Cadet

The USAF Academy (USAFA) has accepted CAP Cadet Master Sergeant Lexi T. Brandt to become a USAFA cadet starting June 2025.  Cadet Brandt has wanted to attend the USAF Academy since she was in 7^th Grade.  She lived then in Windsor, Colorado, and saw the Graduation Ceremony on TV and the Thunderbirds Air Force demonstration team flying overhead where she was.  That’s when she started to research what she needed to do to attend this highly-acclaimed, difficult, and free university.  Since then, she’s been working diligently to ensure she was ready for this highly sought-after honor.

During the recent AE weekend in Onida, 14 cadets from six SD Wing squadrons earned their Cadet sUAS badges. 

Cessna 172 N98776 has completed its service to South Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol, with capstone flights that included a high-profile flood photography mission and orientation flights for members of CAP’s “Cadet” youth program. The Cessna 172 will soon be for sale.

Cadet CMSgt Dominic Clement soloed on June 19.  His instructor, Lt. Col. Craig Goodrich made the announcement of the solo and presented a certificate.  

Two teams from South Dakota Wing competed in CAP’s recent North Central Region Cadet Competition at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, MN. Lincoln County Composite Squadron, Tea, and Rushmore Composite Squadron, Rapid City, represented South Dakota in the highly competitive event, which included teams from six of the seven states in CAP’ North Central Region

The competition features a range of events drawn from the CAP cadet program, such as indoor and outdoor presentations of the colors, standard drill, physical fitness, a team leadership problem, service project report, and uniform inspection.

C/CMSgt Jordan Weiand became the first South Dakota Wing cadet to earn the technician rating for CAP’s Uncrewed Aerial Systems, known informally as drones. She is among only 13 members currently certified UAS technicians in South Dakota Wing.

A team from South Dakota Wing engaged in a series of productive meetings with members of the South Dakota congressional delegation and their staff members on February 29.

Twenty-one members of South Dakota Wing were in Pierre Feb 8 for the wing’s annual Legislative Day. The annual event elevated the visibility of Civil Air Patrol among legislators and provided CAP cadets with insight into how government works.

South Dakota Wing Civil Air Patrol Cadet Captain Miles Kornegay, has received a CAP National Commander’s Commendation for disaster relief services related to Hurricane Ian in Florida in 2022. Kornegay was part of a nation-wide CAP team that analyzed before and after photos of storm damage for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, each working from their home bases.

Cadet Colonel Keon den Hoed, CAP, received the General Carl A. Spaatz Award on November 2, the highest achievement in the CAP youth program.