WASHINTON (AFDW) — All Air Force installations within AFDW play host to the Civil Air Patrol. This small, all volunteer unit plays a critical role within the National Capital Region. It's aircraft, based at Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir, Va, serve in search and rescue capacities as first responders and its Airmen help maintain seamless relationships between the Air Force and civilian communities.

I attended the AFCEA, or Air Force Civil Engineering Academy, June 21-17. It was located at the Silver Flag training site at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., home of Detachment 1, 823rd RED HORSE Squadron. This is where they train all the RED HORSE and Prime BEEF squadrons how to do things.

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — National Capital Wing members joined the North Carolina Wing for a summer encampment June 19-27. Graduating a basic encampment is required for Civil Air Patrol cadets to earn the Billy Mitchell Award and become a cadet officer.

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. — Civil Air Patrol-United States Air Force was realigned under the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development in a ceremony held at the center's Leadership Hall, June 11.

WASHINGTON — Civil Air Patrol's National Capital Wing detected and located an active distress signal today. An aircrew on a routine training flight heard the signal and located the offending aircraft, which was determined to be "non-distress" and an acidental activation.

FRIENDLY, Md. — Civil Air Patrol’s National Capital Wing displayed one of their Cessna 182 Skylane aircraft May 13 during National Transportation Day held at Potomac Airfield. The event, sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration, drew approximately 7,000 students and teachers from nearby schools in Prince George’s County, Md., and the District of Columbia.

WASHINGTON — A pair of F-16 fighter jets, Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft and a Coast Guard helicopter will fly over downtown D.C. in a series of training flights Tuesday and Wednesday morning. These flight will take place several times between midnight and 6 a.m. both days.

ARLINGTON, Va. — During a ceremony held April 15 at the Arlington Career Center, Capt. Mary Sherrer relinquished command of Civil Air Patrol’s Arlington Composite Squadron to 1st Lt. Toni Ali. National Capital Wing Commander Col. Richard Cooper presided.

WASHINGTON — A bill by U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) requiring an assessment of how Civil Air Patrol can support homeland security missions was approved May 12 by the House of Representatives.