The Utah Wing of the Civil Air Patrol(CAP) announced Wednesday the official launch of the Uintah Wilderness Cadet Squadron, to be headquartered in Vernal. The Uintah Squadron is the Air Patrol’s 18th unit and it will service Uintah, Duchesne, and Daggett Counties. The Civil Air Patrol, or CAP, is a valuable resource to the Utah Division of Emergency Management, with over 300 adult members and over 400 cadet members that are trained for search and rescue missions. In 2016, CAP located 6 missing persons and saved one life in Utah. “We are so excited to welcome back into CAP the Vernal area,” says Utah Wing Commander Col. Niedfeldt. “I have been impressed with the amount of time, effort, and work that the new leaders have put into starting up a unit in their town and surrounding areas.” Discussions about starting a Cadet Squadron in the Uintah Basin began last August and Commanding Officer, Jackie Davis, along with other parents and cadets, researched and planned many hours to get to this point. “Our community is very excited to have a program like this for our young people and to be able to be a part of it from the ground up has been an amazing experience,” shares Davis. “I look forward to getting to watch these youth grow into the strong, respectful, and knowledgeable leaders of tomorrow.” An open house will be held at the Uintah County Search and Rescue Building for the official Start of Command on Tuesday, January 17th at 5:30pm.
