Post-9/11 Flight Aircraft Debuts at National Museum of the United States Air Force

The Civil Air Patrol aircraft that flew over Ground Zero in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks took its rightful place in American history Wednesday during a recognition event at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.

The 9/11 Civil Air Patrol Recognition Ceremony dedicated one of the newest aircraft on display at the museum — a recently retired Cessna 172 Skyhawk flown on Sept. 12, 2001, the day after the attacks. The historic CAP flight by the aircraft, tail No. N9344L, was the only nonmilitary flight allowed over New York City after air traffic was grounded Sept. 11.

The CAP aircrew that day — mission pilot Lt. Col. Jacques Heinrich and then-Capts. Andrew Feldman and Warren Ratis — was among the first to witness from above the devastation wrought when hijacked airliners struck the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan near the banks of the Hudson River. The more than 40 aerial photos Feldman and Ratis took above the rubble helped shape the nation’s response to the attacks and demonstrated the capabilities of CAP, the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.

“We had the right crew at the right time to fly N9344L on a historic flight that not only provided valuable information to responding agencies but changed Civil Air Patrol and its support to the nation, as the Department of Defense and other agencies recognized the added value our volunteers bring,” said Maj. Gen. Regena M. Aye, CAP’s national commander/CEO.

In this video, also from the National Museum of the United States Air Force, members of the aircrew in attendance for the 9/11 Civil Air Patrol Recognition Ceremony recall their flight on Sept. 12, 2001.

The ceremony at the museum also received its share of media attention:

Civil Air Patrol Foundation Adds 4 Trustees

The Civil Air Patrol Foundation has added four new trustees — leaders in education, aviation. and the defense industry, including a former CAP national commander/CEO and a member of the organization’s governing body, the Board of Governors.

The foundation’s chairman, Col. Rajesh Kothari, welcomed (from left) Maj. Gen. Mark Smith, Sharon DeVivo, Dan Drohan, and Tripp Adams to the board, which convened Sept. 9.

"Strengthening the board with the expanded skills, experiences and networks of our new members will allow us to enhance how the foundation can contribute to the success of CAP’s programs and members," Kothari said. 

Puerto Rico Cadets Repeat as Region Champions

Cadets from the Puerto Rico Wing’s Dr. Cesareo Rosa-Nieves Cadet Squadron have claimed the squadron’s second straight Southeast Region Cadet Competition, a year after taking the national crown.

The Florida Wing’s Homestead Air Reserve Base Cadet Squadron 279 team finished as runners-up in the competition, held at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, home of Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters. Third place went to the cadet team from the Georgia Wing’s Augusta Composite Squadron.

This year all eight CAP regions conducted their own competitions, previously held to select two teams each for the National Cadet Competition. The national event has been discontinued, with the goal of increasing participation across the organization while reducing demands on time and resources.

Missouri Wing Pilots Convene for Ground Training

More than 30 pilots from across the Missouri Wing gathered recently at three airports for a Civil Air Patrol flight clinic, part of a new approach to pilot training the wing launched last year.

Clinics previously were often held at Columbia Regional Airport, near the center of the state. Travel distance and inclement weather, though, often proved a barrier to participation for many, which led to the decision last year to use multiple locations.

That approach’s success prompted a repeat performance this year, with one-day ground schools held Aug. 24 at Kansas City’s Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport, Springfield-Branson National Airport, and Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield.  

Ohio, Virginia Cadets to Lead Advisory Council

Cadets from the Ohio and Virginia wings have been named as the next chair and vice chair of Civil Air Patrol’s National Cadet Advisory Council.

Cadet Lt. Col. Megan Panchula (pictured, left) of the Ohio Wing’s Frank H. Kettlewood Composite Squadron will be the new NCAC chair, while Cadet Col. Rachel Sherrod (right) of the Virginia Wing’s Newport News Composite Squadron will be the NCAC vice chair.

The council will also operate with a new senior adviser team, led by Lt. Col. Mike Toedebusch, who will be assisted by Lt. Col. Natalie Gray and Maj. Logan Gallo.

