More than 200 cadets and adult members from across Civil Air Patrol spent a week of rigorous hands-on training in basic and advanced courses at the National Emergency Services Academy emerging with elevated skills in air operations, ground search and rescue, incident command, and emergency services communication.
“In addition to the students who attended one of over 20 training courses, we had a dedicated staff that made sure everything went off without a hitch, from instructors sharing their knowledge to the administrative staff tracking personnel and finances, to our public information and safety staffs who, respectively, shared the great training that took place with those outside the academy and who made sure all personnel were kept out of harm’s way,” said Col. Philip E. Argenti, NESA director.
“Their dedication to training and service is a testament to the work our volunteer professionals perform every day when called upon.”
Conducted at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, NESA’s week-long program featured three core schools: Mission Aircrew School, Ground Search and Rescue School, and Incident Command System School, with participants also completing such certifications as Wilderness Advanced First Aid. The training brought together new and returning members in a collaborative environment focused on leadership, resilience, and national-level readiness.
Flight Skills and Team CoordinationAircrew students spent the week gaining experience in scanning, navigation, and observation techniques through classroom instruction and live sorties. They totaled 169 flying hours, allowing 39 students to meet key task requirements toward becoming fully qualified mission aircrew.
“The weather was perfect for flying all maneuvers,” said Col. Robert W. Freese, mission aircrew school commandant.
“Several students performed well above average and have been asked to come next year as part of the staff,” Freese added.
The participants included new trainees and returning members who completed tasks required for such positions as Mission Pilot, Observer, and Scanner/Airborne Photographer.
Learning from the Ground UpThe Ground Search and Rescue School (offered both basic and advanced tracks to cadets and adult members.
Participants in the basic track learned core field competencies such as land navigation, line search formation, radio operations, first aid, and litter carry techniques to complete Ground Team Member 3. Advanced participants executed multiphase search scenarios that simulated real-world situations leading to Ground Team Member 1 and 2 qualifications, while participants aiming to lead in the field completed the Ground Team Leader course and its qualification.
“Things went great in the Ground Search and Rescue School,” said Maj. Michael Zabetakis, school commandant. “Students in both tracks, basic and advanced, showed strong teamwork and determination while mastering critical field skills in challenging conditions.”
Students took on the heat, terrain, and complexity of simulated search and rescue missions. From compass work to night operations, ground teams worked as units to solve problems and adapt to changing conditions. The week emphasized endurance, safety, and teamwork — all under the guidance of seasoned instructors.
Command Leadership and Support Roles in ActionIncident Command System School students served in various command and support roles, including incident commander, ground branch director, finance/administration section chief, mission chaplain, communications officer, and public information officer.
“Great leaders in CAP understand this truth: Mission success begins and ends with people,” said Col. Rickey Oeth, Incident Command System School commandant. “When we invest in our members, empower them, and put them first, we elevate the entire organization.
“Technology supports the mission — but people accomplish it,” Oeth said.
Through structured simulations, planning briefings, and coordination exercises, each student practiced scenarios based on real-world missions managing resources, supporting field operations, communicating with the public, and exercising decision-making under pressure, ensuring overall mission effectiveness.
Drones in the Air, Skills on the GroundNESA also featured specialized training in small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), where participants worked with both fixed-wing and rotor drones in support of emergency services operations.
“Civil Air Patrol is equipped with some truly remarkable tools — aircraft, vehicles, high-tech sensor systems, advanced radios, and evolving technologies that are reshaping how we carry out our missions,” Oeth said. “These resources reflect a significant investment in our capabilities.”
Students trained toward achieving sUAS Mission Pilot and sUAS Technician qualifications through daily flight operations, scenario-based exercises, and classroom briefings. The course emphasized airspace awareness, Federal Aviation Administration regulations, and mission integration, reflecting CAP’s growing role in drone-based search, disaster relief, and reconnaissance.
Wilderness Medical ResponseA standout achievement in the Incident Command Syse School was the graduation of an all-cadet Wilderness Advanced First Aid class. The eight cadets completed an intensive course in wilderness medical response, learning how to assess and treat injuries in environments where professional medical care may be hours away. The class demonstrated calm under pressure and a strong grasp of life-saving protocols.
The training “plays a powerful role in developing leadership, practical skills, and core values in Civil Air Patrol cadets,” said Maj. Marybeth Slocumb, commandant for cadets. Graduation, she added, “requires passing a rigorous final exam, showcasing their dedication to excellence and service”
Cadets learned not only to assess injuries but also to make critical decisions in remote, high-stress environments —skills that directly translate to leadership in any setting. The scenarios practiced often required cadets to lead or participate in team-based responses, fostering communication, delegation, and trust.
Graduates gain advanced knowledge in trauma care, environmental emergencies, and prolonged field care — beyond basic first aid, in remote wilderness settings that demand improvisation with limited resources. All of this sharpens cadets’ creativity and adaptability, enabling them to practice skill sets necessary for leadership, both on and off the mission.”
Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Reuben Wolf of the Arkansas Wing’s 115th Composite Squadron was selected as the course’s Distinguished Graduate of this course.
“I learned everything from how to just talk to a person in medical need to bandaging open wounds, and all the way to helicopter evacuation from the middle of nowhere,” Wolf said. “The cadets I met in my class were awesome, and the instructors were practically 11/10.”
Mission Readiness Through ActionDaily activities ranged from sunrise safety briefings to late-night mission simulations, each reinforcing the skills CAP members need in the field. Students overcame heat, humidity, and fatigue, learning to support one another and adapt in real-time.
The academy also featured team-building moments, classroom discussions, and recognition of individual growth and achievement.
“It’s a privilege to play a part in an educational experience that fosters leadership, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to service while supporting the growth of our members — empowering them to bring valuable knowledge back to their wings and further strengthen their ability to serve their communities,” said Col. Jamie L. Griffith, commander of the host Indiana Wing._____Capt. Elias RomanPublic Affairs OfficerNational Emergency Services Academy
