Puerto Rico Wing, Civil Air Patrol Colleagues Respond to Fiona Flooding | |
Puerto Rico Wing members and their CIvil Air Patrol colleagues from three other wings are responding in the air and on the ground to catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Fiona.
Members are flying damage assessment photography missions over affected areas, including structures such as roads and bridges, power plants, schools, and hospitals. The images they provide help emergency management agencies decide where damage is most severe and resources are most needed.
“These difficult times reminded us of the lessons from Hurricane Maria,” said Lt. Col. Carlos M. Arroyo, CAP incident commander, referring to the September 2017 storm that devastated the island. “From what we learned, and the training acquired, the Puerto Rico Wing and fellow CAP members improved our response time and use of top-end technology.”
As this response in Puerto Rico wraps up, CAP members in Florida are ramping up for similar tasks in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Stay tuned to CAP.news for the latest information on that response.
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The Civil Air Patrol Response Fund enables CAP members and supporters to donate funds to assist our personnel in Florida and Puerto Rico affected by hurricanes Fiona and Ian. | |
Utah Wing's Hess Named Next Rocky Mountain Region Commander
Col. Jason R. Hess received a surprise on his 47th birthday — a call from Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, Civil Air Patrol national commander/CEO, informing him he was his choice to command CAP’s Rocky Mountain Region.
Phelka appointed Hess region commander Sept. 23 after a thorough selection process.
Hess, the Utah Wing commander since March 2021, will succeed Col. Jeffrey L. Johnson, Rocky Mountain Region commander for the past three years. He will be sworn in Oct. 8 at the Utah Wing Headquarters.
“Col. Hess has an effective leadership style that has produced excellent results and will be an amazing fit for the Rocky Mountain Region,” Phelka said.
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Another Cadet Wings Milestone: 200th Cadet Receives Pilot Certificate Through CAP Program | |
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Cadet Capt. David Cavazos II (left) of the Texas Wing’s Marauder Composite Squadron recently became the 200th cadet to earn his wings through CAP’s Cadet Wings program.
He follows two former Texas Wing cadets, Emma Herrington and Andrew Wilson — the program’s first and 100th participants, respectively, to receive their private pilot certificates — in achieving Cadet Wings milestones.
Cavazos (pictured with his flight instructor, Chloe Cheung) received his certificate following a check ride with a Federal Aviation Administration examiner n Sept. 21 at Conroe/North Houston Regional Airport.
He described the experience as “quite exhilarating.”
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Recent Cadet Wings Flyers Endorse Opportunity | |
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Cadets from the Illinois, Virginia, South Dakota, and Washington wings recently earned their private pilot certificates through the Civil Air Patrol Youth Aviation Initiative's Cadet Wings program.
They are (from left) Cadet Capt. Animesh Bijawat, Cadet Chief Master Sgts. Alexandra Heinrich and James Thomas, and Cadet 2nd Lt. Justin Paul, who share their experiences in this question-and-answer session with CAP.news.
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Hawaii Wing's Vasquez Soars Toward Lofty Goals | |
Civil Air Patrol recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15, with a question-and-answer session with Bianca Vasquez, previously a cadet and now a new senior member in the Hawaii Wing's Maui Composite Squadron.
Thanks to her experiences in the Hawaii Wing, especially as a pilot, Bianca Vasquez wants to share the joy of flight with others — especially fellow women of color.
“I believe that anyone can be a great pilot, and that anyone should have the opportunity to experience the beauty of flight,” she said.
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Third Brother Earns Spaatz Award ... Two to Go? | |
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New Cadet Col. Ian Cheshire of the Oregon Wing’s Medford Composite Squadron has followed in his two older brothers’ footsteps by achieving Civil Air Patrol’s top cadet honor, the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award.
Cheshire (pictured with his Spaatz award plaque) is one of five brothers who have served or are serving as cadets in the squadron — (from left) former Cadet Col. Christian Cheshire, Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Ilisha Cheshire, Cadet Col. Ian Cheshire, Cadet Maj. Isaac Cheshire, and former Cadet Col. Caleb Cheshire.
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Ohio Cadets Represent CAP
at Aviation Shrine Inductions
Cadets from the Ohio Wing’s Wright-Patterson Composite Squadron served as the color guard Sept. 24 for the National Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, during which Civil Air Patrol pioneer Lt. Willa Brown was added to the shrine's roster.
In 1937, Brown became the first African-American woman to earn a private pilot’s certificate and hold a commercial pilot’s certificate in the U.S. Along with her husband, pilot, and aviation mechanic Cornelius R. Coffey, she also became one of CAP’s first African-American officers in 1942 in the Illinois Wing's fully integrated (male/female, black/white) 111th Flight Training Squadron.
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Northeast Region's Cooper to Lead Education and Training Program
A former Rhode Island Wing commander and the longtime character development instructor for the Northeast Region, Col. Bryan W. Cooper, has been named chief of Civil Air Patrol’s Senor Member Education and Training Program.
Cooper’s selection was approved last week by Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, CAP’s national commander/CEO.
