Colorado Wing Civil Air Patrol

Colorado Wing Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of CAP in the state of Colorado. Its headquarters are located at Peterson AFB, and the wing is under the command of Col John Rhoades.

Colorado Wing Civil Air Patrol
Colorado Wing of Civil Air Patrol
Associated branches
United States Air Force
Command staff
Commander Col John Rhoades
Vice Commander Lt Col Floyd McCormick
Chief of Staff Capt Ryan Lord
Current statistics
Squadrons30
Cadets1,031
Seniors934
Total Membership1,965
Statistics as of Nov 7, 2019[1]

The Colorado Wing (COWG) operates in the Rocky Mountain Region for the CAP. The Wing consists of 30 squadrons in three groups within Colorado. CAP squadrons are of three types: Cadet, Composite and Senior: 1) "Cadet" squadrons consists of basic cadets, with a minimum of three senior members (adults) for supervisory, administrative, and training requirements; 2) "Senior" squadrons consists exclusively of senior members, all over the age of 18; and, 3) "Composite" squadrons consists of both cadets and senior members, conducting both cadet and senior programs.[2]

Structure

The Colorado Wing is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in Colorado, and reports to Rocky Mountain Region CAP, who reports to CAP National Headquarters. The wing supervises the individual groups and squadrons that comprise the basic operational unit of CAP. The Colorado Wing headquarters are located at Peterson AFB, Colorado.

Below the Wing level, Colorado is divided into smaller groups. Each group conducts its own training and programs,

Underneath each group are numerous squadrons. Squadrons are the local level of organization, and squadrons meet weekly to conduct training. There are three types of Civil Air Patrol squadrons:

  • Cadet squadrons focus primarily on training, leadership development and activities for CAP cadets.
  • Senior squadrons are dedicated towards allowing senior members to focus on CAP's missions, normally search and rescue activities.
  • Composite squadrons offer programs for both cadets and senior members.

Group 1

Group 1, Unit 167, conducts operations in Northern Colorado, out of Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, Building B8.[3]

A youth gets acquainted with a Civil Air Patrol aircraft in Colorado.
Senior Airman Paul Kelly explains weapon handling and safety to members of the Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron.
Squadrons of Group 1
Sqdn No. Name/Type Location Meets at Website
021 Greeley Cadet Greeley Greeley–Weld County Airport

ColoWingCAP.org

022 Vance Brand Cadet Longmont National Guard Armory building

ColoWingCAP.org

068 North Valley Composite Thornton Village Baptist Church

ColoWingCAP.org

072 Boulder Composite Boulder Calvary Bible Church

ColoWingCAP.org

099 Broomfield Composite Broomfield First Baptist Church

ColoWingCAP.org

136 Jefferson County Senior Rocky Mountain Metro Airport Mt Evans Rm, RMMA Terminal Bldg (2d floor)

ColoradoCAP.org

147 Thompson Valley Composite Ft. Collins Military Sciences Bldg,
Colorado State University

TVCSEagles.com

803 Brighton Cadet Thornton Riverdale Ridge High School

ColoWingCAP.org

Group 2

Group 2, Unit 169, conducts operations in Western Colorado, from Montrose, out of Montrose Armory.[4]

First Lt. Chad Morris of the Civil Air Patrol's Colorado wing photographs a sports utility vehicle from 1,000 feet during a homeland security mission simulation.
Squadrons of Group 2
Sqdn No. Name/Type Location Meets at Website
015 Thunder Mountain Composite Grand Jct. near

Grand Junction Regional Airport
053 Eagle County Composite Gyspum Colorado National Guard, 315 Airport Rd
085 Delta County Cadet Delta Delta Middle School
141 Montrose Composite Montrose Montrose National Guard Armory

ColoWingCAP.org

181 Steamboat Springs Composite Steamboat Springs Steamboat Springs Airport

ColoWingCAP.org

189 Mesa Verde Cadet Dolores K-9 Search And Rescue Building

ColoWingCAP.org

Group 3

Group 3, Unit 165, conducts operations in Southern Colorado.[5]

Cadets from the Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron at Peterson AFB participate in winter training.
Squadrons of Group 3
Sqdn No. Name/Type Location Meets at Website
030 Colorado Springs Cadet Peterson AFB Peterson AFB, Building 350

