Civil Air Patrol’s Hurricane Helene Response Team — more than 400 members from the North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee wings — has been recognized with the 2025 Air Forces Northern Command (AFNORTH) Commander’s Award.
Representatives from each wing accepted the award. presented annually for the most meritorious CAP mission of the previous year, on the mission’s behalf from U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Daniel C. Clayton, First Air Force (AFNORTH) deputy commander. The presentation occurred Aug. 16 during the Summer Command Council meeting in Atlanta.
The accompanying citation recognized the team’s monthlong response to the Category 4 storm as “a testament to the dedication and spirit of service essential in the aftermath of catastrophic events.
“The singularly distinctive accomplishments of the men and women of Civil Air Patrol’s Hurricane Helene Response Team reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force.”
Helene impacted the Southeast U.S. from Sept. 22-29, causing record-setting destruction and claiming 221 lives. The CAP response team responded with search and rescue and disaster response missions, carrying out 223 sorties totaling 442.9 flight hours.
The team also staffed the incident command post for 31 days and conducted 141 ground sorties.
Acting as a Total Force partner and the official Air Force civilian auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol helps First 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.
Undeterred by personal property damage, team members volunteered their time and expertise, assisting in search and rescue efforts while conducting damage assessments and emergency response operations.
Their actions, totaling 7,700 volunteer hours, played a crucial role in the multistate recovery response.
