DAVISON ARMY AIRFIELD, Va. -- Col Jane Davies, National Capital Wing commander, announced that Lt Col (S) Paul Gardella was appointed as the new squadron commander for the Mount Vernon Composite Squadron Feb. 1.  Gardella assumed command from Lt Col Laird Stanton, who held the position as interim commander since July 2006. 

Military Aircraft Chase Cessnas in Nighttime Drills Over Capital

As his watch ticks toward midnight, Paul Gardella checks the oil on the small Cessna 182 parked on a cold, dark airstrip in Fairfax County. He knows what he soon could be facing: Coast Guard helicopters chasing him. F-16s intercepting him. Ground-to-air missiles tracking his every turn.

BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, D.C. -- Col Jane Davies, National Capital Wing commander, installed Civil Air Patrol (CAP) 1st Lt Bruce L. Lawrence as the squadron commander for the District’s Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron at a change of command ceremony here Wednesday during the squadron’s weekly meeting. The new commander, an active duty Air Force Master Sgt. of over 20 years, was also promoted to the permanent grade of CAP 1st Lt commensurate with his position as the squadron commander.

Tour scheduled for April 19-May 5

ALABAMA – China’s Beijing Aviators Association will host another aviation-oriented cultural tour of China in April 2007 for Civil Air Patrol members and their families. 

National Capital Wing was activated by AFRCC Thursday at approximately 1830L for what was believed to be, and was sort of, a non-distress EPIRB. 

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. -- An open house was hosted Nov. 30, by a tenant unit here, which provides search and rescue support to the National Capital Region.

The open house was held to explain the three missions of the Civil Air Patrol, display equipment used in search and rescue operations, and educate visitors on opportunities available.

Posse Comitatus and the Civil Air Patrol: Time for a Second Look?

by Russell D. Hodgkins Jr, Col, USAF; Commander, CAP-USAF

This summer, a group of volunteers from the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) performed an experiment in southern Arizona.  In late July 2006, members of the CAP Arizona Wing flew 94 patrol missions along the U.S. border and demonstrated the ability to survey large areas of this desolate region using light aircraft.  What was the cost to the taxpayer for almost 320 hours of flying?  Only $27,000, or less than $85 per flying hour.  Yet, in spite of proving the ability of CAP to perform this mission, a Reconstruction era law--the Posse Comitatus Act--limits full utilization of this cost-effective resource in the border security mission.

The Reserve Officers Association (ROA) "Freedom Walk" Volksmarch will be held 21 - 22 October at the Courtyard Hotel by Marriott, 1533 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington.  Arlington Cadet Squadron will be manning the checkpoints and providing communication assistance announced squadron commander Captain James Quinn, Jr. 

Cadets Eric Muse and Jason Cates discuss recruiting tactics while manning the CAP booth at the AFA Convention in Washington, D.C.

Members of the wing supported Marc Huchette, interim di

The new CAPR 52-16 (Cadet Program Management) goes into effect on 1 October.

There are several important changes:

1. Two-Month Rule for Cadet Progression - This new rule simplifies progression by standardizing the time-in-grade requirement at 2 months between achievements and milestone awards, except the Spaatz.