Joining CAP

During my early years in ham radio and emergency communications, I became familiar with another emergency service organization called the Civil Air Patrol. Several of the disaster exercises I participated in were held jointly with the CAP along with other federal, state, and local agencies.

About all I knew about the CAP was that they flew airplanes for search and rescue missions and used radio operators to keep track of their airplanes. I also knew that they had something to do with the military and was run as a fairly strict organization. Another thing I knew was that the frequencies they used were just outside the 2-meter ham band because all the 2-meter radios had instructions on had to do a "MARS/CAP" modification.

The more I interacted with CAP, the more I become interested in what they did. I've never been particularly interested in flying, due to my history of motion sickness. However, because of some of the documents I had read, and things I had heard from CAP members, the communication methods and procedures were very disciplined - which was something that really interested me.

Just after my wife and I married in 2002, I decided to check into the Civil Air Patrol and find out if their was a squadron here in Utah County. I came across a schedule on the Internet and found there was a Cadet squadron that met weekly at BYU. I decided to attend a meeting to see what it was all about. Even though the Cadet squadron seemed to be very active, I was hesitant because I didn't know if I would really be able to use my radio communication skills with this squadron.

At some point not long after, I decided to attend a meeting of the CAP squadron in Salt Lake City at the Utah Wing building near the Salt Lake airport. Again, I was quite impressed, however I really didn't want to drive 30+ miles every week to attend their meeting. So, I decided to put that idea aside for now.

Utah County ARES

At a Utah County ARES meeting in January of 2014, in attendance was a gentleman that introduced himself as a newly licensed amateur and also a member of the Phantom Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. He said he was there to recruit members to help with communications.

Hmm. Just the opportunity I was interested in.

Phantom Composite Squadron

After the meeting, I went up to the gentleman and introduced myself. He introduced himself as Maj Kent Hopkins, Communications Officer. I asked him where the Phantom Squadron was based and he said it was based at the Provo airport. I mentioned that I didn't know there was a squadron in Utah County anymore, since I had heard it had been disbanded in the late 1990's. He indicated this squadron had been formed just a few years prior. After some conversation, I let him know I was interested and asked when their next meeting would be.

"This Thursday at 1800" he said.

"Good. I'll be there." I replied.

I attended the meeting that Thursday and the next two weeks. I was told what I needed to do to join, so I completed the requirements.

My First CAP ID Card

I became an official member of the Phantom Squadron, Utah Wing of the Civil Air Patrol - the Volunteer Auxiliary of the United States Air Force - on 28 February 2014.