Ore. Cadet Team Captures StellarXplorers National STEM Competition Crown
A cadet team from the Oregon Wing’s Aurora Composite Squadron is the StellarXplorers national champion. 

Members of the team (pictured here in a photo taken before the COVID-19 shutdown) are, from left, Cadet Lt. Col. Rhett Miller, Cadet Capts. Joshua Vanrenterghem and Luke Van Sickle, and Cadet 1st Lt. Colton Swift. The team's adult director is Maj. Carl Knox.

StellarXplorers is the Air Force Association’s national STEM high school competition. It is the first time CAP has won the national championship for this competition.  
Former La. Cadet Worked on Mars Helicopter Design

A former Louisiana Wing cadet, Rebecca Oppenheim, and fellow engineers on her NASA design team nervously watched and waited for the signal that the Mars helicopter, Ingenuity, had completed its first flight on the Red Planet.

That signal came April 19 with news the solar-powered helicopter took the first powered, controlled flight on another planet at 3:34 a.m. EDT 12:33 Local Mean Solar Time (Mars time).

Ingenuity climbed to an altitude of 10 feet and maintained a stable hover for 30 seconds. The craft then touched back down on the surface of Mars after a total of 39.1 seconds in flight. 
Operation Pulse Lift Marks Year of COVID-19 Response

The Operation Pulse Lift COVID-19 blood donation mission marked its one-year anniversary April 15, having collected 3,163 units of blood at 66 donor events for the American Red Cross.

Of that total, 1,233 units of blood were donated by CAP members from all 52 wings. The Red Cross equates CAP’s yearlong effort during the pandemic to potentially saving 9,489 lives. 
Ind. Wing Pilots Conduct Mass O-Ride Campaign
Five Indiana Wing pilots launched a four-day flying campaign this month that provided orientation flights for 100 cadets in the Anderson Preparatory Academy, as well as 10 rides for Junior ROTC students and three Teacher Orientation Program flights for instructors.

All sixth- through eighth-graders participate in CAP’s cadet program at Anderson Preparatory, a tuition-free charter school. The nearly 160 cadets focus on a college preparatory curriculum mixing liberal arts and sciences as well as military science. 
76th Cadet Earns 'Wings' Through CAP Program

On April 15 Cadet 2nd Lt. Peyton Haddock became the 76th cadet to earn her private pilot's certificate through CAP's Air Force-funded Cadet Wings program.

Haddock, seen here celebrating with her mom and dad, is a member of the Montana Wing's Beartooth Composite Squadron in Billings.

Now in its second year, Cadet Wings has 67 pilot candidates still enrolled. About one-third are close to receiving their certificates.
NHQ News
Commander Offers Recruiting and Retention Tips

National Headquarters' Marketing & Strategic Communications team is reprising National Commander/CEO Maj. Gen. Mark Smith’s Recruiting and Retention Series from 2018.

Smith's  “Effective Onboarding” is featured today.
Applications Taken for Upcoming BoG Vacancy
Applications are now being taken for the Board of Governors vacancy to be created when Col. Dale Newell's Member-at-Large term ends Aug. 27,. The deadline for applying for the vacancy is at midnight May 15, Central time.

The board's four members-at-large serve three-year terms. CAP members may nominate themselves to fill these positions as they're vacated.
 
Minimum requirements are:
  • Senior member in good standing.
  • CAP grade of chief master sergeant or officer grade of major or above.
  • Paul E. Garber Award (Level IV).
  • At least five years' CAP membership.
More Media Releases Added to Anniversary Resources
Continuing the rollout of the CAP 80th Anniversary observation, the national-level working group has developed a strategy and the tools for all units to coordinate media releases and social media to tell our story throughout 2021.
 
A series of media releases has been prepared for coordinated release on key dates by PAOs or commanders.

The next release is timed for distribution on National Physical Fitness Day — May 1. Other releases will follow in May on National Space Day (May 7) and National Search and Rescue Week (May 16-22), featuring activities from more recent historical events that showcase our most important asset: our people.
 
Commanders and PAOs will receive subsequent releases to be sent as is to local media and used on social media and websites. In order to tell a cohesive story nationwide, we ask that these releases not be altered. 
Register Now for Free Estate Planning Webinars
CAP is offering two free estate planning webinars in May.

“Estate Planning and Supporting Your Civil Air Patrol”
Estate planning is a must in order to ensure one's final wishes are recorded and carried out. Webinar participants will learn ways to create a will, as well as important considerations for making advanced health care directives, a durable power of attorney, and what happens to your digital assets (online presence) after death. (Presented by Kristina Jones, CAP's chief of philanthropy and CAP Foundation executive director.)
“Estate Planning and Trusts: Smart Strategies”
This one-hour session will focus on:
  • What is probate and how it can impact your family?
  • Types of trusts — what are the advantages?
  • Looking for strategies to eliminate or minimize estate and inheritance taxes?
  • Interested in asset protection strategies should you divorce or remarry?
  • Ways to build and protect your legacy.
  • Brief Q&A.
(Presented by Celeste E. Arduino, Bodman Attorneys & Counselors, and provided as a service by Integrated Fiduciary Advisory Services and the CAP Foundation.)
Both classes are intended to offer information as a service to CAP members, donors and friends and is not to be construed as legal or financial advice.
“This Week In CAP History” celebrates Florida Wing members who stand ready to help out during emergencies and natural disasters, as covered in the Orlando Sentinel.
Tweet of the Week @CivilAirPatrol
Insta Photo of the Week @CivilAirPatrol

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