Virginia Civil Air Patrol members honored with State Aviation Awards
RICHMOND, Va. (Aug 9, 2024) – Two members of Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) Virginia Wing were recipients of Virginia Aviation Awards at the Virginia Department of Aviation’s 2024 Virginia Aviation Conference.
Second Lieutenant Carley Walker, of Stephenson, was honored with the Person of the Year Award. 2nd Lt. Walker serves as the director of development for STEM Flights, a national non-profit that uses aviation to educate students in science, technology, engineering, and math. 2nd Lt. Walker is also a member of the Winchester Regional Airport Authority Board, actively organizing many activities engaging youth from the community with aviation. When not busy with these roles, she serves the Winchester Composite Squadron as an assistant testing and activities officer and the project lead of the squadron’s Wreaths Across America location coordination duties for Winchester National Cemetery.
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel “Bud” Oakey, of Midlothian, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lt. Col. Oakey serves as president for the Virginia Aviation Business Association, in which he organizes Aerospace Day during the Virginia legislative session and the annual Aviation, Aerospace, and Advanced Air Mobility Legislative Reception. These events bring much attention to Virginia aviation and through his efforts, the Virginia General Assembly Aviation and Aerospace Caucus has been re-established this past year. Lt. Col. Oakey also serves as chairman and founder of Advantus Strategies. Lt. Col. Oakey also balances the role of commander of Virginia Wing’s State Legislative Squadron in which all Virginia delegates and senators hold a membership. He coordinates orientation flights for legislators and visits to the local squadrons to connect legislators with their constituents and recognize the cadet and adult volunteers in Civil Air Patrol.
“Having dedicated professionals such as Bud and Carley also volunteer with Civil Air Patrol is a key part that makes our organization so great. Their talent enables our organization to be a force multiplier with aviation, STEM, and shaping the futures of our youth,” commented Virginia Wing Commander, Colonel Patrick Fulgham.
About Virginia Wing
Civil Air Patrol's Virginia Wing is home to 21 squadrons spread throughout the Commonwealth and has approximately 2,250 members, 12 light aircraft, 6 small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), and 28 multi-mission vehicles. These assets are available to federal, state, and local governments, as well as to emergency responders and law enforcement agencies to perform search and rescue, homeland security, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and counter-drug missions. For more information on Virginia Wing, visit the wing’s website at https://vawg.cap.gov.
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.
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For More Information:
Maj. Jacob Bixler, pa@vawg.cap.gov
