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.”

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.

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.

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.

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – In what is now a holiday tradition, Civil Air Patrol is proud to partner with Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization that recognizes the courage and sacrifices of U.S. veterans.

“Our mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “Thousands of CAP members participated last year and helped us to do just that, and this year’s Wreaths Across America promises to take this worthwhile endeavor to even greater heights.”

BRAINERD, Minn. — Civil Air Patrol's Minnesota Wing continues searching today for an aircraft and pilot that went missing Friday.

The aircraft is a white PA-28 Piper Cherokee with yellow stripes and black highlights. The plane left Air Lake Airport in Lakeville, Minn., on Friday, Nov. 13, bound for Hallock, Minn. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., alerted CAP the aircraft was missing on Nov. 14.

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — A team of five cadets from Civil Air Patrol’s Mt. Vernon Composite Squadron helped make history Saturday by competing in CyberPatriot II, a nationwide high school cyber defense competition sponsored by the Air Force Association.

The team includes: Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Alexander Fry, 16, homeschooled; Cadet Master Sgt. Christopher Fry, 14, homeschooled; Cadet Tech. Sgt. Hunter Garth, 15, Hayfield Secondary School; Cadet Tech. Sgt. Brandon Julig, 14, Robinson Secondary School; and Cadet Airman 1st Class Christopher Rouleau, 15, West Springfield High School.

SPRINGFIELD, Va. — Civil Air Patrol’s National Capital Wing, a nonprofit organization serving the Washington, D.C., metro area, raised more than $1,500 through Macy’s “Shop for a Cause” event Oct. 17 at Springfield Mall.

“I would like to thank everyone who stopped by Macy’s to support us and do a little shopping,” said Col. Richard Cooper, NatCap Wing commander. “Your donations will go a long way in helping us support our youth program here in D.C.”

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Members of Civil Air Patrol’s Mount Vernon Composite Squadron will promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles during the observance of Red Ribbon Week.

The oldest, largest drug prevention campaign in the U.S., Red Ribbon Week is observed nationwide through Oct. 29 with a campaign themed “Better Things to Do Than Drugs.“ Nationwide, CAP wings will distribute red ribbons and conduct educational programs to show support for a drug-free lifestyle. CAP cadets also will visit schools to speak out against drug use and share tactics for saying no to illegal drugs in social settings.

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Officiated by National Capital Wing Commander Col. Richard Cooper, Lt. Col. Bruce Heinlein relinquished command of Civil Air Patrol’s Mount Vernon Composite Squadron to Capt. Catherine Collom at the squadron headquarters on Davison Army Airfield Sept. 24.

Collom originally joined Civil Air Patrol as a cadet in California Wing’s Van Nuys Squadron. After a break in membership, she rejoined as an adult officer in 1991. She then served in California CAP squadrons in Fresno, Danville and San Fernando Valley.