Friends of Marco Island Sr Squadron

02/16/2026

Supporting your local Civil Air Patrol volunteers!
Dear Neighbors,
Did you know that MICAP has been instrumental in providing rescue and relief operations right here in our backyard? After every hurricane, our local squadron provides critical photo reconnaissance to aid FEMA in evaluating rescue operations.
To continue expanding our reach and augmenting our training events, we need your help. Your contribution makes a significant difference in support of our youth and community. It enables us to fund our Aerospace presentations and Cadet Orientation flights!
Here is how you can help keep us "mission ready":
• Contribute Online: https://tinyurl.com/MICAP376
• Mail a Check: Make it payable to Marco Island Civil Air Patrol (PO Box 225, Marco Island, FL 34146) and indicate "CAP Donation" on the check.
• Stay Informed: Send your email address to [email protected] to be included on our mailing list for activities.
We are not just asking for a donation; we are inviting you to become part of our mission.
Thank you and kindest regards,
1st Lt Michael Harms,
CAP Commander, FL376

02/16/2026

You Don’t Need a Pilot’s License to Help Save a Life! ✈️
Every day, the Marco Island Civil Air Patrol (MICAP) squadron stands "mission ready" to safeguard our community and State. We are a dedicated team of 50 volunteers, chartered right here in 1981, who freely give our time and talents to serve Marco Island, Naples, the Ten Thousand Islands, Collier County, and Southwest Florida.
While the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary provides our major assets like planes and vehicles, our local squadron is responsible for the significant operating costs and building maintenance.
We rely on community support to fuel our missions:
• Emergency Services: Providing rescue operations and critical post-hurricane disaster assessments.
• Cadet Programs: Educating the next generation with aerospace and cyber sciences training.
How you can support the mission:
• Donate Online: Go to https://tinyurl.com/MICAP376 and follow the instructions.
• By Mail: Send a check to Marco Island Civil Air Patrol, PO Box 225, Marco Island, FL 34146.
• Join Us: We meet every 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn!
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, all contributions are deductible for federal income tax purposes. Thank you for supporting your local volunteers!
Semper Vigilans!

11/09/2025

Sharpening our Financial Skills

11/09/2025

Marco Island CAP Squadron Hosts Rocketry Workshop at Camp Mackle
MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — July 24, 2025 — by 1st Lt. Lex Adjei.
Aerospace education staff from Civil Air Patrol’s Marco Island Senior Squadron hosted a hands-on rocketry workshop at Camp Mackle, introducing 31 children ages 5 to 10 to the fundamentals of rocket science.
https://fl376.gocivilairpatrol.org/ways-to-give
The afternoon program was supported by 13 staff members and counselors, including local high school volunteers. Through a mix of short presentations, videos, and demonstrations, the children learned the differences between solid- and liquid-propelled rockets. Mock-ups of each type were displayed, and the basic principles of propulsion were explained using Newton’s third law of motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. A simple balloon demonstration illustrated how air released in one direction creates thrust in the opposite direction.
Most of the session focused on building paper rockets using plastic tubes, colored paper, scissors and tape. Step-by-step video instructions guided the young participants through assembling the fuselage, nose cone and fins. The rockets were then propelled using compressed air from a bicycle pump.
Maj. Jesse Baker, the squadron’s aerospace education officer, opened the event with an overview of Civil Air Patrol’s mission and the role of the Marco Island Squadron. He introduced Lt. Col. Robert Nager, squadron commander, who described the unit’s shared responsibilities with the U.S. Air Force, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other emergency service organizations. Lt. Lex Adjei and Lt. Michael Ballinger also spoke about their professional backgrounds and current CAP roles.
After construction was complete, the children gathered outside under the pavilion for countdowns and launches. Each rocket took flight, bringing smiles and applause from both participants and staff. Many children returned to the line to launch their rockets again.
Following the launches, Lt. Ballinger led a demonstration of global radio communication technology. Participants handled the same radio equipment used in CAP aircraft and had the opportunity to ask questions.
The workshop gave the children a memorable introduction to aerospace concepts and the excitement of hands-on learning. Organizers hope the experience will inspire further interest in space exploration and related STEM fields.
About Civil Air Patrol
Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation. In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.
Visit CAP.news or GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
https://fl376.gocivilairpatrol.org/ways-to-give

