To my fellow members of CAP,
It is with deep regret that
I inform you that CAP lost one of our own on Saturday. Cadet Master
Sgt. Elizabeth Lake Little with the Mississippi Wing was performing a
cross-country flight in a CAP aircraft as part of her training to
achieve her private pilot certificate. She crashed short of the airport
and was transported to a regional trauma center, but died of her
injuries. Please hold Cadet Little’s family, friends and local squadron
in your thoughts and prayers. Further details of arrangements for our
cadet will be made available as soon as we learn of them.
It’s hard to put into words
how much of a tragedy this is and how deep of a loss it is. Such a loss
affects all of us on different levels and different ways. Chaplains and
CISM team members are available for any and all individuals who desire
help.
So, where do we go from
here? I believe that the best way for us to honor our cadet is to carry
on with our assigned missions, with the level of excellence and
professionalism we expect from each other and what is expected by the
Air Force, our customers, and the parents of our cadets.
My request is that each of
us, from a risk management perspective, reflect on the duties assigned
to us. Whether we are in steady state CAP activities, involved in cadet
special activities or conducting flight activities, let us ensure that
our approach to and performance of these duties reflects the high
standards of excellence and professionalism to which we are called.
Doing so will honor our fallen member and help ensure the safe conduct
of our operations.
With a heavy heart,
Gen Mark Smith
Gen Mark Smith
Please pray for her family, and our Civil Air Patrol members across the nation.
Rob
4 comments:
As the grandmother of a grandson studying to be a pilot, this hits close to home. Prayers for friends and family going up.
Changes are already being made. CAP has a Flight Academy here in MN starting Thursday. No one will be aloud to solo (fly alone) until they have 100 hours flight time. A couple of CAP planes from MN are going to Ohio, for USAF Academy cadets to fly, again they will not be able to fly solo until they too have at lest 100 hrs flight time.
My condolences, thoughts and prayers, Rob.
Thanks David...our members are in shock. Just a young promising life cut short. She had joined the Air National Guard and was to be a C-17 load master
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