Government Relations Team Ramps Up Full Month of Legislative Efforts

Civil Air Patrol is an organization of national interest to Congress that serves nearly all districts in every state as well as Puerto Rico (and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Washington, D.C. It's important for members of Congress to be knowledgeable about CAP's operations and programs and connection with the Air Force as a Total Force partner.

CAP annually reports to Congress, as required by law. It's the organization's opportunity to inform and educate through in-person meetings and delivery of the Report to Congress, now available online. This year, CAP is conducting a hybrid campaign with Legislative Day in-person meetings Feb. 29 on Capitol Hill and virtual meetings from Feb. 12-March 15.

Some additional state legislative efforts, like the one pictured above, have also begun. Twenty-one cadets and adult members from the South Dakota Wing visited the state Capitol for the wing’s annual Legislative Day, elevating Civil Air Patrol’s visibility among legislators while also giving the youth insight into how government works. 

“The Civil Air Patrol youth program focuses on leadership and aerospace/STEM learning,” said Col. Michael Marek, wing commander. “Providing our cadets the opportunity to see our state seat of government and witness legislators in action is in action is an important experience for them.” 

New Jersey's Umoke:

'To Be Honored ... You Must Have Served'

Civil Air Patrol continues its observance of Black History Month in February with this profile of Capt. Jacob Umoke, the New Jersey Wing's legal officer who also serves as its assistant government relations adviser and assistant diversity officer.

Umoke grew up in Nigeria and describes himself as “a product of public benevolence” who despite early challenges in life has completed three law programs — two from Nigeria and a doctorate from the University at Buffalo School of Law in New York.

These educational experiences taught him humility, service, and dedication. “For one to be honored in life,” he said, “you must have served.”

He now serves as a deputy attorney general for the state of New Jersey.

National Emergency Services Academy-Southeast Hosts First CAP National Commander Visit

Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka paid the first-ever visit by a CAP national commander to the National Emergency Services Academy-Southeast training activity with his Feb. 10 tour of the U.S. Air Force Vigilant Warrior training site at Titus, Alabama.

The activity — operated as the Wing Emergency Services School before being added to CAP’s National Emergency Services Academy (NESA) — provides a wide variety of emergency services training under one roof one weekend a month for five months. Members from across CAP learn new techniques and capabilities for emergency services missions. 

Squadron Salutes World War II Veteran Member

Members of the Alabama Wing’s 117th Air National Guard Composite Squadron recently honored their oldest member, 2nd Lt. Millard Carwyle, a World War II veteran who turned 97 on Dec. 5 and actively participates in squadron meetings, ground teams, and flight exercises.

Carwyle was only 18 when he began serving with the 47th Infantry, 3rd Army, at the war’s end. His served in occupational forces in Germany and Austria, performed border checkpoint duty with the Soviet Union, and served as a court guard for the Dachau war crimes trials.

Next Commander for the Florida Wing Selected

Civil Air Patrol’s Southeast Region commander, Col. Jeff Garrett, has named Col.-select David A. Panzera as the Florida Wing’s next commander. 

Retired from the U.S. Air Force, Panzera brings both military and civilian experience to his newly appointed command post. Most recently he has served as Florida Wing Group 8 commander and deputy commander of the 89th MacDill Aviation Cadet Squadron in Odessa.  

Panzera will succeed Col. Luis Negron, who has led the Florida Wing since 2021. The change of command ceremony is set for April 6 at the wing’s annual conference in Orlando.

NHQ News

Conference Set This Summer in San Antonio

The 2024 National Conference is set for Aug. 15-17 in San Antonio, home of the Alamo.

Mark your calendar and make plans now to join Civil Air Patrol’s command team, national staff, great speakers, and old (and new) friends as CAP members and partners come together at the Marriott on the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk.

San Antonio hosted CAP's national conference in 2017.

Registration for the 2024 conference opens in April. Hotel reservations (including a CAP discount) can also be made at that time. Stay tuned to PROPS for details as they become available.

The title sponsor for this year's conference is:

Kolos Named National Director of Mentoring

Lt. Col. Deborah Kolos has accepted the position of national director of mentoring -- one of a dozen people joining National Headquarters staff or named to national volunteer posts recently.

A member of Civil Air Patrol since 2009, Kolos has served as a commander at both squadron and group levels in the Florida Wing. She is also actively involved in the aerospace education program in the wing as well as CAP's Southeast Region.

Among other achievements, she has Master ratings in command and aerospace education and has received many awards. Having mentored many members through levels and ratings, she says CAP's National Mentoring Program is close to her heart, and she looks forward to contributing to it.

Her husband, Capt. Alan Kolos, is his squadron's logistics and supply officer. They both enjoy golfing together and giving tours at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.

For more information on the National Mentoring Program, go to this link.

Other recent additions to the national staff include:

• Col. Andrea Van Buren — deputy national executive officer 
• Erin Berry — deputy director of Cadet Programs 
• Lt. Col. Natalie Franc — Training Leaders of Cadets-Basic 
• Lt. Col. Joshua Stultz — Training Leaders of Cadets-Intermediate 
• Baylee Rucker — membership customer service representative 
• Maj. MaryBeth Slocumb — national innovation officer 
• Austin Henderson — logistics, aircraft maintenance coordinator 
• Astrid Phillips — logistics, aircraft maintenance coordinator 
• Rick Roper — logistics, aircraft maintenance coordinator 
• Chris Towne — logistics, aircraft maintenance coordinator 
• David Hays — logistics, aircraft maintenance files clerk 

Unlock Your Impact: Smart Giving Options

There are so many ways to support Civil Air Patrol, but there may be one way that’s best for you. Explore and unlock our smart giving options this tax season to maximize your impact.

Many of our supporters give non-cash assets (including IRA and stock gifts) to make a difference.

Top Headlines

“Civil Air Patrol Taps Decorated Veteran to Command Long Island Squadron”

-MetroAirportNews.com

“North Dakota Civil Air Patrol Seeking Citizen Volunteers”

-WDayRadionow.com

“Four Students Earn Civil Air Patrol Honors”

-Reflector.com

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.