CAP Helps America Observe Memorial Day

Civil Air Patrol was front and center during the Memorial Day weekend, with CAP members participating in observations across the nation. They placed U.S. flags at national cemeteries, posted the colors and even sang at solemn ceremonies honoring fallen heroes, and marched in a parade in the nation's capital.

Volunteers from around the Mid-Atlantic Region walked the route of the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., while hoisting a replica of the original American flag made by Betsy Ross.

Other Memorial Day observances including CAP members are highlighted in these media stories:

As mentioned in the previous PROPS, the new Spring 2023 Civil Air Patrol Volunteer magazine commemorates the 50-year anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and celebrates our members who served in the military and CAP during that period.

Do you want to share your story? If you served during the Vietnam era and weren't interviewed for the magazine, we’d love to hear from you. Submit your story and we'll add it to a special section of CAP.news.

Simply visit this link and provide the information requested on the submission form, then email it to us with "Vietnam Legacy" as the subject line.

Geospatial Team Assists FEMA in Speeding Relief to Typhoon-Stricken Islands

On May 25, the world turned its attention to the U.S. island territory of Guam and the nearby island of Rota, part of the U.S.’s Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as Typhoon Mawar wreaked havoc on the remote Pacific destinations.

But days before the storm’s landfall, the Federal Emergency Management Agency had already reached out through First Air Force to Civil Air Patrol to marshal its Geospatial Team’s skills and damage assessment capability to assist in targeting and speeding disaster relief resources to the two islands.

Alabama Wing Practices for Hurricane Response

With the June 1 advent of hurricane season approaching, the Alabama Wing participated in the state Emergency Management Agency’s annual hurricane response exercise off the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Members from across the wing performed numerous roles during HURREX 2023, conducted May 4-6 by the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. 

Colorado Cadets Stand In for USAFA Grads

Cadets from the Colorado Wing's Air Academy Cadet Squadron and Pikes Peak Composite Squadron (pictured above) received the thrill of a lifetime when they stood in for U.S. Air Force Academy graduates before the June 1 commencement at nearby Falcon Field.

As instructed during a practice session, the cadets tossed their ABU covers into the air to help synchronize timing for the end of the ceremony as the Air Force Thunderbirds flew overhead in formation.

Air Force Lt. Col. John Baker, CAP-USAF's Rocky Mountain Liaison Region commander, said members of the academy's Aerial Events Team told him they appreciated having the CAP cadets practice the cap toss. “It seemed to help with timing and maybe photography setup for the graduation,” Baker said.

“It was an honor for Civil Air Patrol to be invited to and participate in the various activities in this year's graduation,” said Col. Jason Hess, CAP's Rocky Mountain Region commander. “It was an amazing opportunity for our cadets to be inspired and be part of the Total Force, welcoming in the next generation of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force officers.”

Miller's Mission:

'To Help and Serve'

Lt. Col. David Miller is an admitted “Star Trek” buff who’s met every prominent actor in the iconic series except for William Shatner.

While Miller, a family practice physician, may never share the bridge of the Enterprise with Shatner as Capt. James Tiberius Kirk, he knows more than a little about compassion — the powerful medicine crafted of service, hands, heart, and mind.

It could be said that through his work in Civil Air Patrol and in medicine, Miller is helping others “live long and prosper.”

Miller, a 17-year CAP member and the 2021 Missouri Academy of Family Physicians Physician of the Year, also serves as the North Central Region director of public affairs, where he’s been honored for his work and as Missouri Senior Member of the Year and Public Affairs Officer of the Year.

A practicing family physician for more than 30 years, he sums up his mission simply.

“I’m a doctor,” he said. “I’m here to help and to serve.”

North Carolina Wing Adds 10 State-Provided Drones for SAR, Post-Disaster Missions

The North Carolina Wing has expanded its small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) mission capabilities after receiving 10 military-grade Teal 2 drones provided the state Division of Emergency Management.

“The North Carolina Wing drone program grew by leaps and bounds this weekend with the introduction of the Teal 2 drones,” Capt. Robert Rimmer, the wing’s director of operations for unmanned aerial vehicles, said after a training session May 6-7.

The wing’s unmanned fleet previously consisted of four drones.

Montana Cadet Achieves Wing's 17th Spaatz Award

Cadet Col. Gary G.K. Petro is the Montana Wing’s 17th recipient of the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award, Civil Air Patrol’s top cadet honor.

The Flathead Composite Squadron member joined CAP in February 2019. He earned his private pilot certificate last September, followed soon after by a remote pilot certificate.

He’s now training to become a small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) mission pilot for CAP.

