Please Visit Our New Website!

Please note: Squadron 150's new website is now live and can be found at http://longbeach.cap.gov. Please visit our new website for the most current information about our squadron. As of 15 January, 2020 this website will no longer be updated by our staff. 

Thank you!

New Website Coming Soon!

We are currently at work on a new more robust Civil Air Patrol Squadron 150 website which should be live early in 2020. In the meantime if you have any questions please contact us through the contact form on this site!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you from the members of Squadron 150!

Communications Training on 19 September, 2019

Squadron 150 will be hosting a communications training at our HQ at Joint Forces Training Base-Los Alamitos during our squadron meeting.

2nd Lt. Mihai Sochirca  during a Civil Air Patrol Squadron 150 communications training
(Photo by: Capt. Gary Mathieson)

During this training you'll learn:

• How communications fits into Civil Air Patrol (CAP) operations
• The practical side of being a communications officer
• More of the details of CAP communications
• What you'll need to know and do to become a qualified Mission Radio Operator (MRO) of Communications Unit Leader (CUL)

This meeting will also provide current members to be evaluated and "signed off" on the Introductory Communications User Training (ICUT) requirements. Current members looking to get signed off on their ICUT requirements, please review the material BEFORE the meeting! 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Civil Air Patrol Radar Analysis Team Leads Searchers to Downed Airplane

August 19, 2019: CIvil Air Patrol's National Radar Analysis Team used a brand-new tool to quickly guide searchers to a crashed seaplane near New Orleans in bad weather, resulting in the rescue of two people — two of four saves credited Sunday to CAP.

The Air Force Rescue Coordination center activated the radar team to help find the missing plane, a Cessna 206, after a local fishing charter service reported the aircraft missing with three people aboard Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard had deployed a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew to search for the plane in the Chandeleur Sound amid heavy rain and choppy seas.

The CAP radar team quickly responded by using a newly developed tool — still considered to be in the beta testing stage — that makes innovative use of ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) technology to quickly locate a target.

The team was able to provide the Coast Guard with the downed plane’s latitude and longitude “within a couple of minutes” after obtaining the ADS-B data “in 15-30 seconds,” said Lt. Col. Mark Young, team commander. “It all went fast and perfectly.”

The team “had brought (the tool) online about three weeks ago” and was using it for only about the third time, he added. “We’re just thrilled that this new product would work so quickly and so accurately.”

The other person on board the Cessna did not survive the crash, according to the Coast Guard.

Also Sunday:

• CAP’s National Cell Phone Forensics Team contributed to the successful search for a missing woman, 51, in Lucas County, Ohio.
   
• Michigan Wing searchers participated in a search in the air and on the ground in Houghton County for an 82-year-old woman with dementia who walked away from her home. She was subsequently located alive.

The AFRCC awarded CAP with saves for each mission, bringing the organization's total to 112 for fiscial year 2019.

______________________

This was originally published on www.CAP.news.

National Commander Receives 1-Year Extension of Term

August

09,

2019

Civil Air Patrol’s Board of Governors is extending by a year the three-year term of Maj. Gen. Mark Smith, CAP’s national commander and CEO, meaning he will now serve through August 2021.

Col. Brad Lynn, board chairman,  announced the extension Thursday during the Command Council’s meeting at the CAP National Conference , drawing a standing ovation from CAP’s senior leadership and the eight region and 52 wing commanders in attendance.

Lynn said, “The Board of Governors recognized the outstanding leadership accomplishments and vision of Gen. Smith and, in concert with the CAP Constitution and Bylaws, extended an invitation to him to extend his term by one year. Gen. Smith has graciously accepted this extension.”

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve Civil Air Patrol,” Smiith said. “We have made great strides over the first half of my term of service, and I am grateful to have more time to not only bring leadership initiatives to life but also to see them toward their conclusion.”

“We are one team, excelling in service to our members. So this generous extension of service by the Board of Governors tells me that we are all moving in the right direction.”

Smith has headed CAP since Sept. 2, 2017. During his tenure as national commander, CAP’s membership has increased by some 11% from 57,000 to more than 64,000.

