The Civil Air Patrol, the official USAF auxiliary, has embarked on pilot programs at two Air Force bases—Randolph AFB, Tex., and Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio—to provide additional assistance to the Air Force. Called Volunteer Support of the Air Force, the program will enable CAP volunteers to use their expertise to aid airmen and their families. “The member of the Civil Air Patrol, all patriotic American citizens, are proud to have this opportunity to help the brave men and women defending our country and the loved ones they leave behind when they deploy, but before now, a structure did not exist to match volunteer capabilities with base needs,” said interim CAP Commander Brig. Gen. Amy Courter in a CAP release.
The Space Force awarded three contracts for rocket launches worth up to a combined $13.68 billion on April 4—and the usual players SpaceX and United Launch Alliance have got some competition in the form of newcomer Blue Origin.