Florida Wing Flies FEMA Observers

Civil Air Patrol has been providing critical assistance to local, state, and federal agencies in the wake of Hurricane Milton’s devastating impact on Florida.

On Sunday, CAP aircrews flew Willie Nunn (second from left), the Federal Emergency Management Agency regional administrator for Region 10, and other critical FEMA personnel to key areas, expediting recovery efforts and improving communication between organizations responding to the Category 3 storm.

Milton made landfall Oct. 9, causing widespread destruction across Florida.

CBS News 17 anchor Angela Taylor rode with Civil Air Patrol Oct. 8 during the North Carolina Wing's response to Hurricane Helene. The aerial CAP tour over hard-hit areas of western North Carolina was provided by Maj. Scott Stevens of the Asheville Composite Squadron, who said, “This is the worst natural disaster that’s happened in the recorded history of Asheville.” Stevens and other pilots and aircrew members from the North Carolina Wing have flown more than 50 damage assessment sorties in response to the storm.

Other CAP wings are also conducting missions in the wake of Hurricane Helene, both in the air and on the ground, including the Georgia and South Carolina wings.

Geospatial Team Assessing Hurricane Destruction

As Hurricane Helene gathered strength in the Gulf of Mexico before landfall along the shores of Florida, members of the Civil Air Patrol Geospatial Team were working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Response Geospatial Office in preparation for damage assessment efforts in the region.

As of Oct. 7, 100 members from 31 wings, along with three assigned to region staffs, devoted more than 2,000 volunteer hours to assisting FEMA in locating and assessing damage to homes and businesses throughout the state’s coastal areas.

Working with teams from FEMA, the contractor Dewberry, and the National-Geospatial Intelligence Agency, members have completed more than 90,000 assessments and identified over 40,000 damaged structures across six states that have been declared major disasters.

Fund Set Up for CAP Members to Help Members

As natural disasters continue to impact Civil Air Patrol members and squadrons, we want to remind you that CAP has a “members for members” fund to support requests for assistance. The guidelines for application are listed at this link.

CAP welcomes donations to help serve more members in the future. Recent funding has supported members who have lost their home due to fire, units affected by flooding at their meeting locations, hurricane damage, and more.

The response fund provides a way for the CAP Family to come together to support members in need.

Aircrews Provide Wildfire Damage Images

Civil Air Patrol’s North Dakota Wing provided more than 300 photos during damage assessment flights totaling 5½ hours in response to wildfires in the northwest part of the state at the request of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services — Division of Homeland Security.

Aircrews from Minot and Dickenson conducted two flights Oct. 6 in support of firefighting authorities responding to wildfires across western North Dakota. The wing members focused on providing aerial imagery, reconnaissance, and damage assessment for the Elk Horn Fire near Grassy Butte and the Bear Den Fire near Mandaree.

“Our crew was reviewing aircraft operations enroute to the tasked burn area Monday,” Maj. Jeffrey Slocum of Minot, commander of the North Dakota Wing’s Magic City Composite Squadron, said after an Oct. 7 flight. “With 10 minutes left in our flight, we noticed that we were over the middle of two very large burn areas. The scene looked completely different than before.”

Top 2 Pacific Region Teams Repeat 2023 Success in Revamped Cadet Competition

The 2024 Pacific Region Cadet Competition results look familiar with the top two 2023 performers again leading the field.

The Washington Wing cadet team, hailing from the Overlake Composite Squadron, took first place, followed by the Alaska Wing entry from the Kodiak Island Composite Squadron — just like last year.

In 2023 both teams also came in second and third — though in reverse order, with the Alaska Wing cadets as runners-up — in the National Cadet Competition, which has been discontinued.

Previously, the top two performers in each of the eight region cadet competitions faced off at the national level. The new approach, which ends at the region level, is intended to expand participation throughout the organization, allowing squadrons and wings to reduce demands on time and resources.

Third place this year in the Pacific Region competition went to the California Wing’s San Diego Cadet Squadron 144.

New Jersey Members Support Girl Scouts Aviation Event

Members of the New Jersey Wing’s Twin Pine Composite Squadron teamed with Civil Air Patrol pilots Oct. 5 to assist with the Girl Scouts Festival of Flight at Fort Mott State Park.

