Geospatial Program Team Captures JanEX Prize, AFNORTH Commander's Award | |
A leading-edge technology that has transformed Civil Air Patrol into the world’s largest volunteer geospatial emergency management agency has earned a five-member team gold-level recognition in CAP’s inaugural Maj. Gen. Mark Smith JanEX Prize competition.
The award, announced Aug. 27 at the CAP National Conference in Louisville, went to (from left) Capt. Scott Kaplan of the Virginia Wing, Lt. Col. Brian Cuce of the Pennsylvania Wing, Maj. Mike Zabetakis and Capt. Cole Brown of the Maryland Wing, and 2nd Lt. Oliwia Baney of the California Wing, all of whom joined to create the Geospatial Center of Excellence.
The team was also honored by the U.S. Air Force’s Northern Command for its response following Hurricane Ida in 2021. Kaplan, on behalf of the team, received the AFNORTH Commander's Award on the first day of the conference.
| Project Mercury Training Slots Open for CAP | |
The National Conference’s innovation keynote speaker, Dr. Jeff DeGraff, announced that the Project Mercury team is offering training slots for Civil Air Patrol in their upcoming cohorts.
Project Mercury is a 12-week innovation course offered in partnership between Air University and the Innovatrium. Program graduates earn an innovation leader certification, issued by the University of Michigan.
The program is designed to give participants experience with DeGraff’s prismatic thinking and the constructive tension of diverse teams. If you enjoyed his keynote speech, this is a great opportunity to learn more about how to apply it in the real world. It’s conducted online and includes both academic and team project work.
The next available cohort will start after the holidays. If you or anyone on your staff are interested in learning more, please contact the JanEX Innovation Team.
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Senior Member, Cadet, Teacher, Squadron Top National Award Winners Honors List | |
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Col. Michael Vorachek of the Idaho Wing and Cadet Col. Jenna M. Jones of the Colorado Wing were recognized at the National Conference as CAP’s Senior Member of the Year and Cadet of the Year, respectively.
Jones and Vorachek were joined in the conference spotlight by CAP’s Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year, Lt. Col. Dennis J. Borgerding of the Virginia Wing, and Maj. Luis A. Lebron, commander of the Squadron of Distinction — the Puerto Rico Wing’s Muñiz Air National Guard Base Cadet Squadron.
Twenty-five other CAP members were also recognized with national awards at the conference, all for their volunteer efforts in 2021.
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Navy Taps CAP Cadet to Pursue Flight Dream | |
While some high school students spent their summer break working as lifeguards or hanging out with friends, Cadet Airman 1st Class Xitlali Vazquez (above) of the Arizona Wing took on a more challenging opportunity.
The Deer Valley Composite Squadron cadet, who also participates in the Junior ROTC program in her high school, completed an intensive eight-week U.S. Navy Summer Flight Academy aviation program at Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
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New Cadet Wings Flyers Discuss Their Experiences | |
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Eight cadets from the Arkansas, California, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina wings recently earned their private pilot certificates through the Civil Air Patrol Youth Aviation Initiative's Cadet Wings program.
Cadets receiving their certificates included Cadet Lt. Col. Katherine McKinney, seen at left with Jeremy Lashbrook, her designated pilot examiner, and Cadet 2nd Lt. Luke Both (top photo). McKinney, Both, and other Cadet Wings graduates discuss their experiences in these two question-and-answer articles posted recently on CAP.news:
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Overseas Squadron Brothers Receive Orientation Ride
A pair of cadets from Civil Air Patrol’s overseas Okinawa Cadet Squadron received their first orientation flights in July after three years of membership, courtesy of the Iowa Wing’s Cedar Rapids Composite Squadron.
Brothers Jackson Coberley (left), a cadet chief master sergeant, and Carson Coberley, a cadet master sergeant, joined the Okinawa squadron in July 2019. Until this summer, they’d never had the opportunity of an orientation flight.
That changed during a pandemic-delayed summer visit to family in Iowa. The brothers were able to participate in the neighboring Missouri Wing's encampment and finally receive orientation rides in a CAP plane.
