449 CAP Cadet Teams Participating This Year
Nearly 450 Civil Air Patrol cadet teams across the U.S. put their cybersecurity skills to the test Oct. 22-24 in Round 1 of CyberPatriot XIV — the 14th edition of the Air Force Association’s National Youth Cyber Defense Competition.
In all, 347 CAP teams competed against fellow CAP squadrons, Junior ROTC units and Naval Sea Cadet teams in the All Service Division. Another 102 teams of cadets in middle school competed against other middle school teams.
Each team is guaranteed three rounds of live online competition. The second and third rounds are scheduled for November and December.
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First CLA Class Meeting With Powell Recalled |
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The recent passing of former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell reminds us of a significant photo opportunity in Civil Air Patrol history. Then-Secretary Powell met with the Civic Leadership Academy cadets in 2004 in the State Department’s Treaty Room.
Cadet Cols. Tara Guthrie (left in top photo) and Sharon Weeks (center) were among the cadets who had the chance to meet him. Amy Courter (then a colonel, later major general as national commander) was the CLA activity director. She is in both photos. CAP's director of Cadet Programs, Curt LaFond (top photo far right behind Powell), is pictured as well.
“This was CLA’s inaugural year,” LaFond said. “The 24 cadets had been seated in the Treaty Room, waiting for Secretary Powell. He entered, seemed pleasantly surprised and (by my memory) remarked quietly, ‘Oh, Civil Air Patrol cadets,’ as if he had forgotten the purpose of the photo op but then felt joy at seeing sharp young people in uniform. ‘At ease,’ he said. At that moment, about half the cadets began to sit down. Ever the military man, Powell corrected the cadets, “I said ‘at ease,’ not ‘seats.’”
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Guertin's Civil Air Patrol Contributions Continue |
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Carolyn A. Guertin made an impact on the brand-new Civil Air Patrol the day she joined, then served the organization and led by example until her death last year. She’s still making a lasting impact by leaving substantial gifts that will benefit future generations.
Guertin died Aug. 8, 2020, just over a month after turning 92 on June 29. She left two gifts to CAP totaling $100,000.
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Nelson Assumes Massachusetts Wing Command |
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Col. Tim Nelson is the new commander of the Massachusetts Wing, succeeding Col. John S. Flaherty.
A member of Civil Air Patrol since joining the Westover Composite Squadron in September 1991, Nelson served as the wing’s director of safety from November 2009-November 2013 and then as director of operations from November 2013 until assuming command earlier this month.
He is a CAP senior incident commander, a command pilot with more than 6,000 flight hours, a mission pilot, a mission check pilot and a cadet orientation pilot.
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Disability No Obstacle to Minnesota Wing Member |
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Civil Air Patrol recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month with a profile of 1st Lt. Matthew Stepaniak, who has overcome his physical challenges to serve as a Minnesota Wing squadron communications officer.
Stepaniak (front right in photo) joined the Minnesota Wing in 2001. In 2015, he was recognized with the Robert Dunbar Memorial Award, given by the wing to “an individual who has expanded the capability of the Minnesota Wing communication field through their efforts and technical expertise.”
“Efforts and technical expertise” define Stepaniak, who was born with cerebral palsy but didn’t let that disorder define him. Now 48, he serves as assistant communications officer for the Viking Composite Squadron.
When he began volunteering with CAP, Stepaniak not only found a new outlet for his expertise, he also gained a whole new set of friends and colleagues who have proved to be more than just co-workers.
“They’ve served me like you wouldn’t believe,” he said.
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CAP Wings Support Armed Services Blood Program
Members from the Colorado and Texas wings completed their 10th Blood Donor Center (BDC) mission over the weekend in support of the Armed Services Blood Program in the past five months.
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On Saturday, 11 members from the Texas Wing's Alamo Composite Squadron (10 of whom are pictured here) assisted again in the collection of 167 units of blood at Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland). The BDC mission was the eighth such event held at the base.
To date, CAP has assisted in the collection of nearly 2,000 units of blood at these Air Force BDCs — some of which have gone directly to caring for wounded from the recent Kabul Airport explosion. Any wing interested in supporting the Armed Services Blood Program, please contact pulselift@capnhq.gov. |
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Seniors Needed to Help Cadets Access Flight Training |
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America desperately needs pilots and aerospace professionals. Has your squadron identified a cadet you want selected for flight training? You can help by becoming a Ray Navigator.
Thanks to $330,000 in additional funding from the Ray Foundation more scholarships are now open to cadets, but they need you to apply to help them. To access the funding, they need you to be their Ray Navigator. No flight experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and an encouraging nature.
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Timeline Flight Series Leads Up to CAP Anniversary |
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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 National Historian Col. Frank Blazich 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. Here is the 13th installment, as seen on CAP.news. Others will be posted every five days.
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Last Chance to Register for Region Command Seminar |
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Only a couple of weeks remain to register for a virtual “Leadership Development for Region Command” seminar hosted by CAP's Mentoring Program.
The seminar, set for Nov. 6 and 13, will provide information to members interested in being a Region Commander. Each will consist of a variety of topics important to the success of serving in the position, including Region and National Headquarters department interactions. Several topics will be eligible for Volunteer University Level IV and Level V module credit.
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Send Us Your History Photos for Anniversary Celebration |
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National Headquarters is looking for your Civil Air Patrol photos from the past as part of the celebration of CAP's 80th anniversary.
Share your CAP pictures from long ago and recent history along with notes describing the photos. Your contributions may be published in connection with the anniversary.
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Duplicate Member Cards? No Worry; Problem Fixed |
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You may receive more than one membership card if you joined or renewed in September or October. A glitch in the program caused repeat orders, but it has been fixed. You may continue to receive additional cards if they were ordered before the fix.
A few members have expressed interest in the QR code and numbers on the card's bottom right. It’s simply a way for the card manufacturer to match the cards with the card carriers preprinted with the mailing addresses. For questions or concerns, please contact membershipservices@capnhq.gov.
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The Texas Wing earned its spot in “This Week in CAP History” in 1951.
Just a few years after the end of World War II, the wing was preparing for future missions through CAP training programs. Members of the wing's Austin Squadron worked with rescue members of the U.S. Air Force at San Marcos Air Force Base, demonstrating a commitment to emergency services and readiness.
Read more about the training in this story in the Austin American-Statesman.
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This Week's Top Headlines |
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“1st Space Brigade Family Member Wins Youth Award”
(Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.)
“Volunteer Radar Analysts Played Key Role in Finding Crash Survivor”
(Salt Lake City, Utah)
“NAFI Inducts Legendary Instructors into Hall of Fame”
(Las Vegas, Nev.)
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