Milwaukee, WI - Getting the word out to the public and fellow emergency responders on who the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is and what it does, is an often overlooked task, yet one that is extremely vital. Though one generally does not see immediate results from such efforts, they build awareness with the public, as well as related groups, such as the FBI, ATF, and local police and fire departments.

That is exactly what four cadets and two senior members did on Saturday, May 30 at Bayshore Safety Days in Glendale, Wisconsin. With the Wisconsin Wing Mobile Command Unit (ORCA) as their backdrop, the CAP members spoke with and handed out brochures to the public, gave tours of ORCA, and spoke with other agencies to educate them about CAP.

Though events such as this often draw parents with young children who are too young to join, it is important to make the CAP presence known as they are the future and it will not be long before they are old enough to join. Folding CAP paper air planes and handing them to children brought not only a smile to the youngsters, but their parents as well.

Manitowoc, WI - The crowds stood in amazement as the stunt pilots did their magical flying and the F-18 and the F-16 screamed through the air in the pouring rain. The Army’s Golden Knights Parachute team jumped and landed on their mark with a precision that few would be able to accomplish.

Sunday, the show was delayed a short time as the cloud ceiling had to reach the required minimum of two thousand feet in order for the planes to fly as required by the Federal Aviation Association (FAA). The winds were brisk making it very difficult for the Army’s parachute team to maneuver, but by the end of the show, there was a gorgeous blue sky for the backdrop of the planes. With the humidity levels being as they were, it made for a beautiful example of contrails and moisture vapor around the high speed planes.

Civil Air Patrol has had a working relationship with the Manitowoc air show for 11 years. Its job is to “Post the Colors” before each show, help park cars, and provide general security around the planes and crowds. This year, a new twist was added for a couple of cadets who were chosen to be the mascot for the fire department. They downed the “Fire Pup” outfit and greeted children at the air show while other cadets handed out Jr. Firefighter badges. Long days of standing or walking were rewarded with “front row” seats as CAP members secured the flight line for the air show.

Milwaukee, WI - Cadets and officers from Milwaukee Composite Squadron #5, WALCO, and Sheboygan Composite Squadrons marched in the Reclaiming Our Heritage Parade, Saturday, May 30th on the grounds of the Veterans Administration. Led by the Squadron #5 Color Guard, the cadets formed a flight and brought smiles to the faces of many veterans lining the parade route with their sharp appearance in the "modern unit" section of the parade, which began with revolutionary war soldiers.

The cadets and officers later manned the first aid tent co-located with the police HQ and were on call for crowd control for various re-enactor events throughout the weekend.

Several CAP officers were also in other units of the parade including Lt Col Steve Michaels in a Civil War Union Captain's uniform (third from left)(Sons of Union Veterans), 1st Lt Allison Michaels carrying the American flag in Civil War era dress, and Captain Martiny in his CAP WWII uniform  in a restored Jeep (rear seat far side of vehicle).

Stevens Point. Fifteen cadets and 10 senior members in the Stevens Point Composite Squadron participated in an Aerospace Education Day on May 30, 2009.

Led by 2nd Lt. Ryan Vechinski, cadets completed stage one and two of the rocketry program. They built and tested water rockets.  At air pressures of 40 to 100 pounds per square inch, some rockets achieved heights estimated to be 200 feet. 

Three cadets also received orientation flights with Captain John Thompson, in the Wausau squadron’s Cessna 182.

In a nearby wooded area, four teams cadets and seniors honed new skills to further their ground team training.  Activities included map reading, navigating a 430 meter compass course, and practice area searches.