GSAR Cancelled

The GSAR planned for this weekend has been cancelled due to Swine Flu and lack of students.  E-mail dc033@natcapwg.cap.gov for more info.

WWII Honor Flight

Responding to a last minute request for assistance, former National Capital Wing Commander Col Jane Davies volunteered to assist the Honor Flight Network to escort WWII veteran Lou Sala to the WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery last week.  A group of 170 heroes from the second world war were flown into D.C. from Ocala, Florida, for a one-day visit.  The veterans were greeted upon their return to Florida by the Patriot Guard Riders.

NEC Live Stream Today

Civil Air Patrol’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will be streamed live from St. Louis, Missouri, today from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. CDT. Please visit CAP Channel to watch live.

VHF-FM Encryption Policy

An interim change to CAPR 100-1 has been issued and provides initial guidance for the planning and preliminary use of encryption within the Civil Air Patrol communications system.  Tasking agencies are already requesting CAP use of encryption on selected missions.  CAP-USAF has verified that DoD and AF policy guidance on encryption applies to CAP.  When the narrowband transition is complete, with all repeaters installed and all radios reprogrammed, the repeater system and the majority of the ground-based VHF-FM radios will be capable of encryption IAW DoD policy.  Aircraft readiness to support encryption will take longer to implement, but options are currently being reviewed.

CAP will comply with the following requirements:

• CAP encryption implementation must be IAW AFI 33-201 Vol. 1 using NIST-validated equipment with current FIPS 140-2 certificates.
• CAP must be prepared to use encryption IAW tasking agency requirements.
• Before routine use of VHF-FM encryption will be possible, CAP NHQ and CAP-USAF must develop procedures for secure distribution and storage of encryption keys.  Communications managers must take into consideration the possibility of secure communications as a mission requirement in the near future and plan accordingly.
• Customer requirements for encryption may limit the usefulness of non-encrypted radios on AF assigned missions and some corporate missions, and communications managers must assign resources accordingly with this in mind.  CAP anticipates that non-encrypted radios will still be useful for many support roles and most non-mission communications.
• Systems used to interconnect repeaters and remote base stations must support encryption at all times.  Effective immediately, any new system of this type must automatically retransmit original encrypted signals without unsecure intermediate decrypting and re-encrypting.  In other words, signals that were originally encrypted may not be passed through unsecured networks unless preserved in their original encrypted form.  Existing systems must be brought into compliance by 31 Dec 2012.
• CAP NHQ will take steps to upgrade the VHF-FM radios in the CAP aircraft to provide the necessary encryption capability as quickly as possible.

CAP Assists in Search for Missing College Students

The Civil Air Patrol assisted the North Dakota Highway Patrol look for three students that were missing from Dickinson State University since late Sunday night.  Gov. John Hoeven had authorized the deployment of any and all available state resources in the search for the missing women.  Their vehicle was found today submerged in about 12 feet of water.  Searchers found vehicle tracks leading into the pond and an airplane saw oil on top of the water.

UPDATE:

CAP cell phone expert helps find missing North Dakota students

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – Though there was a tragic outcome to the search for three missing Dickinson State University students in North Dakota this week, the case points out how a cell phone can be used to locate missing people, many times with happier results. One of the pioneers in cell phone forensics is Justin Ogden, a captain in the Civil Air Patrol’s Arizona Wing, whose expertise pinpointed the North Dakota students’ crash site within 730 feet based on information he gleaned from their last cell phone hit.

In a phone conversation with Lt. Col. William E. Kay, director of operations for CAP’s North Dakota Wing, the emergency manager for Stark County where the ground search was conducted, Brent Pringle, stated the students’ vehicle would not have been found without CAP’s assistance. Although CAP had aircrews from Dickinson and Bismarck on the scene with a ground team standing by, it was Ogden’s work conducted from a distance that yielded results. Ogden helped search and rescue controllers from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) refine the search area down significantly from a mile-and-a-half radius to within 730 feet from where the students were finally located.

