Associated branches | |
---|---|
United States Air Force | |
Command staff | |
Commander | Col David Panzera |
Vice Commander | Lt Col James Minsterl for north; Lt Col Julio Pastoriza for south |
Chief of Staff | Lt Col Lazaro Garcia |
Command NCO | CMSgt Jose Tamayo |
Current statistics | |
Cadets | 1,883 |
Seniors | 1,881 |
Total Membership | 3,694 |
Awards | Unit Citation, National Commander Unit Citation |
Website | flwg |
Statistics as of 21 August 2024 | |
Florida WingCivil Air Patrol (CAP) is part of Southeast Region (SER) and the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Florida. Florida Wing headquarters is on the Sun 'n Fun campus located at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Lakeland, Florida. [1] Florida Wing consists of over 3,500 cadet and adult members at over 66 locations across the state of Florida. [2] Col David Panzera assumed command from Col Luis Negron on April 6, 2024, at the Florida Wing Conference in Orlando, Florida. [3]
Celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2021, Civil Air Patrol is congressionally chartered and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. CAP performs services for the federal government as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and for states and local communities. CAP is a strategic member of the Total Force, consisting of the Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Air Force auxiliary. CAP performs three primary missions — Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education, and Emergency Services.
Prior to the creation of Civil Air Patrol, the state of Florida created its own group of paramilitary civilian aviators to patrol its coastline. Organized in 1941, the First Air Squadron was mustered in on May 28, 1941. Organized under the Florida Defense Force, the First Air Squadron was made up of civilian volunteers, and all aircraft were privately owned. Members were required to either have a private pilot's license or have served in the military at least one year to join. The First Air Squadron patrolled the Florida coast for U-boats and assisted in search and rescue missions. [4]
Civil Air Patrol was created on December 1, 1941. [5] In Florida, the First Air Squadron was reorganized as a Civil Air Patrol unit. By early January 1942, Florida wing was organized into seven different operation groups, each with a commander and staff. [6]
Florida Wing, Civil Air Patrol will continue to build the exemplary organization of citizen volunteers performing missions for the communities of Florida... Train for Response, Succeed in our Response, Excel in our Service.
Volunteers serving America's communities, saving lives, and shaping futures. [7]
Civil Air Patrol has three primary missions: aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services. [8]
National:
Through their experiences as CAP cadets, young people develop into responsible citizens and become tomorrow's aerospace leaders. CAP is the volunteer, nonprofit auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Its three missions are to develop its cadets, educate Americans on the importance of aviation and space, and perform life-saving, humanitarian missions.
Florida Wing, 2020 Cadet Programs Statistics (note - lower numbers than usual due to COVID19 organizational wide stand-down):
Civil Air Patrol offers numerous products and programs—free to members—in fulfillment of both its Internal (cadets and senior members) and External (educators and students) Aerospace Education mission. Explore the Aerospace Education section of the Civil Air Patrol website at GoCivilAirPatrol.com for information on specific programs including STEM Kits, the K-6th grade Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE)program, Aerospace Education Excellence (AEX), Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) flights (in CAP aircraft), and more. Florida Wing maintained educational partnerships with 76 high schools; supported the National Space Familiarization Course; and provided a space flight orientation course.
Florida Wing is divided into nine groups across the state, with each squadron or flight being assigned to a group based on its geographical location. The Wing comprises 21 Cadet Squadrons, 7 Senior Squadrons, 29 Composite Squadrons (composed of both Cadets and Senior Members), and the Support and Legislative Squadrons. [9]
Group | Charter No. | Unit Name | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
SER-FL-000 | Florida Wing Support Squadron | Lakeland | ||
SER-FL-001 | Florida Wing HQ | Lakeland | ||
SER-FL-999 | Florida Legislative Squadron | Tallahassee | ||
Group 1 | SER-FL-423 | Eglin Composite Squadron | Eglin Air Force Base | |
SER-FL-424 | Emerald Coast Senior Squadron | Pensacola | ||
SER-FL-425 | Pensacola Cadet Squadron | Pensacola | ||
