South Dakota Wing Civil Air Patrol
South Dakota Wing Civil Air Patrol is the highest echelon of CAP in the state of South Dakota. The wing headquarters is at the Rapid City Regional Airport in Rapid City, South Dakota. SDWG reports to CAP's North Central Region, which in turn reports to CAP National Headquarters at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
The wing consists of squadrons, the basic unit of CAP. At present SDWG consists of three administrative squadrons and eight "composite" squadrons that are composed of cadets and senior members. SDWG is currently commanded by Colonel Nicholas Gengler.
Structure
Below wing level are squadrons. SDWG has three administrative squadrons and eight operational squadrons. The operational squadrons are at the local level of the CAP organization. They meet weekly to conduct CAP's three core missions and are on-call 24/7 to respond to requests for emergency assistance. In South Dakota Wing all eight of the operational squadrons are "composite" squadrons in that they offer programs for both cadets and senior members.| Designation | Squadron Name | Location | Notes |
| SD-000 | Wing Holding Squadron | N/A | |
| SD-001 | Headquarters Squadron | Rapid City | |
| SD-999 | Wing Legislative Squadron | Pierre | |
| SD-007 | Lincoln County Composite Squadron | Tea | |
| SD-025 | Mitchell Composite Squadron | Mitchell | |
| SD-031 | Rushmore Composite Squadron | Ellsworth AFB | |
| SD-038 | Pierre Composite Squadron | Pierre | |
| SD-050 | Sioux Falls Composite Squadron | Sioux Falls | |
| SD-058 | Big Sioux Composite Squadron | Brookings | |
| SD-063 | Lookout Mountain Composite Squadron | Spearfish | |
| SD-068 | Crazy Horse Composite Squadron | Custer |
Missions
South Dakota Wing performs Civil Air Patrol's three congressionally mandated missions: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and Cadet Programs.- Emergency Services – SDWG supports Civil Air Patrol's Emergency Services missions by operating six CAP aircraft and 17 multi-purpose vehicles. SDWG takes part in aerial and ground-based search and rescue, disaster relief operations, humanitarian assistance, support to the South Dakota Air National Guard through low-level route surveys and counter-aerial intruder training, and aerial survey assistance to the state Department of Game Fish and Parks and South Dakota State University in their wildlife management programs.
- Aerospace Education – The Aerospace Education program ensures all SDWG members have an appreciation for and knowledge of aerospace issues. It provides general aerospace knowledge and focuses on advances in aviation, aerospace technology and space exploration. SDWG's support for the AE mission also includes participation in local, state and national aviation events.
- Cadet Programs – While there are many youth oriented programs in America today, CAP's cadet program is unique in that it uses aviation as a cornerstone. SDWG offers the Cadet Program in all six of its squadrons across the state. The Cadet Program allows young people to progress at their own pace through a program including aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and character development. There is also an orientation flight program for the cadets.
Cadet encampment