Under federal law, cell phone companies can voluntarily divulge the cell phone data to federal agencies such as the AFRCC when it is being used for lifesaving purposes involving the owner.

Ogden, 28, collects and analyzes data to determine approximate coordinates. “Even if a cell phone is not being used but is still powered up, and within coverage of the network, we can often receive enough information to allow us to concentrate the search in the right area,” he said.

Sometimes cell phone data is merged with other information, such as radar if the search is for a missing aircraft.

According to Ogden, nearly all cell phones and networks have some sort of location sensing methods, whether through GPS (global position system) hardware in the cell phone or through the phone network and towers. With the technology already in place, it is important, he said, to get a cell phone forensic specialist involved early in a search. “Once the cell phone battery dies, there’s no hope of getting GPS type coordinates from that phone,” he said.

Ogden, employed by General Dynamics and recently assigned to a new project to develop a nationwide communications system for the Department of Justice, became interested in radio signals and computer programming when he joined CAP at the age of 12 as a cadet. Now as a senior member in CAP, he is routinely called in by the AFRCC to help with searches. Last year he participated in 27 search and rescue missions, resulting in the rescue of 19 survivors.

As the United States’ inland search and rescue coordinator, the AFRCC serves as the single agency responsible for coordinating federal search and rescue activities in the 48 contiguous United States.

The AFRCC, a unit under Air Forces Northern, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The center directly ties in to the FAA’s alerting system and the U.S. Mission Control Center. In addition to Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking information, the AFRCC computer system contains resource files that list federal and state organizations which can conduct or assist in SAR efforts throughout North America.

Mayor Fenty Nominates New HSEMA Director

District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty announced last week that he selected Millicent Williams as the new director of the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA).

“Millicent’s experience in organization development and systems building is extensive, and her commitment to the District is admirable,” said Fenty. “I look forward to our work to ensure the safety of District residents.”

Civil Air Patrol’s National Capital Wing became a partner with HSEMA last year to support the District during emergencies.  CAP may provide aerial support to search for victims; collect data for damage assessments or environmental surveys utilizing visual, photographic, real-time digital and video techniques; airborne communications support; and airlift for the District.  Other support may include manual labor like filling sandbags along with ground search and rescue teams.  As part of the agreement, HSEMA has assigned Civil Air Patrol a seat in its Emergency Operations Center to facilitate communication and coordination between HSEMA, CAP resources and other local and national agencies.  The CAP desk includes phone, fax, Internet access and radio communications capability on CAP frequencies.

Millicent Williams

Williams served for eight years as general secretary of the Youth Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. As the youngest person ever elected to serve on the Society’s Executive Board in its 120 year history, Williams developed legislation to expand the focus of the organization, developed programmatic and training opportunities, prepared resource literature and study guides, and provided instruction to young people ages 13-21 on five continents and in the Caribbean. Her efforts led to an increase in the involvement of young men and women world-wide by several-hundred percent.

While at Serve DC, Williams was instrumental in coordinating and managing the CERT volunteer program, where she led efforts to train citizens to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. As the CERT manager, Williams developed a comprehensive, District specific emergency preparedness curriculum for children and youth. The curriculum is now used in elementary schools throughout the District. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Williams’ emergency management skills were sharpened as she worked closely with HSEMA to provide critical volunteer and shelter management support for over 300 evacuees.

Williams represented the District of Columbia as the lead agency representative for Emergency Support Function #16 (Volunteer and Donations Management) and served as a regional co-chair of the regional committee of the same function. As a grant reviewer for the US Department of Homeland Security, Williams was able to assist in making determinations about which jurisdictions would receive the highly competitive Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) dollars. Locally, she assisted in managing federal and local grant dollars allocated to the District for citizen emergency preparedness.

Fenty named Williams Executive Director of Serve DC in January 2007. In that role, Williams increased local funding to the agency’s homeland security efforts by more than 75 percent, and increased volunteerism in the District of Columbia by more than 200 percent.