Col. Amy Myzie, New Jersey Wing commander, and Maj. Janis Blackburn (at right), the wing’s internal aerospace education officer, shared their life experiences and aviation successes with the participating Girl Scouts. Maj. Wasim Baig, Twin Pine operations officer and wing director of operations, and Capt. Shelley Ewalt, the squadron’s aerospace education officer, did the same.

Arizona, North Dakota Cadets Earn Spaatz Awards

Cadet Col. TJ Hess (left) of the Arizona Wing’s Show Low Squadron 210 became the wing’s 42nd recipient of the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award when he received his Spaatz certificate in September from Col. Linda Yeager, wing commander.

He was joined by Cadet Col. Paul Fleckenstein (right) of the Bismarck Composite Squadron, the North Dakota Wing’s newest recipient of the Spaatz award.

Hess and Fleckenstein join the less than one-half of 1% of cadets who attain the Spaatz award — CAP's highest cadet honor.

NHQ News

National Estate Planning Awareness Week: Protect What Matters Most Oct. 21-27

National Estate Planning Awareness Week is Oct. 21-27. It’s an annual reminder that everyone — no matter your age or your assets — should have a plan for the future. A solid plan allows you to protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, and create a legacy.

Whether you’re just beginning to think about your estate or looking to update an existing plan, this week is the perfect time to focus on mapping out your future.

Take Your Place in Semper Vigilans Society Spotlight

Lt. Col. Robert Asselin (pictured), a member of CAP for over 53 years, is also a Semper Vigilans Society member. When asked why he decided to leave CAP in his estate plans, he said, "I wouldn’t be the person I am today without CAP. CAP kept me on a positive path and encouraged me to make the right choices. The core values instilled in me through the cadet program have shaped my entire life.

“I encourage everyone to meet a cadet and have a conversation with them. It will truly show you that your investment in CAP is money well spent. Being part of the Semper Vigilans Society has deepened my appreciation for everything CAP has done for me. Thanks to my experience in CAP, I’ve owned my own business, served in my state Legislature, and accomplished so much more.

“My biggest regret as a cadet was not being able to pursue my pilot’s license due to financial constraints. That’s why I want to create an endowment for cadets to help them achieve their solo flights and, hopefully, their private pilot licenses."

You too can set up a cadet for a successful life. Already left CAP in your estate plan? We’d like nothing more than to recognize you in our Semper Vigilans Society.

Cadets Can Apply for Aim High Flight Academy

Applications for the U.S. Air Force's Aim High Flight Academy are now open to Civil Air Patrol cadets through Nov. 11.

The aviation scholarships provide for a three-week introductory flight program in the summer of 2025. After completion of the academy, cadets will understand the pathways to become a U.S. Air Force officer and aviator and earn up to 15 flight hours.

How to Improve Your Cybersecurity Posture

From Civil Air Patrol’s National Cyber Programs team and the National Cybersecurity Alliance, here are three things you can do now to improve your cybersecurity posture:



1. Update your passwords and use a password manager;
2. Enable MFA (multifactor authentication); and
3. Activate automatic updates.

Last Chance to Sign Up for Estate Planning Webinars

Civil Air Patrol is offering two free estate planning webinars in October. Register today to save your spot and join us! Both sessions are intended to offer information as a service to CAP members and aren't to be construed as legal or financial advice.

Can You Pass CAP's PowerPoint Brand Quiz?

Civil Air Patrol members often need to develop PowerPoint slide decks for squadron meetings, presentations to schools and community organizations, and training classes. That leads to a frequently asked question and this month’s Brand Quiz.

Q: Where do I find an approved PowerPoint template?

Go to this link to find the answer to our quiz and to learn more about CAP's PowerPoint templates, like “Blue Footer” (below), which allows you to include a wing, region, or other approved emblem.

Volunteers Sought to Fill Volunteer Staff Positions

National Headquarters is still accepting applications for two national volunteer staff positions — National Transportation Officer and Deputy Inspector General for Education, Training, and Staff Development.

Applications for both positions close Oct. 30.

For details and the desired requirements for these and other volunteer positions, visit this link.

For more information, go to Operation Pulse Lift's new webpage on GoCivilAirPatrol.com. There you will find the latest Blood Donation Center schedules, instructions on how to set up a BDC, and other mission information.