STATESBORO — The Georgia Southern University Shooting Sports Education (GSU SSEC) provided training to 15 members of the Effingham Cadet Squadron of Civil Air Patrol on Feb. 19.

Two NRA-certified instructors provided training on firearm safety utilizing various pistols and rifles. Participants were additionally trained on the appropriate stance and how to aim and fire the weapon.

After satisfactorily demonstrating to instructors a mastery of the concepts in the classroom, participants were provided time on the range with both a pistol (Ruger Mark III) and a rifle (Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22). Each member was provided 10 rounds for the pistol and 10 rounds for the rifle.

After time on the range, participants returned to the classroom where instructors demonstrated the disassembly and cleaning of a pistol and a rifle. Members left with a much better understanding of how to safely handle a firearm whether they are involved in a planned activity involving firearms or if they simply encounter one. Squadron leadership felt this training was both important and timely as there appear to be more and more stories in the news pertaining to accidental discharge of firearms in which injury and even death occur.

Established in 1941, the Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 555 single-engine aircraft and 2,250 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and performs about 90 percent of all search and rescue operations within the contiguous United States as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Often using innovative cellphone forensics and radar analysis software, CAP was credited by the AFRCC with saving 108 lives last year. CAP’s 56,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies.

As a nonprofit organization, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education using national academic standards-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education resources. Members also serve as mentors to more than 23,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.

Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information, or visit the  Effingham Cadet Squadron at Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at 501 Richland Avenue, Building 119.