Vazquez, Natl. Commander, Serves as Va. Academy Flight Instructor

Lt. Col. Leslie Vazquez
Aviation Industry Liaison
National Headquarters

Civil Air Patrol cadets participating in the Roland C. Butler National Flight Academy from July 2-9 at Fort Pickett in Blackstone, Virginia, encountered a familiar face on the instructors staff – Maj. Gen. Joe Vazquez, national commander.

“This was the eighth time I have attended this flight academy as a flight instructor,” Vasquez said. “There is nothing more rewarding than working with two students to open aviation up to them during the week.

“It is always thrilling whenever one of my students is able to solo for the first time. The National Flight Academies bring that experience of flight to as many as 300 cadets a year,” he said.

On July 7 the CAP Board of Governors’ chairwoman, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Judith Fedder, visited the activity with Lt. Col. Eric Fryar, CAP-USAF Middle East Region Liaison Region commander, and Maj. Erik Todoroff, CAP-USAF officer for Detachment 2.

“I was so impressed with the entire NFA experience,” Fedder said. “CAP is so lucky to have such dedicated and professional volunteers to lead the academy, and the cadets who attended were all focused and accomplished. It was a great example of what happens throughout all regions over the summer.”

CAP offers 16 flight academies every summer, six of which are devoted to glider flying. Another academy consists of ground school classes on the Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot Written Exam requirements. 

Eleven cadets soloed during the Butler academy.