An Iowa Wing media flight provided this news clip of Col. Jonathan Lartigue flying over Greenfield, where an EF-4 tornado — one of the season's strongest storms — claimed four lives and destroyed much of the town on May 21. During his flight with a KCCI-TV cameraman and reporter, Lartigue chronicled Civil Air Patrol's tornado response, which included high-resolution aerial photos of the damage. Lartigue, a CAP mission pilot with a public affairs background, completed a three-year term as the wing's commander this past weekend. He was succeeded by Col. Michael S. McClanahan. | |
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The CAP Geospatial Team completed all assessments for recent tornadoes in Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas this past weekend.
It’s been an exceptionally busy year thus far for the team, as spring 2024 ranks among the most active tornado seasons on record. Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center indicate 839 tornadoes occurred in the U.S. through May 20 — above the historical average of 549.
From January-May the team, working with FEMA, has conducted geospatial damage assessments in response for disasters in:
- Alabama (tornado)
- Arkansas (tornado)
- Florida (tornado)
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Iowa (tornadoes — twice)
- Indiana (tornado)
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Kentucky (tornadoes — twice)
- Michigan (tornado)
- Nebraska (tornado)
- Ohio (tornado)
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Oklahoma (tornadoes — twice)
- Texas (fire, flooding, tornado)
Members of the team have contributed 248 volunteer hours in making 13K+ damage assessments, which resulted in the identification of 11K+ affected structures. Their work helped lead to nine presidential disaster declarations in seven states — Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas.
“The CAP Geospatial Team continues to make a difference for our nation and helps victims of these disaster events,” said Maj. Scott Kaplan, volunteer program manager for the National Geospatial Program.
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Civil War veteran Isaac Daniel was honored during the Memorial Day weekend by eight members from the Missouri Wing's Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron in Joplin. Daniel served as a private in Company F, 19th Kentucky Volunteers, as a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, as indicated by iconography on his headstone. His grave had been hidden for years by an overgrowth of bushes and shrubs. His descendants were united with him for the first time during the ceremony, thanks to the Jasper County Cemetery Preservation Society and CAP. | |
CAP's National Capital and Louisiana wings also participated in Memorial Day events in Washington, D.C., and New Orleans, respectively: | |
Flying with Phelka: National Commander
Pilots Cadet Orientation Rides in Mississippi
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Four cadets from the Mississippi Wing and a fifth from the Georgia Wing received the rare opportunity to fly with the organization's national commander/CEO, Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, for orientation flights while he attended the Mississippi Wing's annual conference in May.
Phelka also provided ground instruction, oversaw preflight inspection, and discussed operation and maneuvers with the five cadets at Hawkins Field Airport, home to Mississippi Wing Headquarters.
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Minnesota Wing's Duluth Composite Squadron
Captures North Central Region Cadet Competition
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Cadets from a pair of Minnesota Wing squadrons took the top two spots in the North Central Region Cadet Competition, with a North Dakota Wing cadet team placing third.
All eight CAP regions are conducting their own competitions, previously held to select teams for the National Cadet Competition. The national event has been discontinued in 2024, with an eye toward increasing participation across CAP while reducing demands on time and resources.
First place in the North Central Region went to cadets from the Duluth Composite Squadron (pictured), which won four of the six team categories — Standard/Element Drill, Inspection, Physical Fitness Test, and Team Leadership Problem — and placed second in Indoor Drill and Outdoor Drill.
The cadet competition in the North Central Region was the first one held under the Cadet Programs' new region format, with seven others scheduled this summer.
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FAA Recognizes Congressional Squadron Trio | |
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The Federal Aviation Administration has recognized three Congressional Squadron pilots with the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.
The award honors aviators who reach the elusive milestone of 50 consecutive years of safe flight operations by exhibiting exemplary aviation expertise and professionalism. Given the fact that powered flight began only 121 years ago, achieving 50 years of safe flight takes dedication, proficiency, good decision-making, and a commitment to safety.
Nominations for the award each included three letters of recommendation from fellow aviators attesting to the nominee's flying record.
Since the inception of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in 2003, fewer than 8,000 pilots have received it — less than 1% of U.S. aviators.
Lt. Cols. James “JC” Hyde and Michail “Bishop” Sheen and Maj. Bob “Admiral” Gawler (pictured, from left) were honored for their five-decade-long contributions and dedication to aviation.
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Kansas Wing Cadet Receives Spaatz Award | |
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Cadet Col. Ian Farthing of the Lawrence Composite Squadron is the Kansas Wing’s newest recipient of the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award, Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet achievement.
Farthing received his Spaatz award from Brig. Gen. Regena Aye, CAP national vice commander and the organization’s next national commander. Aye also commanded the Kansas Wing from 2008-2012 and is a 1992 recipient of the Spaatz award.
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Wing Launches First National Flight Academy | |
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The Hawaii Wing conducted its first ever National Flight Academy this year, training cadets in the skills and knowledge required to attain a powered airplane solo endorsement — the first steppingstone in achieving a private pilot certificate.