He previously led CAP’s Southwest Region and, before that, its New Mexico Wing. He has completed all five levels of the CAP professional development program, earning Master ratings in Command and Safety as well as a Senior rating in Aerospace Education. He has also earned an executive rating in CAP’s Organizational Excellence program.

In addition to his experience in CAP, Smith has 43 years of leadership experience in the Air Force, industry and other nonprofit volunteer organizations. His background includes experience with strategic planning, leading change, positively influencing organizational culture and motivating units to achieve higher levels of performance. He is also passionate about servant leadership and helping organizational members achieve their full potential.

Smith has a doctorate in education in ethical leadership from Olivet Nazarene University, a master’s of aviation management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a bachelor’s in international affairs from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is a graduate of the Air Force’s Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College.

Aerospace Education Meeting This Week

This week's meeting (25 July) will be focused on Aerospace Education, one of the three main areas of focus for Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Our meeting begins at 1930 (7:30pm) at 3976 Constitution Avenue on Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. If you're interested in CAP membership, or just want more information, you're welcome (and encouraged!) to attend!

Civil Air Patrol aircraft at Fullerton Municipal Airport (KFUL) during a training exercise
(Civil Air Patrol photo by 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan)

Civil Air Patrol National Flight Academies

Paul South

Contributing Writer

Twenty-nine years ago, before there was ever talk of a pilot shortage, the Civil Air Patrol squadron in historic Hagerstown, Maryland, near the West Virginia border was hard at work, helping young people fall in love with flight.

This summer, as part of a network of CAP National Flight Academies, the Robert Ayres Memorial Flight Academy in Hagertown will graduate 10 future aviators — five boys and five girls — who are hoping to become the latest in a long tradition of Ayres academy alumni who have gone on to soar for the military, the airlines and business.

Lt. Col. John Henderson is the Maryland Wing’s vice commander for operations and the activity director for the Ayres academy. In 1991 it was called the Maryland Wing Solo School, and then it was renamed for Ayres in 2012 following his death. The academy became part of CAP’s flight academy network this year – one of six new additions to the network. The other five:

• Alaska Wing Glider Flight Academy – Clear Air Force Station, Alaska
   
• Texas Wing Advanced Flight Training Academy – Brownsville, Texas
   
• Utah Wing Day School Powered Flight Academy – West Jordan, Utah
   
• New Jersey Wing Falcon Flight Academy – Lakehurst Naval Air Station, New Jersey
   
• Washington Wing Desert Eagle Joint Flight Academy – Ephrata, Washington

A caveat: These “new” academies may have existed for some time. But now they are part of a national system and the broader mission to expand the flight academy network and provide greater access to aircraft for training.

The academies, part of CAP’s overarching mission of aerospace education, help cadets get their foot in the aviation door. Some, like the Hagerstown academy, have been training cadets for decades, said Wendy Hamilton of the Cadet Programs staff at CAP National Headquarters. National Headquarters and donors help fund academy programs across the country to reduce costs for cadets and their families.

The Ayres academy’s goal is for participants to not only solo an aircraft but also pass the Federal Aviation Authority Private Pilot Computerized Examination, which is part of the school.

“When you get to solo, that indicates to other people that you have the attitude and the aptitude to be successful in an airplane,” Hamilton said. “We try to get them to that first milestone.

“And for those cadets who aspire to be pilots, they can take that logbook and they can use it to get a leg up on their training, to get their private pilot’s certification, which is an industry standard of success. It’s your first step to everything else.”

Even for flight academy participants who choose not to pursue the pilot path, important lessons are learned.

“They walk away with a better understanding of what it is to fly an airplane,” Hamilton said. “Therefore, if they choose another aviation-centric job, they are much more knowledgeable about what it is they are contributing to, whether it’s building an airplane, helping pilots get certification, schedulers, anything that revolves around flight. They’ve got firsthand experience now.”

 

For admission to the Ayres academy, cadets must meet a series of criteria — a Gen. Billy Mitchell Award recipient, completion of five orientation flights and a “C” academic average in schoolwork, as well as medical clearance. Applicants must also submit a resume’ and an essay on how they would apply the training in life and be interviewed by a panel, to test their commitment to aviation.

While seven cadets in the upcoming Ayres academy are homegrown Maryland youth, two others come from Virginia and one from the Chicago area.