ColoWingCAP.org

080 Pikes Peak Senior Peterson AFB Peterson AFB Chapel, Building 1410

ColoWingCAP.org

098 Fremont-Starfire Cadet Canon City Fremont County Airport

ColoWingCAP.org

159 Air Academy Cadet USAF Academy USAFA (various locations on site)

ColoWingCAP.org

160 Heart Of The Rockies Composite Alamosa San Luis Valley Regional Airport

ColoWingCAP.org

179 Pueblo Eagles Composite Pueblo Colorado National Guard Armory

ColoWingCAP.org

190 Banning Lewis Cadet Colorado Springs 7094 Cottonwood Tree Dr

ColoWingCAP.org

805 Colorado Military Academy Cadet Colorado Springs Bldg 350, Peterson AFB

Group 4

Group 4, Unit 164, conducts operations in the greater Denver area.[6]

A member of the Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol speaks to military veterans while manning a recruitment booth.
Squadrons of Group 4
Sqdn No. Name/Type Location Meets at Website
031 Foothills Cadet Golden Belmar Baptist Church

ColoWingCAP.org

143 Mile High Cadet Aurora Buckley Air Force Base

ColoWingCAP.org

148 Mustang Cadet South Aurora Department Of Military Affairs ColoWingCAP.org
157 Douglas Cadet Castle Rock New Hope Presbyterian Church

ColoWingCAP.org

162 Black Sheep Senior Centennial South Metro Fire Rescue Authority HQ

ColoWingCAP.org

163 Highlander Composite Littleton 6001 Ron King Trail
173 Parker Cadet Parker Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church

ColoWingCAP.org

183 Valkyrie Cadet East Denver Wings Over the Rockies Museum vcs.cowg.cap.gov
186 Dakota Ridge Composite Littleton Centennial Community Church

ColoWingCAP.org

Encampment

Cadet encampments, usually a week in length, provide cadets with an intense look at military life. Encampment attendance is a prerequisite for the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award. Senior members may also be awarded the ribbon for providing leadership at CAP encampments.[7]

Colorado Wing's Encampment has been held at the US Air Force Academy, Ft Carson and Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, CO.

Emergency services

Ground search and rescue

The Wing operates a ground search and rescue ("GSAR") school on an annual basis, normally held in the Gore Range of the Rocky Mountains, west of Kremmling[8] To participate, Cadets must be at least 14 years old, hold the rank of at least Cadet Senior Airman, successfully pass a physical fitness test, and have previous participation in cadet summer activities. Additionally, all participants must have completed basic training in emergency services (offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and be able to hike long distances with a 20-25 pound pack. Participants spend the entire school (normally, eight days) in a field environment, and are awarded a Ground Team member badge at the successful completion of the school.

Air search and rescue
N652CP, Thompson Valley's Cessna 182T, sits on the ramp at Akron Airport, Colorado.

CAP cadets can qualify to participate in FAA-approved air-search flights as observers with a CAP-certified pilot. Cadets with their pilot-in-command license can qualify as cadet pilots for air-search flights. Training is provided, along with age and license requirements.[9] [10]

Covid-19 response

In April 2020, pilots from the Colorado Wing made multiple flights across Colorado, distributing personal protective equipment to medical facilities and first responders across the state, as a part of Colorado's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

Awards and decorations
Main article: Awards and decorations of the Civil Air Patrol

Members of the Civil Air Patrol who are employed within the borders of Colorado are guaranteed protection from discrimination or firing from their employer based on their membership in the Civil Air Patrol. Employers are also legally prohibited from preventing an employee from taking a leave of absence from their employment to respond to emergencies as a part of the Civil Air Patrol. These rights are guaranteed under Colorado Revised Statutes § 28-1-103.[12]

See also

References
  1. "eServices, National Headquarters". Civil Air Patrol., login required
  2. ColoradoWingCAP.org: General Information About The Colorado Wing CAP
  3. ColoradoWingCAP.org: Group 1
  4. ColoradoWingCAP.org: Group 2
  5. ColoradoWingCAP.org: Group 3
  6. ColoradoWingCAP.org: Group 4
  7. ColoradoWingCAP.org: Colorado Wing Summer Encampment
  8. ColoradoWingCAP.org GSAR School
  9. COwg.CAP.gov: Emergency Services Archived 2012-04-26 at the Wayback Machine
  10. COwg.CAP.gov: I Am a Pilot Archived 2012-04-26 at the Wayback Machine, and requirements
  11. "Protective Gear Flown To Western Slope Hospitals". CBS Denver. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  12. "CO Rev Stat § 28-1-103 (2016)". Justia. 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
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