Vermont Wing Takes Flight to Assist FEMA Flood Disaster Relief Statewide

The Vermont Wing has flown numerous missions statewide this past week and planning more in support of relief efforts being conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in response to severe flooding.

As of early July 18, the wing had provided almost 4,000 digital images taken at low altitudes throughout the state. The images (including the view above of the overflowing Fairfax Falls Hydro Plant dam on the Lamoille River) give FEMA analysts precise geolocation data for use in targeting assistance and prioritizing relief efforts.

Acting as a Total Force partner and official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol helps First Air Force rapidly respond to nonmilitary threats domestically in a Defense Support of Civil Authorities capacity to save lives, relieve suffering, prevent property damage, and provide humanitarian assistance.

More About the Flooding Response in Vermont

16 Teams from 14 Wings Face Off at NCC

Civil Air Patrol’s National Cadet Competition, with more than 100 cadets on 16 teams from 14 wings representing all eight CAP regions, was held over the weekend at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

The three-day competition for the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Outstanding Team Championship Trophy tested cadets’ performances in physical challenges as well as their knowledge of aviation and leadership and their demonstrations of precision and teamwork in posting the colors.

The cadets trained for months and sometimes years to demonstrate excellence in a wide range of activities in leadership, aerospace, physical fitness, and character.

The teams finished first and second in their respective regional competitions after emerging as top finishers at the wing level.

More About the Teams Competing This Year

And the Winner is ... the Team from Puerto Rico

Cadets from the Puerto Rico Wing’s Dr. Cesareo Rosa-Nieves Cadet Squadron (pictured with their supporters) are taking home the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Outstanding Team Championship Trophy after finishing first in the National Cadet Competition.

The results of the three-day, 16-team competition at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, were announced July 17.

The second- and third-place finishers both hail from the Pacific Region – the Alaska Wing’s Kodiak Island Composite Squadron and the Washington Wing’s Overlake Composite Squadron.

More About the Championship Team and Other NCC Winners

2023 National AEO School Celebrates

20 Years of Learning and Networking

Civil Air Patrol's National Aerospace Education Officers School recently celebrated its 20th year.

During the week of June 12-16, 75 Civil Air Patrol members from 28 wings and all eight regions attended the 20th annual National Aerospace Education Officers (AEOs) School at Patrick Space Force Base in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

For AEOs, the school provided information about their duties and responsibilities to help them become more efficient and effective in accomplishing the AE mission. Educator members joined the AEOs in hands-on activities and field trips.

This year’s class visited Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. Many of the dynamic hands-on activities at the school involved using some of CAP's STEM Kits.

CAP's director of aerospace education, Jeff Montgomery, began the annual school in 2002 with the assistance of many volunteers. “Since the beginning of the school 20 years ago, the attendees have increased their knowledge of the duties of an AEO, the requirements necessary to be successful, as well as learning more about the many programs and resources available to them to help accomplish the AE mission at their squadron, group, wing, or region,” Montgomery said.

“Also, I’m sure the attendees found the networking, field trips, and hands-on activities to be educational and fun additions to the overall annual agendas.”

More About the 2023 AEO School

New Jersey Wing's Vergara Works to 'Teach the Youth to Dream'

Capt. Jose G. Vergara was 55 when he joined Civil Air Patrol in 2015, and true to his nature his reasons for signing up were selfless.

He wanted to support his daughter, Veronica, as a cadet, and he wanted to teach and motivate young people toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers through aerospace education.

Vergara retired in 2022 after a 22-year career as a civilian with the Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center of the U.S. Army. He has four college degrees, including a master’s in engineering management from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

In short, he had the ideal qualifications for supporting his daughter and motivating other youth. And he wasted no time in doing that once he joined CAP, donating many hours every week to that goal.

“I share my motivation and experience with cadets and senior members about their essential role in improving our nation's future with STEM careers,” he said. “I believe an educator-mentor must have a contagious enthusiasm and teach the youth to dream of what they can achieve.”

More About Capt. Vergara and His CAP Impact

Repeat Performance: New Mexico Wing Again Helps Track West Point Project Rockets

New Mexico Wing members stepped up for the second straight year to assist U.S. Military Academy cadets launching hypersonic, suborbital rockets as part of West Point's Space Engineering and Applied Research - Hypersonic Rocket Team program.

The Civil Air Patrol members helped the West Point team find and recover the rockets after launch.

The project is designed to provide the participating cadets with hands-on experience in designing and launching rockets, with an ultimate goal of putting a West Point satellite in orbit. It's a senior capstone project for West Point cadets — future U.S. Army officers — involving real-world engineering research in areas relevant to national security and defense.

More About CAP's Involvement in the Project

Willis to Assume Command of Georgia Wing

Col.-select Michael Willis has been named the next commander of the Georgia Wing after serving in diverse Civil Air Patrol leadership roles for a combined total of 30 years.

Willis will formally succeed Col. Jeff Garrett, wing commander since 2019, in a change of command at the Georgia Wing conference in September. Garrett is succeeding Col. Andrea Van Buren as Southeast Region commander.

“Col.-select Willis brings a distinguished list of CAP accomplishments to this position,” Van Buren said in announcing the appointment.

“He has most recently demonstrated his commitment to our members in his oversight of the CAP national mentoring program. The duties include supervising 40 members of staff and 500+ members in the program.”

