CAP Member to Pilot Space Shuttle Endeavour

[Eeyore]

Saw this article and thought it was pretty cool. Looks like he is a current CAP member from Florida Wing, anyone know if he's active?

http://www.aero-news.net/news/aerospace.cfm?ContentBlockID=c5e24cdd-eeeb-4ce7-9c7d-460f87d9454a&Dynamic=1

[jimmydeanno]

Not active.  However he will be bringing a Spaatz coin with him.  It is to be displayed at CAP NHQ.

[IceNine]

There is an Eric A Boe listed in FLWG 423, may just be coincidence but I'd bet not.

[AlphaSigOU]

There is an Eric A Boe listed in FLWG 423, may just be coincidence but I'd bet not.

I'm inclined to say you're correct. Lt Col Boe (don't know his CAP grade, but I'd be reasonably inclined to say that he's also a CAP Lt Col as well) may be inactive but still pays dues, thus NHQ CAP carries him on the active rolls. The intense training demands for a Shuttle mission can put CAP participation well on the back burner.

Here's to Lt Col Boe trading in his silver shooting star for a gold one - astronauts who have flown in space wear a gold representation of the astronaut emblem, the 'shooting star'. Soon as he breaks 50 miles altitude he can add the shooting star to his USAF radiator (pilot) wings. 

[jimmydeanno]

He's on the front page of cap.gov now.

Here's the news release from CAP: http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/news/media_center/press_releases/index.cfm/civil_air_patrol_member_to_pilot_space_shuttle_endeavour_4809

[JoeTomasone]

It's just odd that they go out of their way to mention that he's a senior member instead of just a member.   Are there a lot of cadets in the Astronaut Corps all of a sudden?   

[Outlandish]

It's just odd that they go out of their way to mention that he's a senior member instead of just a member. 

Well, that is his rank,  y'know.

Looking stuff up & reading it -- what a concept!

[JoeTomasone]

It's just odd that they go out of their way to mention that he's a senior member instead of just a member. 

Well, that is his rank,  y'know.

Looking stuff up & reading it -- what a concept!

Uhhh, negative.

Astronaut Boe, a major in the U. S. Air Force, is no stranger to CAP. He began his aviation career as a Georgia CAP cadet in 1976 with Atlanta Composite Squadron II at Ft. Gillem in Forest Park. To the great satisfaction of his CAP cadet audience, Astronaut Boe told them that he has kept continuous membership in CAP during his cadet years at the U. S. Air Force Academy (class of '87), and throughout his Air Force ­ and now NASA career. To the delight of the CAP squadron members, Astronaut Boe promises that when he makes his first space flight as a space shuttle pilot, that he will carry the Peachtree City­Falcon Field Squadron patch into orbit and return it to them.

Former Spaatz Cadet who maintains continuous membership is at least a Captain.

Looking stuff up & reading it -- what a concept!

Nice first post, by the way.

[Pylon]

Hey, uh... play nice.  Both of you.   


Getting advanced grade for cadet milestone awards is not automatic.  Just because Cadet John Doe has an Earhart or a Spaatz does not mean that his or her commander must recommend them for advanced grade.  Nor does it mean that he or she must be recommended for the highest advanced grade for which they are eligible.

It's entirely possible and plausible for somebody who is not active in the program to become a SM and stay at "senior member without grade" even if they (by virtue of a milestone award, professional qualification or military rank) are eligible for a higher CAP grade.

But seriously, be professional. 

[JAFO78]

I for one am planning on taking the family as close to KSC, tomorrow to see it go up, we are bringing at lest 2 cameras. SO If anyone sees a green mini van with MN plates driving crazy, don't call 911 on a drunk  its just me trying to get some shots.

[Outlandish]

The membership database lists him as a senior member -- not a captain, not a lieutentant colonel, not anything else.

Which is what I meant by "looking stuff up & reading it." Sorry for the snark.

[citizensoldier]

Why are we spitting hairs of status when he is going into space?  I'm just sayin....

[Eeyore]

Seriously, I only asked because it would be pretty cool to have that guy in your squadron; just think an astronaut teaching the AE courses. I guarantee that he hasn't had time in the last few years, but maybe when he gets back and is sitting around waiting for the next mission 5-6 years down the road...

[Eclipse]

Hit af.mil today - nice to see big brother blue making the connection as well:
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123124041

[DC]

His NASA bio actually mentions CAP, along with the Society of Experimental Test Pilots...

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/boe-ea.html

[JoeTomasone]

In about an hour, I'll be heading out with the family to go see the launch. 

Anyone with a radio, I'll be on that repeater as FC304. 

[Hill CAP]

In about an hour, I'll be heading out with the family to go see the launch. 

Anyone with a radio, I'll be on that repeater as FC304. 

FC304 wish I was out with you however I can't make it hopefully will be able to see from St Pete as the last email from FC1 was it should be veiwable by most of the state.

[JoeTomasone]

FC304 wish I was out with you however I can't make it hopefully will be able to see from St Pete as the last email from FC1 was it should be veiwable by most of the state.

I've seen it twice - from Tampa and from Orlando.   In Orlando, it was a bright light on top of a very narrow plume of smoke.   From Tampa, it was essentially a speck of light like a star on top of a barely discernible plume of smoke.    Best bet is to watch the launch on TV and as soon as it clears the tower, go outside and look East.

The only time I made the trip out to the Titusville area, it was scrubbed 15 seconds before launch..  Hopefully I won't jinx this one.   

[RiverAux]

If he was an active CAP member, I can see making a big deal about it.  If he wasn't, then I would probably promote it as "former CAP cadet pilots..." and just mention in passing that he is still a member. 

[JC004]

Watch live at: http://www.foxnews.com/video2/live.html?chanId=5