News from Civil Air Patrol... Now with 30% more sarcasm and 100% fewer safety briefings.https://auxbeacon.org/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/08/cadets-finally-airborne-after-heroic/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/08/cadets-finally-airborne-after-heroic/A cadet beamed with the unfiltered joy of someone who had just discovered that gravity still works after a 20-minute loop around the Fort Worth traffic pattern. It was a glorious Saturday of controlled mayhem for Civil Air Patrol cadets in North Texas. Thanks to a small army of volunteers…Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/welcome-to-the-civil-air/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/welcome-to-the-civil-air/Welcome to the Civil Air Patrol America 250 series. In a bid to attach ourselves to a national birthday party we had nothing to do with founding, we will be highlighting American hero members and their service leading up to the America 250 celebration. This is the seventh feature of…Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/local-colonel-honored-no-lawn-dart/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/local-colonel-honored-no-lawn-dart/Col. Joe R. Smith of Wichita Falls, Texas, has joined the elite 1 percent of American pilots who have managed to keep their machines in the air for 50 years without the Federal Aviation Administration having to fill out extra paperwork. The agency, apparently running out of more exciting things…Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/cadet-capt-sebastian-vargas-becomes/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/cadet-capt-sebastian-vargas-becomes/McALLEN, Texas — In a triumph that will echo through the annals of teenage aviation history, Civil Air Patrol Cadet Capt. Sebastian Vargas has officially become the 200th Cadet Wings pilot to cash in on a James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship. On June 24, the young warrior successfully completed…Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/pretending-to-march-at-age/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/pretending-to-march-at-age/Susanna Marking, in her role as deputy director for interagency communications for the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026, enjoys the view at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, during a recent World Cup soccer match. Presumably she is applying incident command principles to the crowd in…Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/texan-who-gifted-afghan-alamo-mural/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/texan-who-gifted-afghan-alamo-mural/Welcome to the Civil Air Patrol America 250 series. We highlight American hero members whose service somehow loops back to 250 years of history, even when that history involves leftover Soviet bases and courtyard art. This sixth installment features Lt. Col. Phil Kost of CAP’s Texas Wing. It was 2012.…Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/civil-air-patrol-joins-elite/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/civil-air-patrol-joins-elite/With its new organizational membership in the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF), Civil Air Patrol is strengthening its growing role within the national geospatial information, intelligence, remote sensing, and GIS community. Because flying small planes looking for lost hikers and photographing disaster zones apparently wasn't quite enough staring-at-the-ground-from-above excitement.…Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/unkillable-marine-turned-cap-lifer/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/07/unkillable-marine-turned-cap-lifer/Welcome to the Civil Air Patrol America 250 series, in which we profile members whose idea of a quiet retirement involves more radios, cadets, and emergency management than most people encounter in a lifetime. Fifth installment: Maj. Gary Lewis of the Missouri Wing, a man who treats near-death experiences like…Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/06/from-chips-reruns-to-tourniquet-triumphs/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/06/from-chips-reruns-to-tourniquet-triumphs/Welcome to the Civil Air Patrol America 250 series, where we spotlight members whose lives appear to have been plotted by a committee of overly enthusiastic destiny enthusiasts. This installment features Capt. Angel Figueroa of the New York Wing, a man whose entire existence seems engineered to produce maximum inspirational…Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/06/idaho-teen-named-500th-cadet/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/06/idaho-teen-named-500th-cadet/Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Sydney Otis of the Idaho Wing’s Teton Valley Composite Squadron has become the 500th Civil Air Patrol student to earn her wings, a milestone that officials insist proves America’s aging pilot corps can still be propped up by teenagers who have not yet discovered the joys…Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/05/new-commander-takes-over-cap-usaf/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/05/new-commander-takes-over-cap-usaf/In a ceremony dripping with military pageantry and enough acronyms to fill a phone book, Col. Andrew J. Stewart officially became the 34th Civil Air Patrol-U.S. Air Force commander on April 20 at Maxwell Air Force Base. The event featured the ritual passing of a fancy flagpole from retiring Col.…Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/05/colorado-cadets-brave-the-final/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/05/colorado-cadets-brave-the-final/In a stunning display of what happens when you mix military discipline with simulation software, the Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron’s Wolfpack clawed their way to third place at the Air & Space Forces Association’s National Space Design Competition. The event, held in Denver on April 24, featured 10 teams pretending…Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/05/civil-air-patrol-delivers-aerial-storm-photos/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/05/civil-air-patrol-delivers-aerial-storm-photos/In a dazzling feat of volunteer aviation excess, Civil Air Patrol’s Hawaii Wing transformed a routine Kona Low into an all-island photo marathon, delivering thousands of ultra-crisp images that let bureaucrats count every soggy palm frond from the comfort of their offices. Ground crews sprang into action on March 20,…Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/04/civil-air-patrol-board-of-governors/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/04/civil-air-patrol-board-of-governors/Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost (standing left) and Air Force Brig. Gen. Matthew French (right) tour Civil Air Patrol communications operations at Maxwell Air Force Base as CAP Col. Ross E. Veta (foreground) and others look on, desperately hoping someone remembers to bring coffee. (Photo by Brad…Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/04/civil-air-patrol-cadets-launch-into-space/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/04/civil-air-patrol-cadets-launch-into-space/The Civil Air Patrol has officially joined forces with NASA in a Space Act Agreement so groundbreaking it might just launch the next generation of aerospace overlords, complete with capes and decoder rings. The CAP-NASA Space Act Agreement Under this historic pact, NASA and CAP are teaming up to churn…Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/04/cap-volunteers-rush-to-help-blood-lab/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/04/cap-volunteers-rush-to-help-blood-lab/Col. Amy Myzie (third from left, grinning like she'd just won the lottery) snaps a triumphant selfie with her band of CAP volunteers who heroically descended on the Armed Services Whole Blood Processing Lab-East at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. This daring escapade supercharges Operation Pulse Lift, CAP's never-ending blood-collection crusade, ensuring…Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/04/retired-pilot-zigzag-career/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/04/retired-pilot-zigzag-career/The spirit of endless “talk story” sessions, where memories stretch longer than a sugar cane field, still clings to the Hawaiian Islands and the souls of those who escaped them. Retired airline Capt. Clement Hirae’s winding tale of his Civil Air Patrol days with the long-gone Ka’u Composite Squadron