16 Teams, Including 7 Finalists from 2022, Returning for 2023 National Cadet Competition

The field is set for the 2023 National Cadet Competition, scheduled for July 12-18 at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Sixteen teams from 14 wings in the eight CAP regions are competing this year, including seven finalists from 2022. Teams making this year's competition are:

Great Lakes Region

Anderson Composite Squadron, Indiana Wing

Shelbyville Composite Squadron, Indiana Wing

Mid-Atlantic Region

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron, Maryland Wing (2022 NCC finalist)

111th Search and Rescue Composite Squadron, North Carolina Wing

North Central Region

Table Rock Lake Composite Squadron, Missouri Wing

Viking Composite Squadron, Minnesota Wing (2022 NCC finalist)

Northeast Region

Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Composite Squadron, New Jersey Wing (2022 NCC finalist)

Twin Pine Composite Squadron, New Jersey Wing

Pacific Region

Overlake Composite Squadron, Washington Wing

Kodiak Island Composite Squadron, Alaska Wing (second place overall in 2022)

Rocky Mountain Region

Broomfield Composite Squadron, Colorado Wing

Boise Composite Squadron, Idaho Wing (2022 NCC finalist)

Southeast Region

Dr. Cesareo Rosa-Nieves Cadet Squadron, Puerto Rico Wing (2022 NCC finalist)

Brandon Cadet Squadron, Florida Wing

Southwest Region

Tangipahoa Cadet Squadron, Louisiana Wing (2022 NCC finalist)

Thunderbolt Composite Squadron, Texas Wing

Michigan Cadets Lead Wing Training Exercise in May

Cadets once more took the lead when more than 100 Michigan Wing members participated May 19-21 in the annual youth-led Operation Wolverine search and rescue exercise.

For Operation Wolverine, cadets fill the leadership roles typically held by adult members. They plan, organize, and lead the weekend exercise, serving in such roles as logistics, planning, operations, public affairs, radio communications.  

Georgia Squadron Sends Rockets Soaring Skyward

Rocket science was the theme for the day when 22 cadets and one adult member of the Georgia Wing’s Gwinnett County Composite Squadron launched the high-power projectiles they’d assembled as part of Civil Air Patrol’s rocketry program, marking the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and meticulous preparation.

The cadets carried out the rocketry project under the guidance of Jorge Blanco, president of Southern Area Rocketry. They built the rockets with state-of-the-art "H" motors to power their creations skyward.

Launch Day came after months devoted to various aspects of rocketry, both in theory and in practice. Classroom training sessions provided vital knowledge about the intricacies of rocket design. 

NHQ News

Vehicle Safety Program Launched by Logistics Team

Civil Air Patrol’s Logistics team is introducing the Vehicle Risk Management Program to train, educate, and promote awareness among CAP members about vehicle safety.

“Let’s be honest with one another. We can get complacent when it comes to operating vehicles,” said Emmanuel Manning, CAP’s vehicle fleet manager.

“With CAP having a vehicle fleet of over 1,000 vehicles, we need to look closer at our vehicle operations to ensure we are doing our best to give our members tools to being safe while on the road,” Manning said. “Let’s do our best to alleviate CAP from becoming a part of those statistics.”

The Vehicle Risk Management Program will consist of:

•  Drivers orientation training;
•  Drivers education training; and
•  Drivers awareness bulletins.

Gold Sponsor Added for National Conference

Ewing Engineered Solutions will be a gold sponsor for the 2023 National Conference, scheduled for Aug. 18-19 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, Washington.

Civil Air Patrol members attending the conference will hear from keynote speakers like Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendal III, meet with friends old and new, and attend learning sessions on numerous CAP programs and activities.

Registration for the conference is $179 if you sign up by July 17, accessible through the National Conference webpage. Hotel reservations (with a $150/night plus tax CAP discount) are also available at this link if you make them before July 17.

Sponsored by:

Aircraft Artwork Continues as Silvered Wings Series

The popularity of Maj. Ronald C. Finger's “Timeline Flight” paintings leading up to CAP's 80th anniversary has inspired a second series of vintage aircraft artwork — the Silvered Wings Series.

Debuting in August 2022 and continuing into 2023, this series once again features the work of Finger, a national staff member on CAP's Marketing & Strategic Communications team.

Check out the latest vintage CAP aircraft in this Silvered Wings Series, as posted on CAP.news:

AFA Grants Available to Civil Air Patrol Squadrons

Funding for CAP Unit Grants has been generously restored by CAP partner in aerospace/STEM education, the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA). 

CAP aerospace education officers can now submit applications for a $250 grant to promote AE and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) within their cadet or composite units. If the squadron desires to also share its project with youth who aren't members, that's a plus.

Grants can fund aerospace field trips, STEM outreach events, or equipment/materials for special STEM projects.

Applications are due by midnight (applicant’s time zone) June 30. The grant competition will result in STEM projects being funded for competitively-selected units. All applicants will be notified by the end of July whether the project was selected to be funded.

National Cadet Advisory Council Seeking New Leaders

Applications are due by June 30 for the top leadership posts on the 2023-2024 National Cadet Advisory Council.

All cadets who have earned the Gen. Ira C. Eaker Award and who were born after Oct. 1, 2003, are invited to apply for the NCAC chair and/or vice chair positions. Check your email for the specifics of the application process and expectations for time commitment and travel and to access the link for uploading your resume and vision statement.

Prior experience on the NCAC is highly desired but not mandatory. Applicants don't need to be incoming Region Cadet Advisory Council representatives. The 2023-2024 term lasts from Oct. 1, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024.

Take on the challenge and apply. Send questions to Col. JD Ellis, the NCAC senior adviser.

Give Back by Donating Property to Civil Air Patrol

Did you know your real estate gift supports a variety of CAP programs?

Property held over a year qualifies for a tax deduction and may eliminate capital gains tax.

Tweet of the Week @Civil Air Patrol

InstaPhoto of the Week #Civil Air Patrol

For more information, go to Operation Pulse Lift's new webpage on GoCivilAirPatrol.com. There you will find Blood Donation Center schedules, instructions on how to set up a BDC, and other mission information.