It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our friend, colleague and fellow Civil Air Patrol and Long Beach Senior Squadron 150 member, Captain Michael Cardenas on 21 March, 2016.
Capt. Cardenas has been a valued member of CAP since 1987. After joining he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, became a 1st Lieutenant in 1991 and earned the grade of Captain in 2000.Capt. Cardenas served in several leadership positions within the squadron. Most recently he was an Assistant Public Affairs Officer and an Assistant Safety Officer. Prior to this he served as the squadron’s Safety Officer.
Prior to transferring to Squadron 150, Capt. Cardenas held the positions of Commander, Communications Officer and Emergency Services Officer for El Monte Composite Squadron 21; he also served as the Emergency Services Officer for Los Angeles County Group 1. After serving in Squadron 21 and Group 1, Capt. Cardenas became a member of Fullerton Senior Squadron 40, then transferred to Squadron 150 in 2012.
Capt. Cardenas held a Technician rating in the Communications specialty track and also received the Benjamin O. Davis Leadership Award.
Capt. Cardenas loved Civil Air Patrol and was often seen representing (and recruiting for) Squadron 150 and Civil Air Patrol at community events. If there was a way he could talk to someone about CAP, he would, and did…often!
We will miss him, and offer our deepest condolences to his wife Norma, his daughter Natalie and his family and friends.
