, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs |
Over the last decade, Atterbury has undergone several improvements to its training areas to help accommodate the mobilization mission in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. These improvements have further benefitted the CAP.
"The lanes aren't just realistic, they are very safe," said Lt. Col. Mike Long, the commandant of the Ground Search and Rescue School. "With the improved roads, it is so easy to get water and supplies to our guys training in the field."
According to Long, this kind of high-quality training leads to better prepared students and cadets for the CAP.
Cadet Airman 1st Class Benjamin R. Fay, from South Hadley, Mass., is here for his second year at Atterbury. He said he has really enjoyed the times he's spent here.
"Other than signing up for the Marines, this is the best thing I have ever done," said Fay. "The facilities here are the best in the world for what I do in the Civil Air Patrol."
Cadet 1st Lt. Rachel Dickerson (left), of Hohenwald, Ky., and Cadet Capt. Sarah Goldman, of Chicago, Ill., practice land navigation skills at the National Emergency Services Academy summer training program.
Photo: Staff Sgt. Matthew Scotten, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs |
For 2nd Lt. Kati Lichi, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla. native who is at Camp Atterbury for her second year in a row, the facilities are nice, but it is the hospitality here that she really likes.
"Everyone here is so nice and so respectful. They go out of their way to help us. I really like it here," she said.
Besides the summer training program, NESA also holds several short courses throughout the year at Atterbury, which are made possible by an agreement between the CAP and the post that established NESA as a permanent facility here in 2008. NESA's Center for Excellence consists of 12 trailers with classrooms, lodging, and support for up to 60 personnel, sitting on just under five acres of Atterbury real estate.
Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Jacob Poppel, of Burlington, Conn., conducts a line search with fellow Civil Air Patrol cadets at the National Emergency Services Academy summer training program.
Photo: Staff Sgt. Matthew Scotten, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs |
Civil Air Patrol cadets from throughout the United States practice treating injured person in the water during the National Emergency Services Academy summer training program.
Photo: Staff Sgt. Matthew Scotten, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs |
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