Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, Civil Air Patrol national commander and CEO, recently recorded a three-part update for CAP stakeholders, outlining a brief recap on CAP history, an update on CAP strategic priorities and initiatives, and a preview of what the second quarter of 2025 will bring. You can watch her three-part series by clicking here in eServices. | | Adding Up: Numbers Show Record Pilot Growth | | |
As the second quarter of 2025 unfolds, the growth of Civil Air Patrol’s Cadet Wings program can be measured through a slew of impressive numbers, including a nice round one — 400.
That’s how many young CAP pilots the program will soon have produced since its inception in 2019 as part of the U.S. Air Force auxiliary’s Youth Aviation Initiative created to help address a national pilot shortage.
As of April 20, 379 cadets have received their private pilot certificates from the Federal Aviation Administration. That total is expected to rise quickly during the spring and summer months, with a record 111 cadets enrolled in the program this fiscal year.
| | CAP Alum Named Flight Instructor of the Year | | |
Growing up on a North Carolina farm in the crossroads community of Carbonton, Adam Boyd watched in wide-eyed wonder as aircraft from nearby Pope Air Force Base, Fort Bragg, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport soared overhead, leaving behind their white contrails like a signature against a Carolina blue sky.
From then on, he was smitten with aviation.
In August, the General Aviation Awards will recognize Boyd (pictured providing flight instruction to a new Air Force Reserve aircraft in a C-130H aloft from Arkansas), as its National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year. The award, one of the organization’s top honors, is set to presented at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin.
Boyd retired from CAP two years ago as a lieutenant colonel after 20 years of service.
| | Wing Conducts Search and Rescue Exercise | | |
About 60 members from around the New York Wing gathered April 25-27 at Chenango Valley State Park in Chenango Forks for a search and rescue training exercise focused on a simulated missing camper from the park’s cabin colony.
“This training helps our members prepare to search for a missing person,” said Lt. Col. Douglas Jensen, Central New York Group emergency services training officer and activity director for the exercise, which featured training in ground team operations, communications, and incident management.
| | Squadron's Success Secret: 'Invested in Our People' | | |
The Fort Worth Phoenix Composite Squadron has experienced unprecedented growth and success over the past four years, becoming one of the most dynamic and decorated units in the Texas Wing.
Since 2021, the squadron has seen a sharp increase in member participation, expanding its mission capabilities while fostering a new generation of leaders through the Civil Air Patrol cadet program.
Active membership has tripled since 2021 to a recent high of 114, driven by targeted recruiting, community partnerships and engagement, and a robust mentorship model. Squadron leaders credit the squadron’s sustained momentum to its focus on member development, leadership training, and personal growth opportunities.
| | NESA-Southeast Training Focuses on Aircrew Roles | | |
Aircrew training was the focus when eight adult members and three cadets from five wings gathered for the latest National Emergency Services Academy — Southeast Region session.
Participants trained for such roles as mission scanner, mission observer, aerial photographer, and more. Real-world mission simulations complemented rigorous hands-on traiing and classroom instruction.
Maj. Nathan Hoffman, director of emergency services for the Florida Wing, led the training.
| | Spring 'VOLUNTEER' Available Online | | The Spring 2025 issue of CIVIL AIR PATROL VOLUNTEER has been published and is headed to the mailboxes of adult members nationwide. It's already available online. | | |
Multiple articles in the spring issue focus on CAP's Total Force partnership with the U.S. Air Force as well as related federal and state support missions nationwide.
Features in this special Total Flight Edition (in order of appearance) include:
Other articles of interest include “Trained to Do This,” which profiles Cadet Chief Master Sgt. McKinley Turner, who earned CAP's Lifesaving Award for her heroic actions saving a motorist just three days after taking a Red Cross course. The 53-year CAP career of Col. Curtis Boehmer, who followed up two terms as a member of the Board of Governors with a recent appointment as commander of the Great Lakes Region, is also chronicled.
