UNIT CITATION AWARD

The members of the Alaska Wing, Civil Air Patrol, distinguished themselves through exceptionally meritorious service during the period 1 September 1998 through 1 September 2001. During this period the combined efforts the Alaska Wing's members contributed greatly to the implementation and success of national policies and programs within the Alaska Wing.

Alaska Wing members managed over 28 million dollars of Civil Air Patrol assets and were attributed with 115 saves including a record 55 lives saved in 1998. The members worked together demonstrating the true spirit of volunteerism accomplishing projects such as the replacement of the Polaris Squadron hangar door, refurbishing the Lake Hood Maintenance Facility, building the Lake Hood flooat docks, refurbishing the Kodiak Hangar, and starting the construction of the Homer and Seward Squadron's hangars.

Alaska members confirmed their commitment when tackling tough environmental issues through their involvement by removing the Wing's hazardous underground fuel storage tanks which eliminated certain ecological disaster to Alaskan communities while avoiding financial hardship to the Wing and the CAP Corporation. Alaska Wing member consistently supported federal, state, and local agencies of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Customs Service, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, and Alaska State Troopers by revitalizing a barely existent Counterdrug Program and increased involvement of actual and training Emergency Services Missions. Members showed a can-do attitude when requested to participate in the Beluga Whale Watch Project in support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheirc Administration (NOAA).

In addition, Alaska Wing members wrote numerous informative and entertaining articles that were instrumental in increasing public awareness of CAP through the newly created Alaska Wing Tips magazine thereby generating as much as $8,000 income peryear.

Each year the Alaska Wing has sent its top aircrew performers to represent Civil Ait Patrol during a demanding three week 2,700 mile trek to the Oshkosh Airshow in Wisconsin, demonstrating their knowledge, capabilites, and providing public awareness of CAP. Alaska Wing members were recognized in 1999 by hosting the Hong Kong Air Cadets through the International Air Cadet Exchange program. Supporting Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education, Alaska Wing pushed glider operations to third in the nationa for number of sorties produced.

Through outstanding dedication and leadership, the Alaska Wing earned the coveted FAA Wings Trophy two years in a row, the Pacific Region Search and REsuce Award for 1998 and 1999, and was named number one in the nation in Search and Rescue in 2001.

The combined distinctive accomplishments of Alaska Wing Members reflect the highest credit upon themselves, the Pacific Region, and Civil Air Patrol.