November 2020
News for Alumni & Friends
Citizens Serving Communities to Shape Lives and Save Lives

Inside this Issue...Cadet has bird's-eye view as first Pennsylvania Wing cadet sUAS mission pilot; CAP helps aspiring Air Force pilots; your smartest gift, coin stories, ACE ignites Indiana after-school students; Texas CAP family endows scholarship, Fall Volunteer is now available online; add your name to the petition for Col Halvorsen; COVID-19 response, CAP helps propel Alaska cadet, 85 year old cadet alumnus celebrates flight, tribute to former national commander; CAP's Final Salute and much more!
He Has a Bird's-Eye View!
Pennsylvania Wing Gains First Cadet Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Mission Pilot
The Pennsylvania Wing’s first cadet Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) mission pilot hopes to use his interests to help to save lives.

Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Mark D. Sedlak II of Butler Composite Squadron 712 received his mission pilot rating during a training mission at Lenape Technical School in Ford City, adding the new rating to the Drone Part 107 commercial license he has held since age 16.

“With the help of my grandfather, a certified flight instructor, I have been flying drones since I was 2,” Sedlak said. He’s also working toward his private pilot’s certificate ...
What is your experience with Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS)?
I have one and fly it when I can!
I have asked for one as a holiday gift!
Do not have one, but wish they had sUAS when I was growing up!
Hmmm, not sure drones are my thing!
VIDEO CORNER
CAP Helps Train Air Force Officers Aspiring To Fly
Civil Air Patrol is one of the four partners in the U.S. Air Force Total Force. Consisting of CAP as the Air Force auxiliary as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and active-duty Air Force, each partner has specific missions that often foster collaboration.

For CAP, the collaboration often consists of participation in training exercises as intercept targets straying into restricted airspace, performing search and rescue missions assigned by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and in this case providing essential preparatory training to active-duty officers who aspire to achieve their goal of earning their Air Force wings.

“CAP is providing a crucial service for the Air Force and our nation,” said Brig. Gen. William Betts, vice commander, First Air Force, AFNORTH. “Some great airmen got their start in CAP, and we are committed to maintaining that tradition.”
Your Smartest Gift This Season
Gift Stock or Contribute From Your Retirement Account Before Dec 31st
As dedicated Civil Air Patrol supporters, we know that many of you support CAP at year’s end to save lives and shape lives for America's future. But we don’t want you to break the bank while doing so.

In the spirit of helping you save while you give, consider creating a taxwise gift to support our emergency response services: a gift from your IRA, or a donation of appreciated stocks.

  1. CAP supporters 70.5 or older can create a tax-free gift from their IRA accounts, which may help to keep you in a lower tax bracket. Use this free tool to learn more and get started.

  1. CAP supporters of all ages can transfer appreciated stocks to avoid paying capital gains. Use this free tool to get started on a stock gift.

Don’t wait! The best way to maximize your tax benefits is to give before the end of 2020.
Coin Stories -- What's Your Most Memorable Coin?

Lt. Col. Chuck Bishop, CAP, 50-Year Member, Arkansas Wing
HQ CAP Communications Engineering and Maintenance
Before I retired from the Air Force's 223rd Combat Communications Squadron, we went out for annual training to the MacGregor Artillery Range north of Fort Bliss, Texas, for Roving Sands, an Army/Navy/Air Force/Marine large-scale exercise.

The Army was having problems getting their telephone switchboards working, so one evening, a noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of one of our radio sections coordinated a group of us to go out in the desert and help the Army get the equipment working. As most of us were bored stiff, we enjoyed our little outing. We got most of their circuits working and thought nothing more about it, glad to have an evening out of the barracks. A few days later our little group got orders to report to a hangar. We went, not knowing what was going on. We were directed to fall in front of the 7th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) and were presented with the Army Achievement ribbon for our help (the NCOIC who coordinated our outing got the Army Commendation ribbon) and each of us got one of the 7th ADA challenge coins. That was one of my first coins and my most memorable. 

Unfortunately, my house was burglarized several years ago and my coins were stolen and never recovered. (The photos above are images of one of the squadron's coins to represent the lost coin.)

