Ellijay 507 Civil Air Patrol Visits Lockheed

Cadets and senior members were excited during their visit to the Marietta, Georgia Lockheed Aircraft production and assembly plant.

Our tour guide, Major Mike Reed, met the group at the Lockheed facility main entrance. After a short introduction to the group about what to expect, the CAP members walked to the main conference room for a two hour presentation of the history of the C-130 “Hercules” and the Advanced Tactical Fight, the F-22 “Raptor”. Flight demonstration videos depicted capabilities and components of the aircraft. Questions from the Ellijay 507 squadron members were answered.

A walking tour of the manufacturing and assembly facility producing the latest version of the C-130J “Hercules” aircraft concluded with a completed aircraft ready to have engines installed and tested before the first flight of the new aircraft.

During the tour Major Reed discussed the assembly process, the different aircraft configurations present and how the aircraft would be flight tested before delivery to military units or federal agencies.

If you would like more information about Civil Air Patrol, you may contact 1Lt Don Murray, Public Affairs Officer at 706-273-1553. Our next squadron meeting is Tuesday, August 21st, at the Gilmer County Airport.