HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Current and former military members here are invited to donate battlefield uniforms and related items to support Civil Air Patrol cadets across Massachusetts, now through April 4.
Civil Air Patrol officials are transitioning from the Airman Battle Uniform to the Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform that Air Force personnel wear today.
“With more than 300 cadets assigned to the Massachusetts Wing, the transition represents a significant expense for many families,” said Maj. Francis “Mickey” Condon, individual mobilization to the Acquisition Intelligence Division chief and former CAP member who is leading the donation effort.
Items requested include:
- Coyote brown T-shirts
- Coyote brown boots
- Coyote brown fleece
- Coyote brown sleep shirts
- Coyote brown watch caps
- OCP coats and pants
- OCP Gore-Tex
- OCP ball caps
- OCP patrol caps
All donated uniforms and gear will be delivered to Massachusetts Wing headquarters at Hanscom AFB for distribution to squadrons statewide.
As a longtime Civil Air Patrol member, Condon discussed the impact the program had on him.
“I joined the Cape Cod Composite Squadron, now called Coastal Patrol 18 Squadron, in 1993,” he said. “CAP gave me so much to include leadership opportunities, initial flight training, as well as the International Air Cadet Exchange, where I was able to see how the cadet program in the United Kingdom worked.”
Donation totes are located at the south entrance of Building 1521, under the staircase.
Units, teams or offices with a large quantity of uniforms to donate may arrange pickup by contacting Condon at francis.condon.3@us.af.mil.
The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and provides aerospace education, emergency services and youth development opportunities nationwide.