109th Airlift Wing Hosts Civil Air Patrol Graduation at Stratton Air National Guard Base

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Civil Air Patrol members look out the window of a 109th Airlift Wing C-130 during an orientation flight

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SCOTIA , NY (07/22/2011)(readMedia)-- The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing will host graduation ceremonies Saturday morning for 250 young men and women from across New York and other states who have been attending the weeklong Civil Air Patrol Leadership Encampment and Flight Academy at Stratton Air National Guard Base this past week.

The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary organization of the United States Air Force.

WHO: Two hundred and fifty youth members, ages 12 to 20 of the Civil Air Patrol from New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The graduation guest speaker will be Congressman Paul Tonko

WHAT: A graduation ceremony that culminates a week of training at Stratton Air National Guard Base. The cadets will have learned about leadership, aerospace, physical fitness, the Air Force and other topics. The cadets began the encampment, which is run by cadets with Senior Member mentorship on Saturday, July 16th. Rep. Tonko will also preside over the presentation of a Spaatz Award to one CAP cadet. The Spaatz Award is the highest achievement a cadet can obtain in the CAP Cadet program. Also attending the graduation will be New York State Senator Hugh Farley and the CAP New York Wing Commander, Col. Jack Ozer.

WHEN: 10:00am, Saturday, July 23, 2011.

WHERE: Startton Air National Guard Base, Scotia, NY

Media members interested in attending the graduation must contact Major James Ridley, CAP. at either (631) 730-0552 or (631) 889-4919 no later than 8am on the 23rd to gain admission to this secure military facility.