The Civil Air Patrol, with help from members of Fox Cities Composite and West Bend Composite Squadrons, were able to recruit and promote their services to thousands of people at the world's largest air show, AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI on July 27 - August 2.

Blue Beret, a National Cadet Special Activity, was also able to help man the booth. Blue Beret is a two week program whose main mission is to support EAA in flight line marshaling and ELT searches.

CAP members spoke to an estimated 4,000 people handing out information on the volunteer organization that encompasses Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education. Showing off Eau Claire's new Cessna 182 airplane equipped with the Garmin 1000, drew some attention as well to the booth.

According to Capt Robert Koehler, the Project Officer assigned by National Headquarters, "It was great to represent CAP at the world's largest air show; generating interest to people from around the nation and the world, and having the opportunity to interact with those with a common interest in aviation."

Perspective members were able to go on the web and use National Headquarters' website to locate the nearest unit to their home. Those who stopped by the CAP booth enjoyed the pictures of the three missions of CAP. Ages ranged from toddlers to those who were retired wanting to mentor cadets and teach them how to fly. 

Some of the highlights of the week included having a personal tour of the Airbus 380 which was flown into Oshkosh from France. The French crew were very gracious in giving the CAP volunteers a personalized tour, avoiding the two hour wait in line. This was the first time they allowed the general public to tour the massive plane. Generally it has only been scheduled groups allowed to see the inside of this test plane.

It was a privilege to meet many military personnel who were former cadets and who were thankful for the leadership abilities that they learned in CAP.

C/CMSgt Lichtenwald was interviewed by WOSH Newstalk 1490 AM. The interviewer's sister is a former CAP cadet. The station wanted the perspective of a currant cadet, what he thought of the air show, and his involvement in the volunteer organization.

Tuskegee Airmen Lt Col Julius Jackson, a member of CAP, paid the booth a visit and greeted many of those who inquired about CAP. With his charm and personality, it was no wonder he drew a crowd.

The group was able to meet with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Canada's counterpart to CAP. The two groups exchanged information about each other's program; their similarities and differences. The most notable differences are that Canada's cadets are paid for their services if on staff at an activity, they learn to fly gliders first, have a music program, and weekly meetings are mandatory to which they only meet during the school year.

AirVenture, as well as local air shows, are important events for CAP to have a presence in for recruiting and promoting CAP. This event however, had the potential of reaching the greatest number of people from around the country in one place. Not only did it reach those who live in Wisconsin, but thousands of people attending AirVenture from other states. This was a golden opportunity for CAP and Wisconsin Wing to shine before the world. 

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