BIOGRAPHY OF COLONEL JOY S. NELSON, CAP New Mexico Wing Vice Commander

Joined CAP as a cadet in 1949 in Miami, FL. Moved to Tulsa, OK and
became a Senior Member in 1953. Served there until 1956 before moving to
Long Island, New York where her husband worked for Pan American Airways
as a professional Flight Engineer.

Rejoined CAP in 1973 when her youngest son joined. Responsible for
starting a new squadron, Suffolk Cadet Squadron 6, and later received
approval from Col Francis S. Gabreski to have the Squadron named after
him - he attended the re-naming ceremony.

In the middle '70's, she served consecutively on Group Staff as
Administration/ Personnel Officer; Cadet Program Officer; CAC Advisor;
Trainer of Cadet Ground Team Leaders; as well as Squadron Commander.

1980 - Assigned to NY Wing Staff as Assistant to the Director of Cadet
Program.

1983 -1992 - Assigned to the position of NY Wing Director of Cadet
Program. With the help of her staff they were responsible for having
three encampments in different parts of the state during the same year
for two years; initiated the NY Wing Speech Competition and the NY Wing
Color Guard Competition which were eventually included in the Northeast
Region Cadet Competitions. National Headquarters later included the
Color Guard as part of the National Cadet Competition. The staff also
established the NY Wing Solo Flight School which some feel eventually
led to the birth of a National Flight Training Program.

1992 -- 1995 Assigned as one of the two New York Wing Vice Commanders.
Served as a Shelter Manager for several days during the Westhampton
Fires on Long Island.

Sept 1995 -- Sept 1999 -- Assigned as the New York Wing Commander.
Signed an MOU with New York State Department of Military and Naval
Affairs and received State monies for two years \[first time in over 10
years\]. Signed an MOU with the New York City Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) to fly missions over the watershed areas.
This MOU became more significant after 11 September 2001 when NY Wing
aircraft were allowed to fly missions over the water-shed areas while
other civilian aircraft were grounded. While attending the 1999 NER
Staff College at McGuire AFB, NJ, she was alerted by her ES Officer that
the Wing was tasked to look for John F. Kennedy, Jr's missing aircraft.

1999 -- 2004 - Rejoined the Long Island Group as the Cadet Program
Officer working with the Cadet Advisory Council until moving to New
Mexico in 2004.

2005 -- now - Currently serves the Las Cruces Composite Squadron as the
Program Development Officer, Deputy Commander for Cadets and DDR Officer
in addition to her new duties as NMWG Vice Commander.

TRAINING PROGRAMS: NYW Encampment Commander for 4 Leadership Encampments
and 2 ES Encampments NYS DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Basic
Wildland Search Skills Training Course RED CROSS Basic Training for
Intro to Disaster Services; Damage Assessment; and Shelter Operations
Director of a Northeast Region Cadet Leadership School Director of
numerous SLS and CLC National Staff College Seminar Advisor 1983, 1984,
1985 NERSC staff as a Seminar Advisor, Curriculum Coordinator and Deputy
Director -- 23 years NER STRATOPS - 3 years National Headquarters
Weekend Safety Course in Dallas, TX

AWARDS: Gill Robb Wilson Award \[Paul Garber autographed her Garber
Award\] Cadet Certificate of Proficiency \[equivalent to today's Spaatz
Award\] 11 Commanders Commendations 12 Meritorious Awards 3 Exceptional
Service Awards 1 Distinguished Service Award. New York State awarded a
Legislative Resolution honoring her services as the first female New
York Wing Commander. Suffolk Group Senior Member of the Year NYW Staff
Member of the Year \[twice\] Most recently the Cadets from the Las
Cruces Composite Squadron awarded a plaque for her Outstanding
Leadership.

Education: Attended Tulsa University for one year -- no degree

Employment:

Douglas Aircraft -- Planning Department - 4 years

Walk-air Flight School Receptionist-- 3 years

IRS -- Reports to Congress - 5 years

Private Investigator Assistant -- 2 years

Housewife 47 years