“We didn’t want the cadet who just wanted a device to put on their uniform,” Henderson said. “We wanted a cadet that truly wanted to get into aviation.”

The Ayres academy conducts two weekend ground schools in May and June, leading up to the 10-day academy in July. It’s like a micro-air university course for future aviators. At Ayres, pilots get 15 hours of education and training before soloing and completing the written FAA exam at the end of the academy.

The Maryland Wing and its volunteers also fuel the prospective pilots with a week’s worth of home-cooked meals.

Cadet-centered initiatives like the National Flight Academies are one step as Civil Air Patrol works to expand training initiatives in the future, as part of the ongoing mission to address the pilot shortage. According to the FAA, in 2017 the U.S. had 609,000 pilots, down from 827,000 30 years ago – a drop of some 30 percent. Retirements have hit the profession hard, as has as the high costs of training. The flight academies hope to ease that cost burden.

Thanks to funding from the U.S. Air Force, CAP cadets can pursue their private pilot certificate through the organization’s new Cadet Wings program and continue their training in a future program, hoping to earn their instrument and instructor ratings. CAP is also working to find ways to encourage senior members to work as mentors and instructors for young pilots.

Diversity is also a CAP goal. The flight academies fit in that mission.

“By having more flight academies join the system and teach a similar curriculum, that allows us to give this flight experience to more cadets from across the nation, not just a local area,” Hamilton said. “What you tend to find is instead of a bunch of kids going because it’s what they have available, you have cadets that are truly interested. It increases the diversity piece by making it more accessible in more locales than we have had in the past.”

Where do the flight academies fit in the broad mission of Civil Air Patrol?

“It’s the perfect classroom,” Hamilton said. “I can’t imagine a better classroom than the cockpit of an airplane to teach one of the four pillars of the cadet experience, aerospace education. Taking a test is one thing, but actually experiencing flight ... It’s the ultimate STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activity.”
 

Thanks to Air Force funding, cost to the cadet is about $800 – only about one-third of the $2,500 total price tag.

“It’s a great testament to what the Air Force has done for us to put more money into the program that allows us to bring more cadets on and to reduce the cost of those academies,” Hamilton said.

As for the flight academies’ impact, consider the Ayres academy in Hagerstown.

Over the years some 175 Ayres graduates have gone on to fly for airlines, military aviation and corporate aviation, piloting C-5s and F-16s, all manner of aircraft. Some have gone on to the Air Force Academy. The program has also produced Wings Scholarship recipients.

“It’s good to see. We’ve got people who are flight instructors, cargo pilots, airline and military pilots — they’re all over the place,” Henderson said. “That’s the purpose of this program, to give these cadets an avenue into aviation, where a lot of them don’t have that guidance.”

Here is a complete list of CAP’s 2019 National Flight Academies (24 in all, at 17 locations nationwide):

Alaska Wing Glider Flight Academy
Clear Air Force Station, Alaska
May 24-June 2

Texas Wing Shirley Martin Cadet Powered Flight Academy
Nacogdoches, Texas
June 1-8

Texas Wing Advanced Flight Training Academy
Brownsville, Texas
June 1-30

North Central Region Powered Flight Academy
Fremont, Nebraska
June 13-27

Illinois Wing Lt. Col. Raymond Johnson Flight Academy (Week 1, Powered Flight)
Mattoon, Illinois
June 14-22

Illinois Wing Lt. Col. Raymond Johnson Flight Academy (G-1000, Powered Flight)
Mattoon, Illinois
June 14-22

Great Lakes Region Powered Flight Academy
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
June 15-23

Illinois Wing Lt. Col. Raymond Johnson Flight Academy (Balloon)
Mattoon, Illinois
June 19-29

Southwest Region Powered Flight Academy
Shawnee, Oklahoma
June 20-30

Illinois Wing Lt. Col. Raymond Johnson Flight Academy (Glider)
Mattoon, Illinois
June 21-29

Illinois Wing Lt. Col. Raymond Johnson Flight Academy (Week 2, Powered Flight)
Mattoon, Illinois
June 21-29

Northeast Region Powered Flight Academy
Old Town, Maine
June 21-29

Northeast Region Glider Academy
Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania
June 22-30