An Alumni Profile, “A Sudden Chance to Fly Leads to a Lifetime of Flight,” honors the flight career of retired National Guard Lt. Gen. Scott “Catfish" Rice.
| | CAP Introduces Online Giving Catalog | | |
Choose your impact. Create a legacy. Inspire generations.
Our new online giving catalog puts you in the front seat of CAP's future. Choose exactly where your contribution strengthens our force — whether developing tomorrow's aviation leaders, advancing aerospace education, maintaining operational readiness, enhancing search and rescue capabilities, or addressing urgent priorities.
Your action today ensures America's premier volunteer service continues its legacy of excellence. Select your mission impact now at supportcivilairpatrol.org.
| | Your Invitation to a Free Webinar | | 'Giving Wisely: Tax-Efficient Giving Tips for 2025' | | |
Join Civil Air Patrol for an insightful financial planning session where we'll explore smart and effective ways to save on taxes while making meaningful contributions to your favorite causes.
In this free webinar, you'll learn how to leverage various giving options to optimize your philanthropic efforts.
The webinar is hosted by two Planned Giving Advisory Council members, Lt. Col. Tom Berg (left), a financial planner in the Georgia Wing, and Col. Chris Ballard (right), an estate planning attorney in the Michigan Wing.
Save the date for May 7, at noon Central Time, and register below.
This webinar is intended to offer information as a service to CAP members, donors, and friends and should not be construed as legal advice.
| | New Reg Adds sUAS Pilot, Technician Ratings | | |
A revised CAP regulation adds sUAS (small Unmanned Aircraft Systems) ratings for pilots and technicians and more clearly defines requirements and procedures for CAP aeronautical and emergency services awards.
CAPR 39-4, Operations Ratings, Awards and Badges, was published in April. It replaces CAPR 35-6.
The reg also expands the CAP Solo Pilot Award to include solo flights in non-CAP aircraft. This is a change from 35-6, enabling those who do their flight training outside of CAP to earn the award.
| | Your Chance to Become a 'Kukucka Scholar' | |
The application period for the Dr. Mark Kukucka Scholarship opens May 6.
This new scholarship supports CAP members who aspire to pursue master’s- or doctorate-level studies at accredited institutions of higher learning. Recipients of this scholarship will be honored as “Kukucka Scholars” and may apply for multiple funding cycles.
| | Looking for a Geospatial Technical Support Assistant | | |
National Headquarters is seeking applications to fill a National Geospatial Technical Support Assistant volunteer position vacancy in Operations.
Applications must be received by 11:59 pm CST May 18.
Other national volunteer staff positions open for applications include:
- Development Advisory Council Leader — also closes May 18.
- AERONet Section Lead — closes June 8.
- Assistant Cadet Special Activity Coordinator — closes June 8.
- Scholarship Committee Team Member — closes June 8.
- Change Readiness Team Lead — Airworthiness Initiative — closes June 8.
- Change Readiness Team Lead-Improve Aircraft and Vehicle Safety Initiative — closes June 8.
- National Director of Recruiting — accepting applications until the position is filled.
Please visit this link to find description and application information for all of these positions.
| | Airworthy 'Otter' Featured in Artwork Series | | |
Maj. Ron Finger's second series of vintage aircraft artwork — the Silvered Wings Series — features the Fleet Model 7, an open-cockpit biplane seating two in tandem and available as a land-based trainer or seaplane.
Check out the latest vintage CAP aircraft in the series, as posted on CAP.news:
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Top Headlines
“Civil Air Patrol Cadets Give Back to Fort Drum Community”
-yahoo.com
“Civil Air Patrol Encourages Teller County Students to Aim High”
-pikespeakcourier.com
“Civil Air Patrol Hosts Search-and-Rescue Exercise in Georgetown”
-capegazette.com
| | For more information, go to Operation Pulse Lift's 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. | |
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