Hawaii Aircrews Spread Tsunami Warnings in Wake of Russian Quake | | |
The Hawaii Wing carried out 15 flights broadcasting tsunami warnings to coastal communities throughout the state July 29 after a an 8.7-magnitude earthquake was reported off Kamchatka, Russia, potentially threatening the island chain.
The wing launched nine aircraft at 2:52 p.m. after swiftly joining state and county emergency agencies in a coordinated response. Three dozen Civil Air Patrol members from Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island participated. The 15 flights totaled more than 15 hours in the air.
Equipped with loudspeakers and siren systems, CAP aircraft flew predetermined coastal flight paths, broadcasting “Tsunami warning. Evacuate all low-lying areas until all clear is given.”
| | Squadron Assembles Kits for Disaster Victims | | |
Members of the Florida Wing’s Pines-Miramar Composite Squadron recently volunteered with Global Empowerment Mission to help assemble 1,228 dignity kits for families displaced by recent natural disasters.
The kits include essential hygiene and personal care items for those in urgent need.
In addition to physical aid, they’re intendeded to provide recipients with comfort, dignity, and a reminder that help is on the way.
“It fills my heart to be a part of helping the community and bring comfort to those in need,” Cadet Staff Sgt. Christian DeJesus said.
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Rhoades to Command Rocky Mountain Region
A Civil Air Patrol cadet commander who became a U.S. Navy intelligence officer is bringing three decades of leadership experience to CAP’s Rocky Mountain Region.
Col. John Rhoades will assume command of the five-state region Oct. 4 at the Colorado Wing Conference.
“As a naval officer and professional pilot, Col. Rhoades brings discipline and operational excellence to the Civil Air Patrol Senior Advisory Group,” said Maj. Gen. Regena M. Aye, CAP’s national commander/CEO, in announcing Rhoades as the next Rocky Mountain Region commander. “His experiences will enhance our efforts to strengthen accountability and safety.”
Rhoades currently serves in the U.S. Navy Reserves as an intelligence officer assigned to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) Joint Intelligence Directorate.
| | Maryland, Alabama Cadets Take Honors in UAS4STEM National Drone Meet | | |
Maryland Wing cadets won the Aademy of Model Aeronautics’ UAS4STEM drone competition Beginners division July 23, while their counterparts from the Alabama Wing placed third in the Advanced division.
Both squadrons were returning to the national finals at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, as was the Virginia Wing’s 55 Knights team — second-place finishers in the 2024 Beginners division.
UAS4STEM is the Academy for Model Aeronautics’ Unmanned Aerial Systems for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math program. Teams in both divisions designed and built a quadcopter Unmanned Aircraft System and programmed it for flight. The Advanced division teams guided their drones in flight and built an additional mechanism to complete another task.
| | Cadets Soar at New Jersey Flight Academy | | |
Fourteen cadets from eight wings in five Civil Air Patrol regions took significant steps toward earning their private pilot certificates during the 10-day Falcon Flight Academy held July 11-20.
Hosted July 11-20 by the New Jersey Wing in partnership with Ocean County Municipal Airport in Bayville, the academy provided immersive flight training under the instruction of Federal Aviation Administration-certified flight instructors and experienced CAP support staff.
“Falcon Flight Academy embodies Civil Air Patrol’s commitment to developing tomorrow’s aviation leaders,” said Col. Amy Myzie, New Jersey Wing commander. “This program not only builds critical piloting skills but also instills confidence, discipline, and leadership in each cadet.
“We are proud of their accomplishments and grateful to the dedicated staff and instructors who make this opportunity possible.”
| | Medical Orientation, Training School Attracts 100+ | | |
More than 100 Civil Air Patrol members from across the country participated in the 2025 Medical Orientation and Training School, a 10-day, hands-on training program in Nacogdoches, Texas. The activity equips trainees with real-world medical response skills and a deeper understanding of careers in healthcare.
Held at Texas Wing Headquarters at A.L. Mangham, Jr., Regional Airport, the course combines practical emergency medicine training with leadership development and mentoring from healthcare professionals.
