Every day, Civil Air Patrol members across the nation are supporting local communities. In Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, the St. Croix Squadron provides support during natural disasters and emergencies, teaches future leaders in aerospace education, and supports the Air Force with its training and missions.
The St. Croix Squadron has been a part of our community since 1986, supporting the local community for more than 30 years. Our emergency services have helped search and rescue missions from the air, assisting in the search for people during floods or blizzards. So far this year alone, 101 people have been saved by Civil Air Patrol squadrons across the United States.
Our aerospace education program introduces a new generation of future pilots and fliers to aerospace education, providing summer camp education, model rocketry and cyber training to more than 200 youth over the past 10 years. The critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills gained by youth through these programs will benefit them the rest of their lives.
And our cadet program is developing the next generation of leaders who learn discipline, teamwork, tenacity, and other qualities. Our senior members are dedicated to shaping the next generation, many of whom go on to have successful careers in aerospace.
For decades, the St. Croix Squadron enjoyed the use of a private hangar for our training and flight needs, for which we are grateful. However, the hangar’s owner had to make changes in his life and the facility is no longer available for our use. Since last fall we have been desperately searching for a new home.
Fortune shined on us when we learned that the Metropolitan Airport Commission has precious space available for us to build a new hangar and training center at the Lake Elmo airport.
We need to build this new home for our squadron.
Without a place to carry out our mission, there will be no cadet programs, no training flights, no educational programs for students. Without a training center there is no Civil Air Patrol in our local area, a huge loss for hopeful local youth who want to explore aerospace technology and careers. We would not be able to assist local law enforcement during search and rescue missions.
I am asking you to help us build this new home.
The minimum expense of the training center is $150,000 for four walls and a bay door. The estimated cost for the additional amenities required to carry out our mission, a conference room and other training space, is an estimated $50,000.
The support of our community at every level will help us make this happen. Individual donors, corporations and foundations who invest in this one-time project will allow us to continue our work. I hope you agree that having a local Civil Air Patrol in the community is worth this investment.
Support our Future through our Cadet Program
Nicole Malachoweski
When Nicole Malachowski was 5 years old, she attended an air show with her parents near her hometown of Santa Maria, CA. Right then and there, she knew she wanted to break the law when she grew up. Although, she didn’t realize that what she wanted was illegal.
She wanted to be a fighter pilot. At the time, it was illegal for women to fly combat missions in the military. Nicole didn’t know nor care at the tender age of 5, she just knew that she was fascinated by the miracle of flight and wanted to experience it.
Upon moving to southern California during Junior High, she became spellbound by an aircraft that often flew over her house with the initials “C.A.P.” painted on it. Her grandfather, a former military man, knew that it was the local Civil Air Patrol and encouraged her to join. At the age of 12, Nicole joined the Cable Composite Squadron and began her aerospace education.
“The Civil Air Patrol helped me stay focused on my goals and prevented me from being distracted by those things that tend to distract teens,” Nicole explains “I enjoyed the precision and discipline of learning the military lifestyle, how to march in formation and show respect for the flag.” She was encouraged by being surrounded by kids who shared these common interests and enjoyed learning about, and practicing, both teamwork and leadership.
After high school, Nicole went directly to the Air Force Academy where she got her degree in Management, then enrolled in Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus AFB, MS. In 1993 the law was finally changed allowing women to fly combat missions, just in time for Nicole to become a fighter pilot and go on to fly 188 combat hours during Operation Deliberate Forge and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
She was the first woman pilot selected as a member of the Thunderbird aerial demonstration squadron and was a White House Fellow during the transition between the Bush and Obama administration. She would later serve as an adviser to former First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden on all issues involving service members, veterans, and military families.
Dozens of cadets each year received specialized training and opportunities only available through the Civil Air Patrol. In order to have a successful cadet program, we need a facility made for their education. Your gift to this training center will ensure that we can continue to provide this valuable education.
Cadet Major E. Ekstrand
“Joining the Civil Air Patrol, or CAP for short, has been the single most important decision in my life. It offered me so many invaluable experiences that I know for a fact I couldn’t have gotten so easy elsewhere.” says Cadet Major Evan Ekstrand, St Croix Squadron Cadet Commander. “Through CAPs STEM program I have been given the ability to make model rockets, learn about automated weather systems, visit Air Traffic Control Towers, learn about cyber security and other valuable training.” “Another huge aspect of Civil Air Patrol as a cadet is the flight and aerospace training. The most important aspects are the 5 free powered airplane rides, 5 free glider airplane rides, incredibly inexpensive airplane rental prices, and free flight training.” “I am about to achieve my private pilot’s license.”
Cadet Airman 1st Class L. Hipp
Cadet Liesel Hipp is one of St. Croix’s newest Cadets, having been in the squadron only 2 months. “I recently joined the Civil Air Patrol. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Civil Air Patrol is filled with amazing people who strive to help you reach your goals. In my short time with the Civil Air Patrol, I joined CyberPatriot, took my first drill test, and flew in airplane for my first orientation flight, along with multiple other things”. Drill is also a key part of Civil Air Patrol. It is teaching me self-discipline and teamwork. Civil Air Patrol also provides leadership training. When I first joined, I received a book on leadership that we use regularly to study from. The Civil Air Patrol is definitely providing me opportunities to develop as a person of service and leadership. I am extremely excited for the rest of my time in the Civil Air Patrol.”
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant A. Menk
“I joined the Civil Air Patrol about 3 years ago because I was interested in flying. Since then, my interest has expanded to include all the things CAP has to offer such as leadership skills, STEM-oriented classes, and hands-on activities.” says Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Allen Menk. Through CAP’s CyberPatriot program, he has learned how to harden systems against hackers along with networking basics through Cisco Networking Academy and has earned his cyber badge. “In my future CAP career, I hope to give back to the future generation of cadets by helping with and organizing more CyberPatriot meetings, teaching classes using STEM kits, and setting a solid base for cadets to become leaders.”