New CAP Director of Aviation Logistics Management Named

Andrew E. Barron, a program and quality management professional with a diverse background in aviation management and operations, is Civil Air Patrol’s new director of aviation logistics management.

Barron will oversee all aspects of CAP’s aircraft lifecycle logistics, from procurement to disposition and everything in between.

“Andrew brings over 29 years of leadership experience in aviation maintenance, logistics, and team management, including extensive service as both U.S. Navy enlisted and officer,” said Mike Valdez, CAP’s chief logistics management officer.

Valdez said one of Barron’s top priorities will be implementing the organization’s Maintenance Improvement Team initiatives, including rolling out a new maintenance information system, overhauling aircraft governance, and evaluating key programs such as the aircraft sales program and engine overhaul processes.

Utah Wing Closes Out CAP DAART Mission

The Utah Wing conducted a joint exercise Sept. 13 with the Utah National Guard in what was likely Civil Air Patrol’s last Domestic Operations Awareness and Assessment Response Tool (DAART) mission, with the system scheduled to be retired Oct. 1.

The exercise was conducted to develop information awareness and assessment capabilities in response to potential natural disasters affecting Utah. The primary intent was to test and enhance interoperability among various organizations involved in emergency response.

The goal was to improve the coordination and communication between CAP and the Guard.  

North Dakota Pilots Focus on All-Weather Flying

Fourteen pilots from across the North Dakota Wing gathered Sept. 20 across the state line for all-weather flight training at Moorhead Municipal Airport in Minnesota.

The annual advanced training session provided “one of the few times we all get to gather in one place, get to know each other, and just talk aviation for the day,” said Lt. Col. Chad Smith, commander of the Red River Valley Senior Squadron, which hosted the event at its hangar.

Squadrons from Grand Forks, Jamestown, and Minot supplied four Civil Air Patrol aircraft for the training. In addition to the CAP members, CAP-USAF liaison Jeremy Aamold visited from St. Paul, Minnesota.

SER Members Participate in Overwater Training

Six members from three Southeast Region wings participated Aug. 30 in overwater survival training at the U.S. Air Force ROTC Building at Auburn University in Alabama.

The Alabama Wing’s 2025 overwater survival training manager, 2nd Lt. Jack Thompson, led the activity, with training conducted by Maj. Nathan “Deacon” Hoffman, Florida Wing director of emergency services.

In addition to academic training, the participants conducted aircraft egress training at Auburn Regional Airport and water survival training phase the Air Force’s Lake Martin Recreation Area beach in Dadeville.

The participants completed a 50-foot swim test and a 10-minute water tread demonstration. 

Region Cadet Competitions

Teams from the Indiana Wing’s Anderson (pictured, at top) and Valparaiso composite squadrons finished first and third in the Great Lakes Region Cadet Competition, with the Kentucky Wing’s Louisville Cadet Squadron entry placing second.

At the Rocky Mountain Region Cadet Competition, cadets from the Idaho Wing’s Eagle Rock Composite Squadron (pictured, bottom) captured first place with the Colorado Wing’s Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron team placing second and another Idaho Wing team, from the Nampa Composite Squadron, finishing third,

Goertzen Selected to Command Nevada Wing

Lt. Col. Pete Goertzen is the new Nevada Wing commander, having accepted the appointment made by Col. Brett Dolnick, Pacific Region commander.

Goertzen succeeded Col. Brian Howard, who has headed the wing since March 2023, in a change of command ceremony Oct. 4 in Las Vegas.

“I congratulate Col. Brian Howard on a highly successful term leading the Nevada Wing and warmly welcome Lt. Col. Pete Goertzen, in whom I have full confidence to lead the wing and its dedicated members to new heights of excellence,” Dolnick said. 

NHQ News

CAP Observes Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October marks the start of a new fiscal year for Civil Air Patrol ... and also the beginning of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, dedicated for the public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.

This year’s theme is Building a Cyber Strong America, highlighting the need to strengthen the country's infrastructure against cyber threats, ensuring resilience and security.

All units in CAP are encouraged to conduct regular cybersecurity training, which would make a great October safety briefing.

Free Webinar Alert Issued

Join us for a free, practical webinar hosted by CAP’s Planned Giving Advisory Council, designed to help donors and advisors make the most of their charitable giving in 2025.

The webinar will be led by Chris Ballard (at left), Planned Giving Advisory Council, Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

What You’ll Learn: Boost your impact with donor-advised funds, Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs and appreciated stocks while staying informed on recent tax law updates

Informational only and is not legal advice.

11 a.m.-Noon Central Time, Wednesday, Oct. 29

Location: Online

(Join link provided upon registration)

CAP Accepting Applications for Volunteer Vacancies

Cadet Programs has three open volunteer staff positions and is accepting applications for these vacancies:

• Conference Support Specialist (closes Oct. 24)
• Orientation Flight Program Manager (closes Nov. 2)
• Cadet Protection Specialist (closes Nov. 2)

The Development, Government Relations, Operations, Safety, and Security directorates are also seeking applications for national volunteer staff positions.

Find these position descriptions and application information here.

Top Headlines

“Youth Cadets Take First Flight After 10-Year Civil Air Patrol Hiatus”

Del Rio News Network

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“Civil Air Patrol Helps Vermont Teens Lead with Confidence”

-timesargus.com

“Livingston Mother and Sons Train for 'Search and Rescue' Missions in New Jersey”

-patch.com

“Soaring Beyond the Cockpit: Civil Air Patrol Raises Leaders”

-thedesertreview.com

“Magic City Civil Air Patrol Cadets Lead Wreaths Across America Campaign”

-kxnet.com

Two “saves” during the last full week of the fiscal year, both by the Cell Phone Forensics Team, upped Civil Air Patrol's FY25 total to 46. The CAP team was credited with a find and a save in the successful search for a biker near Black Peak Mountain in New Mexico Sept. 26, one day after the team aided in another successful search for a missing man in Colorado.

CAP's Operation Pulse Lift collected more than 15,000 units of blood in fiscal 2025, which ended Sept. 30. Based on the fact that a single unit of blood can save up to three lives, that's nearly 50,000 lives saved for the year.

Read more about this Air Force mission here.