CAP Commander Delivers Holiday Message
National Commander Maj. Gen. Mark Smith delivered his December holiday message to CAP membership recently via social media. Smith thanked the members for their diligence in supporting the national response to the novel coronavirus.

In the context of Civil Air Patrol, we as an organization proved relevant, yet again, in meeting the needs of our nation,he said. Our most remarkable organization provided boots on the ground and wheels-up service to our communities, states and nation in response to coronavirus and natural disasters.

Smith also looked ahead to the new year, in regards to the ongoing pandemic as well as CAP's future operations. I believe that Civil Air Patrol will continue to be relevant and make a difference, thanks in large part to our exceptional people, he said. And I believe that I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to serve with you and to serve you as your Chief Executive Officer and National Commander.
S.D. Wing Conducts 1st Vaccine Delivery Flight
The South Dakota Wing delivered Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 15 to Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown on behalf of the South Dakota Department of Health.

At the Health Department's request, the wing is flying the vaccine to certain smaller communities in the state without regular air service. Other wing members will assist with mission planning and logistical support.

Making the inaugural delivery flight were (in photo, from left) Lt. Col. Jeremy Langrock, Maj. Karla West and Capt. Matt Meert, mission pilot. 

"This is truly a turning point in the battle against COVID-19,” said Col. Nick Gengler, wing commander. “Our professional volunteers stepped up today to provide a service to the local communities. We will continue to be of service and look forward to ways we can continue to contribute."

CAP is assisting with vaccine distribution in its role as the U.S. Air Force auxiliary, part of the Air Force Total Force. In addition to South Dakota Wing, CAP's Great Lakes Region and the Wisconsin Wing will soon conduct similar missions.
Air University Press
Publishes New CAP WWII History Book

Col. Frank A. Blazich Jr., former CAP National Historian, has spent years researching and compiling records of CAP's short-lived but influential coastal patrol operations of World War II, which he synthesizes into the first scholarly monograph that cements the legacy of the unique wartime civil-military cooperative effort.

The 258-page book, An Honorable Place in American Air Power: Civil Air Coastal Patrol Operations, 1942-1943, was recently published online by Air University Press and is available for download.

The book will be available in print form around January-February and can be ordered from the AU Press bookstore. Print copies of AU Press publications are available at no cost to active-duty and retired military and other Total Force members, including those in CAP, as well as libraries, research centers and Department of Defense personnel and organizations. To order print publications, email AirUniversityPress@au.af.edu or call 334-953-2773 (DSN 493). Please refer to the AU Press code number at the end of the full publication synopsis (e.g., B-155, CPP-2, AU-2).

Blazich, who has a doctorate in history from Ohio State, is a curator of modern military history at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. He also serves in a volunteer capacity as the director of the Col. Louisa S. Morse Center for Civil Air Patrol History. He was CAP national historian from April 2013-March 2018.
Operation Pulse Lift Adds 32 Donors With Challenge
A special nationwide 42nd Blood Donation Event Challenge for all CAP units, issued by the Arizona Wing, has resulted in 32 units collected during its first week.

National Headquarters employees as well as volunteers from 13 CAP wings have donated. The California Wing leads the way with six units of blood, while NHQ and the New York Wing donated four units and three units, respectively. The Arizona, Alabama, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico and North Carolina wings gave two units each, while Florida, Texas and Washington wings donated one apiece.

To participate in the challenge, go to your nearest blood donation event hosted by the American Red Cross and participate in the holiday gift that keeps on giving. Your contributions throughout the month of December will be counted as part of CAP's Operation Pulse Lift Blood Donation Program.

Go to Schedule Your Blood Donation With The Red Cross (redcrossblood.org)  to find a nearby donor center and then let rditch@cap.gov know when you or your family members give blood between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.
Member's Fire Response Honored with Silver Medal of Valor
A North Carolina Wing member's quick response to a fire near a service station's fuel pumps has been recognized with CAP's Silver Medal of Valor for distinguished and conspicuous heroic action at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of normal duty.

Second Lt. Johnny Click of the Gastonia Composite Squadron was refueling his FedEx Express truck at the Travel America gas station in Richmond Hill, Georgia, while the driver of a pickup pulling a small travel trailer was refueling nearby. When the travel trailer suddenly caught fire, Click immediately reacted by shutting off, disconnecting and removing propane tanks in the trailer. He then helped extinguish the flames and move the trailer away from the pumps.
NHQ News
Air Force Career Presentation Open to CAP Cadets
The U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service is issuing a special invitation to CAP cadets to tune in for a virtual Pathway to Wings Career Presentation on Dec. 21, beginning at 6 p.m. CST.

This is open for our cadets to explore career opportunities with the Air Force, said Wendy Hamilton of National Headquarters' Cadet Programs. We appreciate this invitation from AFRS and encourage cadets who are interested in the Air Force or the military to register for the webinar.

The webinar will feature a question-and-answer segment at the end of the presentation.
Check Out This Air Force Flight Program Opportunity

The AIM HIGH Flight Academy is an Air Force Recruiting Service effort to expose the nation’s youth to a career in aviation. The AIM HIGH Flight Academy chooses students based on their applications, evaluated by AFRS staff. There is no charge for submitting an application, and awarded students’ admissions costs are paid 100% by the AFRS.

AIM HIGH Flight Academy is open to students 16-23 enrolled in either high school or college full-time.

Those interested should fill out this preliminary application. Please note: This program is not managed by CAP. If you choose to apply you are doing so via the AFRS, which may use third party-vendors for application and flight training.

All eligible candidates will be contacted by either their recommending organizations or AFRS Detachment 1 with further direction and information. 
Our Instagram Username Has Changed: Now @CivilAirPatrol
New name. Same great content!

National Headquarters' Marketing & Strategic Communications directorate has updated CAP's Instagram username to @CivilAirPatrol. This update will make it easier for people to find the page.

If you are not following CAP on Instagram, now is the perfect time to do so! Join your 13,500+ friends who have and follow us today @CivilAirPatrol.
This Week's Top Headlines
“National Wreaths Across America Day Scheduled for Dec. 19”

“Pandemic Alters Wreaths Across America at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery”
Tweet of the Week @CivilAirPatrol
Insta Photo of the Week @CivilAirPatrol
No Newsletter Next Week
We will be celebrating Chanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. The next issue of PROPS will be distributed the week of Dec. 27.

Happy Holidays!

CAP Marketing & Strategic Communications
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