The Civil Air Patrol is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and one of its members told a group of young cadets during a banquet Tuesday that the experience prepared him “for being a good member of the community.”
“It truly gave me more than I gave back to it, whether it was photography or being a better pilot or emergency manager,” said Rock Palermo, who started out as a pilot with the Civil Air Patrol in 1996.
The Civil Air Patrol began on Dec. 15, 1941, to assist the military during World War II. It is an auxiliary of the Air Force and assists in emergencies and teaches cadets different skills, including aviation.
Palermo spoke of the Civil Air Patrol’s history and the many technological changes that have helped the organization in its efforts to help communities during emergencies. For instance, he said, it used to take 77 seconds for an image to get from the aircraft to the ground. Now, the CAP has high-definition infrared cameras in several of its aircraft and cameras that can record live video.
“Times are changing,” Palermo said.
He said the Lake Charles Composite Squadron continues to be a “laboratory for the (U.S.) in terms of technology and readiness” and supporting local emergency officials.
He encouraged cadets to “broaden their horizons” when it comes to looking for the next improvement in technology.
“Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone,” he said.
Palermo said different CAP squadrons protected the local refineries and others along the Gulf Coast during World War II.
“We were the patrol for getting tankers out to sea and making sure there wasn’t a U-boat nearby,” he said. “It’s hard to imagine Nazi U-boats being just off Holly Beach, but they were.”
Palermo showed several photos taken during emergencies over the last 16 years, including a train derailment in Eunice in May 2000. He said the CAP was one of the first responders on the scene because emergency responders could not access the site at ground level. Palermo also showed photos taken during the Citgo unicracker fire in September 2001 and fires in wooded areas of Oakdale in March 2002.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, Palermo said, the CAP conducted missions where it acted as targets for the military to intercept.
Gov. John Bel Edwards proclaimed this week as Civil Air Patrol Week in Louisiana.
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