The Civil Air Patrol is training ground for future pilots

For Wantagh and Seaford teens interested in a career as a pilot, joining the Civil Air Patrol could be the fastest route to those aspirations.

Gill Robb Wilson and then New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia created the Civil Air Patrol in 1941, recognizing the threat of German U-boats to the mainland United States and the potential of aviation to combat them. 

Shortly after its inception, the patrol sank two U-boats off the coasts of Long Island and Delaware.

After World War II, the air patrol created its cadet program, which was intended for teenagers who were interested in aviation. The air patrol was eventually claimed by the newly created Air Force as its auxiliary, and the cadet program grew popular.

One squadron of the cadet program is based at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Wantagh. According to Rick Gomez-Nieto, the program leader, the Civil Air Patrol conducts up to 90 percent of search-and-rescue operations in the continental United States, but thanks to Long Island’s stellar volunteer services, the program in Wantagh is largely a training program.

“In an area like ours, our search-and-rescue missions are pretty limited,” Gomez-Nieto said. “So here on Long Island, it’s more about teaching the cadets how to fly, and this includes aerospace education as well as community service.”

St. Jude’s has a mission center in Seaford, and part of the air patrol’s community service involves going to supermarkets and asking people to purchase items to donate to the mission center.

The air patrol also participates in Legislative Day, when cadets from all 50 states meet with members of Congress to discuss funding for the patrol. Gomez-Nieto’s daughter, Lauren, a lieutenant in the air patrol, has represented New York numerous times.

The cadets are rewarded for their community service with the opportunity to fly airplanes. The squadron uses Cessnas, and the training begins with an observation flight, Gomez-Nieto said.

“At the start, the professional pilot takes the controls,” he said. “Once they’re at a safe altitude, the cadet takes control and flies for about an hour before the pilot takes control again.”

This process repeats itself numerous times, before the cadets are ready to get their pilot’s licenses.

The air patrol offers much more to cadets than community service and flight lessons. Meetings include history, robotic, aeronautical, and airplane structure lessons. The cadet program also follows a ranking system similar to that of the Air Force itself, beginning at airman and rising in rank to colonel.

The highest honor offered by the air patrol for cadets is the Spaatz Award, which is similar to reaching Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts.

Named for Gen. Carl Spaatz, the award consists of a number of prerequisites, a physical fitness exam, a character essay, and a written exam.

Wantagh’s Civil Air Patrol has a number of noteworthy graduates, including Michael Murphy, a former commander of Wantagh’s Civil Air Patrol who is currently at the United States Air Force Academy. Murphy attended Chaminade and his younger brother, Jack, both from Rockville Centre, currently serves as patrol commander.

Jared Del Orfano, originally from Merrick and currently a lieutenant in the United States Air Force, had achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Wantagh Squadron. In addition, Kevin Seerey, a Wantagh native, is a captain in the United States Army. Becoming a member of the Civil Air Patrol is not only for those who want to enter the military, but former members have also gone on to careers as commercial pilots.

Gomez-Nieto said he feels the air patrol is the most well rounded path for Long Island youth interested in aviation.

“I believe we teach the most,” he said. “BOCES is great, but we teach them more than just flying; we teach them the four core values of integrity, volunteer service, excellence, and respect.”

The Wantagh Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol meets every Monday at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church.