Williams will leave her role as President and CEO of the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation. The Trust builds partnerships that expand and improve services for children and youth in the District. While providing leadership to the Trust, Williams streamlined operations, improved grants management and developed systems to ensure greater overall accountability of the organization to stakeholders and grantees.

Williams is a graduate of the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University’s School of Business and Industry.

Pointing Lasers at a Plane Will Get You 2 Years

Dana Christian Welch has the unusual distinction of being the first person in the nation to be convicted of interfering with pilots by aiming lasers at their planes.  As a result, he will spend 2 1/2 years in federal prison.  Welch aimed a laser pointer at two Boeing passenger jets as the pilots were about to land at John Wayne Airport in California.  Click here to read more.

Former CAP Cadet Dies in F-16 Collision

A former Civil Air Patrol cadet who became an Air Force fighter pilot will be honored in a “celebration of life” Sunday at the Lacey Township High School auditorium in New Jersey.  A township native, Air Force Capt. Nicholas Gigilio, 32, died Oct. 15 when his F-16 jet collided with another fighter during a training exercise in South Carolina.

Cadet Recruiting Video Contest

Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters is looking for a recruiting video that focuses on what cadets can do in their first year of membership.  This contest to open to all current CAP members.  The first place prize is a 8GB iPod Nano, and the second place prize is a 4GB iPod Shuffle.

The video will need to demonstrate the positive cadet life that CAP offers, and it will need to be functional for all units.  Do not refer to unit names or specific titles of activities.   It should focus on recruiting prospective members unfamiliar with Civil Air Patrol, so the use of acronyms should be minimal.

How to Enter:

During the Submission Phase, visit http://www.youtube.com/group/CAPCadetPrograms, and join the group.  Once logged in to your YouTube account, upload your video onto the group page, placing your CAPID and e-mail address in the description.  By uploading your submission, you agree that your submission conforms to the submission guidelines and content restrictions, detailed below, and that CAP may remove your submission and disqualify you from the contest if believed that your submission fails to conform to the guidelines and restrictions.

Submission Guidelines:

• The submission must be in a standard format that allows uploading to YouTube (Flash Video FLV, Mobile 3GPP, Mobile 3GPP2, MPEG MPG, MPEG 4 MP4, QuickTime MOV, Windows ASF, Windows AVI, Windows WMV);
• The submission must not exceed five minutes in length;
• The submission must comply with the YouTube standards http://www.youtube.com/t/terms; and
• The master files must have a resolution of at least 480 pixels and be able to be sent on DVD to HQ CAP/CP.

Content Restrictions:

• The submission must not contain material that violates or infringes someone’s rights, including but not limited to privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement, including copyrighted music or logos of any sort;
• The submission must not contain material that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene, hateful, tortuous, defamatory, slanderous or libelous;
• The submission must not contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, age, color, religion, nationality, or disability; and
• The submission must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations in any jurisdiction where the submission is created.

Grading Criteria:

• Clarity of Concept/Information Presented. Does the information make sense? Is it factual? Is it poignant? Is there a “call to action?”
• Editing Cohesion. Does the video flow from start to finish in a viewable and visually “packaged” manner?
• Style. Are the camera-angles/type/voice-over unique and appealing? Would you want to watch the video you just made?

Timing:

The contest begins Nov 2 at 12:00 a.m., Central Time (”CT”), ends Jan 31at 11:59 p.m., CT.  Sceening and judging will take place Feb 1-28.  And the winners will be announced Mar 15.

National Cadet Special Activities

This coming summer, there are more than 25 National Cadet Special Activities that Civil Air Patrol members may be able to attend.  CAP has a new Web site dedicated just to these great activities at www.ncsas.com.

If you meet the requirements, you can apply for Pararescue Jumpers Orientation Course (PJOC) or Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course (SUPTFC) and learn more.