SER-FL-432 | Tallahassee Composite Squadron | Tallahassee | ||
SER-FL-435 | Betty McNabb Composite Squadron | Panama City | ||
SER-FL-444 | Marianna Composite Squadron | Marianna | ||
Group 2 | SER-FL-021 | Lake Composite Squadron | Tavares | |
SER-FL-049 | Ormond Beach Composite Squadron | Ormond Beach | ||
SER-FL-142 | Gainesville Composite Squadron | Gainesville | ||
SER-FL-171 | Fruit Cove Cadet Squadron | St. Johns | ||
SER-FL-173 | Saint Augustine Composite Squadron | St. Augustine | ||
SER-FL-323 | Fernandina Senior Squadron | Fernandina Beach | ||
SER-FL-361 | Marion County Composite Squadron | Ocala | ||
SER-FL-383 | Jacksonville Composite Squadron | Jacksonville | ||
SER-FL-831 | Liberty Middle School Squadron | Ocala | ||
SER-FL-607 | Suwannee River Composite Squadron | Branford | ||
Group 3 | SER-FL-066 | St Petersburg Cadet Squadron | St. Petersburg | |
SER-FL-182 | Pinellas Senior Squadron | St. Petersburg | ||
SER-FL-301 | Hernando County Composite Squadron | Brooksville | ||
SER-FL-447 | Clearwater Composite Squadron | Clearwater | ||
SER-FL-458 | Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron | Wesley Chapel | ||
SER-FL-459 | Zephyr Airport Cadet Squadron | Zephyrhills | ||
SER-FL-829 | Azalea Middle School Cadet Squadron | St. Petersburg | ||
SER-FL-828 | Sunlake High School Cadet Squadron | Land O' Lakes | ||
Group 4 | SER-FL-463 | 463rd Composite Squadron | Kissimmee | |
SER-FL-267 | Ti-Co Composite Squadron | Titusville | ||
SER-FL-293 | Patrick Composite Squadron | Satellite Beach | ||
SER-FL-259 | Central Florida Composite Squadron | Orlando | ||
SER-FL-116 | Seminole Composite Squadron | Sanford | ||
SER-FL-122 | Merritt Island Senior Squadron | Merritt Island | ||
Group 5 | SER-FL-314 | Highlands County Composite Squadron | Sebring | |
SER-FL-044 | SQR Composite Squadron | Sarasota | ||
SER-FL-051 | Charlotte County Composite Squadron | Punta Gorda | ||
SER-FL-335 | Venice Cadet Squadron | Venice | ||
SER-FL-023 | Naples Composite Squadron | Naples | ||
SER-FL-376 | Marco Island Senior Squadron | Marco Island | ||
Group 6 | SER-FL-024 | Stuart Composite Squadron | Port St. Lucie | |
SER-FL-457 | Indian River Composite Squadron | Indian River | ||
SER-FL-054 | Lantana Cadet Squadron | Lantana | ||
SER-FL-078 | Treasure Coast Composite Squadron | Ft. Pierce | ||
SER-FL-152 | North Palm Beach County Cadet Squadron | Jupiter | ||
SER-FL-830 | Pahokee Middle High School Cadet Squadron | Pahokee | ||
Group 7 | SER-FL-076 | Miami Senior Squadron 1 | Opa-Locka | |
SER-FL-279 | Homestead Air Reserve Base Cadet Squadron | Homestead Air Reserve Base | ||
SER-FL-319 | Doral Cadet Squadron | Doral | ||
SER-FL-355 | Tamiami Composite Squadron | Miami | ||
SER-FL-462 | Key West Cadet Squadron | Key West | ||
SER-FL-464 | Opa-Locka Cadet Squadron | Miami Gardens | ||
Group 8 | SER-FL-237 | Brandon Cadet Squadron | Brandon | |
SER-FL-089 | 089th MacDill Aviation Cadet Squadron | MacDill Air Force Base | ||
SER-FL-243 | North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron | Lutz | ||
SER-FL-274 | Polk County Composite Squadron | Winter Haven | ||
SER-FL-310 | Hillsborough One Senior Squadron | Tampa | ||
SER-FL-466 | Lakeland Composite Squadron | Lakeland | ||
Group 9 | SER-FL-011 | North Perry Composite Squadron | Pembroke Pines | |
SER-FL-016 | Coral Springs Cadet Squadron | Coral Springs | ||
SER-FL-286 | Pines-Miramar Composite Squadron | Hollywood | ||
SER-FL-337 | Fort Lauderdale Composite Squadron | Ft. Lauderdale | ||
SER-FL-372 | Boca Raton Composite Squadron | Boca Raton | ||
SER-FL-606 | Gold Coast Senior Squadron | Ft. Lauderdale | ||
SER-FL-811 | Crystal Lake MS Cadet Squadron | Pompano Beach | ||
Under the State of Florida Civil Air Patrol Leave Act, members of Civil Air Patrol who are employed within the boundaries of Florida, by a company which employs fifteen or more people, are allowed up to fifteen days of unpaid leave annually for the purpose of participating in Civil Air Patrol training or missions. Employees will not be required to use accrued vacation or sick leave or any other type of accrued leave prior to taking unpaid Civil Air Patrol leave, but may choose to use such benefits. Employers are forbidden from requiring Civil Air Patrol members to use vacation, annual, compensatory, or similar leave time for the period during which the member was on Civil Air Patrol leave. Employers are also forbidden from penalizing or firing employees for taking Civil Air Patrol leave. These employee rights are codified under Florida Statutes § 252.55. [11]
Minnesota Wing, Civil Air Patrol (MNWG) is one of 52 Wings of Civil Air Patrol and helps fulfill Civil Air Patrol's core missions in Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs, and Emergency Services.
