Entering middle school, Garek McMahen already knew what he wanted to do with his future. McMahen has been a part of The Indiana/ Westmoreland County Civil Air Patrol (CAP) for five years. When he first heard about the program from his friend from hockey, he was told he would get to fly planes and that’s all he needed to hear to be on board. Little did he know, the CAP program offers much more than he expected.
CAP is a program that trains field experts to build, teach, and lead CAP ground operations. Its goal is to develop leaders for the civil air patrol emergency services who are skilled in search and rescue and disaster response, often operating in challenging and demanding search environments. CAP is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force and a nonprofit with the three primary missions: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs. Impressively, CAP performs 90% of inland search and rescue operations across the United States. In 2025 alone, the organization has already saved 96 lives nationwide.
For Aerospace education, CAP offers aviation and STEM programs both locally and nationally with courses and schools available all over the country. For McMahen, he attends CAP meetings at the Indiana Alliance Church. Over the years, he has put countless hours into the program. “What you put into it is what you’re going to get out of it.” said McMahen. He attends weekly meetings that include a wide range of activities such as PT (strength and conditioning), opening formation, drill testing, STEM, and safety briefings.
As cadets progress through the program, they must pass tests to advance in rank. Once they achieve officer grade, or Second Lieutenant, they begin to write essays instead of taking the tests. Garek has steadily risen through the ranks and is now a Major, which is two stages away from the highest rank- Colonel. “I am a Major, so the highest rank in CAP is Colonel, so I’m two away from that” McMahen states. Currently, he is working towards earning his pilot’s license through Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, with the goal of becoming a flight instructor for his CAP unit. So far, he has completed five flights for CAP and has accumulated 34 additional flight hours outside of the program.
In CAP, cadets apply for a program called Cadet Wings, which covers 75% of flight training costs. Once they earn their pilots license, they can also apply for the International Air Cadet Exchange, a month-long opportunity to visit another country and experience how CAP operates abroad.
When McMahen graduates high school, he hopes to either go to the Army where he would attend flight school or continue his education at Penn State University. Ultimately, his career goal is to work in medical evacuation, transporting critically ill or injured patients by helicopter. To get a helicopter’s license you need to complete 60-90 hours of flight training. McMahen aspires when he gets out of college to become a tour pilot in the Grand Canyon or New York while he gains experience and enough hours.
Through McMahen’s five years so far in CAP, he has built discipline, leadership, and a clear vision for his future. What began as an interest in flying planes, turned into a passion for service and aviation. His commitment has not only prepared him for challenges ahead, but also has inspired him to combine his love for flying with a mission to help others. Whether he is in the Army or at Penn State, Garek McMahen is determined to take the next step forward in making a difference in people’s lives.