One specific requirement to attend a NCSA is that you have graduated from a CAP Encampment at the time of your application.  Several wings will be hosting winter encampments that will start after Christmas to ensure that you have completed this requirement before the deadline.  If you are unable to attend this winter, go to www.capmembers.com/encampmentearly in the spring to see the summer encampments that will be offered.  NatCap Wing cadets that have questions about Encampment may e-mail NatCap Cadet Programs at cp@natcapwg.cap.gov.

CAP Scholarships

Civil Air Patrol provides nearly $300,000 in scholarship opportunities for its cadets each year.  There are also a few scholarships available for it’s officers attending college.  Cadets on a CAP scholarship can even earn a pilot’s license.  Too many of the scholarships go unused, so apply today!

Click here to go to the CAP Scholarship homepage.

The 2010 scholarship application process is new and will be online.  The application module will be in eServices on the left side, and the restricted admin module will be on the right side of the screen.

Application Process:

Cadets will log-in to eServices and select the Scholarship application module.  They will be asked to verify that the contact information in eServices is correct, and then they will answer a series of questions about their CAP service and academic achievements.  Next, they will upload their resume and letter of recommendation, which must be in PDF format.  Finally, they will confirm that the information that they gave is correct and submit the application.

Scoring System:

The scoring will be conducted in three parts.

1. An objective overview of the member’s CAP service.
2. An objective overview of the member’s academic achievements.
3. An evaluation of the member’s letter of recommendation and resume.

The CAP Service portion has 72 possible points, the academic achievement portion has 73 possible points and the evaluation portion has 60 possible points, for a total of 205 possible points.  The objective scoring points are listed here (PDF).  The evaluation of the attachments will be completed by a committee comprised of three volunteers.

Role of Squadron Commander:

To be selected for a scholarship, all applicants must be approved by their Squadron Commander.  Leave the applicant’s name in the “not approved” section for those whose personal conduct or attitude is deemed unsatisfactory.  Unit commanders will have from 16 Jan to 1 Feb to approve the applications.

Scholarship Procedures:

Cadets that have been selected for a scholarship will receive a contract through e-mail.  Cadets must sign the contract, along with a parent (if the cadet is a minor).  It will explain that they need to provide original copies of their school transcripts, ACT/SAT scores and other supporting documents before they can receive their scholarship.

NatCap Wing members with questions or concerns may e-mail NatCap Cadet Programs at cp@natcapwg.cap.gov.

2010 TARC Deadline

Only one month left to register for the Team America Rocketry Challenge!

Enter now at www.rocketcontest.org.  Click here to download the application.

This year’s challenge is for teams to design, build and fly a rocket that reaches and altitude of 825 feet, stays aloft for between 40 and 45 seconds and returns a raw egg unbroken.

Applications must be postmarked by Monday, Nov 30. 

Questions? Contact rocketcontest@aia-aerospace.org

Wisconsin’s CAP Job Protection Bill

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle signed legislation today protecting the jobs of the state’s 1,119 Civil Air Patrol members. Assembly Bill 132 requires that employers with more than 11 permanent employees grant a leave of absence without pay for not more than five consecutive days or 15 days total to employees serving in an emergency service operation of the Civil Air Patrol. The bill also prevents employment discrimination based on participation in the Civil Air Patrol.

Revisions to ORMS Launch

After some valuable input from the field, Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters has decided to make the new Operational Resource Management System (ORMS) available in test mode 2 Nov rather than fully functional as planned.

In this test mode all members will have access to the application and will be able to familiarize themselves with its operation features. As permitted by duty positions, property management officers (commanders, logistics, supply, transportation and communications officers) will be able to manipulate test data and records to fully learn how the system works without actually affecting the primary records contained in CATS and CEMS. For the duration of this “soft start” period, CATS, CEMS, CAPR 67-1, 67-4, 77-1, 87-1 and 100-2 will remain in effect. A draft version of the new property management regulation, CAPR 174-1, will be available only through ORMS. It will not be available in the location of the other published regulations.