and…Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/04/cap-cadet-overachieves-way-to-west-point/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/04/cap-cadet-overachieves-way-to-west-point/Cadet 2nd Lt. Jason Ludlow has finally secured his golden ticket to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, proving that years of trading video games and sleep for Civil Air Patrol's youth development machine can actually pay off. The Lake George High School senior treated the academy application like…Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/03/civil-air-patrol-cadets-lobby-congress/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/03/civil-air-patrol-cadets-lobby-congress/Nearly 500 eager Civil Air Patrol volunteers descended on Washington, D.C., in late February, armed with nothing but enthusiasm, matching uniforms, and a burning desire to corner every lawmaker within shouting distance. The hybrid National Legislative Day extravaganza let some participants log in from their basements while the boldest ones…Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/03/indiana-commander-reveals-cap-as-homework-avoidance-scheme/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/03/indiana-commander-reveals-cap-as-homework-avoidance-scheme/Col. Griffith as a cadet Having stumbled into Civil Air Patrol as a teenager after her science teacher couldn’t be bothered with Young Astronauts, Col. Griffith now serves as the Indiana Wing commander. Her story reflects how mentorship, service, and leadership opportunities at a young age can shape a lifetime…Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/03/rare-spaatz-award-earned-by-cadet/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/03/rare-spaatz-award-earned-by-cadet/Fewer than one-half of one percent of Civil Air Patrol cadets bother completing the Spaatz Award, which is basically the program's way of saying "congrats on surviving our bureaucratic obstacle course." Since 1964, fewer than 3,000 cadets have endured the ritual, proving most people have better things to do than…Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/03/couple-s-legendary-leadership-odyssey/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/03/couple-s-legendary-leadership-odyssey/For Colonels Ned Lee and Christine "Chris" Lee, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) journey evolved from an ambitious pitch for a next-gen leadership app to a lifelong binge-watch series on the Leadership Channel. With narratives alternating between international action and melodrama, this duo scripted an epic spanning continents and careers…Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/02/sky-ballet-2026-norad-and-cap/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/02/sky-ballet-2026-norad-and-cap/For the 25th consecutive year, the intrepid souls of Civil Air Patrol emboldened the skies alongside NORAD as they embraced the ritualistic choreography of Exercise FELIX HAWK, that bi-annual rom-com featuring the finest in-flight law enforcement routines—a perfect aperitif for the Super Bowl spectacle blossoming amidst the pastoral charm of…Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/02/military-titans-clash-in-epic-battle/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/02/military-titans-clash-in-epic-battle/In January, a hearty gathering of future military leaders from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis convened for an event so crucial, it could only be dubbed the "Blood Bowl." Unlike the fleeting glory of the Army-Navy football game, this matchup held…Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/02/family-soars-to-new-heights/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/02/family-soars-to-new-heights/The Pentagon recently hosted an extravagant ceremony bedecked with medals, fanfare, and orchestras possibly louder than a fleet of landing aircraft, celebrating a father-daughter duo from the Civil Air Patrol. This dynamic duo, not content with typical family bonding activities like fishing or watching TV, decided to aim for the…Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/michael-toedebusch-the-new-messiah/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/michael-toedebusch-the-new-messiah/Decades of Cheese Tasting Position Michael Toedebusch to Lead Snack Spree Statewide After years of enduring the rigorous demands of the cheese sampling circuit, Michael Toedebusch has finally reached the pinnacle of the dairy world: guiding a statewide snack-a-thon. Far removed from simply savoring slices in solitude, he is now…Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/when-nature-throws-a-tantrum/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/when-nature-throws-a-tantrum/Flood Defense Extravaganza: When Only 100 Volunteers Can Save the Day! In a thrilling episode of American disaster management reality TV, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) enacted its vision for a flood response master plan in Washington, counting on none other than the stalwart volunteer brigade—the Civil Air Patrol…Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/air-patrol-honors-wizard/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/air-patrol-honors-wizard/Civil Air Patrol Throws Grand Parade for Pilot Who Miraculously Avoided Crashes for Half a Century In a stunning display of achievements beyond conventional understanding, the Civil Air Patrol has hosted a jaw-dropping celebration for a pilot who has somehow defied the odds and managed to not crash anything for…Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/flyin-high-the-faa-salutes-cardstock-captain/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/flyin-high-the-faa-salutes-cardstock-captain/Award Honors Aviation Instructor Who Supports FAA 'Safety Culture' by Revolutionizing Paper Airplane Designs In an unprecedented accolade reminiscent of a century-old aviation fairytale, an intrepid aviation instructor has soared to new heights in the aviation world—or rather, the paper aviation world. This daring mentor, known in high-flying circles as…Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/heroes-of-havoc-celebrating-the-unsung-masters-of-mayhem/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/heroes-of-havoc-celebrating-the-unsung-masters-of-mayhem/In a Glorious Celebration of Chaos: The International Association of Emergency Mismanagers Bestows Coveted Award In a much-anticipated ceremony that no doubt took years of careful procrastination to organize, the International Association of Emergency Mismanagers (IAEM) has finally recognized the unparalleled art of turning minor inconveniences into full-scale disasters. This…Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/new-york-celebrates-woolfolk/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/new-york-celebrates-woolfolk/Lt. Col. Michael Woolfolk has been affectionately bestowed the tremendous honor of becoming the next supreme commander of the Civil Air Patrol New York Wing, as announced by the venerable organization this week. Civil Air Patrol, for those who haven't already dedicated their lives to memorizing its mission, is a…Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/sen-pody-takes-to-the-skies/https://auxbeacon.org/2026/01/sen-pody-takes-to-the-skies/State Sen. Mark Pody, Esteemed King of Multitasking, has graciously accepted his divine appointment as the supreme leader of the Legislative Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol's elite Tennessee Wing, an organization devoted to, well, doing a lot of things that sound impressive. In what can only be described as…Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/12/heroes-in-the-sky/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/12/heroes-in-the-sky/Aurorasaurus: The Siege of the Space Beacons In a daring adventure of cosmic proportions, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) members bravely engage in the Herculean task of spotting green lights in the sky, all in support of the almighty Aurorasaurus—an ambitious citizen science program determined to give our earthbound lives a…Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/12/future-superheroes-in-training/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/12/future-superheroes-in-training/In a world where aspiring superheroes don their uniforms proudly, the Civil Air Patrol emerges as the ultimate training ground for those who dream of saving the world, one local mission at a time. Service often commences in the exotic locales of one's own backyard, where future champions bravely