Ohio Wing's Williamson Achieves Spaatz Award

Cadet Col. Tate Williamson of the Lt. Col. Jerome P. Ashman Composite Squadron is the Ohio Wing’s latest recipient of Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet achievement, the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award.

Williamson joins the less than one-half of 1% of cadets who attain the Spaatz award after completing the cadet program’s 16 achievements, passing a rigorous cumulative battery consisting of a strenuous physical fitness exam, a written essay on a persistent moral issue, and two 60-question cumulative exams on aerospace and leadership.

Next Idaho, South Dakota Commanders Named

Lt. Cols. Kirk Dehn (left) and Kevin Pegelow have been appointed as the next commanders of the Idaho and South Dakota wings respectively.

Col. Jason Hess, the Rocky Mountain Region commander, named Dehn to succeed Col. Robin Vest after serving as wing vice commander since December 2022. He will assume command in a ceremony set for Sept. 21 at the Coeur d’Alene Composite Squadron in Hayden.

Pegelow will serve as the South Dakota Wing’s next commander, with a change of command set for December, according to Col. Tom Theis, commander of the North Central Region.

Pegelow, the wing’s vice commander since December 2023, will succeed Col. Michael Marek, whose command commenced Dec.1, 2021.

CAP Honored as Voluntary Organization of the Year

The International Association of Emergency Managers has recognized Civil Air Patrol as its Voluntary Organization of the Year.

Other IAEM awards for CAP and its members “that have made special or significant contributions to the field of emergency management and have represented the profession well by their outstanding performance” include:

• Business and Private Sector Integration and Public Sector Partnership Award — Lt. Col. Thomas Schaeffer, Civil Air Patrol, Ready OP. (This is the second year in a row CAP has won this award.)
• Emergency Management Educator of the Year — Col. William Schlosser, NESA-MTT/Pennsylvania Wing commander.
• Career Excellence Award — Lt. Col. Bob Ditch, Rocky Mountain Region-Emergency Services/NESA-MTT. (This is the highest award conferred in the nation for emergency management.)
• USC Auxiliary Emergency Manager of the Year — Col. Jack Ozer, NESA-MTT/Mid-Atlantic Region - Education and Training.

NHQ News

Spots Still Open for WAA Training Session

Due to popular demand, Civil Air Patrol is offering a Wreaths Across America training session to help squadrons prepare for this important fundraising and awareness event.

Join us at 7 p.m. CT Sept. 25 for the latest program updates, helpful resources, and answers to all your questions about Wreaths Across America.

The session will be led by Wreaths Across America staff along with members of CAP's National Headquarters development team.

How You Can Make a Real Difference for CAP

Did you know you can make a real difference through the Combined Federal Campaign?

You can help save a life and shape a future. Every gift you make helps guide young leaders toward brighter tomorrows and fuel our missions to save those in need.

If you’re ready to be part of something amazing, here’s your chance. Federal civilian, military, and postal employees and retirees can use CFC charity number 24876.

Photo, Video Contest Open to All in September

The Marketing and Strategic Communications team's second annual Capture CAP photo and video contest is underway.

Entries are open to every Civil Air Patrol cadet and adult member and will be submitted through the CAP/MAC online submission portal on the Public Affairs Resources page on GoCivilAirPatrol.com. No other form of submission will be allowed.

Entries will be accepted through Sept. 30.

Further questions may be sent to mac@capnhq.gov.

Test Your Brand Knowledge: Take the 'Flying V' Quiz

It’s been two years since Civil Air Patrol introduced its updated branding. How much do you know about the Flying V? Take this quiz to test your knowledge.

Q1: The Flying V is:

a.    A CAP brand element

b.    Officially known as the CAP Symbol

c.     The CAP logo

d.    Both a and b

Q2: When combined, the Flying V and the CAP Wordmark are known as:

a.    The official CAP emblem

b.    The official CAP logo

c.     The official CAP corporate seal

Q3: Select the acceptable use of the CAP Logo:

a.    Websites

b.    Email signature blocks

c.     Facility signage

d.    All of the above

Go to this link to find the answers to our quiz and to learn more about CAP's Flying V logo (pictured below).

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.