Media and Public Affairs

Maine Wing Honors More Veterans Than Ever
On Wreaths Across America Day 2023

by Capt. Jeff Pierce, CAP

AUGUSTA, Maine. Feb. 16, 2024 – Maine Wing’s members collected over 1,300 wreath sponsorships and placed them on veterans’ graves on Wreaths Across America Day on December 16, 2023, part of 3 million wreaths placed nationwide. Civil Air Patrol has supported the mission of Wreaths Across America to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and to teach the next generation the value of freedom as an official partner since 2006.

Seven of Maine Wing’s squadrons participated in the 2023 Wreaths Across America effort to honor fallen veterans throughout the state, resulting in over 1300 remembrance wreaths sponsored. The County Composite Squadron led the way honoring over 700 Maine Veterans at Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Caribou and Fairmount Cemetery in Presque Isle. Togus National Cemetery in Chelsea, Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale and other cemeteries throughout the state were supported by the Machias Valley Composite Squadron, the Waterville Composite Squadron, the Brunswick Composite Squadron, the Auburn-Lewiston Composite Squadron, the Portland Composite Squadron and the Sanford Composite Squadron.

In addition to honoring over 1,300 veterans the individual squadrons also raised a combined $6,667 for their units through Wreaths Across America’s sponsorship group program where nonprofit organizations can receive $5 from each wreath that is sponsored through their page. These funds help Maine Wing squadrons fulfill the three missions of Civil Air Patrol – aerospace education, emergency services and cadet programs.

Wreaths Across America grew from the Worcester Family of the Worcester Wreath Company’s initiative in 1993 to send their excess wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery to be laid on veterans' graves to honor their sacrifices and remember their names. Since the earliest days, Maine Wing Civil Air Patrol cadets and adult members were there to help honor these veterans. Wreaths Across America is now in 4,223 locations and counting.

Additional photographs and interviews are available upon request.

November 2 may not be a day of celebration on the calendar’s in most homes, but to Marshwood Middle School this year, November 2 was a Veterans Day Celebration to remember.  The 18th Annual ceremony to honor military and first responders lasted nearly 2 hours as the community gathered to celebrate and praise the bravery, sacrifice and dedication of the many men and women who actively put themselves in a position to protect the freedoms and the very life we value today.

In the midst of such an Observance, the Civil Air Patrol Cadets of the Sanford Composite Squadron 078, participated with Honoring the Colors of our Flag.  Marching together, quiet and earnest, and participating in the ages old tradition, these four cadets, who are very new to Civil Air Patrol, Posted the Colors at the event and performed admirably.

“Cadets Dylan Boston, Cameron Sutton, Piper Edwards and James Luttrell did a fantastic job posting the Colors at this morning’s Veterans Day Service” announced the Sanford Commander, Blain Cote, “You all made me very proud to be the Commander”, he finished.  

These inexperienced cadets  spent about four weeks getting ready for their very first color guard ceremony.  “To see young people work hard and balance school, work, sports, free time, Civil Air Patrol responsibilities and the added work of learning the steps and rituals of the Color Guard, is extraordinary,” commented Commander Cote.  

Wallace Berg, a Veteran who attended the Ceremony on November 2, stood and saluted the other Veterans, honoring all Veterans.  This day to reflect on the outstanding contributions of the community with choral and instrumental dedications as well as speeches filled with pride and honor and respect; all put into perspective by a salute from one man to all men and women.

By:  2nd Lt. Rhonda O’Shea

Lt. Col. Jerry Dewitt Honored

2018 Joint NER-CT Wing Conference recognizes one of Maine Wing’s elite members.

Lt. Col. Jerry Dewitt, Recruiting Officer and Government Relations Advisor of Maine Wing was awarded the George Texido Legislative Officer of the Year Award at the Northeast Regional Conference, on October 13, 2018.

Lt. Col. Dewitt’s dedication to the Maine Wing assists with our Cadet Programs, recruiting opportunities and contact with the Maine Legislature.  He has recruited 20 members of Maine’s Legislature and 9 members of Maine's Congressional Delegation Representatives, including Congressman Poliquin, Senator Collins and staff from each of their offices and a staff member from Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s office.

