Saving Lives, One Pint at a Time

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) members often say they join to serve, but few imagine this choice could so directly determine whether someone lives or dies.

At Falcon Composite Squadron 305 in Mesa, Arizona, this reality plays out month after month through Operation Pulse Lift, Civil Air Patrol’s blood collection mission in partnership with the American Red Cross.

On April 12, 2017, inside the squadron’s building, CAP members hosted the first Operation Pulse Lift blood drive. That day, 28 units of blood were collected, enough to save dozens of lives. What began as a single event quickly grew into a mission with national reach.

Since that first drive, Falcon Squadron has hosted 134 blood donor center events, accounting for 20 percent of all CAP-hosted blood drives. Those efforts have resulted in 3,781 units of blood collected, potentially saving 11,343 lives.

Among those donors was Maj. Gen. Edward Phelka, former CAP National Commander, underscoring a core truth of Civil Air Patrol. Leadership is measured by service.

For many Americans, the desire to serve is real, but the opportunity to make a tangible difference can feel distant.

This is where Civil Air Patrol excels.

At Falcon Squadron, members do not just talk about helping their community. They open their doors, organize volunteers, manage logistics, and ensure lifesaving blood reaches hospitals when it is needed most. From cadets (ages 12-21) to adult members, every participant becomes part of a mission with immediate, measurable impact.

For those seeking purpose, leadership experience, or a way to serve beyond themselves, Operation Pulse Lift offers a powerful answer.

When the COVID-19 pandemic strained the nation’s blood supply, Falcon Squadron did not pause. The unit became the national hub for Operation Pulse Lift planning and operations.

Through that leadership, the mission expanded to 91 blood collection sites in 35 states, helping sustain hospitals at a time when donations were critically low.

Even more remarkable, during 83 blood collection events throughout the pandemic, not a single supporting CAP member contracted COVID-19.

As a result, Falcon Composite Squadron led all blood collection agencies in Arizona during the pandemic, demonstrating CAP’s professionalism, discipline, and unwavering commitment to mission success.

Today, Falcon Squadron ranks in the top 5 percent of all mobile blood collection sites nationwide, hosting at least one blood donor center event every month.

According to the American Red Cross, blood collected at Falcon Squadron has supported victims of wildfires across Pacific states, hurricanes affecting the Gulf Coast and Atlantic regions, and a severe winter storm across Texas and Oklahoma.

Most recently, blood collected in January 2025 traveled directly from the squadron building in Mesa to Pomona, California, where it was processed to support hospitals caring for victims of the Los Angeles and Palisades wildfires.

What happens inside a local Civil Air Patrol squadron can, and does, save lives hundreds of miles away.

Even during the holidays, Falcon Squadron continues to serve. The unit is hosting two blood drives in December, including one on Christmas Eve.

Falcon Composite Squadron 305 represents what Civil Air Patrol does best. It empowers everyday citizens to perform extraordinary service.

Members do not need medical training to save lives. They need commitment, teamwork, and the willingness to step forward.

Through Operation Pulse Lift and missions like it, Civil Air Patrol offers more than volunteer hours. It offers purpose, leadership, and the knowledge that your service truly matters.

For those looking for a way to serve their community and their nation, the opportunity is already waiting.

This is just one of many spotlights to come for our unites worldwide.