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Civil Air Patrol cadets, leaders ask Collin County court to back partnership with Collin College
Summary
Cadets and Civil Air Patrol leaders told the Collin County commissioners court the local squadron needs stable space and partnerships to expand training and said they seek the court's support encouraging Collin College to host the McKinney Thunderbolt Composite Squadron; they did not request county funding.
Cadet Master Sergeant Muns told the Collin County commissioners court that Civil Air Patrol transformed his confidence and leadership skills and urged local leaders to support growth of the program.
"Civil Air Patrol showed me that if I set my mind to a goal, I can achieve it," Muns said during the public-comment portion of the court's meeting.
Two other cadets and the squadron commander described the organization's mix of youth development and emergency services and asked for a nonfinancial partnership to secure meeting and training space. Daksha Sri Srinivasan, who identified herself as cadet captain and cadet commander of the McKinney Thunderbolt Composite Squadron, said the squadron is one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing and that orientation flights and classroom space open aerospace and STEM pathways for young people.
"We're not asking for direct funding; we are asking for support for a partnership that would allow Civil Air Patrol and Collin College to work together," Srinivasan said.
Squadron Commander Captain Jim Reeves said the unit was chartered in Collin County in 1969, highlighted Texas-Wing aircraft and emergency-service missions, and said the squadron currently pays full-market hangar rates despite operating as a volunteer, nonprofit public partner. Reeves asked the court to sign a letter encouraging the Collin College Board of Trustees to explore hosting the squadron.
Reeves said the request is intended to expand youth leadership development and community service capacity without asking the county for a direct appropriation. The court received the comments during its public-comment period and did not take immediate action beyond thanking the speakers and noting interest in coordination with Collin College.
The court later moved on to routine business, but Reeves's request and the cadets' accounts of program benefits were entered into the record for future staff follow-up and potential letters of support.
The court recessed for a closed session after the open meeting concluded.