Additionally, Lt. Col. Dewitt  is involved at the Squadron Level as an Assistant Aerospace Education Officer and Assistant PAO.

Picture shown, Lt. Col. Jerry Dewitt receiving the George Texido Legislative Officer of the Year Award from Col Jack Ozer, NER Commander.

By 2nd Lt. Rhonda O’Shea

October 6, 2018

Change of Command Ceremony for the 58th Composite Squadron

By: Second Lieutenant Emily Estes

Oh what a night for the 58th Composite Squadron in Portland, Maine! Not only were two cadets and one senior member promoted, but there was a change of command ceremony! Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Emrich-Shanks was promoted to Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Level II. Cadet Senior Airman St. Clair was promoted to Cadet Staff Sergeant. Senior Member Lapointe was promoted to Second Lieutenant.

C/SSgt St.Clair being pinned by his father, Second Lieutenant St. Clair, and his grandfather, Gene St. Clair.

The outgoing First Sergeant C/MSgt Lambert ended her term and passed on her position to the incoming First Sergeant Cadet Technical Sergeant Corcoran. The outgoing cadet commander Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Sawicki ended her term and passed on her position to the incoming cadet commander Cadet Master Sergeant Lambert. C/CMSgt Emrich-Shanks ended his term as deputy commander. C/SSgt St. Clair ended his term as the Supply Sergeant and has now become a Flight Sergeant. Cadet Senior Airman Griffin has now become the new Supply Sergeant.

Squadron Commander Captain Robinson hands over the guide on to C/MSgt Lambert. 

September 27, 2018

WWII Bomber Planes Make An Appearance

By: Second Lieutenant Emily Estes

Ever wanted to travel back in time and see some of the bomber planes from past wars? The Collings Foundation Airshow hosted an event at the Portland International Airport September 19th, 2018 - September 21st, 2018. During this event, the B-24J Liberator, P-51 Mustang and the B-25 Mitchell were on display as well as taking passengers on flights. Senior members from the 58th Composite Squadron based out of Portland, Maine, was asked to volunteer during the event to do flight line security. Each day, about five senior members from the squadron volunteered to help out.

 Photo of P-51 Mustang taken by Second Lieutenant Terry Lambert

During the event, senior members are able to walk around and view the antique planes as if they were part of the public crowd. On Thursday, one of our Public Affair Officers, Second Lieutenant Emily Estes was talking pictures of the planes, inside and out. When asking one of the Co-Pilot’s of the B-25 Mitchell, Clark Labbe, for special permission to enter the cockpit of the plane to take some pictures, he surprised her by offering her to take a flight with them on the plane. Without hesitation, she said yes. Another senior member, Captain Eric Earle, was also offered a flight in the B-25 Mitchell and without any hesitation at all, he agreed.

Photo of B-25 Mitchell taken by 2d Lt. Estes

After the flight, Capt. Earle commented, “If it wasn’t for Civil Air Patrol, today would probably have never happened. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am so very thankful that the crew allowed us to take a flight in the B-25. I will never forget this amazing opportunity.”

Photo of P-51 Mustang taken by 2d Lt. Terry Lambert

During the flight, the occupants on the plane were able to unbuckle and move around. Lt. Estes spent most of the flight in the back of the plane were the machine gun was located. Many pictures and even a couple of videos were taken during the flight.

Photo taken by 2d Lt. Estes in flight on the B-25 Mitchell

The Collings Foundation mission is to support living history events and preserving historical artifacts that enables Americans to learn more about the past and their heritage. They are based out of Stow, Massachusetts but they travel all over the United States to present their displays to the public. A major focus of the foundation has been the “Wings of Freedom Tour” which showcases the B-24 Liberator, B-17 Flying Fortress, P-51 Mustang and the B-25 Mitchell.

B-24 Liberator

Encampment 2018 Canceled

Due to an unforeseen situation, Maine Wing must cancel the 2018 Encampment.   

We are very sorry for the short notice but this situation was out of our control. 

