FIRST LIEUTENANT AARON ESTRADA, CAP
Visionary

1st Lt. Aaron Estrada is the Public Affairs and Recruiting Officer at Sonoma County Composite Squadron 157, Civil Air Patrol. He leads efforts in public relations, media outreach, and cadet recruitment, while supporting organizational leadership and cadet orientation flights and emergency services. 

The lieutenant entered the Civil Air Patrol in July 2023 and is currently pursuing dual undergraduate degrees in electrical engineering and applied mathematics at Sonoma State University (SSU). He actively contributes to SSU's Lunar Robotics and Cube Satellite Team, where he collaborates on innovative space technology projects. Additionally, he serves as a Student Ambassador for the Sonoma State University Police Department, fostering positive community relations and promoting campus safety initiatives. Prior to his current position, 1st Lt. Estrada served as the S3 Training & Operations Officer for the Philippine Air Force Citizen's Advancement Training Corps at St. Mary's Academy of Sto. Niño, Meycauayan, Philippines.

EDUCATION
2020 Introductory Engineering Courses, Glendale Community College, Glendale, CA
2022-2026 Undergraduate Electrical Engineering, Sonoma State University, CA
2023 General Education, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA
2024 Applied Quantum Computing for Computer Scientist, California State University Chico, CA

ASSIGNMENTS or CAREER CHRONOLOGY

1. June 2018 – March 2019, Cadet Officer Candidate, Cadet Officer Candidate Course (COCC), Philippine Air Force - CAT Corps, SMASN

2. July 2018 – March 2019, Campus Air Police (AP), Philippine Air Force - CAT Corps, SMASN

3. October 2018 – March 2019, Flight Leader, Flight Foxtrot, Philippine Air Force - CAT Corps, SMASN

4. March 2019 – April 2019, S3 Training & Operations Officer, Philippine Air Force - CAT Corps, SMASN

5. September 2022 – June 2023, Student Intern, Sonoma State University Police Department

6. June 2023 – Present, Student Ambassador, Sonoma State University Police Department

7. August 2023 – Present, Assistant Emergency Services Officer, Squadron 157, Civil Air Patrol

9. January 2024 – Present, Assistant Operations Officer, Squadron 157, Civil Air Patrol

10. January 2024 – Present, Cadet Orientation Flight Coordinator, Squadron 157, Civil Air Patrol

11. January 2024 – Present, Supply Officer, Squadron 157, Civil Air Patrol

12. June 2024 – July 2024, Assistant Training Officer, Alpha Flight, 160th Cadet Training Squadron, California Wing Encampment, Camp Roberts, CA

13. December 2024 – January 2025, Training Officer, Zulu Flight, Advanced Training Squadron, Winter Raptor Encampment, Camp Rilea, OR

14. December 2025 – January 2026, Training Officer, Delta Flight, 29th Cadet Training Squadron, Winter Raptor Encampment, Camp Rilea, OR

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Lt. Col. David J. Reber Emergency Services Officer of the Year Award. 

Civil Air Patrol Achievement Medal (four awards)

Civil Air Patrol Find Ribbon (three medals)

Community Service Ribbon

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, US House of Representatives
California Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition
Certificate of Honor, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Public Safety Professional of the Year 2024, Rohnert Park-Cotati Rotary Club

Employee of the Year 2024, Sonoma State University Police Department
Distinguished Service Commendation, Sonoma State University Police Department

Sonoma County Public Service Scholarship

2025-26 Face of SSU

ES QUALIFICATIONS

1. Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD)

2. Flight Release Officer (FRO)

3. Planning Section Chief Trainee (PSC – Trainee)

4. Logistics Section Chief (LSC – Trainee)

5. Liaison Officer (LO – Trainee)

6. Mission Radio Operator (MRO – Trainee)

7. Aircrew Mission Observer (MO)

8.  Aircrew Mission Scanner (MS) | Evaluator

9. Small Unmanned Aerial System Technician (sUAS-T – Trainee)

10. Urban Direction Finder (UDF) | Evaluator

11. Mission Staff Assistant (MSA) | Evaluator

(Current as of January 2026)