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes members from all backgrounds. The program is established as an organization by Title 10 of the United States Code and its purposes defined by Title 36.
Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the U.S. state of Maryland. Its headquarters (HQ) is located in Granite, Maryland on the site of a former Nike Missile Base (BA-79). Granite is a tiny unincorporated community just northwest of Woodstock; the missile base and HQ have a listed mailing address of 3085 Hernwood Road Woodstock, MD. The Maryland Wing oversees 26 primary subordinate squadrons located throughout the state, including four school enrichment programs. The wing currently has a fleet of 11 aircraft made up of Cessna 172s, 182s, 206 and a Gippsland GA-8 Airvan. More than 1,400 members serve in Civil Air Patrol’s Maryland Wing.
The Massachusetts Wing Civil Air Patrol, commonly referred to as "Mass Wing", is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its headquarters is located at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts. MA Wing reports to Northeast Region CAP, which reports to CAP National Headquarters.
The Civil Air Patrol's Washington Wing is the highest echelon of the Civil Air Patrol in the state of Washington. Its headquarters are located in Pierce County, Washington at McChord Field at Joint Base Lewis–McChord near Tacoma, Washington. Washington Wing oversees 27 primary subordinate squadrons located throughout the state.
The Georgia Wing (GAWG) is a subdivision of the Civil Air Patrol which oversees its operations in Georgia. They provide emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet programs within the state. Georgia Wing headquarters are located at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia. Georgia Wing is often referred to by its members as "GA-Wing".
The North Carolina Wing of the Civil Air Patrol is headquartered in Burlington, North Carolina. It serves to administer the operation of the volunteers within the state to accomplish the three congressionally mandated missions of the organization: 1) Emergency Services, 2) Cadet Programs, and 3) Aerospace Education.
The New Mexico Wing Civil Air Patrol is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of New Mexico. Its headquarters is located at Kirtland AFB, and the wing is under the command of Col Andrew F. Selph. Supporting the Commander of New Mexico Wing are Lt Col Michael Eckert as Wing Vice Commander, and Lt Col Dennis Hunter as Chief of Staff.
The Indiana Wing Civil Air Patrol is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Indiana. Its headquarters is located in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Indiana Wing involves 1,354 adult and youth volunteers organized into five group headquarters, a legislative squadron, and twenty-five total subordinate squadrons located throughout the state, including four School Enrichment Programs. Civil Air Patrol's 2nd largest cadet squadron, the Anderson Preparatory Academy Cadet Squadron (GLR-IN-803), is located in Anderson, Indiana.
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 seven composite squadrons composed of cadets and senior members. SDWG is currently commanded by Colonel Michael Marek.
Westover Composite Squadron is a squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, the auxiliary of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the Massachusetts Wing Civil Air Patrol and is based at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts.
The Hawaii Wing of Civil Air Patrol (CAP)(Puka Ahahui Hauoli) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Hawaii. Hawaii Wing headquarters is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Hawaii Wing consists of over 600 active cadet and adult members at over 10 locations across the state of Hawaii.
The Illinois Wing of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Illinois. Illinois Wing Headquarters is located in West Chicago, Illinois. The Illinois Wing consists of over 1,000 cadet and adult members at 25 locations across the state of Illinois. "Together we all succeed!"
The Iowa Wing of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Iowa and is part of CAP's North Central Region. The Iowa Wing headquarters is located in West Des Moines, Iowa. The Iowa Wing consists of over 360 cadet and adult members at 9 locations across the state of Iowa. They operate a total of 7 single-engine aircraft and 1 glider, which flew a total of 975 flight hours in 2022.
The Michigan Wing of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Michigan. Michigan Wing headquarters are located in Selfridge Air National Guard Base. The Michigan Wing consists of over 1,200 cadet and adult members at over 42 locations across the state of Michigan.
The Vermont Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Vermont. Vermont Wing headquarters are located at 355 Vally Road South Burlington, Vermont. The Vermont Wing consists of over 150 cadet and adult members at over 7 locations across the state of Vermont.
The North Dakota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of North Dakota. North Dakota Wing headquarters are located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The North Dakota Wing consists of over 200 cadet and adult members at over 7 locations across the state of North Dakota.
The Wisconsin Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Wing headquarters are located in Madison, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Wing consists of over 1000 cadet and adult members at multiple locations across the state of Wisconsin.
The New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of New Jersey. New Jersey Wing headquarters are located at the McGuire AFB entity of Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst. New Jersey Wing consists of over 1,500 auxiliary airmen who are members of 25 squadrons across the state of New Jersey.
The Wyoming Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Wyoming. Wyoming Wing headquarters are located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Wyoming Wing consists of over 250 cadet and adult members at over 9 locations across the state of Wyoming.