PROPS: CAP Marks 72nd Anniversary as Air Force Auxiliary; Another Milestone for COVID-19 Missions

Celebrating 72 Years as a Force-Multiplier

Civil Air Patrol observes its 72nd anniversary as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force this week – a role authorized by Congress with Public Law 80-557 and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

The White House telegram (seen above) broke the news on May 26, 1948. Before that, CAP had served in support of the U.S. Army Air Corps. The 1948 law ensured that the partnership would continue with the newly formed Air Force, which was created Sept. 18, 1947.

The relationship reached another level in August 2015 with the announcement that the all-volunteer auxiliary would be included as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, joining members of the active Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.

“ Civil Air Patrol volunteers have a rich history of service to country,” said National Commander and CEO Maj. Gen. Mark Smith, commenting recently on CAP's record-breaking performance during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “ They have banded together to perform a myriad of humanitarian missions as members of the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.”

Indiana Wing Delivers CAP's 3 Millionth Meal

More than 100 volunteer members of the I ndiana Wing assisted four food banks and pantries over Memorial Day weekend, pushing CAP's total meals distributed to over 3 million during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 23, Indiana Wing members contributed a single-day total of over 600 volunteer hours of support, helping distribute 114,554 meals to Indiana residents at a number of locations, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

CAP National Vice Commander Brig. Gen. Ed Phelka (center, in yellow vest) was among those at the speedway on Saturday who helped deliver the 3 millionth meal. Accompanying him (from left) were Gleaners Food Bank Chief Operating Officer Joe Slater, Wing Commander Col. Robert Freese, Cadet Col. Kamryn Schmidt and Indiana Army National Guard 1st Lt. Nicole Wurm.

“During my visit to Indianapolis, I was inspired by members of Indiana Wing—cadets and seniors alike—who selflessly served their community, the state of Indiana and the nation,” Phelka said. “Congratulations to all of you who worked so hard to help us reach this significant milestone!”

More About the Ind. Wing's Mission

Redesigned Magazine in Print and Online

The Spring 2020 issue of Civil Air Patrol's biannual magazine, the Civil Air Patrol Volunteer, is now available in print and online. The spring issue reflects the first wave of a phased magazine refresh that will be completed over the next three issues. Check it out!

The spring Volunteer cover story is about Civil Air Patrol's first Cadet Wings graduates. Entitled "Leaving the Nest," the article explores the innovative CAP program and how it was initially set up to address the nation's looming pilot shortage. A centerpiece story and photos from CAP’s 2020 Legislative Day in Washington, D.C., entitled "Capitol Idea," is also included. Videos accompany these two stories in the online versions of the Volunteer, now live on CAP.News.

"Where's Waldo" takes a closer look at leading-edge technologies CAP uses to perform its missions, and "Volunteer University" features CAP's bold new onsite, online and on-demand Education and Training initiative.

Other highlights of this issue include:

Remarks about the formation of CAP's Volunteer University (from National Commander and CEO Maj. Gen. Mark Smith);
A preview of the "Arsenal of Democracy Flyover," to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe; and
New "Department" articles on Aerospace Education, Safety, Diversity and History.

Digital Edition

'Volunteer' PDF

Leah Hing: A Life of Service, including WWII CAP

Civil Air Patrol recognizes Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a profile of Leah Hing, a World War II member and the first female U.S.-born Asian American Pacific Islander to earn a pilot’s certificate.

Leah Hing’s route to her pilot’s license and to CAP service during World War II proved circuitous, beginning with forming a band in 1927 called the Portland Girls’ Orchestra. The band toured the U.S. and Canada with a vaudeville troupe for two years after she graduated high school. While on tour in Chicago, she had the opportunity to fly at a school for Chinese-American aviators, which sparked her interest in learning to fly.

After returning to Portland, Oregon, she met Tex Rankin, who owned a flying school – at the time the largest in the country – at nearby Pearson Field. Rankin was a strong supporter of female pilots, providing them equal access to training. She began flight lessons in 1932 and earned her pilot's certificate in 1994.

More About Leah Hing

Va. Wing Transports Tests

for Guard by Air, Land

The Virginia Wing responded to a request to support the Virginia National Guard by transporting COVID-19 tests to and from the state's Eastern Shore.

After being contacted by the Guard with a request May 13 to transport the tests, the wing quickly developed a plan to do so. On May 17 in Chesterfield, 262 tests were loaded into one of the wing’s 12 planes and flown to the Eastern Shore.

On May 19, three teams split up the 559-mile drive to transport the tests for laboratory evaluation. Each team sanitized its vehicle and drove to a predesignated relay point, handing off the tests to the next team.

“I am very proud of the responsiveness and quick reaction of the wing to make this happen,” said Col. Dean Gould, Virginia Wing commander.

More About the Mission

One Million Virtual 'Walk to Mars' Miles Achieved

Civil Air Patrol's Walk to Mars initiative has reached the 1 million-mile mark, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Tim Miner announced May 26.

The fitness campaign offers members a way to contribute to CAP maintaining "social distancing."

Walking is one activity experts agree you should be performing in your neighborhood and local parks.

There’s always time to go back and catch up on your mileage entries. You can even combine your daily totals and submit one entry at the end of the week or at the end of the month.

More About CAP's 'Walk to Mars'

NHQ News

CAP's IT Team Launches Regular Required

Reports Emails for Squadron Commanders

They asked ... and National Headquarters answered.

A squadron commander survey conducted in November showed that the respondents’ top request was for a regular email listing of all nationally required reports due over the next 45 days. The request was that commanders have one reference point for all their reporting deadlines. We inserted the end-of-the-month report to ease their tracking.

The first such email will go out May 31, and from now on new versions will be sent to commanders at all levels on the last day of each month, thanks to a cooperative effort involving NHQ’s IT team, the various operations and the “Lessening the Burden on the Squadron Commander” Working Group.

Col. Barry Melton, former Southeast Region Commander, said the new process points to the success of the Working Group initiatives launched by National Commander Maj. Gen. Mark Smith. The squadron commander survey’s “No. 1 request ... is now a fulfilled request,” Melton said.

The notifications contained in the emails will also be added to the existing eServices calendar application. If an additional report becomes necessary during the course of a month, an immediate email notification will be sent out.

Your Company May Donate for Employee

or Retiree CAP Volunteer Hours

Did you know Civil Air Patrol has a database of companies from across the U.S. that match volunteer hours of their employees and, in many cases, their retirees?

Check now to see if your employer is listed, and fill out the simple form today!

Companies That Donate for Volunteer Hours

Cadet Programs Cancels Remaining Activities

Civil Air Patrol's Cadet Programs is canceling the remaining National Cadet Special Activities, Flight Academies and Nationally Accredited CSAs listed on the NCSAS.com webpage.

“We hope you will use this time to attend local activities once CAP wings begin reopening, ” Cadet Programs' Wendy Hamilton said May 22, in making the announcement.

Members who were slotted “primary ” will receive a full refund. The refund requires no action on the member’s part and should be posted on your invoice by the end of May. Anyone who received Cadet Lift or TOP financial assistance will have to reapply for next season.

“We look forward to next winter and summer and encourage you to reapply for national activities when the application cycle opens in December, ” Hamilton said.

Coronavir us & CAP

– Stay Informed

Make sure to watch for the Special Bulletins that National Headquarters has been emailing the membership to announce CAP's latest actions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the organization's policies and activities.

In addition, the updates can always be found on GoCivilAirPatrol.com and CAP.news.

To learn more about current symptoms of COVID-19, visit this link .