“This isn’t just first aid,” said Capt. Brandon McVean, a member of the instructional staff. “We’re empowering cadets with real-life tools to help others and showing them what it means to lead under pressure.”
| | Maryland Cadet Honored with Spaatz Award | | |
Cadet Col. Evelyn Rouland of the Maryland Wing’s St. Mary’s Composite Squadron has been recognized with the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award, Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet honor.
Rouland received the award from retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Scott Sanders (pictured, at right) in a ceremony July 9 at St. Mary's County Regional. More than 100 attended.
"I don't know how to adequately express my appreciation to all the people who made this possible,” Rouland said. “As the 2585th recipient of the Spaatz award, I am deeply humbled by this achievement. This honor would not have been possible without the unwavering support of so many, especially my parents, who have always been there for me, taking care of whatever they could so I could focus on the important things and challenges in my life."
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For eight days in June, nearly 200 members and 36 aircraft from CAP's North Central and Rocky Mountain regions participated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Region 8 Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) and U.S. Northern Command’s Defense Coordinating Office in a combined disaster relief/flooding and homeland security/terrorism response exercise.
Known as Exercise Yellow Apron 25-01, the multiday training event involved a simulated dam breach caused by an extremist group, which generated a multiregion agency disaster relief and homeland security response.
During the exercise, FEMA called on CAP to assist in staffing its RRCC in Denver for five days while supporting both airborne disaster relief photography and homeland security Infrastructure reconnaissance missions over 12 states, making it one of the largest CAP exercises in history.
This exercise was the third in a series of Exercise Yellow Apron events since 2023, with another week-long exercise with FEMA scheduled for November. For more information on Exercise Yellow Apron and this specific exercise, go to this link.
| | New Regulations Strengthen CAP's Commitment to Cadet Protection | | |
When Maj. Gen. Regena M. Aye accepted command of Civil Air Patrol in August 2024, she talked about the importance of chasing perfection in cadet protection: “Cadet protection is an area in which we cannot fail. That is why it is part of my commander’s intent. It’s also one which will always need to continue to evolve.”
On Aug. 18, CAP will update four regulations designed to enhance cadet protection. These updates represent a significant step in CAP’s broader effort to align operational practices with the highest standards of youth safety and better manage organizational risk.
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New Director McCaffrey: 'Clear Choice to Lead CAP Operations Forward'
From combat pilot to commandant, from the Joint Staff to state leadership: Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Terrance J. “Marco” McCaffrey has built a career around mission-focused leadership and strategic impact.
While it’s rare for mission-driven organizations like Civil Air Patrol to find someone who can lead in the air and on the ground, in crisis and in the classroom, it’s a reality with McCaffrey — CAP’s new director of operations.
“As interim director, Terry demonstrated the strongest overall alignment with the role, combining a mission-driven mindset with proven operational leadership across all evaluation areas — from cross-functional collaboration and performance accountability to fiscal stewardship and strategic partnerships — making him the clear choice to lead Civil Air Patrol operations forward,” said Michael Nunemaker, CAP’s chief strategy officer and chief programs and missions officer.
| | CAP Observes Make-A-Will Month with Free Webinar | | |
Join us for an informative and engaging webinar on the fundamentals of estate planning.
Whether you're just starting to think about your future or looking to update your existing plans, this session during National Make-A-Will Month will provide you with the essential knowledge you need to secure your legacy and protect your loved ones.
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Date and Time: Wednesday, Aug. 6, 11 a.m.-Noon Central Time
Don't miss this opportunity to gain peace of mind and take control of your future.
| | This webinar is intended to offer information as a service to CAP members, donors, and friends and should not be construed as legal advice. | | 'Ownership and Innovation' Session Set for Aug. 6 | | |
Join your Civil Air Patrol colleagues on Aug. 6 from 8-9 p.m. ET for “Ownership and Innovation,” which will be led by Maj. Marybeth Slocumb, CAP's national innovation officer.
The session will be the latest installment in a series of sessions about Extreme Ownership, started by Maj. Gen. Regena M. Aye, national commander/CEO, in January. Learn more about previous Year of Ownership sessions at this link. Just scroll down and enroll for the Aug. 6 session.
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Top Headlines
“Civil Air Patrol Trains for Future Leadership”
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“Civil Air Patrol Cadets Attend Cyber Academy at Dakota State University”
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“Civil Air Patrol Hosts Promotion and Award Ceremony”
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| | 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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