ORMS will be in test mode until 6 Jan. On that date CATS and CEMS will be decommissioned and all data transferred into ORMS. On 11 Jan, ORMS will be live and CAPR 174-1 will be published. Make plans to begin the annual inventory on or shortly after 11 Jan. All 2010 annual inventories will need to be conducted in ORMS and must be completed by 31 Mar.

Use CATS and CEMS to manage property until 6 Jan. CATS and CEMS continue to be the primary property management systems until this familiarization period is complete.

California’s CAP Employment Protection Act

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the “Civil Air Patrol Employment Protection Act” Oct. 11.  It assures that members of the all-volunteer Civil Air Patrol in California have employment protection after returning to their jobs from an authorized emergency mission.

The new law establishes a right to employment leave (up to 10 days a year) for members of CAP’s California Wing.  The protection applies only when members are called up for an emergency mission by the U.S. Air Force, the California Emergency Management Agency or any subdivision of the state with the authority to declare an emergency.

“To perform search and rescue flights for several days and find out you’ve lost your job is devastating to a volunteer whose main purpose is to save lives … Until my bill was signed into law, CAP members only had the job protection rights given to them by their employers … Fortunately, employers have generally been supportive of the Civil Air Patrol.  Their payment, for a CAP volunteer, is in the personal reward of contributing countless hours of non-compensated time. …  The California Wing of the Civil Air Patrol can’t be a consistent resource, unless they are fully supported for their patriotic service.”  —Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter

Coastal Patrol Base No. 3

The Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Florida, recently dedicated a state historical marker to Civil Air Patrol.

Several months after the formation of the Civil Air Patrol in December 1941, the Army Air Corps approved the establishment of three 90-day experimental bases to perform anti-submarine patrols in response to attacks by German U-boats. The first two bases were set up in New Jersey and Delaware, and a third was introduced in Palm Beach County in March 1942 as Coastal Patrol Three located at Morrison Field.

From April 1942 until Aug. 31, 1943, the unit flew daily anti-submarine patrols from Lantana to Cape Canaveral. After military forces assumed the anti-submarine patrols, some of the men who served in the CAP went on to serve on active military duty, while others continued to serve in some capacity with the CAP. It was not until 1948 that approximately 800 CAP members were recognized for their war-time service and awarded the military’s Air Medal.

Coastal Patrol Base No. 3, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) 1942-1943

Coastal Patrol Base No. 3 at Lantana Airport was one of three 90-day experimental bases established at the East coast of the United States to assist with anti-submarine patrols. Civilian aviators flew missions up to 60 miles out to sea between Palm Beach and Cape Canaveral, to search for German U-boats. In May 1942 near Cape Canaveral, Lantana CAP member’s Marshall E.Rinker and Tom Manning found a U-boat stranded on a small sand bar and called for a military bomber, but the U-boat freed itself and escaped into deeper water before the plane arrived to destroy it. This incident led to the arming of the small civilian planes the CAP used. The experimental units were so successful that 18 more were established in the U.S., with four more bases in Florida. On August 31, 1943, the anti-submarine patrols were transferred to the military. During the unit’s 17 month’s of service it flew 18,712 hours 1,546,500 miles, and made 14 attacks, dropping 20 bombs on suspected U-boats. They saved the lives of numerous mariners by attacking and driving off U-boats and directing rescue boats to burning and sinking ships. In 1948, 53 members of the unit received the U.S. military’s Air Medal. The CAP continues to operate in Lantana Airport.

Cadet Leadership Training

On Saturday, 31 Oct, the NatCap Wing Cadet Programs Directorate will present its first in a series of program leadership — Planning, Scheduling and the Cadet Staff.  The primary instructor is Col Jane Davies, former wing commander of NatCap with extensive experience in the cadet program.

The module will focus on two areas.  The first part will be planning and scheduling a weekly meeting.  The second part of the module will focus the cadet staff — the positions, how to choose the cadet staff and most importantly, how to use the cadet staff.  The module will be presented with classroom sessions and group exercises.  This module is for adult and cadets members.