Editor's Note: Last month, we asked for our readers to share their favorite coin memories. Perhaps it was the first RMO (round metal object) you ever received? Or it was situational? From a special friend or commander? This is the first of a series. Be sure to send us your story for a future issue!
"Coin Stories" is a new segment in our monthly e-news. What do you think?
It is great! Look forward to future stories.
It is OK. Will have to see next month to know for sure.
Not my thing, but I am sure others may be interested.
Indiana After-School Program Recognized With CAP Aerospace Connections In Education (ACE) Award
Thrive Strivers (from left): Lt. Col. Brian Schmuck, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Rylee Schmuck and Joy Millay, Thrive's executive director.
The Thrive after-school program in Mount Vernon, Indiana, has been recognized with the 2020 Civil Air Patrol National Aerospace Connections in Education Collaborative Point of Light Program Award.

Thrive worked closely with the Indiana Wing’s River City Cadet Squadron and the AFA’s P-47 Memorial Chapter, with members of both teaching CAP-provided ACE (Aerospace Connections in Education) lessons after school.

“The ability to create curiosity is what made our partnership with Civil Air Patrol and the Air Force Association so incredibly valuable for our students,” Millay said.
Texas 'CAP Family' Honors Son With Memorial Scholarship
Nick Schroder grew from a boy with a keen mind and a sharp sense of humor into a focused young man. He drew on his intellect to turn an interest in science and aviation into a rewarding career, and much of the credit goes to his involvement with Civil Air Patrol, starting at age 13.
Thanks to his parents, Col. Bill and Maj. Val Schroder, other youngsters also will have an opportunity to experience CAP and be exposed to many rewarding career opportunities in Nick’s honor.

Nick died Aug. 12, 2019, in Midwest City, Oklahoma, at age 26. He was a mechanical engineer at Tinker Air Force Base. To celebrate his life and honor his memory, Nick’s parents have endowed the Capt. Nick Schroder Scholarship through Civil Air Patrol to help provide opportunities to other cadets also interested in exploring career paths in aviation. “I’m glad that we can do this as a perpetual memorial,” his father said.
Fall 'Volunteer' Is Now Available Online
Check out the digital version of the Fall 2020 issue of Civil Air Patrol Volunteer magazine. It includes informative features about CAP's COVID-19 response, our first virtual National Conference and plans to update our organization's branding. There are also interactive features in the electronic issue, including six videos available for viewing.
Click to Add Your Name!
There's Still Time To Support 'Candy Bomber' For The Presidential Medal Of Freedom
Retired Air Force Col. Gail S. Halvorsen is being considered for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

CAP's Utah Wing is assisting in the process of collecting the 100,000 signatures needed by Nov. 22 for Halvorsen to possibly receive the medal. More information on the petition can be found here.

Halvorsen, the "Candy Bomber" from the Berlin Airlift following World War II, just celebrated his 100th birthday.

Before his service in the U.S. Army Air Corps/U.S. Air Force, Halvorsen was one of the first pilots in Utah to join CAP in December 1941. He later conceived Operation Little Vittles, where over 23 tons of candy was dropped to hungry children in Berlin in 1948-1949. During his subsequent career he was involved in the development of the Titan family of rockets and the Manned Orbiting Laboratory project.
Covid-19 Response
as of Nov. 20
Saving Lives Outside The Pandemic Arena
In addition, CAP's search and rescue missions continue. Last fiscal year, we were credited with saving 130 lives. This map represents the number of saves since Oct. 1.
CAP Helps Propel Alaska Cadet Toward High-Flying Performance
Isabella “Bella” Mollison wasn’t exactly thrilled when her father, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Anthony Mollison, suggested she give CAP a try when she was 13.

Just for a year, he suggested. More like a one-year sentence, she thought. But she stayed with it, thanks to senior members encouraging her along the way. Now 19 and a cadet lieutenant colonel, Mollison has had more life experiences than most people twice her age. That includes piloting a glider plane at 15 and preparing to earn her private pilot certificate this January.
Alumni & Friends Spotlight

Cadet Alumnus Arlon Hickman
Cadet Life in the 1950's: During the summer/fall of 1950 I joined the CAP cadet program in Mobile, Alabama. I was 15 years old. Our Mobile squadron began a precision drill team and had weekly meetings during which we practiced close order drill formations. Being a cadet was the most enjoyable extra-curricular activity I engaged in during my junior and senior years in high school.

