HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. - The blazing sun on June 23 did not deter the cadets of the South Carolina Civil Air Patrol from touring the various facilities that keep Hunter Army Airfield operational.

Among the toured sites were the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade hangar and the 260th Quartermaster Battalion motorpool.

More than 100 cadets poured out of busses outside of one of the 3rd CAB hangars, where four of the Brigade’s companies displayed their flight vehicles and offered the chance for the visitors to sit in the cockpits.

Shortly after, the busses were re-loaded and the cadets headed to the 260th QM motorpool, where they viewed the various vehicles and equipment that keep the battalion mission-ready, including fuel trucks, the portable petroleum laboratory, and the shower units.

“There are three main functions of the Civil Air Patrol: aerospace education, the cadet program, and emergency services,” said Capt. Bill Hargrove, encampment commandant. “Here are examples of the cadet program and aerospace education. We’ve already visited the Marine Corps aviation at Parris Island, and now we’re showing them the Army side of the house.”

“One of our main missions is cadet education,” explained Jeff Parcell, the director of cadet programs. “Most of the cadets in the Civil Air Patrol have a lot of interest in aviation. [By visiting HAAF,] we’re exposing them to as much stuff as possible.”

Sergeant Roy Davis, 110th Quartermaster Company, 260th Quartermaster Bn., showed the cadets his 1088 fuel tank truck. “Most of the questions the cadets asked were combat-based,” Sgt. Davis said. “I gave the best answers I could, based on my real-life experiences in Iraq. This is a good example of a real, dangerous job we do for them to learn.”

The cadets enthusiastically learned everything they could during their visit.

“This is really fun,” says Cadet Tech Sgt. Timothy Shannon, age 14. “[Hunter] is one of most impressive Army bases I’ve been to.”

Cadet Capt. Ben Gardner, age 17, is the encampment cadet commander of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. He was pleased with both the facilities with Hunter Army Airfield and the enthusiasm of his cadets to learn about how the Army functions.

“It is benefitting the cadets to see how the branches of the military work,” Gardner said. “Getting hands on with how [the Soldiers] keep Hunter Army Airfield working is a great experience, and the cadets are having fun.”

The cadets also took away the different options that will be available to them upon graduating high school.

“A warrant officer told us about [a program called] High School to Flight School,” said Cadet Master Sgt. Austin Snyder, age 15. “I didn’t know about that; it might be what I want to do after graduation.”

“I’ve learned a lot looking at all of the helicopters,” added Cadet Tech Sgt. Morgan Mastry, age 16.

Cadet Airman 1st Class Corbin Godfrin, age 12, was motivated by the displays.

“I hope to drive one of the Chinooks or the Apache,” he said.