2025 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 685
Commending the Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 18, 2025
Agreed to by the Senate, February 20, 2025
WHEREAS, the Civil Air Patrol continues to serve as the valued auxiliary of the United States Air Force, with the Virginia Wing maintaining 28 locations statewide, operating 12 single-engine aircraft, and comprising 1,207 adult members, 1,361 cadet members, 194 aircrew personnel, and 1,643 emergency responders; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, the Virginia Wing demonstrated exceptional operational capabilities through multiple mission types, including 27 air defense intercept flights with the Air National Guard, 23 aerial imagery and damage assessment flights for Hurricane Helene response operations, the deployment of 15 members to support points of distribution operations, three counter-small unmanned aircraft system missions in support of the United States Air Force, and monthly emergency services training missions involving more than 500 members; and
WHEREAS, members of the Virginia Wing conducted extensive flight operations throughout 2024, including 595 powered cadet orientation rides, 99 glider orientation rides, 214 Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps rides, and 287 emergency services training sorties, demonstrating their commitment to aviation education, aviation safety, and emergency preparedness; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Wing's cadet program achieved remarkable success in 2024, with 2,904 cadet achievements, including 383 milestone awards, notably three General Carl A. Spaatz Awards, 10 General Ira C. Eaker Awards, 30 Amelia Earhart Awards, 98 Billy Mitchell Awards, and 155 Wright Brothers Awards; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Wing conducted two successful encampments in 2024, with the Winter Encampment training 86 basic cadets and the Summer Encampment providing training to 195 basic cadets and 20 advanced training flight participants; and
WHEREAS, 19 of 21 units earned the Quality Cadet Unit Award and 18 units achieved the Aerospace Education Achievement Award, while the Virginia Wing received the Mid-Atlantic Region Disaster Relief Mission Award; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Wing demonstrated its commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education through participation in the Joint Base Langley-Eustis Tidewater Integrated Combat Symposium STEM Day, which engaged with 728 students and 68 teachers from Hampton and Poquoson and introduced youths to aerospace education and STEM programs; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol for its exceptional service and achievements in 2024; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for its members' ongoing dedication to service and contributions to the Commonwealth.