News

Members and units from across all seven states of North Central Region participated in the annual Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, December 13, 2025, recognizing the service and sacrifices of veterans and their families. Bravo Zulu to our members for again participating in this worthy annual event! This year,...

North Central Region members and units participated in local community Memorial Day activities across the region! Photo link: Veterans Day 2025 - Civil Air Patrol Kansas Wing Cadets from the Lawrence Composite Squadron participated in a local Veterans Day parade. Minnesota Wing A combined color guard from Ft. Snelling Cadet...

Congratulations to the following North Central Region units on earning the Aerospace Education Achievement Award for fiscal year 2025! Their active and successful involvement helps accomplish CAP's aerospace education mission and promote an interest in aerospace, aviation, and STEM. Iowa Wing IA-003 Southwest Iowa Composite Squadron IA-004 Black Hawk County...

The CAP South Dakota Wing Scholarship Committee selected Cadet 2d Lt. Byron Wengert of Tea to receive a $500 flight scholarship.

July 17, 2025, marked the official kickoff and introduction of the newly reformed Aberdeen Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The event was attended by members of the new squadron, South Dakota Wing leadership, and visiting senior members and cadets from neighboring units.

As the historian for the South Dakota Wing (SDWG), I often receive calls from people hoping to donate items related to Civil Air Patrol (CAP) history. Every so often, one of those calls turns out to be a rare and priceless find.

One such call led me to the legacy of Lt. Col. Thomas Brownfield Roberts Jr., the first commanding officer of the South Dakota Wing. Appointed on December 1, 1941, Roberts led the Wing through its developing years and the duration of World War II, stepping down on October 15, 1945.

The South Dakota and North Dakota Wings of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) are set to host the 2025 Joint Dakota Encampment (JDE) from June 21 to June 29 at Camp Rapid.

This premier training event will unite over 150 cadets and senior members from 10 states, marking it as one of the largest encampments in the region. The encampment offers cadets an immersive experience in military-style discipline, leadership, and aerospace education.

On June 9th, South Dakota Wing acquired a brand-new Cessna-182 from the Cessna factory in Independence, KS. Wing members Justin Johnson, Craig Goodrich, and Jeremy Langrock flew the new aircraft back to its new home in South Dakota.

The Civil Air Patrol’s North Central Region held its regional small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) training exercise in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, bringing together nearly 20 members from five of the seven states in the region.

When a B-1 Bomber crashed during landing at Ellsworth AFB last year, the accident board called on South Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol for fast-turnaround airborne photography of the accident site. CAP photography was included in the Air Force accident investigation report, showing the site and CAP’s rapid response capabilities.