Colorado Wing Civil Air Patrol
|
The Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary | |
| Associated branches | |
|---|---|
| United States Air Force | |
| Executive staff | |
| Commander | Lt Col Celeste Gamache |
| Vice Commander | Lt Col David Hurtado |
| Current statistics | |
| Squadrons | 30 |
| Cadets | 816 |
| Seniors | 893 |
| Total Membership | 1709 |
| Statistics as of Dec 14[1] | |
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 Lt Col Celeste Gamache.
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:
- A cadet squadron focus primarily on training, leadership development and activities for CAP cadets.
- A senior squadron is a unit dedicated to 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, Sqdn 167, conducts operations in Northern Colorado, out of Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, Building B8.[3]
| Sqdn No. | Name/Type | Location | Meets at | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 023 | Arvada Cadet | Arvada | Lincoln Academy | |
| 072 | Boulder Composite | Boulder | Calvary Bible Church | |
| 099 | Broomfield Composite | Broomfield | First Baptist Church | |
| 031 | Foothills Cadet | Golden | Belmar Baptist Church | |
| 021 | Greeley Composite | Greeley | Greeley–Weld County Airport | |
| 136 | Jefferson County Senior | Rocky Mountain Metro Airport | Runway Grill dining room | |
| 143 | Mile High Cadet | Aurora | Buckley Air Force Base | |
| 068 | North Valley Composite | Thornton | Village Baptist Church | |
| 181 | Steamboat Springs Composite | Steamboat Springs | Steamboat Springs Airport | |
| 147 | Thompson Valley Composite | Ft. Collins | Military Sciences Bldg, Colorado State University |
|
| 022 | Vance Brand Cadet | Longmont | National Guard Armory building |
Group 2
Group 2, Sqdn 169, conducts operations in Western Colorado, from Montrose, out of Montrose Armory.[4]
| Sqdn No. | Name/Type | Location | Meets at | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 139 | Cortez Senior | Cortez Municipal Airport | CAP Hangar, Cortez Airport | |
| 160 | Heart Of The Rockies Composite | Alamosa | San Luis Valley Regional Airport | |
| 189 | Mesa Verde Cadet | Dolores | K-9 Search And Rescue Building | |
| 141 | Montrose Composite | Montrose | Montrose National Guard Armory | |
| 015 | Thunder Mountain Composite | Grand Jct. | near |
Group 3
Group 3, Sqdn 165, conducts operations in the greater Denverarea and Southern Colorado.[5]
| Sqdn No. | Name/Type | Location | Meets at | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 159 | Air Academy Cadet | USAF Academy | USAFA (various locations on site) | |
| 190 | Banning Lewis Cadet | Colorado Springs | 7094 Cottonwood Tree Dr | |
| 162 | Black Sheep Senior | Centennial | South Metro Fire Rescue Authority HQ | |
| 030 | Colorado Springs Cadet | Peterson AFB | Peterson AFB, Building 350 | |
| 186 | Dakota Ridge Composite | Littleton | Centennial Community Church | |
| 157 | Douglas Cadet | Castle Rock | New Hope Presbyterian Church | |
| 188 | Evergreen Composite | Evergreen | Evergreen Lutheran Church | |
| 098 | Fremont-Starfire Cadet | Canon City | Freemont County Airport | |
| 148 | Mustang Cadet | South Aurora | Department Of Military Affairs | ColoWingCAP.org |
| 173 | Parker Cadet | Parker | Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church | |
| 080 | Pikes Peak Senior | Peterson AFB | Peterson AFB Chapel, Building 1410 | |
| 179 | Pueblo Eagles Composite | Pueblo | Colorado National Guard Armory | |
| 183 | Valkyrie Cadet | East Denver | Wings Over the Rockies Museum | vcs.cowg.cap.gov |
School Squadrons
School Squadrons operate from within the School District.[6]
| Sqdn No. | Name/Type | Location | Meets at | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 803 | 27J School District | Brighton | Brighton Heritage Academy |
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.
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
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]
Awards and decorations
See also
References
- ↑ "eServices, National Headquarters". Civil Air Patrol., login required
- ↑ ColoradoWingCAP.org: General Information About The Colorado Wing CAP
- ↑ ColoradoWingCAP.org: Group 1
- ↑ ColoradoWingCAP.org: Group 2
- ↑ ColoradoWingCAP.org: Group 3
- ↑ ColoradoWingCAP.org: School Squadrons
- ↑ ColoradoWingCAP.org: Colorado Wing Summer Encampment
- ↑ ColoradoWingCAP.org GSAR School
- ↑ COwg.CAP.gov: Emergency Services
- ↑ COwg.CAP.gov: I Am a Pilot, and requirements
External links
- CoWG.CAP.gov official site
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