Two members from the aircrew of CAP Flight 3131 — Lt. Cols. Warren Ratis and Andrew Feldman — remember their historic mission on Sept. 12, 2001, over the site of the World Trade Center.
The New York Wing crew's CAP aircraft was the only civilian plane allowed to fly over Ground Zero the day after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to document and photograph the damage. The photos helped federal and state leaders grasp the scope of the disaster and start planning their rescue and recovery efforts.
Ratis and Feldman were interviewed by Cadet Lt. Col. Sahil Swali of the New York Wing, who produced the video.
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Aircraft Commemorate 9/11 with U.S. Flags |
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Members of the California Wing’s South Coast Group 7 commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by carrying U.S. flags aloft during a weekend search and rescue training exercise at Fullerton Municipal Airport.
Incident commander for the exercise was Col. Jon Stokes, who started the tradition of carrying flags in California Wing aircraft on Sept. 11 in 2014 when he was wing commander. Stokes said he saw the Fullerton exercise as the perfect opportunity to continue the tradition and to acknowledge CAP’s role in the aftermath of the attacks 20 years ago.
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Two recent media stories with CAP connections: |
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La. Wing's Aerial Photo Count Exceeds 100K |
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As of Sept. 12, aircrews from Civil Air Patrol's Louisiana Wing have provided 103,268 high-resolution photos consuming 5,170.8 gigapixels to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in their efforts to assess Hurricane Ida's impact.
Their mission is about 85% complete, but the wing is on a weather stand down for the next four days as Hurricane Nicholas poses a threat to the northern Gulf Coast.
The New Jersey Wing, meanwhile, is assisting the American Red Cross with Hurricane Ida damage assessments in the Garden State. That mission, consisting of ground photos, is expected to last for the next 5-7 days.
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Operation Pulse Lift Nears 6,000-Unit Goal |
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Now in its 541st day of support to the nation during the COVID-19 crisis, Civil Air Patrol's Operation Pulse Lift reports the collection of 5,842 units of blood, which was confirmed in a recent audit by the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross estimates each unit of blood donated through CAP has the potential to save three lives. That translates to 17,526 saved lives at this point. “This is more lives potentially saved than all combined CAP missions in our 80-year history,” said Lt. Col. Bob Ditch, director of Operation Pulse Lift, who announced the results of the Red Cross audit.
The 5,842 units of blood collected by CAP also puts Operation Pulse Lift at 97% of its goal of 6,000 units of blood by Oct. 1.
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Morris Takes Command of Southwest Region |
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Col. Martha C. Morris assumed command of the Southwest Region from Col. Joe R. Smith in a virtual ceremony Aug. 28, with the participants attending via Zoom from Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Maj. Gen. Mark Smith joined from his home in New Mexico just two days after relinquishing the position of Civil Air Patrol national commander to Maj. Gen. Ed Phelka. He said Morris, who commanded the Arizona Wing from 2016-2020, was chosen from a deep and highly qualified pool of candidates seeking to lead the Southwest Region.
“Col. Morris’ tenure as wing commander was highly successful, with the wing garnering high praise for its performance and mission execution in its inspections,” Smith said.
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N.Y. Cadet Earns 'Wings' Through CAP Program |
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Cadet Capt. Calvin Przybysz of the New York Wing recently became the 127th cadet to earn his private pilot certificate through CAP's Air Force-funded Cadet Wings program.
Przybysz, a member of the Dunkirk Composite Squadron in Fredonia, received his certificate on Aug. 25. With him is his instructor, Lester Zook.
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The mask icon is used in the photo above as a visual cue to explain any perceived deviation from COVID-19 safety protocol(s). The icon is used on images captured prior to the pandemic or for images captured in an area where masks are currently not required for vaccinated individuals. |
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CAP Supports Wind Farm Radar Impact Study |
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The South Dakota Wing conducted nine flights Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in support of the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s 2021 Field Test and Evaluation radar coverage study in proximity to wind turbines.
The flights allowed CAP to assess whether wind turbine interference limited radar coverage of small aircraft.
Aircrews supporting NORAD’s Homeland Defense mission conducted multiple flight patterns at varying altitudes in the vicinity of wind farms in South Dakota and Minnesota.
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Squadron Leaders Show Up to Help
After House Fire
Three days after fire damaged the home of three members of the Texas Wing's Abilene Composite Squadron, a pair of fellow squadron members stepped in and joined in rebuilding from the fire.
Lt. Col. Jed Taylor (pictured), commander, and Master Sgt. Will Holloway, officer for cadet activities and for safety, helped assess the damage and then created a plan to remove the dangerously charred load-bearing structures and reinstall the doors, a new header and a window.
First Lt. Nita Light was extremely thankful for the help. She said she joined Civil Air Patrol because of the organization’s family-like atmosphere and how members come together to help each other.
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Attention Federal Employees: Support CAP Through the Combined Federal Campaign
The Combined Federal Campaign, or CFC, is a convenient way for federal employees, postal employees and military personnel to support Civil Air Patrol through contributions.
The campaign is open through Jan. 15. Consider supporting CAP CFC#24876.
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Funds Available to Members Affected by Nicholas
As we work together as One CAP to support and assist our fellow Americans following yet another tropical storm, Hurricane Nicholas, we must also never forget about our own — the needs of Civil Air Patrol members affected by natural disaster and national emergencies.
The CAP Response Fund was created to assist members who need help in times of crisis. The fund is also open to squadrons in need of assistance during recovery.
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Check Out CAP's New Timeline Flight Series |
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With the approach of Civil Air Patrol's 80th anniversary Dec.1, Maj. Ronald C. Finger of the Minnesota Wing's Crow Wing Composite Squadron worked with Col. Frank Blazich of the Col. Louisa S. Morse Center for Civil Air Patrol History on a special project — to create “Timeline Flight” paintings showcasing some of the wide variety of CAP aircraft flown over the years.
The 21 aircraft selected span the Coastal Patrol days of World War II, the postwar years and finally the aircraft CAP aircrews fly today. This is the fourth installment, as seen on CAP.news. Others will be posted every four days.
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Civil Air Patrol's Idaho Wing is featured in “This Week in CAP History.”
Five days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, American airspace was mostly closed to traffic, but the Idaho Wing transported blood products around the western U.S. on behalf of the American Red Cross in order to save lives. Many people know of our aerial photography missions after 9/11, but did you know CAP saved more lives through our blood transport?
Read more about this mission in the South Idaho Press.
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This Week's Top Headlines |
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“Profiles of Inspiration4: Sian Proctor to Fulfill Her Dream to Fly into Space”
(Kennedy Space Center, Florida)
“Sen. Borrello Appointed a Major in Civil Air Patrol”
(Olean, New York)
“Missing Mariner Grenz Found Off O'ahu”
(Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai, Hawaii)
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