After World War II, the CAP focused on rescue and recovery. The adults flew the planes while cadets marked on the map where people were located who needed help. Every three months, we would train at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama. In those days, CAP flew L-3 planes. During one of the field exercises, I was designated as the "downed aviator" whom the team was supposed to find. The pilot landed the plane in a field, and I was told to keep the cows away from it. Due to weather, I was never "found." After about six or seven hours, the pilot came returned.

The wind speed had picked up when we returned to the Mobile Air Field (home base for the exercise) so the pilot slowly hovered over the tie-down spot and landed, keeping the plane "flying" until the crew got it tied down. Experience in fueling, parking, tie-downs and cleaning airplanes was a big part of cadet life. We always got rewarded with flying time.

During the two years I served, I became squad leader. We had three squads that made a flight. Our drills included precision marching and rifle handling in unison. We would compete during annual events at Warner Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. One year, we won the competition. Every time we went to Robins, we flew in a C-47. I got to sit in the co-pilot seat and fly the plane for a few minutes. By the time I graduated from high school in 1952, I had all the certifications that would allow me to go directly into ROTC.

As cadets, we were trained to be observers flying in the back seat of old Army Air Corps L-3 observation planes. During World War II, the Mobile squadron flew missions over the Gulf protecting the mouth of Mobile Bay.
At least twice a year the Alabama squadrons conducted search and rescue training missions during which the Air Force evaluated our performance. One of our pilots owned a 1935 Piper Cub that was a true tail dragger--just a steel bar on the rear -- no wheel. The cruise speed was 25 mph. It could easily land in a small field and was used as the "crashed plane" for the search exercise.
Career Experiences: During the 1960's, I was assigned by IBM to work with North American Aviation (which became Rockwell International). The space race was in full swing, and NAA was computerizing its production system. NAA rented Plant 3 at the Tulsa International Airport, which was formerly used by the Army Air Corps for production during World War II. Components made by NAA in Tulsa were part of the massive NASA supply chain. I wrote software programs to track the components as they went through different stages of production. Those were the early days of computer programming.

After 30 years with IBM, I retired to Arkansas. This year marks my 25th year as a volunteer leader and trainer providing free tax preparation services for low-income families in my community.
In 1965, I became the proud owner of a 1950 Piper Tri-Pacer bought from the Red Leg Flying Club of Fort Sill, Oklahoma. We rebuilt the engine, recovered the aircraft with new fabric and gave it a new paint job. I sold the plane when I moved overseas in 1968 and did not fly again until this year, on my 85th birthday. I celebrated wearing my CAP pin.
Shop AmazonSmile and Support Cadet Scholarships
You can make a CAP impact while you shop for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/75-6037853 and AmazonSmile will donate to Civil Air Patrol, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile has donated over $21,000 to CAP's national cadet scholarship program because of shoppers like you!

Former National Commander Passes At 90
Maj. Gen. Eugene E. Harwell, whose tenure as national commander from 1986-1990 capped a career that included commanding the Middle East Region — now the Mid-Atlantic Region — and the North Carolina Wing, passed away Nov. 16 at his home in Mint Hill, North Carolina. He was 90.

An Air Force pilot from 1948-1952 and a CAP member since 1958, Harwell is survived by his wife, Col. Joyce (Brookshire) Harwell, who also served as North Carolina Wing commander.
Civil Air Patrol Final Salute
CAP offers friends and family the ability to make gifts in memory or honor of someone special. Tribute/memorial gifts made through the link below are listed in each issue of Civil Air Patrol Volunteer magazine.
Civil Air Patrol - Development
 
Kristina E. Jones, M.A., CFRE, Chief of Philanthropy
Col. John M. Knowles, CAP, Deputy Chief of Alumni Relations
Donna Bass Maraman, Development Manager
Rebecca Stovall, Donor Database Specialist

(334) 953-9003 Direct
(833) IAM-4CAP Toll Free
 
Interested in talking about the legacy you want to leave?
Contact Kristina Jones, Chief of Philanthropy, at legacy@gocivilairpatrol.org
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