Virginia Wing Visits State Lawmakers

More than 50 members from across the Virginia Wing visited the General Assembly and met with legislators and other state officials during the 2024 legislative session — the fourth straight year for the event. 

Adult members and cadets spent the morning discussing the wing’s legislative priorities, centered around aerospace education, and requesting support for a one-time appropriation for a Joint Training and Operations Center and hangar planned for Winchester Regional Airport in partnership with Shenandoah University. 

The training center is also proposed as the future home of the Winchester Composite Squadron, now based in a hangar projected to be demolished in 2025 for a taxiway improvement project.  

The wing commander, Col. Liz Sydow, and the Virginia Wing Legislative Squadron commander, Lt. Col. Daniel “Bud” Oakey, presented a wing update to the Military and Veterans Affairs Caucus as CAP members were organizing to visit legislators. Every member of the General Assembly is also a member of Civil Air Patrol.  

Numerous newly elected lawmakers were presented with a certificate of their honorary CAP major rank, provided a briefing on CAP’s support of Virginia, and reminded of opportunities to participate. After visiting legislators, wing members received a tour of the state Capitol. 

The visitors wrapped up the day at the Virginia Aviation Business Association’s annual aerospace legislative reception, where they promoted what CAP has to offer to industry and academia and visited with Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, and legislators and industry leaders. 

The Legislative Squadron created a public policy internship two years ago. Cadet interns are credited with coordinating the entire day. 
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Maj. Jacob Bixler
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Virginia Wing