Members Train for Airborne Photography Missions

A dozen people attended South Dakota Wing’s airborne photography academy January 11 in Sioux Falls, including members and invited guests.

“Airborne photography, from CAP’s fixed-wing aircraft and photography drones, is one of the most important ways South Dakota Wing serves state, local, and federal agencies in 2025,” said Col. Michael Marek, an instructor during the academy.

The academy started with the basics of photography and how digital single lens reflex cameras work and proceeded to airborne photography camera settings and best practices. Later in the day, participants went out on photography sorties and learned how to upload their photos to the Federal Emergency Management Agency photo platform.

CAP’s state and local missions are activated through the state Office of Emergency Management’s Emergency Operations Center. In addition to airborne photography, South Dakota Wing is called on for missing persons searches, missing aircraft, and other services that go beyond local resources.