Cadets in Thunder Composite Squadron IL-317 serve the community
information provided by Civil Air Patrol
LANSING, Ill. (July 17, 2018) – The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is an auxiliary branch of the United States Air Force that gives an opportunity to youths ages 12–20 and senior volunteer members to participate in real search and rescue missions; learn about STEM, aviation, and military careers; acquire leadership skills; and more.
CAP also allows the cadets to perform a number of community service projects. Lansing’s Thunder Composite Squadron IL-317 has been very active in serving the broader Lansing community. In the past year, cadets have been involved with:
- Presenting colors at the Scottish Festival and Highland Games in Itasca
- Presenting colors at Lansing Memorial Day Ceremony
- Gate assistance at NASCAR races in Joliet
- Wreath laying on Memorial Day at Community Veterans Memorial in Munster
- Participating in the Good Neighbor Day Parade
- Recruiting booth at Monee Kids’ Day
- Parking and security at Lansing 125th Anniversary celebration at the Ford Hangar
- Wreath laying on Veterans Day at Community Veterans Memorial in Munster
- Participating in Veterans Day Ceremony at Lansing Veterans Memorial
- Assisting at LARC Fish Fry
- Color Guard for Illinois Wing Headquarters Commissioning Ceremony
- Participating in Calumet City Labor Day Parade
- Informational and recruiting table at Memorial Junior High Open House
- Department of Homeland Security Mass Casualty Training for State of Indiana
- Assisting with Lan-Oak Park District Easter Egg Hunt
- Assisting with Lan-Oak Park District Ghostly Games

New members welcome
Thunder Composite Squadron meets every Wednesday from 7:00–9:00pm at Heritage Middle School in Lansing, Illinois. The Squadron includes members from Calumet City, Mokena, Lynwood, Dyer, Munster, and Schererville as well as Lansing.
New projects welcome
Organizations interested in working with Civil Air Patrol on a community service project are invited to contact Major Barb Buckner at 312-296-6556.
To learn more, visit gocivilairpatrol.com and follow “CAP Thunder Composite Squadron” on Facebook.