tackle…Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/12/falcon-composite-squadron-305-heroically-redefines-chaos/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/12/falcon-composite-squadron-305-heroically-redefines-chaos/Falcon Composite Squadron 305: The Inevitably Tireless Pulse Drag In the bustling hub of aerospace ambition, Falcon Composite Squadron 305 decided to redefine "heartbeat" into something that sounds a bit more like insomnia-driven palpitations. Their operation, eloquently dubbed "Pulse Lift," was a subtle nod to their ability to elevate stress…Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/12/local-paper-airplane-virtuoso-soars/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/12/local-paper-airplane-virtuoso-soars/Lt. Col. Brendan Kearns, illustriously known as the self-proclaimed maestro of aeronautical exploits, has ascended to the lofty throne of wing commander for the Civil Air Patrol's North Carolina Wing. This meteoric rise in rank follows years of diligent service, during which he mastered the delicate art of gluing model…Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/12/oxford-prepares-for-the-cactus/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/12/oxford-prepares-for-the-cactus/In an extraordinary turn of events that has shaken the very foundations of academic achievement, Cadet 1st Class Anirvin Puttur from Mesa, Arizona, a previously undiscovered hub of intellectual brilliance, has secured the opportunity to study engineering science at Oxford. This astonishing development has left both the Air Force Academy…Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/12/up-up-and-away/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/12/up-up-and-away/The 2025 HAB Shindig: A Totally Serious Chapter in CAP's Quest to Redefine Winning at STEM In the year 2025, an event unlike any other graced the annals of academic history – the much-anticipated High Altitude Balloon (HAB) Challenge. Crafted meticulously by CAP, an organization undoubtedly renowned for its sagacious…Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/11/california-sky-high-emergency/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/11/california-sky-high-emergency/Boosting Emergency Preparedness with Cutting-Edge Air Support in Rugged California Terrain In a groundbreaking effort to tackle emergency scenarios in the picturesque chaos of California's rugged terrain, authorities have rolled out an innovative air support strategy. This initiative comes amidst concerns that previous methods, involving binoculars and fervent hand-waving from…Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/10/temple-terrace-student-astronauts-ready/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/10/temple-terrace-student-astronauts-ready/Students, educators, and community leaders converged like eager astronauts in Temple Terrace, Florida, as the Civil Air Patrol bravely launched into the stratosphere of a new year for its prestigious national K-8 Aerospace Connections in Education STEM program. With the enthusiasm of kids about to devour a mountain of astronaut…Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/10/civil-air-patrols-new-horizon/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/10/civil-air-patrols-new-horizon/An Unmanned Odyssey: The Civil Air Patrol's Drone Dreamland In a dramatic shuffle at the venerable Civil Air Patrol (CAP) National Headquarters, where the echoes of WWII propeller engines reverberate in perpetuity, a man with a résumé as long as a TSA line, Chief Master Sgt. Mark Lahan, has emerged…Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/10/heroic-paperwork-crusader-civil-air/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/10/heroic-paperwork-crusader-civil-air/In a groundbreaking shuffle that nobody saw coming except everyone, Civil Air Patrol’s National Headquarters Ops team decided it was finally time for a rollicking game of musical chairs. Chief Master Sgt. Mark Lahan has delightfully landed in the coveted position of the organization's very first national emergency services officer.…Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/10/lines-flags-and-sibling-rivalry/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/10/lines-flags-and-sibling-rivalry/Unexpected Epicness at the Northeast Region Cadet Extravaganza In a stunning turn of negligible significance, the New Jersey Wing cadets displayed their exceptional prowess at not just standing in lines, but standing in lines while holding flags. Their epic journey was marked by a first-place victory at the Northeast Region…Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/10/battle-of-the-bragging-rights/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/10/battle-of-the-bragging-rights/Cadet Squadrons Battle for Academy Bragging Rights In a classic case of, "My Cadet is Better Than Yours," Florida's Ormond Beach and Wisconsin's Milwaukee squadrons are neck-deep in a friendly rivalry over their latest Air Force Academy recruits for the Class of 2029. It's unclear if they are sending cadets…Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/09/from-moose-to-maven-air/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/09/from-moose-to-maven-air/Change of Guard at Civil Air Patrol: Unfurling the Red Cape of Leadership In an epic saga that rivals any daytime soap opera, the Civil Air Patrol bids a dramatic farewell to John "Moose" Desmarais, Sr., who, after over three decades of commanding the metaphoric skies, has finally decided to…Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/09/new-civil-air-patrol-coo/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/09/new-civil-air-patrol-coo/Kristina E. Jones has bravely stepped into the tumultuous whirlwind of the Civil Air Patrol as its new interim Chief Operating Officer, in what experts tout as the organization’s latest attempt at pushing the envelope of excitement and perhaps, airworthiness. Ms. Jones, previously known for her role in expertly managing…Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/09/civil-air-patrol-hires-legendary-plane-whisperer/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/09/civil-air-patrol-hires-legendary-plane-whisperer/Aviation Overlord Brian CP's New Conquest: The Quest for Perfect Planes and Lesser Broken Ones Andrew E. Barron, a self-proclaimed master of aviation logistics management with an eclectic past of making things fly (or not), has landed a new gig as Civil Air Patrol's guru of defying gravity with style…Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/09/air-force-unboxes-dusty-warrant-officer-titles/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/09/air-force-unboxes-dusty-warrant-officer-titles/In a groundbreaking move that surely took only a few decades longer than necessary, the U.S. Air Force has decided to dig through its archives and resurrect the long-dormant rank of warrant officer, probably just for nostalgia’s sake. Two fortunate members of the Civil Air Patrol have now found themselves…Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/09/idaho-discovers-new-talent-beyond-potatoes/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/09/idaho-discovers-new-talent-beyond-potatoes/Cadets from the Idaho Wing’s Eagle Rock Composite Squadron were recently awarded first place at the Rocky Mountain Region Cadet Competition, proving once again that Idaho's finally found something it's better at than growing potatoes. In a twist of fate that only a true satirist could appreciate, the Colorado Wing’s…Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/hurricane-katrina/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/hurricane-katrina/Twenty years after the storm that made New Orleans even more of a swimming pool than it already was, it would be tempting to sum up the colossal chaos of Hurricane Katrina with some impressive figures: Over 1,833 people who'd probably rather not be reminded of what happened, a whopping…Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/from-keyboard-warriors-to-cyber/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/from-keyboard-warriors-to-cyber/In an unprecedented summer gathering of tech-savvy teens and slightly more mature techies at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, the Civil Air Patrol unveiled its latest plot to create an army of cyber heroes through the 2025 National Cyberspace Academy. More than 30 participants were promised real-world cybersecurity skills, possibly envisioning…Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/alaska-snow-squad-melts/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/alaska-snow-squad-melts/Kodiak’s