Civil Air Patrol’s South Dakota Wing flew aircraft and drone photography surveys over Ellsworth Air Force Base to document the scene where a B-1 crashed on Jan. 4. Acting in its role as the auxiliary of the Air Force, Civil Air Patrol was tasked by the Air Force Interim Safety Board to fly photography surveys around the area of the crash, which happened as the bomber was attempting to land.
Major General (SD) Mark Morrell, South Dakota Adjutant General, recently inspected two Civil Air Patrol aircraft. South Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) receives state funding as part of the state Department of Military. Morrell’s orientation to CAP’s mission aircraft came at the conclusion of a meeting with CAP’s South Dakota Wing (SDWG) commander, Col. Michael Marek, and several members of the CAP operations team in South Dakota.
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.
1Lt Jacob Roth assumed command of Big Sioux Composite Squadron November 16 during a change of command ceremony at the squadron headquarters building in Brookings.
Five South Dakota Wing squadrons have earned the prestigious Squadron Aerospace Education Award from CAP’s National Headquarters.
Cadet Colonel Keon den Hoed, CAP, received the General Carl A. Spaatz Award on November 2, the highest achievement in the CAP youth program.
CAP members from around the state participated in a training exercise in Pierre. The mission included air visual and electronic (ELT) search, aircraft to ground team communication, and unmanned photography drone 3D building mapping.
South Dakota Wing demonstrated its responsible financial management when it completed a financial audit successfully in October. The review by the wing’s financial analyst, Lisa Campbell, found no critical control weaknesses, three commendable management practices, and a handful of wing and squadron items where we could adjust internal controls or records.
SDWG members gathered in Sioux Falls on October 14 for continuing training for CAP’s operational mission training.
Members from Sioux Falls Composite Squadron supported the Sioux Falls Sidewalk Arts Festival and the 20th annual South Dakota Truck Convoy for Special Olympics this month.
