South Dakota Wing members and airplanes were at the Sioux Falls Airshow and Discover Aviation Day. The CAP aircraft on static display at both events drew a lot of interest, including children and adults who got to sit in the planes. Both events also included information booths describing CAP's operations, cadet/youth, and Aerospace/STEM education programs.
Cadet 1st Lt. Byron Wengert of Lincoln County Composite Squadron became a private pilot this month with a national CAP Cadet Wings scholarship.
A member of Civil Air Patrol squadron in Guam recently completed his third orientation flight with South Dakota Wing while visiting his grandfather in Sioux Falls.
Col Mike Beason, former SD Wing Commander, earned the Outstanding Instructor award at CAP’s annual National Emergency Services Academy in June for his training in the Incident Command System School.
Beason was one of seven instructors in the small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (sUAS) classes, teaching the first-ever Enhanced Mission Pilot course.
Civil Air Patrol’s Sioux Falls Composite Squadron deployed to Huron on July 3 to assist residents recovering from the devastating storms that struck the city the previous day. The response team consisted of two senior members and five cadets, united by a shared commitment to serve their community.
Lt. Col. Buck DeWeese, of Spearfish, is the 2026 recipient of Civil Air Patrol’s national Frank G. Brewer Memorial Lifetime Aerospace Education Award. DeWeese joined CAP in 1998 after a flying career in the US Air Force and later flew as an airline pilot for Delta Airlines. He has served CAP in a variety of local unit and state-level positions, up to CAP’s state vice commander. Throughout these many roles, he has maintained a high emphasis on aerospace education leadership and training.
Members from across South Dakota Wing gathered in Sioux Falls recently for operational mission training, including air and ground disaster relief photography.
Captain Jodi Williams has received a Certificate of Recognition for Lifesaving following an event in February when she provided lifesaving care for a co-worker having a severe allergic reaction.
Cadet Tysen King of Volga has received the prestigious Brigadier General Billy Mitchell Award. A recent 2026 Sioux Valley High School graduate, King has enlisted in the United States Air Force.