CAP National Flight Academy Teaches Young Cadets to Fly!

Old Town- Eighteen Civil Air Patrol cadets will learn to fly this week at the National Powered Flight Academy held at Dewitt Field in Old Town. Cadets 16-19 years old from every state in New England and from as far away as Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, and South Carolina, will learn to fly, instructed by ten CAP certified flight instructors. The flight instructors and staff are volunteering their time during the week of June 22 to June 30th to help instruct and expose these young cadets to aviation. The academy has been held in Old Town the last six years, hosted by the City of Old Town and the airport staff. Cadets will receive 10 hours of flight instruction and approximately 25 hours of ground school about flight rules and aerodynamics. Several of the cadets will solo by the end of the week.

Cadet Amos Grant, from Leeds Maine, said “Every day is intense flight training. We started flying the first day! The instructor turned the controls over to me and had me climbing and making turns right after takeoff.” Cadets are staying at the Bangor Air National Guard facility for the week. CAP has brought ten Cessna 172 aircraft from several states to support this activity and to provide the flight instruction. Cadets will learn on various models of the Cessna 172 including the latest computer equipped Garmin G-1000 glass cockpit found in many commercial aircraft. Lieutenant Colonel Cathie Spaulding, Director of this year’s flight academy, stated, “Cadets really benefit from the concentrated instruction from CAP’s experienced flight instructors. The cadets are excited to learn during a week of all aviation”.

Aircrews will use various airfields in the Bangor area for takeoff and landing practice, including Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Old Town, Lincoln, Pittsfield, and the Bangor Airports. The cadets will learn crosswind take-offs and landings, traffic patterns, stalls, turns around a point and steep turns. Ground school will include topics like weather, radio communications, taxiing, traffic pattern operations, aircraft weight and balance, aerodynamics, aircraft engines, flight mechanics, and preflight planning.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually. CAP’s 60,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 25,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for more information.

Bangor Squadron Cadets Place First in Cyberpatriot Contest

The Cyberpatriot quarter final results were announced on February 1st. The Bangor Squadron (NER 035) placed first in the all-services division in the state of Maine, the cadets also placed second nationwide in the all-services Silver tier Division besting over 200 CAP, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine JROTC teams. C/A1C Aiden Dow and C/Amn Christopher Persinger came to the competition rounds eager and prepared and it was a pleasure to see them so engaged. This qualifies them to go on the semi-finals round. Capt. Michael Mitchell is the senior member coach of the Cyberpatriot Team.

The National Youth Cyber Education Program (CyberPatriot) was created by the Air Force Association (AFA) to inspire students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future. At the center of CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. The competition puts teams of high school and middle school students in the position of newly hired IT professionals tasked with managing the network of a small company. In the rounds of competition, teams are given a set of virtual images that represent operating systems and are tasked with finding cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the images and hardening the system while maintaining critical services.  Teams compete for the top placement within their state and region, and the top teams in the nation earn all-expenses paid trips to Baltimore, MD for the National Finals Competition where they can earn national recognition and scholarship money.​

The round always begins with the "ReadMe". This document details the role the competitor will play in the competition, usually that the competitor is a newly hired systems administrator and gives a brief description of the system requirements, What should be available to which users, what users should have admin roles vs user roles, and mostly, what is unacceptable on the system regarding software and stored files. The competitors gain points based on the corrections they make to the "compromised system" and then additional points for the steps they take to correct items that leave the system open to attack. A perfect score is 100 points per Operating system. In the Quarter finals, there were 3. The point values for each correction vary based on the severity of the vulnerability. There are also "forensic" questions that challenge the Competitor's problem solving skills. 

This year, there are over 3000 Teams worldwide that participate in the competition. This is split into High School, Middle School, and All-services divisions. CAP participates in the All-services Division which includes Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine ROTC's plus Sea Cadets and CAP Cadets. This group numbered 1109 teams. After the first 2 rounds the teams were further divided into Tiers. Bangor Squadron was part of the Silver Tier which compromised approximately 300 teams. Bangor Squadron placed first nationwide in the All-services Division, Silver Tier for the Quarter- Final Round, qualifying then to proceed to the Semi-Finals. The Semi Finals are to take place this coming weekend.