Middle East Region Col. Roland Butler Powered Flight Academy
Camden, South Carolina
June 29-July 7

Robert Ayres Memorial Flight Academy (+FAA Written)
Hagerstown, Maryland
July 5-14

Texas Wing Glider Flight Academy (South)
Waller, Texas
July 6-13

Utah Wing Day School Powered Flight Academy
West Jordan, Utah
July 8-19

North Central Region Joint Flight Academy (Glider)
Mankato, Minnesota
July 11-21

North Central Region Joint Flight Academy (Powered)
Mankato, Minnesota
July 11-21

Southeast Region Glider Flight Academy
Tullahoma, Tennessee
July 12-20

New Jersey Wing Falcon Flight Academy
Lakehurst Naval Air Station, New Jersey
July 13-21

Washington Wing Desert Eagle Joint Flight Academy (+FAA Written)
Ephrata, Washington
July 15-27

Northeast Region Glider Flight Academy Week 1
Springfield, Vermont
July 27-Aug. 4

Northeast Region Glider Flight Academy Week 2
Springfield, Vermont
Aug. 10-18

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This post originally appeared on www.CAP.news

Happy Independence Day! NO Squadron Meeting this week!

Happy Independence Day from the men and women of Long Beach Senior Squadron 150!

In observance of Independence Day we will NOT be meeting this week. We will be resuming our normal meeting schedule at our next scheduled meeting beginning at 1930 hours (7:30pm) on Thursday, July 11th.

Civil Air Patrol National Cell Phone Forensics Team

June

14,

2019

Capt. Margot Myers
Public Information Officer​
National Cell Phone Forensics Team

Civil Air Patrol’s National Cell Phone Forensics Team participated in two searches over a five-day period that resulted in three saves and two finds, as credited by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.

The first mission was a search for Joshua McClatchy, a 38-year-old hiker from Texas reported missing in the Caney Creek Wilderness Area east of Mena, Arkansas. McClatchy set out from the Buckeye Trailhead on May 31. Later the following day, he texted his mother that he was in trouble and needed help. Local search and rescue teams started looking for him that same day.

After several days of searching without success, the search and rescue coordinator for Polk County, Arkansas, contacted the AFRCC on June 7 for assistance, and the cell phone forensics team was tasked to assist with the search.

A photo McClatchy had sent his mother on June 1 – the day he later reported being in trouble – provided one clue about his location. Combining that image with forensic analysis of his phone’s interaction with cellular towers in the area enabled the team to provide several targeted search areas to local search and rescue officials by mid-afternoon.

Maj. Justin Ogden of the cell phone team told local officials, “With the historical data from the cell phone provider, we will paint a well-defined but large area. Local knowledge will be needed to make the most of it.”

According to The Mena Star, “Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer received data earlier today (June 7) that analyzed cellular activity of McClatchy, allowing the search and rescue teams to work toward his likely location.”

Cell phone team member Col. Brian Ready was told that the team's material regarding the most likely search area, combined with other clues and search tools, “reinforced the sheriff’s decision to request a helicopter to assist with the search. Equipped with FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared), the Air National Guard helicopter crew, within a short period of time in the area, spotted (McClatchy) crawling around with a flashlight.” The helicopter, with Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer on board, guided ground teams to McClatchy.

The second mission involved a 40-year-old man and his 9-year-old son, both of whom fell from a ledge at the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Unable to climb back out, they called 911.

One of the cell phone team’s tools is text messaging to the person who is missing. It identifies the text as coming from the AFRCC and asks the recipient to click on a link. Doing that provided very accurate location information.

In this case, the father clicked on the link and the cell phone team was able to send Scott Lucas, the Oregon State Search and Rescue coordinator, a latitude/longitude coordinate that was accurate plus or minus 15 meters.

Lucas said a search team was dispatched to the location, but very rough and difficult terrain meant that locating the missing father and son would take some time. AFRCC learned that an advanced ropes team from the 304th Rescue Squadron, a National Guard unit from Portland, headed out late in the afternoon to help search for the pair.

By 8:30 p.m. AFRCC reported that the father and son were rescued safely.