“His values and determination make a lasting impression on those with whom he interacts. He is a tremendous asset to our organization,” Van Buren said.

More About Col.-select Willis and His Appointment

Col. William A. Schlosser is the next commander of the Pennyslvania Wing.

An emergency management and homeland security instructor at Pennsylvania College of Technology, Schlosser succeeds Col. Kevin Berry, who had commanded the wing since 2019.

The Pennsylvania Wing consists of 43 squadrons with more than 1,600 volunteers.

Members Experience Where Missions Intersect

The National Emergency Services Academy’s Incident Command Staff School participated this summer in a joint training exercise leveraging resources across the emergency services spectrum. More than 70 participants from 21 wings got the opportunity to prepare to serve in real-world missions and serve their communities, states, and nation.

Over a two-week period, the CAP members worked together to build mission-critical skills in an environment led by the seasoned emergency services personnel.

During the joint exercise, small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) pilots provided air support to Wilderness Advanced First Aid trainees, who delivered a rapid, coordinated emergency response. The exercise helped hone skills they had been working to develop in the classrooms.

More About NESA's Joint Training Exercise

Cadets Grow Leadership Skills at Encampment

More than 150 CAP members from 14 states attended encampment June 24-July 2 at the South Dakota National Guard’s Camp Rapid.

The weeklong youth leadership camp, a joint annual project of the North Dakota and South Dakota wings, received regional TV coverage from Newscenter1 in Rapid City.

“Leadership is the focus of the CAP cadet program,” said Lt. Col. Tom Anez, encampment ommander. “It is rewarding to see our cadets grow, just during the week of the encampment. They attend for the first time when they are as young as 12 years old and often begin the week unsure and tentative. But each of them complete the week as a solid team player, willing to accept significant responsibility.“

During the week, the 117 encampment cadets trained in U.S. Air Force-style drill and formation, reviewed customs and courtesies, and participated in aerospace and STEM education classes, all while honing their leadership skills. They also experienced the obstacle course at Camp Rapid West, visited Mount Rushmore, and toured Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Other CAP encampments have also received media attention this summer. These include the Arkansas Wing, Indiana Wing, and New York Wing encampments.

Cadet and Air Force Mentor Meet at Encampment

Cadet Master Sgt. Trace Koyama (right) got a chance to meet his mentor, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dan Moss, at the recent New Mexico Wing encampment in Socorro

According to his mother, Koyama connected with Moss and the CAP cadet program, and it all came full circle with a surprise meeting while the youth was participating in the encampment.

Moss, an instructor to instructors in the T-1A airlift and tanker aircraft, flew out to Kirtland Air Force Base and drove down to Socorro to speak at the encampment.

“This was a very special thing for all cadets, but especially for Trace, who has thrived in the program thanks to Moss," said his mother, Tasha Koyama, an adult member in the Rio Rancho Falcon Composite Squadron.

“Over a year ago Lt. Col. Moss told my mom about CAP. His interest in my future motivated me to continue going and invest in the program. His presentation was funny, enthusiastic, and inspiring,“ Trace Koyama said. “Meeting him on the stage of encampment was an honor, not only because he is an overall awesome person, but also because I've wanted to meet him ever since he got me into CAP.“

More About CAP Encampments and the 2023 Schedule

Vermont Squadron Promotes Mother and Son

Promotions of Civil Air Patrol’s adult and cadet members are important but far from unusual … most of the time. An exception occurred for the Vermont Wing’s Bennington Composite Squadron when mother and son both advanced in rank in a recent promotion ceremony.

New 1st Lt. Gail Robinson is the squadron’s cadet activities officer, and her son, new Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Robinson, was also named cadet first sergeant — a brand-new position for the Bennington squadron, the noncommissioned officer equivalent of a cadet commander.

More About the Robinsons' Promotions

NHQ News

Just as a reminder: Please note that the Cadet Wings application window for the upcoming fiscal year opened July 1. It will close at noon Sept. 30.

Apply to Become a Participant in the Cadet Wings Program

Ready to make an impact while you save? If you are 70½ years or older and have a traditional Individual Retirement Account, or IRA, you can use this secure online tool to donate to CAP and support our missions — without dipping into your cash reserve.

In many cases, IRA giving is 100% tax-free, making it one of the smartest ways to make an impact.

Learn More and Make Your IRA Gift Today

New Website Donation Module Launches for Units

A donation module (see red button at right) is now an integrated feature on CAP SiteViz websites, streamlining and enhancing fundraising efforts. It provides a centralized landing page for secure online donations, promoting ways to give for donors, and inspiring donor trust in the organization.

To learn more, visit this link for FAQs, plus a slide deck and recorded webinar.

Bronze Sponsors Added for National Conference

Yingling Aviation and Middle Tennessee State University are two of the bronze sponsors for the 2023 National Conference, set for Aug. 18-19 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, Washington.

Those attending the conference will hear from keynote speakers, including Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall; meet with friends old and new; and attend learning sessions on numerous CAP programs and activities.

Each participant also can become a Cadet Scholarship Supporter. As part of the conference, CAP invites you to donate to support cadet scholarships. Donate $25 or more in honor or memory of a CAP member/squadron and you will be eligible to wear a special ribbon designating you as a “Scholarship Supporter" during the event and to be added to the Scholarship Donor board.