AN earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale was one of the highlights of a two-week trip to America for an air cadet from Mundford.Daniel Cooper, 18, a Cadet Warrant Officer of 864 (Watton) Squadron, was a guest of the Civil Air Patrol and was in Santa Barbara when the earth shuddered.
AN earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale was one of the highlights of a two-week trip to America for an air cadet from Mundford.
Daniel Cooper, 18, a Cadet Warrant Officer of 864 (Watton) Squadron, was a guest of the Civil Air Patrol and was in Santa Barbara when the earth shuddered. He was unhurt.
He said: “We were on an old wooden pier and I thought it was strange when we started swaying from side to side and things on the walls were rattling and falling off. This was when the earthquake struck 5.4 on the Richter scale.”
His visit was part of the International Air Cadet Exchange and featured four days in Washington DC before completing his exchange programme in California. The two weeks were packed with tours of cultural institutions, local aviation facilities and visits to military units including Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. In Washington DC the international air cadets also toured museums and monuments and the Military Cemetery at Arlington.
Daniel added “A special moment for me during my stay in Washington DC was the visit to Arlington National Cemetery and in particular to see the changing of the guard which is a tremendous honour amongst American servicemen to be selected for such a duty.”
During the exchange Daniel was hosted by volunteer families and on military installations.
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