Capt. Justin Ogden Wins 2010 Public Benefit Flying Award, Will
Be Recognized As Distinguish Volunteer In September
Civil Air Patrol Capt. Justin Ogden (pictured), whose work with
cell phone forensics has helped save numerous lives, will receive
the 2010 Distinguished Volunteer Public Benefit Flying Award next
month at a prestigious awards ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.
The National Aeronautic Association, in partnership with the Air
Care Alliance, a nationwide league of humanitarian flying
organizations, sponsors the awards, which honor men and women and
organizations who fly for the benefit of others. "Just as in years
past, this year's Public Benefit Flying honorees symbolize the very
best of the people, organizations and equipment which make up the
aviation community in America," said Jonathan Gaffney, president
and CEO of NAA and chairman of the Selection Committee. "These
awards reflect the selflessness of our industry and the benefit it
provides to people throughout our continent. We are very proud to
be part of this program."
Ogden, based in Arizona, is CAP's national go-to resource for cell
phone analysis. Combining his passion for electronics with his
devotion to volunteering, he has developed a system for
triangulating signals emanating from victims' cell phones that help
locate the sites of air crashes and missing persons. A valuable
search-and-rescue tool for the Air Force Rescue Coordination
Center, Ogden, just 29 years old, has already participated in 77
searches, which resulted in 28 finds and 10 saved lives. "I'm very
excited about being this year's recipient of the Distinguished
Volunteer award," said Ogden. "Having been nominated by CAP
National Headquarters in the first place is very meaningful to
me."
Ogden has been a member of CAP since he was 12 years old. As a
cadet and senior member working entirely as a volunteer - on his
own time and at his own expense - he has creatively combined his
interests in electronics, CAP and community service to develop an
analysis program that keeps pace with current technology and helps
protect all Americans. "I enjoy contributing on searches where
cellular forensics are involved," he said. "It's been a passion of
mine for over four years now."
Ogden attributes many positive things in his adult life to
experiences as a cadet. "I'm grateful to be able to contribute
something back to the organization, as I feel I've gotten so much
out of CAP in my life," he said. "Being selected as the recipient
of the award takes the recognition to the next level."
The Public Benefit Flying Awards were created in 2003 to honor
volunteer pilots, other volunteers and their organizations engaged
in flying to help others, and those supporting such work. Since
then, dozens of awards have been presented at the celebratory Above
and Beyond Awards Ceremony, held each fall at the U.S. Capitol.
Previous recipients include CAP radar analyst Capt. Guy Loughridge,
based in Colorado, who received the Distinguished Volunteer Award
in 2007 and often works in tandem with Ogden, particularly in cases
involving downed aircraft.
Besides Ogden, 2010 Public Benefit Flying award recipients
include:
- Distinguished Volunteer Pilot - Gene Schmidt, Bahamas
Habitat.
- Outstanding Achievement in Public Benefit Flying - Bahamas
Habitat.
- Teamwork Award - all volunteer pilots and other volunteers
conducting flights in support of the Haitian relief efforts.
The 2010 honorees will be recognized at a special invitation
Public Benefit Flying "Above and Beyond" Awards Ceremony on
September 16, scheduled to begin at 1630 in the Lyndon B. Johnson
Room of the U.S. Senate.