We are simply a group of Americans that want to make a difference in the lives of our fellow Americans through participation in the programs that CAP offers and through various community service projects that we are involved in from time to time.
To list and fully explain all the things that we do would take 100s of pages on this site. The Civil Air Patrol (or simply CAP) has a huge internet presence, so we invite you to do your own investigating on what CAP is all about by "googling" (do a web search) and checking out websites of other CAP units, etc. Some websites are better than others, but we all operate under the same regulations, etc.
As we stated on our home page, we (The Gallup Raptor Composite Squadron) was the #1 Squadron and had the #1 local Cadet Program in the country just a few years ago.
Since that time, we lost several of our key leaders (including the squadron commander, one of the deputy commanders, the public affairs officer, various cadets leaders, and others.) due to work commitments and senior cadets leaving to go to college.. As a result of such a large loss in key personnel at one time, the squadron took a bit of a downturn.
In March 2009, the former Squadron Commander, who had moved to Arizona due to work commitments in 2006, agreed to return and resume command of the Squadron and lead it back to its former greatness.
On April 11, 2009, a GallupCAP "Family Reunion" was held and many former members returned for a get together that was very moving for some. It lasted for several hours and one of the topics that was discussed was that there were still many members that were interested in CAP, and in being in the Gallup Raptor Composite Squadron in particular, but due to school, family and work committments can not make the regular weekly meetings like we used to have. As a result, we decided to have our "official" meeting once a month on the first Saturday of the month.
New Meeting Format:
CHANGE: We have returned to having WEEKLY meeting again! They will be help every THURSDAY night starting at 1830 hours (6:30pm) at the CAP buildling, next to the airport fire station, at the Gallup Airport!
We will also be keeping our monthly meeting as well.
So now our meeting schdule is every Thursday night from 6:30pm until about 8:30-9:00. AND on the FIRST Saturday of the month from 0900 (9:00am) until about 1700 (5:pm).
Having a monthly meeting is not unheard of in CAP although it isnt done much around here. But it is being done by the National Guard and reserve units all over the country and it seems to work out just fine. So in addition to our weekly meeting lasting 2 or 3 hour meeting once a week, we will also have 1 monthly meeting all day on a Saturday (and sometimes on Sundays too). It is during these meetintgs that we will do all the training, and other activities that we need to do, all at once!
Since we will have numerous people driving in from far off lands such as Arizona, Grants, Albuquerque, Colorado and who knows where else. This will make our unit more "Regional" so as a result, we hope to attract new members (Adults and Cadets) from areas that were too far away to attend weekly meetings like Chinle, Crownpoint, Zuni, Sanders, Ganado and other places but can attend meeting on weekends. Regardless of where you live, if you are within driving disatnce of Gallup, NM, you can be a part of the GallupCAP experience.
The idea is that having our meeting the first weekend of the month (which is also a payday weekend for many in the area), people that live in far away places will need to come to Gallup to do their shopping anyway. Interested Cadets and Seniors can ride in with their family or friends and attand the CAP meeting while the family goes shopping!
Although we will be headquartered in Gallup, we will gladly accept new members from anywhere just as long as they are willing to come to Gallup for the monthly meeting and events and meet the entrance requirements.
GallupCAP.com (2.0)
These pictures are actual GallupCAP members doing what we do! JOIN US & Change your Life!