Cadet 1st Lts. Noah Araki and David Partin (pictured, left) were the first to obtain their solo endorsements, allowing them to fly without an instructor. Araki belongs to the 66th Composite Squadron and Partin to the 77th Saint Louis Crusaders Composite Squadron.
“It felt pretty good!” Partin said, adding that obtaining his private pilot certificate has long been a goal. He also extended thanks to his instructor, Lt. Col. Lynn Savage, 66th Composite commander, for taking time out of his busy schedule to volunteer.
“If it weren’t for him, I wouldn't have been able to achieve my solo,” the cadet said.
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Search Exercise Focuses on 50-Year-Old Case | |
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Members of the South Dakota Wing recently assisted in a multi-agency search exercise focusing on a Lakota teenager missing for more than 50 years.
The wing members assisted federal and tribal officials in combing a rural area concentrated on where the girl was last seen in February 1974. CAP’s involvement included leading and participating in line searches and assisting with organization of the search.
“For CAP, the search was officially a training exercise, but with a real-world potential search target,” said Col. Michael Marek, South Dakota Wing commander. “Working with many other agencies was an excellent training opportunity and very rewarding for our members.
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New Mexico Wing Hosts Emergency Response Exercise | |
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The New Mexico Wing hosted a Southwest Region exercise May 18 designed to enhance disaster response capabilities for such large-scale emergencies as wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, with 12 aircraft and more than 90 members from five wings flying to various states to capture photos of critical transportation and communications infrastructure.
“A large-scale disaster could easily cross state lines," said Capt. Mark Chappell, the New Mexico Wing's director of emergency services. “CAP wings in our region need to know how to collaborate and be ready to assist each other during real-world disasters. This exercise helps us prepare for just that.”
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An update has been made to the CAP Regulation 60-2 Cadet Protection Program. An Interim Change Letter (ICL) was added to the regulation, establishing policies for cadet-to-adult supervisory ratios. It is now available for review.
Supervisory ratios refer to the required number of adult leaders needed to effectively supervise a group of cadets. It's a fundamental element in youth-serving organizations to foster environments where young people can thrive, learn, and grow with confidence.
With this change, Cadet Programs invites you to participate in its supervisory ratios training, available in AXIS. Search the course catalog for Supervisory Ratios — A Cadet Protection Update.
This training will equip you with the knowledge and skills to carry out the new ratio standards.
If you have further questions, please contact Katie Thurson, CAP's youth protection manager, at this link.
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Meet CAP's New National IT Manager | |
Lt. Col. Nicholas R. McLarty is Civil Air Patrol’s new volunteer national information technology manager, serving as the primary liaison between CAP members and corporate responsibilities.
As the national IT manager, McLarty advises on software, regulations, and IT standards and oversees committees. With a background in cybersecurity leadership for a Texas university system as well as multiple commendations and certifications, McLarty’s commitment to excellence aligns with the national mission to modernize and apply innovations to CAP’s IT infrastructure.
“I am honored and excited to embark on a journey of collaboration with our dedicated volunteers and corporate staff as the national information technology manager,” McLarty said. “Together, we will shape CAP's technological landscape for the future, ensuring excellence in service and mission fulfillment.”
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Artwork Series Continues with 'Baker Fox 5' | |
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Maj. Ron Finger's second series of vintage aircraft artwork — the Silvered Wings Series — continues with this 18th installment of the Bellanca Cruisair 14-12-F3 (1941) “Baker Fox 5.”
Debuting in August 2022 and continuing into 2023, the series features the work and writing of Finger, a volunteer staff member on the Marketing and Communications team who serves as CAP's national artist.
Check out the latest vintage CAP aircraft in this Silvered Wings Series, as posted on CAP.news:
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Bronze-Level Sponsors Announced for Conference | |
NVIS Communications and uAvionix will be two of CAP's bronze-level sponsors for the National Conference Aug. 16-17 in San Antonio. We can't wait to see you there! Have you registered yet? | |
Sponsors and exhibitors are welcome. Gain visibility for your brand while making a meaningful impact on aerospace education, youth development, and emergency services across our nation. | |
CAP Units Invited to Host CyberCamps This Summer | |
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The Air & Space Forces Association is inviting CAP units to host their CyberCamps held during the summer to introduce students to cyber security concepts and prepare them for the AFA’s annual CyberPatriot competition.
The camps are designed around a four-hour day with lecture material, hands-on lab learning, and a mini-competition. The standard camp is for those without CyberPatriot experience, and the advanced camp is for anyone who has previously participated in CyberPatriot.
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Cadet Programs Looking for YAI Panel Member | |
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National Headquarters is now accepting applications for a Youth Aviation Initiative (YAI) panel member. The deadline for applying is June 30.
Details and the desired requirements for this position as well as other national volunteer staff positions are available here.
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For more information, go to Operation Pulse Lift's new 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. | |
CAP Marketing & Strategic Communications
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