• What:  NatCap Wing Cadet Programs Leadership Module 1
• When:  Saturday, 31 Oct, 0830-1400 hrs
• Where:  NatCap Wing HQ, Bolling AFB, Suite 112, Hangar 1
• Materials needed:  Pens, paper (or laptops), CAPP 52-15, CAPR 52-16
• Uniform:  Blue short sleeve or CAP equivalent for officers
• Signup:  Use the online form below.

*Cadets in the grade of C/A1C and above are eligible to attend.  Officers /adult members  are highly encouraged to attend.

CAP Finds Wolf Biologist Plane Crash Site

A Civil Air Patrol Alaska Wing aircrew located the wreckage from a plane crash Thursday that claimed the life of a noted Alaskan wolf biologist.  Gordon Haber, who had spent 40 years documenting the lives and societies of Denali National Park wolves, died after the Cessna 185 he was riding in crashed into trees near the East Fork of the Toklat River, the locale of one of the wolf packs he was studying.  According to a SanLuisObispo.com newspaper account of the crash, Harber’s pilot, Daniel McGregor, managed to free himself from the wreckage and tried to rescue Harber but the plane caught fire and he had to abandon his efforts.  McGregor then hiked 20 miles to safety and is recovering in a burn center in Seattle.

‘Shopped’ for a Cause

Macy’s “Shop for a Cause” event last Saturday was a great success!  Civil Air Patrol personnel gave out shopping passes for a $5 donation and educated shoppers about the important missions that we do in the D.C. area.  CAP’s National Capital Wing received a total of $1,461.00 in donations.  Thank you to everyone who came out and supported us through shopping at Macy’s!

1st Lt Toni Ali, Arlington squadron commander, and Capt Mary Sherrer, NatCap Wing deputy director of personnel, explore Macy’s at Springfield Mall.  Click here to see more photos.

Historic Rescue by CAP Cadets

Oct. 16 marked the 65th anniversary of the Camels Hump plane crash — one of Vermont’s most horrific aviation disasters. According to a WCAX-TV report, a U.S. Air Force bomber was on a routine mission in 1944 when it crashed into the side of the mountain with 10 crewmen onboard. Nine of the men died, but 18-year-old Jimmy Wilson was saved, thanks to the heroic efforts of five Civil Air Patrol cadets. Several of the former cadets and others gathered Friday on the mountain for a ceremony of tribute to the dead crewmen as well as the lone survivor and his rescuers. Click here for the full story on WCAX.com.

Click here for link to video.

Columbia Air Center

The first African American owned and operated airfield in Maryland, if not the nation, was licensed in 1941 in Upper Marlboro. John W. Greene, Jr., a pioneer in black aviation, was instrumental in developing the airfield, which was originally called Riverside Field. Occupied by the U.S. Navy during World War II, the airfield reopened as Columbia Air Center, offering a flying school, charter services and a maintenance shop. The first all-black African American Civil Air Patrol squadron in the Washington, D.C., area, called the Columbia Squadron, was formed shortly after.  Below is a photo of Columbia Squadron (year unknown).

A new outdoor exhibit, which is being dedicated Oct. 30, will open to the public the following day and consist of several interpretive panels describing the significant history of this site. The site will be entered through a metal archway containing the logo of the Cloud Club — the group of African American pilots that founded and operated the airport. The exhibit sits upon a huge brick patterned compass rose feature with benches and a windsock to complete the display.

The park is located at 16000 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro, Md., and is open from dusk to dawn for self-guided tours with interpretive signage.

Text of Columbia Air Center Historic Marker:

In 1941 aviation history was made when the first black owned and operated airfield licensed in America opened on this site. Mr. John W. Greene, Jr., a pioneer in black aviation, was instrumental in developing the airfield, originally called “Riverside Field.”

With the advent of World War II, civilian flying was restricted and many private airfields were utilized by the military to train pilots. Riverside Field was occupied by the U.S. Navy until 1944 for training missions.

