'Tis the Season for Civil Air Patrol Flight

It’s like Christmas in July for many of Civil Air Patrol’s aviation-minded members, who are filling the skies during what’s typically CAP’s flying season.

“Summertime is always a peak operational period for Civil Air Patrol,” said John W. Desmarais, Sr., CAP’s chief operating officer. “Cadets are out of school and participating in a variety of events [like our aviation initiatives], and this is also a peak time for disasters and training to support our communities impacted by them.”

In the last four months of this fiscal year ending Sept. 30, Desmarais estimates, “we will fly 40,000 hours or more across our fleet supporting the varied operational activities of CAP.”

New Jersey Wing Add New Aircraft to Fleet

The New Jersey Wing has added a brand-new 2025 Cessna C-182T Skylane to its fleet — one of 15 aircraft joining CAP’s single-engine fleet this year.

“These aircraft are being distributed across Civil Air Patrol based on our distribution model,” said Mike Valdez, CAP’s logistics chief. 

“We’re about halfway through our annual distribution, which is usually 12-15 aircraft depending on the funding available.” 

Other Cessna aircraft deliveries are planned in August and October, Valdez said.

North Carolina Wing's Bissell Named Next Mid-Atlantic Region Commander

Col. Dennis R. Bissell, commander of the North Carolina Wing, has been chosen to command Civil Air Patrol’s Mid-Atlantic Region.

Maj. Gen. Regena M. Aye, CAP’s national commander and CEO, selected Bissell to be the region’s next commander. "It's a privilege to welcome Col. Bissell to the CAP Senior Advisory Group,” Aye said.

Bissell will officially assume command of the Mid-Atlantic Region on Oct. 11 at the West Virginia Wing Conference. In addition to the North Carolina Wing, the region consists of the Delaware, Maryland, National Capital, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

CAP Supports Texas Air National Guard Reaper UAV Flood Recovery Mission

Aircraft and flight crews from the Texas Wing are supporting the Texas Air National Guard in vital flood recovery operations by escorting MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles from Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base on reconnaissance missions over the affected areas.

From July 5-12, Civil Air Patrol participated in 13 sorties, totaling more than 20 hours at a cost of only $1,900. If the missions continue through July 16, as expected, the Texas Wing aircrews will complete about 20 sorties.

“We are the only current, proficient, ongoing chase program in all of Civil Air Patrol,” said Maj. Wally Zane, director of chase operations. “We fly with the Reapers a lot in training, and when they are called up, we support their mission.

“Our members volunteer from 6 in the morning until late at night when the mission is over, and we couldn’t do what we do without their willingness to contribute for the greater good.”

Squadron Adds Aerospace Focus to Scout Activity

California Wing members stepped up during Scouting America’s annual two-day Camporee, leading an aerospace-themed set of activities involving 648 Scouts from across the Golden Gate Council Meridian District  at Rancho Los Mochos in the San Antonio Mountains.

Members of Livermore-based Tri-Valley Composite Squadron 156 used an aerospace education focus to emphasize exploration, learning, and leadership as Scouts tested their skills, built camaraderie, and took on new challenges.

Holmes: From Mitchell Cadet to Missile Wing Command

An aviation path that began in 1987 as a cadet airman basic in the Wisconsin Wing’s Waukesha Composite Squadron has reached a new height for U.S. Air Force Col. Terrance J. Holmes, who took command of one of the Air Force’s three strategic missile wings June 12.

As wing commander of the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, Holmes holds responsibility over the missiles, their crews, maintainers, and support personnel, representing the culmination of a 3½-decade journey as a CAP cadet and an Air Force noncommissioned officer and commissioned officer.

NHQ News

Seasoned Media Industry Leader to Direct CAP's Marketing & Strategic Communications

Civil Air Patrol has made bold moves to elevate its marketing and storytelling impact, announcing Brad Nolan — a seasoned media industry leader — as its new senior director of marketing and strategic communications. Joining him is Matt Borrelli, an award-winning graphic designer and branding consultant, stepping in as creative director. Both bring deep passion and decades of expertise to amplify Civil Air Patrol’s mission of saving lives and shaping futures, aiming to reach new audiences and inspire the next generation of volunteers and supporters. Learn more about Brad and Matt here.

Coaching for CyberPatriot, StellarXplorer Coaches

Coaching a CyberPatriot or StellarXplorers team, or doing so for the first time? CAP Cyber has an opportunity to help you kick start your program.

Although this is intended for new coaches, any coach or prospective coach is welcome — this is a great way to learn about the program.

Maj. William Blatchley, Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters’ Cyber Mission Team deputy for education and awareness, is hosting bi-weekly coaches’ meetings to help get you started, beginning from Aug. 7 for the StellarXplorers meeting and Aug. 14 for CyberPatriot.

Cyber Training Opportunity Available to Members

CAP has partnered with Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad) to make online cybersecurity support, training, and curriculum resources available for free to all CAP members.

Whether you are a cadet thinking about a career in the fast-growing world of cyber, or an adult member wanting to learn a new skill, this is a great opportunity, and thanks to the CAP/CISCO partnership, it is free for our members.

The 2nd Cohort for 2025 runs from July-Dec. 31. For more information and to register, go here.

Website Unification Project Includes Locator Map Showing Squadrons Available to Each CAP Wing

The new consolidated wing website template, part of CAP's Wing Website Unification Project, includes location maps showing all squadrons within the wing. The page includes an embed of the National Squadron Locator map, as shown below for Indiana Wing.

Please note that the CAP IT Security Manager has directed that all squadron contact information must conform to the PII requirements listed in CAPR 1-2(I). Personal phone numbers must be removed. Emails listed must be either name@xxwg.cap.gov, name@cap.gov, or name@capnhq.gov. No other email accounts may be used.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the temporary disabling of the respective page until corrections are made. If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact the CAP IT Security Manager at capsec@capnhq.gov.

To update the squadron’s contact information, commanders should go to this link.

Your Opportunity to Become a 'Kukucka Scholar'

The Dr. Mark Kukucka Scholarship Fund has been established to support CAP members who aspire to pursue master’s- or doctorate-level studies at accredited institutions of higher learning.

Eligible recipients are confined to CAP cadets or current CAP adult members who, during their cadet years, were affiliated with a CAP unit and achieved the Amelia Earhart award and are currently pursuing a STEM path in their educational studies.

Preference is given for those with a direct membership experience in the Maryland Wing and can provide documented evidence of such an association. If no applicants meet that criteria, secondary preference is given to those serving or having served in the Mid-Atlantic (formerly Mideast) Region.

Recipients of this scholarship will be honored as “Kukucka Scholars” and may apply for multiple funding cycles.

CAP Accepting Applications for Volunteer Vacancy

The Security Directorate is seeking a volunteer for its Personnel Security Specialist vacancy.

Please visit this link to find this position description and application information.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Top Headlines

“Arkansas Civil Air Patrol Cadets Tour Herk Nation”

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“Civil Air Patrol Cadets' National Academy at MTSU Sparks Career Paths”

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For more information, go to Operation Pulse Lift's 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.