First Mobile NESA Training Program Draws 21

Members of the Arizona, California and Texas wings participated in the first session of Civil Air Patrol’s National Emergency Services Academy – Mobile Training Team program, joining representatives from Southwest Region Headquarters staff, National Headquarters and Civil Air Patrol – U.S. Air Force.

Participants traveled to Tucson, Arizona, from as far away as Fresno, California, and El Paso, Texas, for the emergency services courses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Command System 300 and 400 courses were provided.

The classes were held at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Fire Department and taught by CAP members credentialed as instructors by FEMA.

Participants were:

National Headquarters

• Lt. Col. Robert Ditch

Southwest Region Headquarters

• Lt. Col. Paul Rehman

Arizona Wing

• Cochise Composite Squadron – Capt. Glen Presho
   
• Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 – 1st Lt. John Shoemaker
   
• Falcon Composite Squadron 305 – 1st Lt. John Bryant
• Prescott Composite Squadron – Capt. Peter Iannone
   
• Scottsdale Senior Squadron – Lt. Col. Dennis Granquist
   
• Tucson Composite Squadron 105 – Lt. Col. Charles Jarvis, Capt. Joshua Hinson and 1st Lt. Kyle Rossi
   
• Willie Composite Squadron – 2nd Lt. Theresa Farley
   
• William Rogers Memorial Senior Squadron 104 – Lt. Col. Steve Hulland and 2nd Lts. William Seaman and Robert Weber
   
• 388th Composite Squadron – Capt. Benjamin Conlin

California Wing

• Falcon Senior Squadron 40 – Capt. Jesse James and 1st Lts. Daniel Balderston and Kerem Yogurtcugil
   
• Los Alamitos Glider Training Squadron 41 – Maj. Geoffrey Block

Texas Wing

• El Paso Composite Squadron – Lt. Col. Debra Torres and Maj. Natalie Franc 

Veterans Wanted!

If you are a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Orange County/Los Angeles area, the members of Civil Air Patrol Long Beach Senior Squadron 150 would like to invite you to join our team! As a Veteran we know that you possess the commitment to service, and the core belief that it is an honor and a duty to protect our fellow Americans, that we need to perform our missions!

It is currently estimated that there are currently over 12,500 CAP members who have military experience. Many of these Veterans have chosen to join Civil Air Patrol to serve their communities through the missions of CAP and for the feeling of camaraderie, teamwork, and friendship that they experienced during their military service.

These are exciting times for Civil Air Patrol! The U.S. Air Force recently recognized Civil Air Patrol as a component of its Total Force, when performing missions as the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, along with Active Duty, Reserves, National Guard, retired personnel and civilian employees. 

If you are a Veteran we invite you to visit our squadron and see if CAP is right for you. We meet Thursday evenings from 1930-2100 at our squadron HQ at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. The address is 3976 Constitution Avenue, Los Alamitos, California 90720. If you can, plan on arriving by 1900 so that we have a chance to meet and greet you. 

We know you have a lot to offer CAP and we believe that CAP has a lot to offer you!

For more information about Civil Air Patrol and/or Long Beach Senior Squadron 150, please contact us through the contact form on this page!

New CAP-USAF Commander

Col. Mark A. “Woot” Wootan officially became the 31st commander of Civil Air Patrol-U.S. Air Force (CAP-USAF) on April 17, 2019. In a ceremony in the main hangar at Maxwell Air Force Base, Wootan assumed command from Col. Michael D. Tyynismaa, who has led CAP-USAF since August 2014 and is retiring from active duty.“I am truly humbled with this command,” Wootan said. “Col. Tyynismaa built a great team and, as importantly, strengthened an already strong CAP, CAP-USAF relationship. I am eager to get started and help CAP grow and flourish.”

As CAP-USAF commander, Wootan is responsible for ensuring CAP — the Air Force auxiliary — is organized, trained and equipped to fulfill Air Force-assigned missions. CAP-USAF provides day-to-day support, advice and liaison to CAP’s more than 60,000 members and provides oversight for CAP programs, with emphasis on safety and program requirements. CAP-USAF personnel are also the primary function interface between other federal agencies and CAP.

