National Capital Wing, Civil Air Patrol - "Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond"

170 Cadets from 8 Civil Air Patrol wings learn the basics

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:46:28 -0700

Cadets offload from a Chinook after an orientation flight at Warfield Air National Guard Base. Photo by Cadet 2nd Lt. Melissa Weinhold

REISTERSTOWN, Md. — On a sunny Sunday morning in the beginning of July, 170 basic cadets passed in review in front of their parents and distinguished guests at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation, graduating from the 2011 Tri-Wing Encampment. This ten-day training exercise, held jointly by Civil Air Patrol’s Maryland, Delaware and National Capital wings, which occurs each summer at Camp Fretterd.

Civil Air Patrol encampments are designed to provide members the opportunity to develop leadership potential, time management skills, discipline, and interpersonal skills while learning how to overcome challenges.

Cadets honor nation’s fallen law enforcement officers

admin — Wed, 25 May 2011 10:25:17 -0700

From left to right: Cadet Senior Airmen Lily Ramey and Abby Steinberger, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Ryan Lucas, and Cadet Senior Airman Ryan McFadden render honors at the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial May 15. Photo by 2nd Lt. Lisa McFadden

WASHINGTON — In a time where our beloved troops are away from home, operating on foreign battlefields, it is regrettably easy to forget those entrusted with ensuring that our communities here at home are safe. But this is not true for the Civil Air Patrol cadets of Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron based at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C.

Northrop Grumman recognizes volunteers, donates $5,000 to CAP

admin — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:37:11 -0700

From left to right: Lt. Col. Mark H. Bailey, Northrop Grumman facility engineer and National Capital Wing director of operations; Col. Richard J. Cooper, Jr., commander of Civil Air Patrol’s National Capital Wing; and Donald J. Blanchard, P.E., director of Engineering, Manufacturing and Systems Support, Northrop Grumman Technical Services. Photo by John Scanlon, Northrop Grumman

ARLINGTON, Va. — In April Northrop Grumman Corp. launched an employee volunteer recognition program to highlight volunteerism at its best. Civil Air Patrol volunteer Lt. Col. Mark Bailey, a facility engineer with Northrop Grumman Technical Services, received the "Excellence in Volunteerism" award in a ceremony Oct. 27.

CAP presents Colors at high school football game

admin — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 12:53:42 -0700

CAP Cadets Tech. Sgt. Ryan Lucas, Sr. Airmen Eric Epps and Caitlin Lucas, and Airman Ryan McFadden present the Colors at Bishop Ireton High School Oct. 9. Photo by Cadet Airman Lily Ramey

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Civil Air Patrol cadets from Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron presented the United States and high school flags during the national anthem prior to the Bishop Ireton High School varsity football game Oct. 9.

“The pre-opening kick-off ceremony was near-flawless, showing the crowd the teamwork and capability of the cadet color guard,” said Capt. Steven Lucas, Challenger 1 squadron commander. “Their professionalism and military bearing was beyond reproach.”

Air Force mentors take local CAP cadets under wing

admin — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:14:35 -0700

CAP Cadet Staff Sgt. Ryan Lucas, left, listens intently to Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Beverly Miller go over the duties and responsibilities of a first sergeant. Lucas serves as his squadron’s cadet first sergeant. Photo by Capt. Steven Lucas

BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, D.C. — Young cadets from Civil Air Patrol’s Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron have been working closely with their Air Force mentors around town. And they are getting a first-hand look into active-duty life –learning along the way.

Cadet flies solo at 16

natcapwg — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:49:13 -0700

Cadet 2nd Lt. Michael Poussard returns from his first solo flight April 6. Photo by Lt. Col. Mark Bailey

MANASSAS, Va. — Civil Air Patrol Cadet 2nd Lt. Michael Poussard of Fairfax Composite Squadron officially soloed in a Cessna 172 aircraft on his 16th birthday flying from Manassas Regional Airport. He is pursuing his private pilot certification through CAP’s National Capital Wing.

“As each student progresses at his own pace, an exact solo date can be hard to specify and the weather is always an impacting factor,” said Lt. Col. Mark Bailey, NatCap Wing director of operations. “All those elements came together for Cadet Poussard enabling him to solo a powered aircraft on his 16th birthday before he was even licensed to drive [a car].“

Congress focuses on Civil Air Patrol missions

natcapwg — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:28:07 -0800

WASHINGTON — During CAP’s 2010 Legislative Day on Feb. 25, the organization’s 52 wing and eight region commanders, as well as youth involved in the cadet program, will personally brief their congressional representatives in Washington, D.C., on how CAP’s primary missions – emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs – have made a difference in their communities during fiscal year 2009.

“Our legislators, and the citizens they represent, are CAP’s stakeholders,” said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter. “We want them to know what an incredible job CAP volunteers are doing in their communities both in the air and on the ground.”

NatCap Wing digs out after snowpocalypse!

natcapwg — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:23:52 -0800

Civil Air Patrol volunteers dig out National Capital Wing’s aircraft fleet Feb. 13 after record-breaking snowfall hit the D.C. metro area. Photo by Maj. Paul Cianciolo

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Civil Air Patrol’s entire National Capital Wing was grounded for a week after back-to-back snow storms buried its aircraft fleet in more than two feet of snow. Most of the nation’s capital, including the federal government, was shut down due to record-breaking snowfall.

On Saturday, more than 25 CAP members from around the metro area brought snow shovels from home to dig out the wing’s three Cessna aircraft and clear a path to the taxiway. The Army airfield, which is where the wing’s aircraft are based, has been closed the past week due to snow. The wing will attempt to conduct a search and rescue exercise out of Davison Army Airfield Feb. 20.

Volunteers make first aid kits for MLK Day

natcapwg — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:57:12 -0800

1st Lt. Rhoda Wharton, Andrews Composite Squadron deputy commander for seniors, organizes completed first aid kits after volunteers finish assembling them. Photo by Maj. Paul Cianciolo

WASHINGTON — In partnership with Greater DC Cares, volunteers from around the region came together for the Martin Luther King Day of Service Jan. 18. More than 250 people came out to support the Civil Air Patrol, DC Central Kitchen and other nonprofits for kit making.

Volunteers assembled approximately 900 personal first aid kits for use by CAP’s National Capital Wing. The kits used the standard items required for CAP Ground Teams – search and rescue teams. Kit inserts were printed and donated by The UPS Store in Del Ray (Alexandria). NatCap Wing and Greater DC Cares purchased the supplies.

Civil Air Patrol celebrating 68th anniversary

natcapwg — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:40:44 -0800

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. — The 58,000 citizen volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol will mark CAP’s 68th anniversary on Dec. 1. The celebration commemorates the rich history of vigilant service provided by the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force over the past seven decades.

The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization was founded on Dec. 1, 1941, less than a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor led to America’s involvement in World War II. Its members soon proved their worth by conducting aerial patrols, vigilance that discouraged and eventually stopped deadly German U-boat attacks on shipping in American waterways. Fifty-nine heroic members died; 26 were lost at sea; and seven others were seriously injured while carrying out CAP missions during the war.