“Col. Cooper is one of CAP’s most experienced commanders,” Phelka said. “This expertise, together with his professional education credentials and nearly 30 years in front of a classroom, make him an ideal candidate to assume the role of chief of Education and Training.”
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Skoch Named New AFA Chairman of the Board | |
Bernie Skoch is the Air & Space Forces Association’s new chairman of the board, effective Oct. 1, succeeding former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald Murray.
Skoch, a retired Air Force brigadier general, ran unopposed and was elected without objection Sept. 17 during AFA’s National Convention leading up to the Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.
In addition to his career in the Air Force and his work with AFA, Skoch has strong ties to Civil Air Patrol. He got is start in military service as a CAP cadet and serves on CAP's Board of Governors.
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Minnesota Cadet Competes in Senior PGA Tour Event | |
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Cadet 2nd Lt. Seth Damsgard was one of 41 boys selected to compete in September in a Senior PGA Tour event at Pebble Beach, where he was paired with PGA Tour professional Y.E. Yang who is famous for overtaking Tiger Woods on the last few holes to win the 2009 PGA Championship.
Damsgard, who serves in the Minnesota Wing's North Hennepin Composite Squadron, was interviewed for this story on the PGA Tour website. As part of the interview, he mentioned how Civil Air Patrol has contributed to his growth as a leader.
He finished the tournament in 13th place.
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New Aircraft Artwork Series Underway | |
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, this series once again features the work of Finger, a national staff member on CAP's Marketing & Strategic Communications team.
Here is third installment of the Silvered Wings Series, as posted on CAP.news.
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CAP Focuses on Cybersecurity Awareness | |
October marks the start of a new fiscal year ... and Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Civil Air Patrol is a 2022 champion organization again this year, partnering with the National CyberSecurity Alliance. All units are encouraged to host cyber security training regularly; it would make a great monthly safety briefing. With many attending school and working from home, there is no better time to educate and #BeCyberSmart to keep your devices and home network secure CSAM resources can be found at staysafeonline.org.
One great opportunity to jump start or continue your learning is to complete the Introduction to Cybersecurity course as part of CAP’s partnership with Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad).
When asked why members should consider completing this course, Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, national commander/CEO, said, “Cyber security impacts every one of us and is critical to our individual safety and the sovereignty of our nation. Taking advantage of courses such as those offered by our partners like Cisco is imperative to ensuring that we continue to embrace a safety culture that will keep us all safe from those who would do us harm.”
Civil Air Patrol is continuing to advance training and education for all members, including the cyber badge program for cadets and the national cyber academy for cadets and senior members.
For more information on CAP’s cyber programs, check out cyber.cap.gov or the CAP cyber Facebook page.
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Application Period for CadetInvest Now Open | |
It's time for Civil Air Patrol cadets to apply for academic scholarships, Cadet Wings, flight scholarships, Lift/Take-Off, for National Cadet Special Activities (NCSA financial aid), and a U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School recommendation.
Applications are due by noon Central Time Dec. 31.
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Observance Set Aside to Create Your Legacy | |
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Oct. 17-23 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week. It’s the perfect time to reflect on and secure your loved one’s future through an estate plan.
Thanks to our friends at FreeWill, you can create or update your plans for free and even build a legacy with Civil Air Patrol.
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CAP's Safety Culture Up for Discussion Next Week | |
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Michael Nunemaker, CAP's safety chief, will be talking about the creation of an ideal safety culture next week during a live broadcast on the Wings Industry Network.
His interview is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time Oct. 12.
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Interested in Learning More About CAP's BoG? | |
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Have you ever considered applying for a position on Civil Air Patrol’s Board of Governors one day? Ever wonder what a BoG member’s role and responsibilities are? Wish you had an opportunity to learn more? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then you should consider attending this one-day virtual seminar.
The seminar's purpose is to provide information to CAP volunteers interested in applying to be a member of the Board of Governors.
Those who attend the seminar, scheduled for Nov. 12, will hear from experienced current and former BoG members, National Commanders, and national staff, on a broad array of topics. The day will conclude with a panel discussion comprised of current and former BoG members and National Command staff, who will discuss the day's topics and answer any questions.
Registration for the seminar will be taking place through October.
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This Week's Top Headlines | |
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“Kansas Wing Civil Air Patrol Delivers Emergency Blood Supply”
-MSN.com
“Young Swansea (R.I.) Pilot Takes First Solo Flight as Part of Civil Air Patrol”
-Yahoo.com
“Assemblywoman Lupardo Announces $200,000 to Benefit N.Y. Wing of Civil Air Patrol”
-WBNG.com
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For those who have not been able to donate because of their exposure to Creutzfeldt-Jakob “Mad Cow" Disease” while living in Europe from 1980-2001, those prohibitions have been removed. This will free thousands of potential donors to provide their life-saving gift. (See link below to report your individual donations.)
Every unit of blood collected through the combined efforts of CAP volunteers saves three lives, according to the Red Cross. During the pandemic response, Operation Pulse Lift has collected this number of units:
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Operation Pulse Lift's new stretch goal for the end of 2022 is 16,667 units, which would potentially save 50,000 lives. | |
CAP Marketing & Strategic Communications
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