CAP-USAF is staffed with about 200 active-duty, reservist and civilian airmen at CAP National Headquarters at Maxwell AFB and locations in New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Colorado, California and Florida, as well as in Puerto Rico and at several overseas Air Force installations.

“We welcome Col. Wootan to this new command post and look forward to his leadership,” said CAP National Commander/CEO Maj. Gen. Mark Smith. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to CAP-USAF. This experience is certain to help shape our organization moving forward.”

Wootan, with 30-plus years of active-duty Air Force service in international relations, military operations, command and defense, has served with Tyynismaa as national vice commander of CAP-USAF since July 2018.

“In my nearly nine months as Col. T’s vice commander, I’ve had the opportunity to attend many exercises, operation evaluations and conferences,” Wootan said. “I remain amazed by the efforts, energy and professionalism of CAP members and staff. This is going to be a lot of fun.”

Before his CAP-USAF assignment, Wootan was an Air Force foreign affairs officer, serving for three years as the senior defense official and defense attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic, and nearly two years as the defense and air attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan

 

In addition to that duty, he has commanded a 300-member Air Force squadron and is certified in multiple airframes. An Air Force command pilot, he has been an instructor pilot in C-130 and T-34 military aircraft and has been responsible for teaching all facets of airdrop, airland, tactics, instrument and formation training. He has also served as an Air Force exchange officer to the U.S. Navy as a naval flight instructor.

Wootan has more than 3,400 flying hours in the C-130 and T-34 as well as KC-135 and C-12 aircraft. His flight service includes 500 hours of combat and combat support in operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Noble Anvil, Joint Task Force Horn of Africa and Northern Watch.

He also led the Defense Intelligence Agency’s sole combat aircraft program in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

His major awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal. In addition, he was the KC-135 Combat Crew Training School Distinguished Graduate as well as the Training Wing Five and City of Milton, Florida, Navy Flight Instructor of the Year.

Wootan’s non-Air Force and foreign awards include the Czech Republic Army’s Merit of Order (Legion of Merit), Nebraska Air National Guard’s Legion of Merit, Czech Republic Military Police’s Commendation Medal and Pakistan Air Force Command Pilot wings.

He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, receiving a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1991 and a master’s degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1994. Later, he earned two other master’s degrees — one focused in air power from the Air Force’s School of Advanced Air and Space Studies at Maxwell AFB and one in national security from the National War College at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C.

Wootan and his wife, Diane, have two grown children, Katie and Jackson, and one grandchild.

Photos by Susan Schneider, CAP National Headquarters

This article was originally published on www.CAP.news

Congratulations to Our Newest Second Lieutenant!

Congratulations to Eric Lin who was recently promoted to the grade of second lieutenant during a recent Squadron 150 meeting. 2nd Lt. Lin joined Civil Air Patrol in August 2018. He is currently training to become a Mission Scanner and he also serves as an assistant safety officer.

(L to R) 2nd Lt. Eric Lin receiving his promotion certificate from 1st Lt. Steven Schock (on behalf of the Commander)
Civil Air Patrol photo by: 2nd Lt. Donna Babi

Congratulations!!

Pilots Wanted!

Pilots: How would you like to use your skill and abilities to serve your community, develop friendships with a team of dedicated volunteers, and gain opportunities to get more flight time? If this sounds good to you, Long Beach Senior Squadron 150, Civil Air Patrol would like to encourage you to join our team! 

Squadron Commander Maj. (then Capt.) David Powell during a Civil Air Patrol training exercise mission
(Civil Air Patrol photo by 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan)

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) owns the largest fleet of single-engine piston aircraft (primarily Cessna 172s and 182s) in the United States and we use them to perform missions in emergency services, disaster relief, homeland security, cadet orientation flights, counter drug operations, training exercises and proficiency flights. 

How do I become a CAP pilot?

There are different levels of pilot qualifications in Civil Air Patrol, all with their own specific requirements. In all honestly, the road to becoming a pilot is not an instantaneous one…but it is worthwhile. 

Here are some of the basic qualifications to be a CAP pilot (and yes, these can change!)

