Wing Commander Peters passes flag signifying command to Squadron Commander McClard. Courtesy/CAP
Lt. Wolfe relinquishing Squadron Command to Wing Commander Peters. Courtesy/CAP
Wing Commander Peters presents Lt. Col. Pat Norvell with certificate for 40 years of CAP service. Courtesy/CAP
CAP News:
Maj. David McClard assumed command of the Los Alamos Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol during a ceremony Monday at the Los Alamos Airport Terminal.
Officiating at the ceremony was Col. Annette Peters, CAP New Mexico Wing commander.
Maj. McClard has served for 30 years with CAP and in the past has previously served as the squadron commander.
Relinquishing command was Lt. Bill Wolfe who has served as the squadron commander for the past four years. Wolfe thanked his staff officers for their support and received a Certificate of Recognition from Col. Peters for his service. Wolfe and his wife Maria are planning to move to Colorado Springs when he retires later this year.
Also recognized at the ceremony was Pat Norvell who received a certificate recognizing her 40 years of service with CAP.
The Los Alamos Squadron is within the New Mexico Wing of an organization that was founded at the beginning of World War II. Civil Air Patrol provided a way for civilian pilots to support the war effort. CAP flew thousands of missions and is credited with finding 170 German U boats and sinking two of them (by dropping bombs by hand out of small aircraft windows). At the close of the war, CAP became the civilian auxiliary to the United States Air Force.
While CAP no longer searches for enemy submarines, they do perform searches for missing aircraft as well as lost hunters and hikers. As a humanitarian service organization CAP assists federal, state and local agencies in preparing for and responding to homeland security needs. CAP had the first general aviation aircraft flying over NYC after the 9/11 terrorist attack. CAP aircrews and ground personnel provide transportation for cargo and officials. They provide aerial imagery to aid emergency managers in assessing damage, and support local, state and federal disaster relief organizations during times of need.
In addition to the Emergency Services mission, Civil Air Patrol is also dedicated to Aerospace Education, providing opportunities for cadets ages 12 to 21 to learn about and explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math – now widely known as STEM.
Residents who wish to serve our community are invited to attend a CAP meeting and new members are always welcomed. More information about Civil Air Patrol is available online at gocivilairpatrol.com.
