On Thursday evening January 23rd, United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol South Coast
Group 7, promoted Major William Phinizy to the grade of Lt. Colonel, and Captain John Hill to the grade
of Major.
Lt. Col. Jim Robertson Group 7 Deputy Commander and assisted by Lt. Col Robert Calderone, Commander South Coast Group 7 promotes Major William Phinizy to the grade of Lt. Col (Photo credit: Capt. Lloyd Bumanglag)
William Phinizy joined CAP in 2005 partly out of a desire to serve his country in the wake of 9-11. An officer in the United States Air Force serving at Strategic Air Command Headquarters in Nebraska from 1968-1973, Lt Col Phinizy remained in the USAF reserves until 1978 when he separated as a Captain.
In his Civil Air Patrol career, he has served as Squadron Communications Officer, Deputy Commander, and now Commander of Squadron 150 for the past two years. He is proficient in Emergency Services as well, holding the position of Communications Unit Leader and the aircrew rating of Mission Observer.
He views promotion to his current rank — Lieutenant Colonel — as the ideal rank. “I saw in the USAF that this was the highest grade allowing a commander to be directly involved with all of those in his command. It is very ‘hands on’; it allows you to work with all your troops.”
When not involved in CAP activities, Lt Col Phinizy enjoys amateur radio and shooting. He lives with his wife, Seiko, and his son, Sho, in Fountain Valley, California.
“..CAP has been a very exciting and rewarding experience. It is hard to find a more rewarding way to voluntarily serve one’s country,” says Lt Col Phinizy.
John Hill joined CAP in 2001. Served in the United States Air Force from 1965-1971, and is a Vietnam veteran. In his Civil Air Patrol career, he has served as Squadron Public Affairs Officer, Emergency Safety Officer, and currently Emergency Safety Officer for South Coast Group 7.
Lt.Col W.H.Phinizy, commander of the Long Beach Senior Squadron 150 and assisted by Lt. Col Robert Calderone, Commander South Coast Group 7 promotes Captain John Hill to the grade of Major. (Photo credit: Capt. Lloyd Bumanglag)
He views his new rank – Major – as an opportunity to coach and mentor new officers coming up the ranks, and provide guidance were needed. Major Hill is a resident of Huntington Beach, California.
“…The rewards one receives from CAP is camaraderie, and sense of duty, honor and privilege by serving your community and country,” says Major Hill.
CAP, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 60,000 members nationwide. CAP volunteers perform 95 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) and also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies.
Members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 25,000 young people currently participating in the CAP Cadet Program. CAP’s cadet programs provide young men and women with a safe and motivating environment in which to grow and explore opportunities in the military and aviation industries. Cadets progress through a 16-step program of leadership and aerospace education. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 63 years. For information, go to www.gocivilairpatrol.com
The Long Beach Senior Squadron 150 meets on Thursday evenings at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos on 3976 Constitution Avenue. Anyone interested in becoming a member are always welcome. Contact Paul Koons, 2nd Lt, CAP, Recruiting and Retention Officer recruiting@sq150.org
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PA CONTACT INFORMATION:
Lloyd P. Bumanglag CAPT, CAP
Public Relations Officer (PAO)
Office: 949-891-1443
Email: PAO@sq150.org