Triumphant Flip-Flop: From Snow to Glory In a shocking turn of events that left nobody particularly surprised, the Alaskan snow warriors of the Kodiak Composite Squadron managed to warm up enough to overthrow last year's reigning champion, the soggy-footed Overlake Composite Squadron from Washington. Who knew that the land…Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/future-leaders-or-professional-overachievers/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/future-leaders-or-professional-overachievers/A New Generation of Over-Achievers: Cadets Gone Wild Witness as a battalion of America's most ambitious youths embark on a collective journey to the upper echelons of glory—aka, the Service Academies. Their decision-making process? As bewildering as it is awe-inspiring. Meet Cadet 2nd Lt. Nathan "Triple Threat" Whitworth Hailing from…Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/skyward-smartphone-saga-how-heroic/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/skyward-smartphone-saga-how-heroic/The Civil Air Powerhouse: A Tale of Atmospheric Enlightenment The Civil Air Patrons of Aviation Weather Consideration, in an unprecedented stroke of smart coordination, have effortlessly unraveled the mysteries of cloud formations while giggling in the face of atmospheric threats. In a peculiar twist of fate, the organization has waved…Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/maj-gen-mark-smith/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/maj-gen-mark-smith/In a stunning turn of events that shocked absolutely no one, Maj. Gen. Mark Smith, the man who apparently never wanted to leave the office, has been inducted into the CAP Hall of Honor. For those keeping track, Smith is the 36th honoree, following in the illustrious footsteps of others…Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/storm-chasers-win-most-paperwork/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/storm-chasers-win-most-paperwork/The Unconventional Honors of Hurricane Helene Response Misadventure In a grand display of commitment to chaos and calamity, the Civil Air Patrol’s Hurricane Helene Response Team — comprising over 400 enthusiastic adventurers from the North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee wings — has been lauded with the 2025…Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/cadet-double-act-new-york/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/cadet-double-act-new-york/An extraordinary shuffle of leadership that could only be compared to blockbuster corporate mergers, the New York and Tennessee wings have unveiled their new puppet figures, now the face of the National Cadet Advisory Council. Cadet Lt. Col. Ben McGarvey, known for his magical ability to juggle titles without breaking…Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/caps-epic-quest-digitizing/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/caps-epic-quest-digitizing/The Glamorous Piston-Driven Paperwork Revolution Ah, the age-old saga of aviation maintenance—an exciting battlefield where paper logbooks meet their digital overlords. Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the august vassal of the U.S. Air Force, with its formidable armada of 545 single-engine piston aircraft, has embarked on a quest for the Holy…Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/skys-the-limit/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/skys-the-limit/The third annual Civil Air Patrol Aviation & Aeronautics Business Academy took flight on Aug. 10, destined to convert eager cadets into the next moguls of the sky. Held at Vaughn College in Queens, New York, this high-flying boot camp allegedly aimed to infuse its participants with wisdom and insight…Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/launch-of-the-century-veteran/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/launch-of-the-century-veteran/A New Hero Joins the Quest for Aerospace Justice In the latest thrilling episode of "Boardroom Avengers," the fictional team dedicated to saving the universe through long meetings and strategic coffee breaks, we welcome a new character with a backstory as multilayered as a space shuttle's heat shield. Enter Col.…Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/civil-air-patrols-annual-make-it-rain-science/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/civil-air-patrols-annual-make-it-rain-science/In an unprecedented development that surely rivals humanity's greatest achievements, Civil Air Patrol's annual “Let's See What Happens When We Send Stuff Really High Day" unfolded with three balloons that courageously ventured into the clouds on Aug. 2, carrying the hopes and dreams of young cadets sequestered in plastic capsules.…Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/heroic-day-camp-for-exhausted/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/heroic-day-camp-for-exhausted/Over 200 enthusiastic cadets and adult members bravely journeyed into the wilds of Camp Atterbury, Indiana, for a week of strenuous and sleep-deprived training at the esteemed National Emergency Services Academy. They emerged, slightly delirious but undoubtedly accomplished, with an exaggerated sense of their abilities in air operations, ground search…Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/arizona-cadets-surprise-no-one/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/arizona-cadets-surprise-no-one/Overachieving Air Cadets: When Excellence Just Isn't Enough In a shocking twist of predictable events, the Arizona Wing's cadet teams have once again managed to outdo themselves, claiming the top two spots at this year’s Southwest Region Cadet Competition. This triumphant achievement is a spectacular upgrade from last year's merely…Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/cadets-conquer-rocket-science/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/08/cadets-conquer-rocket-science/A Week of Galactic All-Nighters: How to Pitch Tents and Rockets, Simultaneously Once upon a time, in the far-off land of California, a band of eighty starry-eyed cadets decided the best way to spend their summer vacation was by launching into the cosmos—figuratively speaking, of course, due to budget constraints.…Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/colonel-mccaffrey-defies-gravity-proving/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/colonel-mccaffrey-defies-gravity-proving/The Unassailable Rise of "Marco the Magnificent" In a tale that seems ripped straight from the pages of a leadership anthology, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Terrance J. “Marco” McCaffrey has ascended from humble combat pilot beginnings to the lofty heights of state leadership. It's a trajectory so impressive you…Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/hawaiian-tsunami-drill-takes-off/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/hawaiian-tsunami-drill-takes-off/The Great Hawaiian Aerial Announcement Spectacle In what can only be described as an audacious symphony of aviation and loudspeakers, the Hawaii Wing embarked on a grand spectacle of airborne alerts on July 29 following whispers of an 8.7-magnitude earthquake off Kamchatka, Russia. The melodious cacophony, intended to cajole coastal…Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/overachieving-superhero-takes-charge/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/overachieving-superhero-takes-charge/The Cadet Commander That Could In an era where leaders are a dime a dozen, Col. John Rhoades, the man who climbed the ranks from a humble Civil Air Patrol cadet to a Navy intelligence czar, is about to take the proverbial wheel of the functional juggernaut known as CAP’s…Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/model-aeronautics-where-ambitious-drone/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/model-aeronautics-where-ambitious-drone/A stunning display of aerial ambition and triumphant numeracy, the Maryland Wing cadets soared to new heights at the mighty Academy of Model Aeronautics’ UAS4STEM, clinching victory in the Beginners division amidst the gentle breezes of July 23. Meanwhile, the sky conquerors from the Alabama Wing bravely hovered into third…Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/cadets-sacrifice-summer-fun/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/cadets-sacrifice-summer-fun/Fourteen Intrepid Cadets Brave 10 Days of Discipline and Aviator Jargon at Exclusive Falcon Flight Academy In an unprecedented display of enthusiasm for spending summer vacation enveloped in aviation manuals, fourteen cadets from