DECATUR - Members of the Civil Air Patrol's Illinois Wing took to the sky this weekend to demonstrate their skills for a group of eight U.S. Air Force evaluators.

The patrol, a civilian volunteer organization affiliated with the Air Force, started in 1941 and serves in a variety of capacities. Among them are assisting with emergency services, fostering aerospace education and overseeing a cadet program that provides youth between the ages of 12 and 20 the chance to pursue positions in the patrol.

This weekend's exercise, based out of the Decatur Airport, brought out more than 100 patrol members and a group of 20 cadets from across the state, said Lt. Col. Paul Hertel, commander of the Illinois Wing's Group One.

"They throw different scenarios at us," Hertel said. "And the big one over the weekend is simulated flood damage at the Shelbyville Dam and Sangamon River and Kaskaskia."

Weekend missions involved flying over the areas to assess them, taking photographs and sending out ground teams, Hertel said.

"The Air Force feeds scenario changes to see how quickly and how well we will react to that," he said.

Hertel, an Air Force veteran, met his wife through the Civil Air Patrol and has participated in the organization as an adult since 1992.

"It's not just for the boys," he said. "We have girls here, too, and women. It's a very diverse group of people."

Cadet Airman Matthew Donelan, 13, of Springfield, spoke with a senior member of the patrol at a fly-in two years ago. He said he decided to become involved with the organization because he's long hoped for a career in the Air Force.

"This is the first step," he said.

Donelan and the other cadets took an active role in the weekend's missions. They progress through the organization's cadet ranks by taking various fitness tests and written exams on leadership, aerospace education and other topics.

"If you're physically fit and kind of smart, then it'll be easy," said Donelan, who just earned his first stripe two weeks ago.

He said he makes sacrifices to be a cadet, but they are worth the effort because they allow him to help people, develop leadership skills and prepare for his future career.

"I was supposed to be hanging out with my friends this weekend and going to parties and stuff, but I can't because I put CAP first every time," Donelan said.

Rickey Oeth was a 13-year-old cadet himself 33 years ago. Now he's vice commander of the organization's Illinois Wing.

"I was looking for a little extra structure in my life," he said. "¦ When you're 13 years old to be able to wear ¦ Air Force uniforms and stuff like that was pretty darn cool - didn't like the haircuts."

Oeth said he's stuck with the organization for so long because, as many other members agree, it's a passion.

Through the fun, challenges and camaraderie, Civil Air Patrol members said the true service focus of the organization is always at the forefront.

In the past couple of years, Oeth and Hertel assisted with search-and-rescue missions involving a lost Alzheimer's disease patient in Massac County and a missing pilot in Franklin County.

"It's the same as a fireman or a policeman," Oeth said. "You have a desire to want to help and assist people."

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