Aircrews Flying Over Flooded East Kentucky

Civil Air Patrol aircrews from Kentucky and Tennessee continue to take to the skies to assist the Kentucky National Guard and Kentucky Emergency Management with search and rescue operations because of the extreme flooding in eastern Kentucky.

Aircrews have been circling high over affected areas this weekend to provide critical communications support to the Kentucky Air National Guard. In addition, Civil Air Patrol members have provided support at Kentucky Emergency Management’s Emergency Operations Center.

CAP photography flights are also planned to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Kentucky Emergency Management with disaster recovery and damage assessment.

Check out these media reports on Civil Air Patrol's response in the wake of the flooding in eastern Kentucky:

Six Cadets Make CAP Flight Training History

It’s a Civil Air Patrol first. All six cadets attending the CAP in-residence Advanced Flight Training Academy in Columbus, Indiana, in July completed their FAA check rides — earning their private pilot certificates and becoming the 164th-169th cadets to graduate from the Air Force-funded Cadet Wings program.

“I am impressed with the effort and attention it took to make this year's academy a monumental success," said Margarita Mesones, CAP's cadet aviation career activities manager. “Big congratulations to this group of new minted private pilots and staff that made it possible."

Led by Cadet Capt. Gabriella Pfang (#164), seen above with her flight instructor, Capt. Dan Ahern, others from the academy to receive certificates last week were Cadet Capt. Rachel Smith (#165), Cadet Lt. Col. Estelle Roche (#166), Cadet Lt. Col. Oliver Hewitt-Qualls (#167), Cadet 1st Lt. Claire Gerber (#168), and Cadet Col. Ethan Wegner (#169).

Generals Gather With CAP Cadets at Oshkosh

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. (above with CAP Brig. Gen. Regena Aye, standing right) was one of three generals visiting the National Blue Beret compound at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh last week.

“The cadets enjoyed asking the generals questions about their careers and leadership,” said Aye, CAP's national vice commander.

Brown took time to visit with the cadets July 30 to learn about the Blue Beret mission. He also discussed his role as the 22nd Air Force chief of staff and the first African-American to lead any branch of the armed forces.

Also spending time with the cadets at Oshkosh were Gens. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, commander of U.S. Transportation Command, and Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command. Van Ovost talked about her year of service as a Florida Wing cadet and mentioned CAP in her remarks at AirVenture's Women in Aviation breakfast.

“We were pleased to welcome Gen. Van Ovost, Gen. Minihan, and Gen. Brown to National Blue Beret,” Aye said. “It was a delight to see this diverse group of leaders engage with and inspire our cadets.”

About 100 youth and adult staff from across America participated in Blue Beret, one of CAP's signature summer cadet activities. Their support during this year's air show is chronicled in this article from the CBS affiliate in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Member Honored for Lifesaving Acts 9 Years Apart

A member of the Wisconsin Wing’s Walworth County Composite Squadron is being recognized for a second lifesaving feat in nine years.

In February 2020, Lt. Col. Lisa Amburgey (right) came to the aid of a woman choking in their Delevan apartment complex day room. Amburgey first executed the Heimlich maneuver, then began rescue breathing while also calling 911 at the same time, which brought local paramedics to the scene.

The Delavan Fire Department plans an award ceremony for Amburgey in the fall — recognition delayed until now because of pandemic-related restrictions.

Similarly, her fellow Walworth County squadron members recently saluted her for her four decades in Civil Air Patrol, more than two years after her four-decade anniversary in February 1980, as well as for her lifesaving accomplishments.

CAP Cadets Excel in Scientific Growing Challenge

Cadets from the Maryland Wing’s Mount Airy Composite Squadron (at left) won the high school division of the Fairchild Growing Beyond Earth Maker Challenge with their presentation on autonomous robotic planting and harvesting.

The challenge, now in its third year, stems from Miami-based Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s partnership with NASA scientists and engineers to develop food production technologies for long-duration space travel.

286 Members Participate in NESA This Summer

CAP members are continuing to enjoy numerous summer activities all across the nation. One of the largest is the National Emergency Services Academy (NESA), held again this year at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Indiana, from June 18-July 2.

In all, 286 cadets and senior members from across the country participated, 211 the first week and 204 the second week. (Many members spend two weeks attending multiple courses). Participants earned emergency services qualifications they will use back in their home wings.

Attendees took 37 courses during the two weeks providing opportunities for members to train in virtually all CAP mission qualifications at all levels from introductory courses for relatively new members to advanced training for experienced members. They also learned core requirements needed to perform CAP mission duties and trained on new tools like fixed-wing sUAS and ortho mapping using the WaldoAir XCAM Ultra 50s.

NHQ News

AE's High-Altitude Balloon Challenge Launches Aug. 13. Will You Be Watching?

Civil Air Patrol’s second annual High-Altitude Balloon Challenge for CAP cadets will take to the skies Aug. 13 in central Indiana. Teams from 172 squadrons from all eight CAP regions have been planning and submitting their test experiments, which will ascend to the edge of space as part of payloads attached to high-altitude balloons.

The launch event (rescheduled from Aug. 6 due to weather issues) will be livestreamed by Capt. Bob Roberts, HAB Challenge project director and South Carolina Wing director of aerospace education. Col. Joe Kittinger, HAB Challenge ambassador, will be viewing the event and providing commentary from Orlando with Florida Wing cadets.

The Indiana Wing will be conducting an on-site search and rescue exercise to track and retrieve the payloads as a part of this program’s intent to combine all three CAP missions into one exciting STEM challenge for the cadets.

Squadrons, schools, and families across the country will be holding watch parties to view the launch activities in real time. Livestreaming is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. EDT Aug. 13. The direct link to the live-streamed event is https://youtu.be/soL5HH_0Pw4.

Plan your own watch party now — even if your squadron is not a part of the challenge this year. If any squadron involved in challenge would like to go on screen and cheer the soaring experiments during the event, email the HAB Challenge team at HAB@capnhq.gov with your team’s watch party plans. and perhaps you'll see yourselves on the live feed!

August is National Make-a-Will Month

August is National Make-a-Will Month — the perfect opportunity to use your will to make your mark on the people and causes you care about.

CAP has partnered with FreeWill so our members can complete this important life task with ease. This self-help estate planning resource from FreeWill guides you through the process of writing your legal will online in 20 minutes or less.

You Can Join the Semper Vigilans Society

When you include Civil Air Patrol in your estate plans, you will be eligible to join the Semper Vigilans Society. The society was established in 2020 to recognize supporters who have made provisions for CAP in their estate plans. These planned gifts ensure CAP is always ready for the future.

This Week's Top Headlines

“Young Eagles Program Changes Lives”

-EAA.org

“Wreaths Across America National Tour Comes to Hood River”

-ColumbiaGorgeNews.com

“Huntsville Civil Air Patrol Cadets Place Second in National Drone Competition”

-MSN.com

Tweet of the Week @Civil Air Patrol

Insta Photo of the Week #Civil Air Patrol

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.