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Civil Air Patrol aircraft assemble for Operation Steadfast Eagle at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. The Florida Wing CAP partnered with the 6th ARW to demonstrate the CAP’s ability to generate and deploy aircraft and crews in support of U.S. Air Force Operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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The Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol assembles over 20 CAP Cessna aircraft on the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. The flightline movement showcased the partnership and combined readiness of the 6th Air Refueling Wing and its U.S. Air Force Auxiliary partners. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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The Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol assembles over 20 Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft to perform a synchronized ground movement at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. The Florida Wing CAP assembled over 20 aircraft from across Florida and Tennessee for Operation Steadfast Eagle to demonstrate the CAP’s ability to generate and deploy aircraft and crews in support of U.S. Air Force Operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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Civil Air Patrol Tech. Sgt. Garrett Pomichter, Patrick Composite Squadron activities noncommissioned officer, marshals a CAP Cessna C-206 on the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. Pomichter positioned the aircraft during a synchronized ground movement training, proving the auxiliary’s capability to rapidly mobilize in support of U.S. Air Force Operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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Large white numbers mark Runway 23 on MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. The number 23 indicates that the runway aligns with a magnetic heading of approximately 230 degrees, pointing pilots southwest across Hillsborough Bay toward the St. Petersburg skyline during takeoffs and landings. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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Civil Air Patrol Maj. Benjamin Moore, Sarasota Composite Squadron mission scanner and observer, left, and U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Eley, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, stand alongside a CAP Cessna C-206 during pre-flight inspections at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. The crew reviewed flight coordinates and weather data to prepare for Operation Steadfast Eagle’s simulated search and rescue operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Eley, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, and Civil Air Patrol Col. David Panzera, Florida Wing commander, lead participants of Operation Steadfast Eagle to the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. The Florida Wing CAP partnered with the 6th ARW to demonstrate the CAP’s ability to generate and deploy aircraft and crews in support of U.S. Air Force Operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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Civil Air Patrol aircraft assemble for Operation Steadfast Eagle at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. The exercise provided critical training for both CAP and the 6th Air Refueling Wing, sharpening communication between the organizations during dense flight operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Eley, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, receives a certificate of appreciation from Civil Air Patrol Col. David Panzera, Florida Wing commander, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. This presentation recognized the partnership between the 6th ARW and its U.S. Air Force Auxiliary partners as they prepared for joint domestic operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Eley, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander (left), and U.S. Air Force Col. Brendan P. Hopkins, 6th Operations Group commander, attend a briefing for Operation Steadfast Eagle at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. The 6th ARW and Civil Air Patrol aligned their operational schedules and reviewed final safety protocols to enhance coordination and communication during Operation Steadfast Eagle. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jackson Rendon, 6th Operations Support Squadron weather apprentice, briefs members from the 6th Air Refueling Wing, Florida Civil Air Patrol and Tennessee CAP at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. CAP members partnered with the 6th ARW to demonstrate the CAP’s ability to generate and deploy aircraft and crews in support of U.S. Air Force Operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Eley, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, greets Civil Air Patrol Col. David Panzera, Florida Wing commander, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. Panzera leads one of the largest wings in the CAP nationwide, with more than 4,000 volunteer members in more than 70 units across Florida. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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The Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol assembles over 20 CAP Cessna aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida during Operation Steadfast Eagle, July 25, 2026. The exercise tested multiple CAP priorities, including the rapid mobilization of aircraft, the standardization of aircrew procedures and enhancement of pilot proficiency in a joint environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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A Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol Cessna C-182 parks on the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. The Florida Wing CAP partnered with the 6th ARW to demonstrate the CAP’s ability to generate and deploy aircraft and crews in support of U.S. Air Force Operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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A Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft flies over MacDill Air Force Base, Florida on July 25, 2026. The CAP partnered with the 6th Air Refueling Wing to demonstrate the CAP’s ability to generate and deploy aircraft and crews in support of U.S. Air Force Operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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A Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol Cessna C-182 takes off from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida during Operation Steadfast Eagle, July 25, 2026. The flight provided U.S. Air Force Col. Brendan P. Hopkins, 6th Operations Group commander, direct observation of CAP’s aerial search methods and flight operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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A Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft flies over MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. The CAP partnered with the 6th Air Refueling Wing to demonstrate the CAP’s ability to generate and deploy aircraft and crews in support of U.S. Air Force Operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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Florida Wing Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft line up for takeoff at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. The Florida Wing CAP assembled over 20 aircraft from across Florida and Tennessee for Operation Steadfast Eagle to demonstrate the CAP’s ability to generate and deploy aircraft and crews in support of U.S. Air Force Operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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Operation Steadfast Eagle: Total Force Elephant Walk showcases CAP rapid response capabilities at MacDill

Published Aug. 1, 2026
By A1C Helen Ly
6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Civil Air Patrol aircraft assemble for Operation Steadfast Eagle at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 25, 2026. The Florida Wing CAP partnered with the 6th ARW to demonstrate the CAP’s ability to generate and deploy aircraft and crews in support of U.S. Air Force Operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Helen Ly)

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