Board of Governors Gains New Leadership |
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Col. Brad Lynn marked his final meeting last week as Civil Air Patrol Board of Governors chairman and member by sharing a message of appreciation from Acting Secretary of the Air Force John P. Roth, who congratulated board members and CAP’s 55,000 volunteers for “a job well done during an unprecedented time.”
Lynn, who chaired the board the last two years, is completing his term as a CAP-appointed member-at-large. On Feb. 27, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Kevin McLaughlin, now vice chairman, will succeed him as chairman. Col. Curtis Boehmer, another CAP at-large member, will become vice chairman. The vacancy Lynn leaves will be filled by Col. John R. Longley Jr.
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Brig. Gen. du Pont Passes; Led CAP from '70-'73 |
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Brig. Gen. S. Hallock “Hal” du Pont Jr., who served as the equivalent of CAP national commander from October 1970-October 1973, died Feb. 23. He was 90.
Du Pont headed the organization as the seventh chairman of its National Board. He was the next to last to fill that post, and at age 30 was the youngest ever to do so. The position of national commander was created in September 1975.
In 1974 he was the 14th inductee into the Civil Air Patrol Hall of Honor, created two years earlier.
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CAP Experiences Wave of Publicity in Past Week |
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In the past week, CAP has been front and center in media circles — thanks in large part to a report from Fox News senior correspondent Eric Shawn. His report, which featured National Vice Commander Brig. Gen. Ed Phelka, aired Feb. 16 and again Feb. 20, highlighting CAP's missions in delivering the COVID-19 vaccine to remote areas and people.
Shawn's report has since been re-broadcast by 120 Fox affiliates nationwide, resulting in an audience of more than 100 million. Fox's Phoenix affiliate modified the report to include info about the Arizona Wing's blood donation efforts for the American Red Cross and other collection centers.
On Feb. 22, Forbes magazine posted an online story featuring the value of virtual reality in California Wing's Cadet Programs Conference, held over the weekend. Forbes.com has a readership of 30 million.
Military.com, with a readership of 10 million, also reposted a local story from The Day newspaper, highlighting the Connecticut Wing's ice jam river patrols.
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FAA Veteran Selected to Lead Safety Program |
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Michael Nunemaker is CAP's new chief of safety, Maj. Gen. Mark Smith, national commander and CEO, has announced.
Nunemaker will be responsible for integration of risk management in all CAP mission areas and support functions. Essential duties include the execution of a targeted, proactive Safety Program centered on a solid Safety Management System framework.
“We are very excited to have Michael Nunemaker on the CAP team,” Smith said. “His boots-on-the ground experience with the Federal Aviation Administration will serve us well and help us to continue to be a leader in general aviation safety in our communities, states and nation.”
Nunemaker began work with CAP on Feb. 16 and will lead a team of both paid and volunteer staff members.
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70th Cadet Earns 'Wings' Through CAP Program |
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On Feb. 16, Cadet Col. Jennifer Torres became the 70th CAP cadet to earn her private pilot certificate through the Cadet Wings program.
Torres, pictured with her examiner, Roberto Acevedo, is a member of the Puerto Rico Wing's Aguadilla Cadet Squadron. She is the first Hispanic woman and the 20th female cadet in CAP to receive her certificate through the program.
Even more impressive, however, is that Torres achieved this flying milestone during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"All of the Puerto Rico testing centers were shut down during the COVID-19 emergency,” said Margarita Mesones, who manages CAP's youth aviation programs. "This young lady had so much dedication and initiative that she flew to the States [Florida] to take the written test so she would be eligible for Cadet Wings.”
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Commander Offers Tips for Effective Leadership
National Headquarters' Marketing & Strategic Communications team is reprising National Commander Maj. Gen. Mark Smith’s Tips for Effective Leadership Video Series from 2019.
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80th Anniversary Coordinated Media Blitz Planned |
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Continuing the rollout of the CAP 80th Anniversary observation, the national-level working group has developed a strategy and the tools for all units to coordinate media releases and social media to tell our story throughout 2021.
A series of media releases is being prepared for coordinated release on key dates by PAOs or commanders.
The first release is timed for distribution on National Science Day — Feb. 28. Other releases will follow on National Physical Fitness Day, National Space Day and more, featuring activities from more recent historical events that showcase our most important asset: our people.
Commanders and PAOs will receive subsequent releases that are to be sent as is to local media and used on social media and websites. In order to tell a cohesive story nationwide, we ask that these releases not be altered or edited.
Furthermore, other media release templates will be made available that are easily customized to support local open houses, recruiting efforts and more.
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Presentation Proposals Sought for Hybrid Conference |
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The 2021 CAP National Conference is planned as the organization's first hybrid face-to-face and online conference. This presents CAP with both unique opportunities and unique challenges.
In order to provide the best possible experience to members, CAP is issuing a call for proposals to present on-site and online conference presentations. National staff and members may submit a conference proposal. All proposals will be evaluated by a team of volunteer members and national staff, then vetted by the respective offices and functional areas for mission relevance and accuracy.
The deadline for proposal submissions is March 8, with plans to set the conference schedule and notify presenters by April 15.
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Cadet Programs Consolidate, Extend COVID-19 Waivers |
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Waivers impacting publications CAPR 60-1, CAPR 40-2 and CAPP 60-11 have been consolidated and extended through the end of October.
Please read over the new consolidated Waiver Memo 21-01 published Feb. 1 to learn more about waivers in place for activity requirements, promotion requirements, milestone testing accommodations, encampment waivers for Mitchell and Earhart cadets, encampment waivers for senior members working in the Cadet Programs specialty track, alternative options for Regional Cadet Leadership School credit, and age waivers for the Spaatz award.
All cadet-related COVID-19 updates are available here.
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This Week in CAP History highlights the Pennsylvania Wing’s commitment to the CAP motto, Semper Vigilans (Always Vigilant). Search and rescue mission exercises give cadets and adult members the opportunity to hone skills that could lead to saving lives in a real-life situation.
Pictured: Cadets head back to base after a search and rescue mission during the annual Winter Weekend West, a cold-weather training exercise for units throughout the Pennsylvania Wing in coordination with local emergency personnel.
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CAP Marketing & Strategic Communications
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