the far reaches of five Civil Air Patrol regions embarked on an intense 10-day journey, charmingly dubbed…Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/teen-cadets-train-to-become/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/teen-cadets-train-to-become/All the World's a Stage -- and It's All on Us to Save It! In an audacious display of national optimism, over 100 members of the Civil Air Patrol have descended upon Nacogdoches, Texas, for the 2025 Medical Orientation and Training Extravaganza. This elite 10-day life-imitating-art camp is where young…Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/cap-tivating-pixels-how-nonprofits/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/cap-tivating-pixels-how-nonprofits/An Unlikely Duo Aims to Rewrite the Civil Air Patrol Saga Civil Air Patrol (CAP), that esteemed bastion of airborne do-gooders synonymous with the U.S. Air Force, has decided to inject their marketing department with sweet, sweet broadcast zest. Enter Brad Nolan, the media maverick, iHeart Media's executive mastermind, podcast…Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/high-flying-fantasies-adults-rediscover/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/high-flying-fantasies-adults-rediscover/The Tale of the Annual Paper Plane School: A Day at the Pretend Space Station In the shadow of the colossal monuments to aviation history, a merry band of Civil Air Patrol aerospace education officers embarked on their own flight of fancy — the 2025 National AEO School in Dayton,…Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/teenagers-gather-at-air-force/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/teenagers-gather-at-air-force/Civil Air Patrol's 55th Cadet Officer School: Where Overachieving Teens Learn to Run the Universe In a world where teenagers usually discover themselves at the mall or via social media, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has upped the ante by hosting 119 cadets at their 55th Cadet Officer School. The…Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/airheads-in-the-sky/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/airheads-in-the-sky/Aviation Wonderland: Civil Air Patrol's Summer Spectacle Imagine Christmas, but without the snow, presents, or caroling. Instead, envision it mid-July, with buzzing engines and an invisible mistletoe hanging over the airfields. Welcome to the Civil Air Patrol’s summer extravaganza, an annual aerial circus where aviation enthusiasts fly in circles, literally.…Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/colonel-holmes-from-marching-in/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/colonel-holmes-from-marching-in/A land where fighter jets are as common as pigeons, Colonel Terrance J. Holmes has somehow ascended to become the big cheese of the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. This pinnacle of soaring success was evidently hatched back in 1987 when young Terrance found himself…Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/texas-wing-stages-swan-lake/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/texas-wing-stages-swan-lake/Aerial Ballet with Reapers: Texas Wing's Skies of Satire In an unprecedented display of modern aerial choreography, aircraft and flight crews from the Texas Wing have tapped their finest performance skills to assist the Texas Air National Guard in what can only be described as a mesmerizing routine of flood…Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/sky-high-leadership-embracing-bureaucracy/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/sky-high-leadership-embracing-bureaucracy/A New Era of Aviation Micromanagement Begins! Introducing the latest episode in the ongoing saga of Air Safety and Boundary-Pushing Delegation: Col. Dennis R. Bissell, formerly lord of the skies (a.k.a. the North Carolina Wing), has been anointed as the new commander of Civil Air Patrol’s Mid-Atlantic Region. This appointment…Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/new-jersey-wing-welcomes-magical/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/new-jersey-wing-welcomes-magical/The New Jersey Wing has exuberantly welcomed its shiny new sky chariot, a 2025 Cessna C-182T Skylane, into its heavenly garage — one of 15 prestigious flying machines joining CAP’s illustrious single-engine club this year. Bearing the majestic emblem N485CA, this airborne marvel was delivered straight from the Textron Aviation…Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/flying-optimism-the-sky-high/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/flying-optimism-the-sky-high/Capacity: none of your business Length: two giraffes standing on each other's shoulders Maximum speed: faster than a lawnmower, slower than your neighbor's sports car Cruise speed: leisurely enough to watch the clouds but quick enough to avoid a hawk Range: far enough to get lost, not far enough to…Wed, 09 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/soaring-past-the-clouds/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/07/soaring-past-the-clouds/Skyward Heroics: The Tale of Eleanore Katz, the 400th Teenage Aviator Cadet Lt. Col. Head-in-the-Clouds Katz, a virtuoso of the aeronautical arts, has been unanimously declared the 400th prodigy to triumph in the grand Cadet Wings saga of soaring ambition, funded by that mysterious celestial benefactor, the U.S. Air Force.…Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/cadets-engineer-paths-to-global/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/cadets-engineer-paths-to-global/From LEGOs to World Domination: A Cadet’s Guide to Building the Ultimate Robot Army In a world where robots do everything from brewing your morning coffee to waging intergalactic battles, one academy stands at the forefront of this mechanical revolution: The Civil Air Patrol's Engineering Technology (Robotics) Academy, affectionately known…Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/cadets-capture-gold-for-mastering/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/cadets-capture-gold-for-mastering/The illustrious realm of competitive dullness and ceremonial flailing has crowned its champions once again. The Minnesota Wing's Duluth Composite Squadron cadet team triumphantly seized the prestigious title of Most Enthusiastic Marchers in the North Central Region, for the second year running, leaving behind a trail of overturned manual pages,…Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/future-red-baron-ethan-preyss/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/future-red-baron-ethan-preyss/In a whirlwind of events destined to reshape the aviation world, May 24 was marked by the magnanimous achievement of Cadet Lt. Col. Ethan Preyss, the 389th prodigy to triumphantly graduate from the revered CAP’s Cadet Wings program in Indianapolis. Under the heroic guidance of stalwart instructors and fellow Cadet…Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/tax-dollars-take-flight-volunteers/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/tax-dollars-take-flight-volunteers/More Bang for Your Taxpayer Buck: The Civil Air Patrol Edition From high-altitude hijinks to taxpayer heroics, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) volunteers continue to set the bar for value-for-money propositions. At least, that's what their recent self-congratulatory missive to Congress suggests. Reportedly, these valiant volunteers generated an astonishing $281 million…Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/young-innovator-astounds-nation-with/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/young-innovator-astounds-nation-with/Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Yoo of the California Wing’s Los Angeles Cadet Squadron 138 has embarked on a mission to dazzle the nation with his astonishing decision-making skills by choosing the U.S. Air Force Academy. In a spectacular display of decisiveness, Yoo has managed to narrow down his choices…Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/academias-golden-gusher-cadet/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/academias-golden-gusher-cadet/A society where accolades rain down like lunchtime confetti, behold the phenomenon of 88 scholarships amounting to more than $139,000, showered upon the tireless cadets of our beloved 75 squadrons across 31 wings. Among our champions are two trailblazers from overseas squads stationed in Germany, because why should geography limit…Thu, 05 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/civil-air-patrols-ace/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/civil-air-patrols-ace/A