The Board of Governors for the Civil Air Patrol has suspended CAP’s national commander, Maj. Gen. Antonio Pineda. The suspension is to last up to 180 days, while the board completes its actions regarding an allegation that Pineda had enlisted another CAP member to take Air Command and Staff College professional development course tests for Pineda in 2002 and 2003. The Florida Times-Union reports that Pineda, who has been national commander since July 2005, asserts his innocence in this matter. He told the newspaper, “I’ve never cheated on any test in my life.” Pineda added that he has hired a lawyer to assist him. Meanwhile, the board of governors has put the national vice commander, Brig. Gen. Amy Courter, in charge of the Air Force Auxiliary.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