“I am grateful to have had such an exciting opportunity,” Jackson Coberley said. “It has further fueled my desire to become a pilot, and I will never forget this experience!”
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Eisman, Zapanta to Lead Cadet Advisory Council | |
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Cadet Lt. Cols. Cooper Eisman (left) and Rodrick-Josh Zapanta of the New Jersey Wing are the National Cadet Advisory Council’s new chair and vice chair, respectively, having been appointed by Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, Civil Air Patrol national commander and CEO.
Eisman is a member of the Colorado Wing's Valkyrie Cadet Squadron while Zapanta is a member of the New Jersey Wing's Atlantic County Composite Squadron.
The appointments are for the NCAC's 2022-2023 term.
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TOP Flights: Puerto Rico Teachers Ride With Wing | |
Eighteen teachers from public and private schools across Puerto Rico took to the skies Aug. 20 from Mercedita International Airport in Ponce as passengers on the Civil Air Patrol aerospace education program’s Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) Flights.
The TOP Flight program is designed to expose CAP’s educator members to the excitement of flight in a CAP plane, which they can share with their classrooms in presenting lessons related to the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).
Virgen Gómez, teacher at Eugenio LeCompte Benítez Middle School in Ponce, called her flight “a unique and exceptional experience. It was extremely enriching, and I will certainly be implementing what I learned with my students. I hope that my students can have the same experience soon.”
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New Aircraft Artwork Series Underway | |
The popularity of Maj. Ronald C. Finger's “Timeline Flight” paintings leading up to CAP's 80th anniversary has inspired a second series of vintage aircraft artwork — the Silvered Wings Series.
Debuting in August, this series once again features the work of Finger, a national staff member on CAP's Marketing & Strategic Communications team.
Here is the second installment of the Silvered Wings Series, as seen earlier today on CAP.news.
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Youth Development Conference Extension Offers Follow-Up Session on Generation Z | |
Join CAP's Cadet Programs team for an evening with Dr. Meghan Grace, a generational researcher who specializes in Generation Z. In this session, she will help us to learn strategies for educating, empowering and teaching this generation of cadets.
The session will take place virtually. It's free and open to all who would like to gain an understanding of our cadets and their needs.
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If you’d like to check out Grace's last session with us, which was part of the Youth Development Conference in January, click on this link. | |
Combined Federal Campaign Launches | |
The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), overseen by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, is one of the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaigns throughout the country and overseas, raising millions of dollars each year.
Civil Air Patrol is pleased to partner with CFC and continue our shared tradition of service. As we meet the new challenges of 2023 and beyond, CFC pledges make a real and meaningful difference to a countless number of individuals throughout our communities, the nation, and the world.
Join CFC and support CAP now through Jan. 14.
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New Volunteer Staff Positions Announced | |
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Do you have extensive knowledge of Cadet Programs? Do you thoroughly understand the role of director of cadet programs (DCP)? Are you great at mentoring others? We are looking for you!
The National Cadet Team is in search of a highly experienced cadet programs officer to join the leadership team and serve as its DCP Development Coordinator. The team is accepting applications for this volunteer position through Sept. 27.
CAP's Education and Training program also is seeking help and accepting applications for a Mentoring Database Manager through Sept. 23. The position will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a database for all accepted mentors and mentees.
Please visit this link for more information on open national staff positions.
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This Week's Top Headlines | |
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“Iredell Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol Trains to Serve In Emergencies”
-Statesville.com
“CAP Holds Annual Aerospace Education Day in Onida”
-PublicNow.com
“Colorado Springs JROTC Cadets Earn Their Pilot's Wings”
-Gazette.com
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Every unit of blood collected through the combined efforts of CAP volunteers saves three lives, according to the Red Cross. During the pandemic response, Operation Pulse Lift has collected this number of units: | |
Operation Pulse Lift's new stretch goal for the beginning of the fiscal year, Oct. 1, is 15,000 units, with a 2022 year-end goal of 16,667. | |
CAP Marketing & Strategic Communications
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