Veteran Airline Pilot, Managing Director of Aviation Safety, Joining CAP Board of Governors
A veteran commercial pilot who serves as United Airlines’ managing director of aviation safety is the latest appointment to Civil Air Patrol’s Board of Governors.
Capt. Mary Ann Schaffer, who has flown for United since 1989, is an experienced aviator with more than 18,000 hours of flight time and more than four decades as a pilot. She also serves on the board of managers of the United Aviate Academy.
Schaffer has served in a variety of roles for United, including system chief pilot and Washington base chief pilot. Her flying experience includes time as a flight engineer (second officer), first officer, captain, check pilot, and evaluator.
“It truly is an honor and a privilege to serve the organization as a member of the Board of Governors,” Schaffer said. “I’m very excited to participate and do what I can to bring even broader participation and nationwide exposure for Civil Air Patrol.”
| | California Cadet Chooses Air Force Academy | | |
Cadet Maj. Grace Muresan of the California Wing’s Jon E. Kramer Composite Squadron 10 has chosen the U.S. Air Force Academy as her next destination after receiving appointments to the academy, the Military Academy at West Point, and the Naval Academy.
Muresan, who joined CAP in January 2020, said she first learned about the Air Force Academy “at my basic encampment in 2021 when an instructor described the typical cadet and their academics, sports, and leadership.
“It just seemed like something I could do, and though I knew little about college then, USAFA quickly became my dream school. Later that year, as a freshman, I visited the campus and fell in love.”
| | Missouri Wing Honors Cadet High School Seniors | | |
In a new tradition for the Missouri Wing, graduating cadet members of the high school Class of 2025 were presented with a CAP graduation stole in recognition of their accomplishments in the organization and their lives.
Col. Jennifer Smith, Missouri Wing commander (pictured with Cadet Capt. Tali Hauquitz), presented each cadet with their stole and a certificate commemorating the ceremony, held in the Carnahan Memorial Garden next to the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City.
Smith made the presentations to 27 cadets from eight squadrons and two flights.
| | South Carolina Cadet Honored with Spaatz Award | | |
Cadet Col. Olivia Morton of the South Carolina Wing’s York County Composite Squadron has been recognized with CAP’s top cadet honor, the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award, achieved by less than one-half of 1% of all cadets.
Morton received the award May 3 from Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, CAP national commander and CEO and herself a 1992 Spaatz award recipient as a Kansas Wing cadet.
“Col. Morton epitomizes the core value of excellence,” Aye said during the award ceremony. “Her balance, her calm presence, and her commitment to the mission are hallmarks of a servant leader.
“She represents the very best of our cadet program.”
| | 'Medical Red Flag' Exercise Yields 300+ Units of Blood | | |
Operation Pulse Lift — CAP's longest and largest humanitarian/disaster relief mission, and its largest mission since World War II — marked both its eighth operational year and a fifth-year surge since the COVID-19 pandemic with its first multiwing “Medical Red Flag” exercise in April, which collected more than 300 units of blood.
Operation Pulse Lift began April 14, 2017, as one of three blood drives hosted annually by the Arizona Wing in both Mesa and Scottsdale. On April 18, 2020, the mission conducted its first surge mission in Glendale as part of the organization's response to the pandemic.
Since its beginning, the mission has supported 665 Blood Donor Center events at 85 sites in 32 wings, collecting nearly 49,000 units of blood and countless units handled in nearly 2,000 emergency blood transports.
| | Cadets Ride on Air National Guard Refueling Flights | | |
More than 60 cadets from the Michigan Wing (pictured above) enjoyed orientation rides April 22 on a trio of KC-135 Stratotankers flown by the Michigan Air National Guard’s 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
Two of the aircraft refueled A10 Thunderbolt IIs in flight, with the third refueling F16 Fighting Falcon jets.
“Being able to see and be in working military aircraft was amazing,” said Cadet Airman George Fredenburg of the Maj. Kevin A. Adams Memorial Composite Squadron.
“I also enjoyed learning more about the Air National Guard,” the cadet said.
| | Nebraska Members Train as Mission Radio Operators | | |
Nebraska Wing members from three units gathered for a communications training day focused on increasing the wing's number of missions radio operators.
About 18 adult members and cadets from the Omaha and 155th composite squadrons and the Capital City Flight, most requalified with Introductory Communications User Training, convened at Camp Ashland.
The morning session covered CAP rules and regulations, CAP communications systems, radio operations and operator responsibilities, radio procedures, message protocols, and best practices, emphasizing the basic mission to “get the message through.”
In the afternoon, participants discussed call signs before engaging in a tabletop exercise simulating air and ground teams communicating with a mission base. Members gained hands-on experience with different types of handheld radios.
| | Next Extreme Ownership Session Set for May 29 | | |
Join Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, CAP's national commander and CEO, on May 29 for the next installment in a series of sessions about Extreme Ownership.
By fostering a culture of ownership, we ensure our actions today build a lasting legacy and positively shape the future of CAP for the next 80 years and beyond. Join us in this transformative journey as we take ownership of our missions and work together to secure a thriving future for our organization.
| | Through CAP's Online Giving Catalog, You Get the Chance to Choose Your Impact | | |
CAP's new online giving catalog puts you in the front seat of the organization'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.
| | Force 4 Impact Powered by Monthly Giving | | |
Did you know your monthly commitment:
- Supports Activities: Your monthly donation helps provide essential resources for cadet activities.
- Empowers Youth: Contribute to programs that build leadership and life skills.
- Creates Opportunities: Help us offer scholarships and career development initiatives.
Your consistent support makes a lasting impact. Join us in making a difference in the life of our youth.
| | National Wreaths Across America Day is Dec. 13 | | |
Mark your calendars for Dec. 13. That's when cadets and adult members from CAP units across the country will be involved in the annual Wreaths Across America Day, which recognizes the service and sacrifices of fallen U.S. veterans and their families.
Each year, more than 400 squadrons are involved in Wreaths Across America — participating and even organizing ceremonies in their communities as well as placing wreaths at gravesites of the fallen.
Wreaths Across America also gives CAP members the opportunity to raise funds for their wing, group, or squadron. Click on the ad (above) for details.
| | 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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