11/09/2025

Civil Air Patrol Sustains Vital Missions Amid Federal Shutdown
Marco Island, FL — November 7, 2025
As the federal government shut down stretches into its fifth week, volunteer members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) continue to serve their communities with unwavering dedication—even as national operations face funding delays and staff furloughs.
CAP, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a congressionally chartered nonprofit organization that performs critical missions in emergency services, cadet development, and aerospace education. While federal funding interruptions have impacted paid staff and reimbursable missions, CAP’s volunteer wings remain active, driven by their commitment to be “always ready.”
“The dedication of our volunteers has never wavered,” said 1st Lt. Michael Harms, commander of the Marco Island Senior Squadron. “Even when federal support slows, our members keep flying, training, and serving the community. We are neighbors helping neighbors, with or without a government paycheck.”
Adapting to the Shutdown
According to CAP National Headquarters, federally funded activities—such as Air Force-assigned missions—are currently delayed or suspended. However, operations supported by community donations and volunteer efforts continue without interruption.
The Marco Island Senior Squadron remains mission-ready for hurricane response, inland search and rescue, and aerial imagery support for local and state emergency management agencies.
“We’ve learned to adapt,” said Capt. Michael Webb, deputy commander. “Our pilots, ground teams, and public affairs officers are training regularly to ensure we’re ready to launch if an emergency arises. This is exactly why community support is so essential.”
Continuing the Mission
Founded on December 1, 1941, CAP began as a civilian force defending America’s coasts during World War II. Today, it operates one of the world’s largest fleets of single-engine aircraft and performs 90% of inland search and rescue missions assigned by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.
Even during a shutdown, CAP’s auxiliary missions—funded through donations, state support, and volunteer contributions remain operational. Units like Marco Island coordinate closely with Florida Wing and local emergency managers to maintain readiness without relying on federal appropriations.
“Our priority is to keep Florida’s communities safer and support our emergency services partners,” said Lt. Col. Robert Corriveau, Emergency Services Officer. “Because we’re largely volunteer and supported by tax-deductible contributions, we can continue to train and deploy—even when federal agencies pause.”
A Call for Community Support
The Marco Island Senior Squadron operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations directly fund aviation fuel, emergency-readiness training, and mission-critical resources that enable CAP to serve Collier County and the state of Florida.
Community members wishing to support CAP’s efforts can visit the squadron’s donation page: 👉 https://fl376.gocivilairpatrol.org/ways-to-give
“Every dollar helps us keep our aircraft ready, our cadets learning, and our team mission-qualified,” added Lt. Harms. “In times like these, public generosity keeps our wings flying.”
About Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol, the longtime auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 60,000 members nationwide. CAP performs emergency services, aerospace education, and youth leadership programs. Its Florida Wing, headquartered in Lakeland, coordinates hundreds of missions annually in partnership with the Air Force, FEMA, and state emergency management agencies.
Even amid fiscal uncertainty, the spirit of volunteerism endures. The Marco Island Senior Squadron stands as a testament to community-based resilience—powered by ordinary citizens with an extraordinary sense of duty.
________________________________________
Media Contact:
1st Lt Moises Escolastico
Public Affairs Officer
[email protected]
Marco Island Senior Squadron
Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary

https://fl376.gocivilairpatrol.org/ways-to-give

11/09/2025

Change of Command 2025

03/29/2025

NORAD Scrambles F-15 Eagles to Intercept CAP Aircraft over Florida Coast
Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing Detachement 1 and Civil Air Patrol's Florida Wing conduct a NORAD-coordinated exercise showcasing NORAD's response during a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) violation. The exercise involved two Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182's simulating an air space breach, accompanied by a NORAD F-15 Eagle intercepting and escorting the aircraft out of the air space.

Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing Detachement 1 and Civil Air Patrol's Florida Wing conduct a NORAD-coordinated exercise showcasing NORAD's res...

03/28/2025

Civil Air Patrol helping USAF.

03/14/2025

FLWG Summer Encampment STAFF APPLICATIONS!!!
Applications for cadet and senior staff are still being accepted.
CADET CADRE applications CLOSE on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Adult staff applications will remain open until filled.
All members wishing to apply can do so via the FLWG encampment webpage.
https://flwg.cap.gov/programs/cadet-programs/flwg-summer-encampment