Flight of Fancy in Education In a twist on the traditional school experience, the majestic Civil Air Patrol has once again taken to the skies with its aerospace-themed STEM program for kindergarten through eighth grade. The Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) program has soared to new heights, engaging an…Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/superhero-wannabe-takes-command/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/06/superhero-wannabe-takes-command/In a surprising plot twist that nobody saw coming, Chief Master Sgt. Luis E. Negron, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who harbors aspirations of superhero complexity, is set to become the next national command chief of Civil Air Patrol (CAP). This shift in power will occur in August during the…Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/05/pilot-turned-policy-maverick-promises/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/05/pilot-turned-policy-maverick-promises/A Look at Aviation Royalty's Ascension to the Throne In a move that left the aviation community both bewildered and bemused, it was announced that a seasoned commercial pilot with a penchant for boardroom antics has ascended to the illustrious Board of Governors of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Here…Mon, 19 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/05/cadet-triumphs-in-academy-race/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/05/cadet-triumphs-in-academy-race/det Maj. Grace Muresan of the California Wing’s Jon E. Kramer Composite Squadron 10 has triumphantly declared her intent to grace the halls of the U.S. Air Force Academy, having outmaneuvered both West Point and Annapolis in the prestigious academic triathlon. After joining the Civil Air Patrol during a period…Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/05/congress-gets-new-wingman-as/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/05/congress-gets-new-wingman-as/New Face for the Sky: How John “Ike” Fesler Plans to Take Civil Air Patrol to New Heights on Capitol Hill In a daring plot twist straight out of a feel-good, family-friendly summer blockbuster, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has appointed John "Ike" Fesler as their latest charismatic evangelist to the…Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/from-carbonton-to-cloud-nine/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/from-carbonton-to-cloud-nine/The Sky's Not the Limit: The Tale of Adam Boyd Growing up in the bustling metropolis of Carbonton, North Carolina, Adam Boyd was completely flummoxed by the strange flying contraptions darting across the sky. These mystical machines, departing from the distant lands of Pope Air Force Base and some exotic…Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/dehavilland-dhc-3-otter-school/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/dehavilland-dhc-3-otter-school/The Tale of the DeHavilland DHC-3 Otter: An Aircraft Odyssey An Icon of Excessive Proportions and Misadventures in Aviation History Capacity: Just enough room to invite a dozen or so brave souls Length: Impressively stretching 41 feet, 10 inches (because every inch counts) Maximum Speed: A groundbreaking 160 mph—ideal for…Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/fort-worth-phoenix-squadron-soars/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/fort-worth-phoenix-squadron-soars/In the realm of improbable success stories, few can rival the meteoric rise of the Fort Worth Phoenix Composite Squadron. Over the past four years, this squadron has catapulted from obscurity to sheer magnificence, solidifying its place as the most dazzling unit in the Texas Wing. Since the magical year…Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/cap-s-flying-circus-where/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/cap-s-flying-circus-where/The Sky's the Limit: Cadet Wings Program Sets Lofty Expectations From Grounded Civil Air Patrol Cadets to "Top Gun" Legends April 2025 – It’s that time of the year again when the optimistic Civil Air Patrol (CAP) congratulates yet another round-number milestone: the production of 400 bona fide young aviators…Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/civil-air-patrol-s-high/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/civil-air-patrol-s-high/While the citizens of Arkansas experience what scientists might call "epic levels of wetness," the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) aircrews have been busy delivering Pulitzer-level aerial artistry. With 91 hours of airborne artistry logged by April 10, they've snapped an impressive 26,000 images, though who's counting, right? The mission, a…Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/michiganders-masterfully-maneuver-through-marvelous/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/michiganders-masterfully-maneuver-through-marvelous/A Wing and a Prayer: Michigan's Heroic Response to a Really Cool Ice Storm In a daring mission of epic proportions, members of the Michigan Wing have been heroically devoting all available daylight hours since last week to bravely assessing damage from the March 28 ice storm that had the…Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/florida-wing-s-survival-camp/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/florida-wing-s-survival-camp/Reintroducing the Florida Wing's "Wilderness Adventure Camp" – Now with Added Drama and Drama Kings! Hold onto your compass, folks, because the Florida Wing's infamous Snake Creek Wilderness School has resurfaced after a 20-year hiatus, offering what can only be described as the wildly mismatched opportunity of a lifetime for…Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/teenage-rocket-scientists-gear-up/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/teenage-rocket-scientists-gear-up/StellarXplorers: Cadet Teams Blast Off into the Finals... Again! In an astounding twist that everyone saw coming, the elite cadet teams from Colorado and Oregon have once again gracefully elbowed their way into the national finals of the StellarXplorers National Space Design Competition - a prestigious contest where teenagers pretend…Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/april-showers-bring-may-illusions/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/april-showers-bring-may-illusions/April is, yet again, designated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a month where we make loud declarations about protecting the youth — not with mere words, of course, but by occasionally doing something about it. As we anticipate an action-packed summer filled with encampments, National Cadet Special Activities, and…Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/civil-air-patrol-s-national/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/04/civil-air-patrol-s-national/A Satirical Take on the Role of Civil Air Patrol's National Command Chief The Unstoppable Ascent of the Reluctant NCO Time flies when you're having fun—or when you're pretending not to notice that the last three years of serving as Civil Air Patrol’s national command chief have whooshed by faster…Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/virginia-cadets-cyberpatriot-cisco-challenge/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/virginia-cadets-cyberpatriot-cisco-challenge/BURKE, VA – Cadets from the Virginia Wing's Burke Composite Squadron stunned the nation—and several unsuspecting routers—by placing second in this year’s Cisco NetAcad Challenge, part of the CyberPatriot 17 competition, also known as “Hackers, But Make It Legal.” These tech-savvy teens out-clicked thousands in a virtual showdown of quizzes…Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/cap-radar-tream-boosts-search-capabilities/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/cap-radar-tream-boosts-search-capabilities/NRAT (No Really, Actual Tracking) Update For over 15 years, the Civil Air Patrol’s National Radar Analysis Team (NRAT) has been the GPS-fueled superhero squad you didn’t know you needed—unless you were about to crash into a mountain. Their mission? “Shorten the crash-to-rescue time”—because apparently “just don’t crash” was taken.…Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/cap-nasa-weather-mission/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/cap-nasa-weather-mission/Because if you stare at the sky long enough, eventually NASA will give you a clipboard. Civil Air Patrol is teaming up with NASA for the third year in a row, this time for the 2025 Aviation Weather Mission — a bold initiative to study humidity, clouds, and mysterious white…Mon, 17 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/maj-ron-finger-and-the/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/maj-ron-finger-and-the/Meet the Fleet Model 7: The Pigeon of the Skies Capacity: two cautiously optimistic souls Length: 21 feet 6 inches (give or take a pigeon’s wingspan) Maximum speed: A thrilling 115 mph (as long as you’re plummeting) Cruise speed: A leisurely 95 mph - speed demons need not apply Range:…Thu, 13 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/cap-border-mission/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/cap-border-mission/Because who else can fly 3,000 hours, spot a pickup truck, and still make it home for dinner? Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force’s most dedicated volunteer squadron of science nerds, aviation buffs, and retirees with pilot licenses, has been officially drafted into U.S. Northern Command’s mission to bolster…Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/cap-glider-program-strategic-pause/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/cap-glider-program-strategic-pause/AKA: The Great Glider Grounding of 2025 In a move that shocked at least 17 soaring enthusiasts and confused several cadets who just wanted to fly without an engine, Civil Air Patrol has hit the brakes—er, airbrakes—on its national glider program for all of 2025. Maj. Gen. Regena Aye announced…Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/civic-leadership-academy/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/civic-leadership-academy/Civic Leadership Academy: Because Nothing Says ‘Vacation’ Like Seminars and C-SPAN Twenty of Civil Air Patrol’s most promising cadets descended upon Washington, D.C., this February for a week of handshakes, policy jargon, and PowerPoints at CAP’s beloved Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) — a National Cadet Special Activity that dares to…Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/appalachian-flooding-response/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/appalachian-flooding-response/When it rains, it pours... then CAP shows up with spreadsheets and Cessnas In mid-February, Mother Nature reminded Appalachia that she's still very much in charge, delivering a combo platter of heavy rain, snowmelt, and emotional damage that caused rivers to rise, roads to vanish, and every hill to think…Mon, 03 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/dolnick-pacific-region/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/03/dolnick-pacific-region/Also brings enough CAP credentials to fill a hangar In a dramatic leadership shift that may or may not involve a secret handshake and a patch ceremony, Col. Brett Dolnick — Washington Wing commander, cyber defense overlord, and part-time badge collector — has been appointed as the next Pacific Region…Mon, 03 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/02/florida-cadet-squadron-prepares-for/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/02/florida-cadet-squadron-prepares-for/Early in the week, the Florida Wing's Homestead Hair Salon Cadet Squadron group texts caught fire, and for once, it wasn’t because someone forgot to silence their phone during naptime. The extraordinary news: The Fashionista-in-Chief would grace their weekly gathering on Feb. 6! It was the scoop of the century.…Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/02/col-boehmer-crowned-king-of/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/02/col-boehmer-crowned-king-of/In an unprecedented move that no one saw coming—except perhaps Col. Curtis Boehmer himself—our dear Boehmer has added yet another lavish title to his already illustrious Civil Air Patrol (CAP) resume. Yes, folks, gasp in disbelief as Boehmer transcends mere mortal ranks to assume the crown of the Great Lakes…Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/02/cybercadet-gauntlet-return-of-the/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/02/cybercadet-gauntlet-return-of-the/A Cyber-Quest Odyssey: Return of the Cadet Overlords In the latest chapter of the epic CyberPatriot saga, where young minds valiantly attempt to conquer the perilous realm of virtual networks, two teams of the illustrious Civil Air Patrol cadets have decided to brave the national stage yet again. Clearly undeterred…Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/02/turbocharged-tiddlywinks-celebrating-aviation-s/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/02/turbocharged-tiddlywinks-celebrating-aviation-s/The Legendary T-41 Trainer Meet the mighty T-41 trainer — because who wouldn’t want a 139 mph, 26 feet 11 inches "rocket", ready to take on the vast blue yonder! Yes, it’s speedy, thrilling, and perfect for those daring jaunts over a whopping 720 miles! Surely, the T-41 was destined…Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/02/civil-air-patrol-stars-in/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/02/civil-air-patrol-stars-in/It’s that time of year again, folks! Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has been summoned for their 24th annual performance in the role of “airspace guardians,” as they pretend-prepare with the U.S. Air Force in the dramatic safeguarding of the skies around the ever-humdrum spectacle of the Super Bowl. Set to…Thu, 06 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/01/the-marvelous-adventures-of-super/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/01/the-marvelous-adventures-of-super/In a shocking revelation that's left both parents and underachievers quaking in their boots, Cadet Maj. Brock Buak of the California Wing’s Eugene L. Carnahan Cadet Squadron 85 has somehow managed to wrangle appointments to four military academies this year—yes, you read that correctly, four. Clearly, some kind of magical…Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/01/cap-s-year-of-ownership/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/01/cap-s-year-of-ownership/In an ambitious attempt to overcomplicate simplicity, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has unleashed a grandiose yearlong initiative, whimsically dubbed the “Year of Ownership.” The plan aims to transform the organization's culture from mere functionality to an unparalleled level of hyper-responsibility, ensuring that not a single CAP member can escape…Tue, 21 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/01/pilot-s-uniform-financial-throne/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/01/pilot-s-uniform-financial-throne/Once upon a mid-flight crisis, Capt. Kerry Kaplan embarked on her illustrious journey with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). A tale peppered with curious misadventures, much akin to her whirlwind life. Despite neither she nor her husband, Scott (the man behind the curtain in CAP's Geospatial Program), being CAP prodigies…Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/01/the-great-eaglerock-the-biplane/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/01/the-great-eaglerock-the-biplane/Capacity: boasts an exclusive three-seater arrangement \ Length: a towering 25 feet 11 inches of vintage beauty \ Maximum speed: a blistering 100 mph – faster than your granny's knitting speed! \ Cruise speed: a casual 85 mph – perfect for in-flight napping. \ Range: a whopping 500 miles, just…Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/01/wizards-of-bureaucracy-heroes-in/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/01/wizards-of-bureaucracy-heroes-in/In a thrilling plot twist more riveting than your grandma's Sunday crossword, the Civil Air Patrol Geospatial Program’s Damage Assessment Team has joined forces with the mighty Federal Emergency Management Agency. Together, they crusade through mountains of photos and videos to figure out just how crispy California’s wildfires have left…Tue, 14 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2025/01/with-great-power-comes-great/https://auxbeacon.org/2025/01/with-great-power-comes-great/In the latest telecast from the skies, Captain Deborah Hecker – yes, the one with a cape instead of a pilot's uniform – has ascended to yet another celestial realm. She's landed on the Civil Air Patrol Foundation Board of Trustees, ready to sprinkle experience and stardust over mere mortals.