Maine Wing – U S Air Force Auxiliary - Civil Air Patrol Assists Maine Warden Service in Missing Person Search

Maine Wing Ground Teams were requested by the Maine Warden Service to assist in a ground search for a 50 year old woman, missing since going out for an evening walk on Sunday. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center quickly approved the mission and CAP ground teams from squadrons in Portland, Lewiston, Bar Harbor and Bangor answered the call. Cold overnight temperatures in the teens and single numbers caused the Wardens to request additional search parties.

The Maine Wing Communications Trailer was set up overnight to assist ground communication and coordination. Game Wardens, local fire departments and volunteer search teams including mounted and canine search groups assembled at the Bradford Town Office early this morning to start the search. Wardens discovered the woman cold and walking down a local road shortly after all the teams had assembled. She was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Wardens will talk with her once she has recovered.

Lt. Kevin Adam, the Maine Warden Service Search and Rescue Coordinator, said “He was glad of the successful outcome and of the skilled teams that were available for the search”. “The woman had dressed warmly for her walk and that contributed to her survival in such cold conditions.”

Awakening a Sleeping Giant

By 2Lt. James Merrill, CAP, Maine Wing, 77th Composite Squadron

It was an early Sunday morning back in 1941; the Pearl was peaceful, quiet as she greeted the rising sun.

The harbor waters were calm, there was stillness in the air, and crews aboard their ships had not a worry or a care.

The Arizona was a beauty, proudly anchored below the morning skies, the Utah and Missouri anchored near her, awaiting crews to rise.

No one had a clue that peaceful morning the terror soon to come, the roar of airplane engines sounded like the beating of a thousand drums.

 The day that would live in infamy would soon be here, when that roar off in the distance was now so very near.

A sleeping giant would be awoken as one Japanese Admiral would soon say, and it brought our great country united on that terrible and dreadful day.

From farms and mountain valleys, from sea to shining sea, young men came by the thousands to raise their right hands and take an oath so one day we’d all be free.

They fought on islands scattered along South Pacific shores, like Saipan, the Marshall Islands, Guadalcanal, Corregidor.

Dedicated nurses cared for the wounded as battles would rage on; God bless those nurses who gave so much, each and every one.

Young men landed on beachheads along the shores of Normandy, they fought in open fields of France and in thick forests of Germany.

God Bless them all and we thank them all, it is because of them America is free.

James Merrill is a Air Force Combat Veteran of the Vietnam War

Maine Wing – US Air Force Auxiliary / Civil Air Patrol Assists in Fall Windstorm Relief Efforts

The devastation caused by a large coastal wind and rain storm, called a “Bomb Cyclone” by meteorologists, continues to challenge the people and resources of Maine. Nearly 550,000 Maine homes and businesses were without power in southern and central Maine, more outages than the infamous Ice Storm of 1998. Nearly 70,000 homes are still without power five days after the storm. Winds in excess of 90 mph were recorded along coastal Maine, with winds inland over 60 mph. Downed trees have demolished the Maine electric grid, and even with help from outside contractors, repair of the system has been slow. Many roads are closed due to fallen trees, bridge wash outs, and hanging power lines. Amtrak is only partly operational because of lack of power at road crossings along the rail line north of Portland. On the coast, a number of boats at anchor were smashed, sunk, or thrown up on shore in the Belfast area.

The Maine Wing of the US Air Force Auxiliary / Civil Air Patrol (USAF-Aux / CAP) has been tasked with damage assessment of rail and roadways by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Maine Department of Transportation (MEDoT).

MEDoT has requested CAP’s Maine Wing fly a number of railroad lines and roadways to pinpoint downed trees, flooded structures and barriers to transportation. Rail lines from Auburn to Portland and Westbrook to Fryeburg were inspected and photographed on Wednesday. Additional flights are planned for Friday and Saturday, weather permitting. According to LT COL Greg Curtis, Maine Wing Chief of Staff, the organization has a numerous of highly trained individuals who can assist in both air and ground operations. Assets available include sophisticated aircraft, which can provide high-resolution reconnaissance photography and infra-red detection equipment.