Be an active CAP member at least 17 years of age

Possess a valid FAA private, commercial or airline transport pilot certificate

Possess a class III or higher medical certificate

Possess a current flight review IAW FAR 61.56

Satisfactorily complete a CAP flight check

Once you’ve met the minimum requirements you will then need to meet the specific requirements for the different types of missions that pilots fly in CAP.

View from Cessna 182 during a Civil Air Patrol training mission
(Civil Air Patrol photo by 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan)

Do I have to pay to fly?

One of the benefits of being a pilot for Civil Air Patrol is that there may be opportunities for you to receive reimbursements for some of your flying! Keep in mind, reimbursed flying is NOT available when first becoming qualified to fly in CAP. As a new member, you will be responsible for aircraft fuel and a flat rate per hour fee. This applies to the instructional flights one should have prior to taking the flight evaluation to become a CAP pilot, the evaluation itself and all flying after that until becoming mission qualified. 

Once qualified as a Transport Mission Pilot you will be eligible for reimbursed flying during scheduled training missions and actual missions. Other opportunities to participate in reimbursed flying occur when you qualify as a Search and Rescue/Disaster Relief Pilot or Cadet Orientation Pilot. 

Because CAP is a non-profit corporation, you may be able to deduct expenses incurred as a result of your membership in Civil Air Patrol as a charitable contribution. (Please check with your tax advisor for more details.)

What is the benefit to me?

CAP is composed entirely of volunteers who have chosen to serve our communities. As a CAP pilot you may find yourself using your unique skills and talents to help find a downed aircraft, assist the US Air Force on a training mission, take a cadet up on his/her first flight in an aircraft, and more!

Squadron 150 Participates in Search and Rescue Training Exercise

Members of Squadron 150 participated in a search and rescue training exercise during the weekend of 16 March-17 March, 2019. Mission base for the exercise was Fullerton Municipal Airport, where there are two Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadrons stationed and one CAP airplane based there. Squadron 150 members participated as aircrew members, communications staff, base staff and planning staff, helping to ensure (along with our other CAP members) that this training exercise was a success.

Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 at Fullerton Municipal Airport during a training exercise on March 16, 2019
(Civil Air Patrol by 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan)

Squadron 150 members 2nd Lt. Mihai Sochirca (R) speaking with another Civil Air Patrol member during a training exercise at Fullerton Municipal Airport on March 16, 2019 (Civil Air Patrol by 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan)

Civil Air Patrol members at Fullerton Municipal Airport during a training exercise on March 16, 2019
(Civil Air Patrol by 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan)

Civil Air Patrol members conducting a pre-flight check of a Cessna 182 prior to a mission during a training exercise at Fullerton Municipal Airport on March 16, 2019
(Civil Air Patrol by 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan)

Squadron 150 member 2nd Lt. Don Johnson (reading chart) doing pre-flight planning with other members of an aircrew during a training exercise at Fullerton Municipal Airport
(Civil Air Patrol by 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan)

Squadron 150 member 1st Lt. Steven Schock (far right) speaking with Civil Air Patrol cadets during a training exercise at Fullerton Municipal Airport (Civil Air Patrol photo 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan)

Civil Air Patrol aircrew in a Cessna 182 taking off from Fullerton Municipal Airport during a training exercise on March 16, 2019 (Civil Air Patrol photo by 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan)

Thank you to Our Special Guest Speaker

Our very special thanks again to Aldo Spadoni who was our guest speaker for the recent Joint Group 7 Meeting that was hosted at Squadron 150 headquarters at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base.  Aldo gave a very interesting talk about "Exploring the Boundaries of Art, Design, Aerospace Engineering and Popular Culture." 

Aldo is the President of Aerospace Imagineering, is an MIT graduate with extensive experience as an aerospace engineer, conceptual designer, and futurist. He has contributed to the conceptual, prototype, and production design of numerous advanced aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft For NASA, DARPA and The U.S. Armed Services. He created an award-winning simulation team at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. Aldo is also an accomplished concept designer/inventor with four U.S. patents, space artist, and Hollywood technical consultant. He has worked on movies such as Iron Man, Stealth and Iron Man 2. 
He is a Fellow of the International Association of Astronomical Artists (IAAA) and is currently serving on its Board of Trustees. Some examples of his work can be found in the link here https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/aldo-spadoni.html