Civil Air Patrol Supports U.S. Northern Command Mission to Bolster Security at Southern Border

Civil Air Patrol is helping keep local communities safe through its work with U.S. Northern Command and its mission to bolster security at the southern border.

Acting in its role as a Total Force Partner, CAP is serving as a force multiplier, working shoulder-to-shoulder with federal law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection.

Radar Team Boosts Search, Rescue Capabilities

For more than 15 years, the National Radar Analysis Team has been a cornerstone of Civil Air Patrol's search and rescue operations, carrying out a mission to "shorten the crash- to-rescue time." 

The team has supported nearly 1,000 missions, resulting in 581 finds and 93 saves. Its rapid response and advanced data analysis have improved the efficiency and effectiveness of CAP's emergency services.

North Carolina Aircrew Helps Find Injured Hiker

A North Carolina Wing aircrew helped locate an injured hiker March 11 along the Blue Ridge Parkway, where the man had slipped and fallen down a mountainside.

Responding to state Emergency Management’s request for an aircraft with FLIR capabilities, the aircrew conducted the search near the border of Jackson and Haywood counties. The aircrew spotted a light on a nearby mountainside about the time searchers on the ground heard the hiker calling for help.

CAP Collaborating with NASA on Weather Mission

Building on knowledge gained from the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipse missions, Civil Air Patrol is partnering with NASA for a third straight year to gather scientific information across the U.S. 

The 2025 Aviation Weather Mission will engage members in a nationwide data collection effort to help NASA scientists better understand high-altitude humidity and its impact on contrail formation and aviation safety.

NASA aims to improve weather models and enhance aviation safety by studying how humidity affects aircraft icing and contrail persistence.

Operation Pulse Lift Launches 'High-Five' Exercise

On the evening of March 17, 2020, Operation Pulse Lift was named, and Civil Air Patrol was mobilized to support the COVID-19 national response.

To celebrate Operation Pulse Lift's five-year successes as CAP’s largest and longest humanitarian mission, Exercise “High-Five” will be conducted April 6-19, peaking April 12 with seven blood donor centers operating simultaneously in five states. The goal of the exercise is to exceed 150,000 potential lives saved in the mission.

“All CAP wings are asked to participate in whatever way they can, by setting up (with their local blood collection agencies), encouraging friends and families to donate, and all members [that are able] to donate blood,” said Lt. Col. Bob Ditch (pictured), Operation Pulse Lift incident commander.

All blood collections and donations should be reported to the mission Incident Management Team at this email address.

“This national effort is how CAP both personifies and operationalizes its mission of Serving Americas Communities, Saving Lives, and Shaping Futures," Ditch said.

Extreme Ownership Discussion Set for March 26

Join your Civil Air Patrol colleagues at 7 p.m. CST March 26 for a discussion of Extreme Ownership and how it shapes the way we serve, support, and collaborate across our organization.

This session will highlight how CAP employees, members, and partners embody ownership in every mission — whether responding to emergencies, strengthening partnerships, or driving operational success.

Together, we’ll reinforce our One Team mindset, ensuring accountability, trust, and shared responsibility guide everything we do.

Be part of the conversation. Be part of the mission. Because when everyone takes ownership, we all succeed. 

NHQ News

NESA-Mobile Training Team Turns 10

The National Emergency Services Academy Mobile Training Team is an extension of the annual NESA program, providing the worldwide delivery of emergency services certification and other emergency management curricula since its beginning in 2015.

The mobile training team has had many highlights it its 10 years of service, most notably in May 2020 when FEMA requested that training team instructors be made available to support presentation of their five novel Emergency Operations Center Skill-Set curriculums because of the COVID pandemic.

Call Issued for Command Chief Nominations

National Headquarters is accepting national command chief nominations to succeed Chief Master Sgt. Todd Parsons, whose term ends in August.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST April 1.

Visit this GoCivilAirPatrol webpage to find out more about the selection process and requirements.

Aircraft Artwork Series Features 'Fleet Model 7'

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:

Interim Change Letter Issued for CAPR 190-1, Provides Updated Social Media Guidance

Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, Civil Air Patrol's national commander and CEO, sent notice of Interim Change Letter 25-01 to CAP Regulation 190-1, Civil Air Patrol Public Affairs Program, on March 17.

The interim change letter changes CAPR 190-1 as it pertains to CAP social media and unit-operated websites and will remain in effect until CAPR 150-3 is released.

Maximize Your Impact: Donate Stock, Skip the Taxes

You invested well and your stocks have grown, but sometimes the growth is diminished due to the looming taxes if you sell your stock.

Learn how to transfer your stock instead of giving a cash gift.

Top Headlines

“From Stevens Point to Capitol Hill: How Civil Air Patrol is Shaping the Next Generation of Leaders”

-wpr.org

“Magic City CAP Advance in Competition, Hold Open House”

-kxnet.com

“Boro Civil Air Patrol Cadets Take Flight at iFLY Jacksonville”

-statesboroherald.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.