Maine Wing Commander Col. James Jordan was one of the first pilots into the air to record the damage along rail lines. Jordan said, “I was surprised by how widespread the fallen trees and power lines were, from the coast to far inland Maine”. The digital images recorded by CAP Aerial Photographers will be downloaded and provided to MEDoT for damage assessment and estimates. The damage assessments allow MEDoT to receive funding for repairs from FEMA and US DoT. Additionally, several personnel are fully qualified for participation in multi-agency Incident Command Centers and have volunteered to assist in the state Emergency Operations Center.

Civil Air Patrol- National Powered Flight Academy

Dewitt Field, Old Town, Maine

CAP National Flight Academy Teaches Young Cadets to Fly!

Contact: Capt. Mark Hyland, (207) 515-3959

Old Town- 18 Civil Air Patrol cadets will learn to fly this week at the National Powered Flight Academy held at Dewitt Field in Old Town.  The cadets, 16-19 years old from as far away as California, Michigan, and Georgia, will learn to fly, instructed by ten CAP certified flight instructors.  The flight instructors and staff are volunteering their time during the week of July 1-8th to help instruct and expose these young cadets to aviation.  The academy has been held in Old Town the last five years, hosted by the City of Old Town and the airport staff.  Cadets will receive 10 hours of flight instruction and approximately 25 hours of ground school about flight rules and aerodynamics.  Several of the cadets will solo by the end of the week.   Cadet Connor Sobolewski, from Pennsylvania, said “ I love seeing guys come back from what Colonel Vallillo did in the Air Force and commercial with as much experience as he has give back.  It's something I would like to strive for one day.”  Cadets will stay at the Bangor Air National Guard facility for the week.  CAP has brought 10 Cessna 172 aircraft from several states to support this activity and to provide the flight instruction.  Cadets will learn on various models of the Cessna 172 including the latest computer equipped Garmin G-1000 glass cockpit found in many commercial aircraft.  Lieutenant Colonel Cathie Spaulding, Director of this year’s flight academy, stated, “Cadets really benefit from the concentrated instruction from CAPs experienced flight instructors.  The cadets are excited to learn during a week of all aviation”.

Aircrews will use various airfields in the Bangor area for takeoff and landing practice, including Dover-Foxcroft, Old Town, Lincoln, Pittsfield, and the Bangor Airports.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 78 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol’s 56,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. Performing missions for America for the past 75 years, CAP received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.capvolunteernow.com for more information

Volunteers Give Their Time to Teach Cadets

Contact: Capt. Mark Hyland for more information

mark.hyland@mewg.cap.gov  or 207 515-3959.

Civil Air Patrol stone unveiled at Memorial Day ceremonies 5/27/17

Mark Hyland Radio Interviews

WGAN  Interview with Mark Hyland Part 1 3/18/17

WGAN  Interview with Mark Hyland Part 2 3/18/17

Snow Expected to Fly Today !

Civil Air Patrol promotes Greg Curtis of Raymond

February 8, 2017

Photo by Capt. Mark Hyland

Auburn, Maine -- Major Greg Curtis, center, of Raymond is promoted to lieutenant colonel at the Civil Air Patrol. LTC Curtis is the squadron commander of the 77th Squadron, the local Lewiston-Auburn Composite Squadron, composed of senior members and cadets. LTC Curtis is a U.S. Air Force veteran and B-52 command pilot, as well as certified flight instructor.  He was stationed at Loring Air Force Base and a number of other locations around the country during his Air Force career.  LTC Curtis is also a Mission SAR Pilot, flight instructor and check pilot for the Maine Wing.  He frequently volunteers a week each year to instruct cadets at the National Flight Academy held in Old Town, Maine.  The local CAP Squadron has more than 30 members and meets at 6 p.m. Thursday nights at the municipal airport in Auburn. Colonel James Jordan, left, Maine wing commander, and Colonel Daniel Leclair, Northeast Region commander, present his new rank.