NORWALK - Members of the Norwalk-based Los Angeles Cadet Squadron 138 recently toured the San Diego Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park.Planned by Erick Castillo, the squadron's aerospace education officer, the trip supplements the group's on-going aerospace education program for its members. First stop for the cadet and adult members of Civil Air Patrol was "Space: A Journey to Our Future," a special temporary exhibit. They were able to explore the past, present and future of space exploration through dozens of exhibits and interactive displays. Then it was on to explore scores of original aircraft, models, interactive displays and simulators representing more than 100 years of aviation development. "The San Diego Air and Space Museum was an interesting trip. There were a lot of activities and readings that were very interesting," said Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Nicole Franklin, the unit's cadet commander. "I liked the videos and hands-on activities. We watched a 3D movie, 'Fly Me to the Moon,' which was fun and exciting." Cadet Nicole Franklin, a student at Downey High School who will attend the National Youth Leadership Forum at UCLA this summer, said she also enjoyed the trip. "I also enjoyed the special tour we got," she said. "It was a very interesting way how they get and restore all their aircrafts there." Los Angeles Cadet Squadron 138 meets every Wednesday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Norwalk. Every week, Squadron 138 "provides a quality training program that enhances our members' leadership skills through an interest in aviation." The training program includes leadership, aerospace education, character development and physical fitness. A varied schedule of extracurricular field trips supplements the weekly program. Outstanding cadets have traveled throughout the United States to attend Civil Air Patrol activities, and through the annual International Air Cadet Exchange, have even visited Europe and Asia. The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. For more information on Squadron 138, contact squadron commander Lt. Col. Charles Wiest at (714) 379-8528 or cwiest@verizon.net.

********** Published: March 17, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 48