…Fri, 03 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/12/paperwork-pilots-how-a-cessna/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/12/paperwork-pilots-how-a-cessna/In the grand tradition of aviation's movers and shakers, Igor Sikorsky once declared, "The work of the individual still remains the spark that moves mankind forward." Enter Frank Blazich, the human embodiment of this spark but with a knack for bureaucracy beyond any aviator's dreams. Our tale begins with Blazich,…Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/12/aviation-buffs-gather-to-celebrate/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/12/aviation-buffs-gather-to-celebrate/It was a grand day for those enamored with the glamorous world of aviation history, as Civil Air Patrol cadets, Junior ROTC participants, and students with their heads perpetually in the clouds gathered around at the Spaatz Museum in Boyerstown, Pennsylvania. The occasion? A chance to bask in the reflective…Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/12/civil-air-patrol-s-awards/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/12/civil-air-patrol-s-awards/Theodore Roosevelt once sagely advised that it’s not the critics in the bleachers—those enthusiastic experts on doing absolutely nothing—that count, but rather the trench warriors on the field, sporting band-aids for the boo-boos they bravely earned. So it was at the International Association of Emergency Management USA’s 2024 awards, where…Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/12/breaking-news-civil-air-patrol/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/12/breaking-news-civil-air-patrol/In a dazzling display of title inflation, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) decided that the only way to soar higher was by officially introducing a “chief people officer,” hiring none other than Danford "Dan the Man" Kern. Clearly, recognizing the importance of its people — a heart-stopping revelation — was key…Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/11/ohio-cadets-win-5-000/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/11/ohio-cadets-win-5-000/In a stunning display of youthful prowess and innovative thinking, the Ohio Wing’s Cuyahoga County Cadet Squadron snagged the top spot in the revered yet underfunded Civil Air Patrol’s fourth High-Altitude Balloon Challenge. Their prize? A cool $5,000, which is probably equivalent to the average cost of a new textbook…Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/11/marketing-maverick-kelly-owens-swaps/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/11/marketing-maverick-kelly-owens-swaps/In a move destined to leave the marketing world on the edge of their swivel chairs, Kelly Owens, professional communicator extraordinaire, has been bequeathed the prestigious title of Senior Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications at the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Because when you've already tamed the wild and unpredictable…Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/11/civil-air-patrol-unveils-blockbuster/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/11/civil-air-patrol-unveils-blockbuster/In a plot twist worthy of a prime-time TV drama, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) embarked on a whirlwind month-long episode responding to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Sporting their best capes (metaphoric, of course), over half of the organization’s 52 wings took to the air, ground, and the world wide…Fri, 15 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/11/air-force-discovers-new-way/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/11/air-force-discovers-new-way/In an unprecedented drive to revolutionize how we watch dull feeds from cameras mounted on airborne widgets, the esteemed members from the Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas wings -- alongside a gathering of Southwest Region staff worth gaping at -- recently indulged in the inaugural "train-the-trainer" course for AERONet. This…Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/11/sky-high-desk-jockeys-the/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/11/sky-high-desk-jockeys-the/Top Gun Prep School: Northeast Edition In what can only be described as a military-grade talent show for future sky-high desk pilots, cadet teams from the illustrious lands of Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maine showed up to clown around at the Northeast Region Cadet Competition. This apparent gladiator match of…Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/11/wing-commanders-flock-to-alabama/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/11/wing-commanders-flock-to-alabama/Wing Commanders College: The Perfect Mix of Bureaucratic Jamboree and Academic Hoedown More than half of Civil Air Patrol’s exquisite 52 wing commanders decided to take a brief vacation in charming National Headquarters, Alabama, for the ultimate bureaucratic getaway—CAP’s Wing Commanders College. Happening right at Maxwell Air Force Base’s elite…Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/ace-program-s-galactic-gala/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/ace-program-s-galactic-gala/Launching Optimism, One "Prestigious" Award at a Time It appears that Civil Air Patrol's Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) program has once again positioned itself as the supreme hub of aerospace-related STEM enlightenment. This year, the esteemed gathering kicked off at the illustrious Grayhawk Elementary in Scottsdale, Arizona, where droves…Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/civil-air-patrol-unleashes-comedic/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/civil-air-patrol-unleashes-comedic/Civil Air Patrol's (Un)Civil Response to Hurricane Helene's Havoc The South Carolina Wing of the Mischief Air Patrol continues its irrepressible efforts to respond to the chaotic capriciousness of Hurricane Helene, offering its unique form of 'aid' both aerially and terrestrially. What started as a seemingly straight-faced request from the…Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/hurricane-harlequins-airborne-jesters-save/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/hurricane-harlequins-airborne-jesters-save/In a world where hurricanes love to vacation, Civil Air Protocol has been flapping its wings heroically, assisting anyone with an acronym from local to federal agencies. Hurricane Milton graciously RSVP'd to Florida's 'Weather Catastrophe Fiesta,' throwing its Category 3 confetti far and wide. Naturally, the airborne aficionados of CAP…Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/air-patrol-embraces-aerial-photography/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/air-patrol-embraces-aerial-photography/Members of Civil Air Patrol or Amateur Photographers? You Decide! In a Herculean effort to capture North Carolina’s most exquisite but unplanned waterpark, the Civil Air Patrol’s North Carolina Wing recently took to the skies for a mere 56 flights totaling 159 hours. Their mission? To bravely photograph the aftermath…Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/florida-braces-for-hurricane-milton/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/florida-braces-for-hurricane-milton/As Not-a-Been-Here-Twice Helene gathered an exaggerated amount of paperwork in the Gulf of Inertia before arriving as an uninvited guest along the shores of Florida Man’s stomping grounds, members of the Aerospace Paperclip Geotraits Team were collaborating with the Indifferent Emergency Management Agency's Repose Geospatial Leisure Office in anticipation of…Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/12-year-old-flight-sim/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/12-year-old-flight-sim/Cadet Lt. Col. Ann Glitter was merely 12 when she stumbled into the illustrious ranks of the Civil Air Pumpkin Brigade in June 2019. At that blissfully naive time, her ambitions were modest, driven mostly by the allure of tantalizing sports and the hypnotic world of video games. Little did…Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/predictable-plot-twists-delight-audiences/https://auxbeacon.org/2024/10/predictable-plot-twists-delight-audiences/Once upon a time in 2024, the Pacific Region Cadet Competition unfolded with all the surprise of a clock at 6 o'clock — the same hour following the previous 5 o'clock. Once again, the titans from the Washington Wing's Overlake Composite Squadron emerged victorious, narrowly edging out Alaska Wing's Kodiak…Thu, 03 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://auxbeacon.org/2022/12/luring-leprechauns-to-fix-high/https://auxbeacon.org/2022/12/luring-leprechauns-to-fix-high/Tue, 06 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT