Picture: Florida Wing pilots like Lt. Col. Stephen Hunter, Group 4 director of operations, seen prepping a CAP aircraft between flights, are ready to fly for the Federal Emergency Management Agencies and other agencies when called on.
Civil Air Patrol has been providing critical assistance to local, state, and federal agencies in the wake of Hurricane Milton’s devastating impact on Florida.
On Sunday, CAP aircrews flew Willie Nunn, Federal Emergency Management Agency regional administrator for Region 10, and other critical FEMA personnel to key areas, expediting recovery efforts and improving communication between organizations responding to the Category 3 storm.
Maj. Nathan Hoffman, Florida Wing Group 1 commander, and Capt. Bryan Brown of the Georgia Wing’s Griffin Composite Squadron piloted the flights from Tallahassee International Airport to Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg..
Hurricane Milton made landfall Oct. 9, causing widespread destruction across Florida. Many communities still reeling from Hurricane Helene in September sustained further damage to infrastructure, complicating recovery efforts.
CAP, the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, has been supporting FEMA with aerial photography missions. The images provide a more cohesive operating picture and strengthen the overall disaster response strategy.
Col. David Panzera, Florida Wing commander, praised the dedication of the Florida team and other CAP members from the Southeast Region.
“Our members have trained extensively to ensure that we can provide support in times of crisis,” Panzera said. “Missions like this allow us to assist in streamlining disaster response and accelerate renewal operations, especially providing data critical to governmental decisions related to recovery efforts.”
Panzera added that more operations are scheduled, with CAP teams poised to provide support wherever needed. The volunteer auxiliary’s highly trained members stand ready to assist FEMA and other agencies as the state moves forward in recovery. With decades of experience, CAP remains a trusted partner, demonstrating the power of volunteer service in times of crisis.
Acting as a Total Force partner and the Air Force auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol helps 1st Air Force rapidly respond to nonmilitary threats domestically in a Defense Support of Civil Authorities capacity to save lives, relieve suffering, prevent property damage, and provide humanitarian assistance.
If you or your child would like to participate locally in the Civil Air Patrol, the Calhoun Composite Squadron meets every Tuesday in Grantsville, WV. For more information contact Shari Johnson, Deputy Commander of Cadets at (304)377-6036.
More Civil Air Patrol news and information can be found at https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com