After the war, Mr. Greene, with financial assistance from Dr. C.M. Gill, reopened the airfield as Columbia Air Center.” It offered a flying school, charter services, and facilities for major and minor repairs. The first black Civil Air Patrol squadron in the Washington, D.C. area, called the Columbia Squadron, was formed here.

In later years, the field operated under the names of “W & J Flying Service” and the “Capital Flying Club,” promoting such activities as skydiving and parachute jumping.

Activities at the airport gradually decreased, and by 1958 it was closed to all air traffic. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission acquired this property in 1959, the first acquisition of the Patuxent River Watershed Park.

Amelia Earhart Flies Again!

Opening this Friday, the movie “Amelia” portrays the life of Amelia Earhart.  In 1928, she became the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air.  She disappeared in 1937 near Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean while trying to circumnavigate the world in a twin engine Lockheed Electra.  Her disappearance is one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the 20th century.

This film is based on the book, East to the Dawn — an acclaimed 1997 Earhart biography by journalist and writer Susan Butler.  Butler was inspired by her mother, a World War II-era Civil Air Patrol pilot, to take on Earhart because of her importance in American culture. 

Actress Hilary Swank and director Mira Nair on the set of “Amelia.”  Photo by Ken Woroner, Associated Press

The second milestone of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program is the Amelia Earhart Award, which is earned after the receipt of the General Billy Mitchell Award and the completion of the first eleven achievements of the Cadet Program.  Cadets must pass a comprehensive 100-question examination covering aerospace topics, leadership theory and staff duties.  Once a cadet earns the Earhart award, he or she is promoted to the grade of Cadet Captain.  Cadets who receive the Earhart award also enjoy all the benefits gained from earning the Mitchell award and become eligible to apply for participation in the International Air Cadet Exchange.

“This seems like a very nice thing to do – the kind of award Amelia would choose herself. Thank you!” —Muriel Earhart Morrissey [Amelia's sister]

Earhart’s sister granted Civil Air Patrol permission to create the Amelia Earhart Award for cadets March 7, 1964.  In a handwritten note, she compliments the award certificate’s artwork, which is believed to be identical to the artwork still in use today.

Click here for more information about the new movie and watch the trailer.

FOX Flies With CAP in Nevada

Here’s a video from FOX5 News in Nevada flying along with Civil Air Patrol during a training mission to find downed aircraft and lost hikers in the Las Vegas Valley desert.

Meteors from Halley’s Comet

Earth is entering a stream of dusty debris from Halley’s Comet, and this is causing the annual Orionid meteor shower. If forecasters are correct, the shower will peak on Wednesday morning, Oct. 21st, with dozens of meteors per hour. The best time to look is during the dark hours before local dawn.

For the past three years, Orionid rates have been unusually high, with reports of 60 or more meteors per hour. Researchers believe this is a result of some very old and rich debris from Comet Halley drifting across Earth’s orbit. Computer models of the debris suggest that it is still in the neighborhood, so the trend of “good Orionids” could continue in 2009. Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos and updates.

Executive Order on Text Messaging While Driving

President Barack Obama issued an executive order Oct. 1, 2009, that bans Federal employees from text messaging when driving a government owned vehicle, when driving their privately owned vehicle while on official government business, or when using electronic equipment supplied by the government while driving.

Specific policies to implement this order are being developed by all departments and agencies, and special consideration is being given to those law enforcement or emergency functions that would require use of texting or handheld electronic devices while operating a vehicle. This order applies to Civil Air Patrol personnel when performing Air Force-assigned missions. Hands-free devices are already required when driving on any DoD installation, which means not touching the phone to answer it or type on it.

It is well established that texting and the use of handheld devices while driving is hazardous. In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that distracted drivers were involved in 16 percent of fatal accidents. In July 2009, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute reported that texting truckers were 23 times more likely as their non-texting counterparts to be involved in a crash or a near miss.