The New Mexico Wing Civil Air Patrol (NMWG CAP) 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 New Mexico Wing operates in the Southwest Region of the CAP. The Wing consists 4 Groups which command the 19 squadrons. Group 800 is the center to which all school programs report, commanded by Lt Col Michael Eckert. CAP squadrons are of three types: Cadet, Composite and Senior.
"Cadet" squadrons consist of basic cadets, with a minimum of three senior members (adults) for supervisory, administrative and training requirements. "Senior" squadrons consist exclusively of senior members, all over the age of 18. "Composite" squadrons consists of both cadets and senior members and conduct both cadet and senior programs.
Local Civil Air Patrol cadets and leaders watch a balloon they helped launch. The New Mexico CAP’s new balloon program allows members to participate in lighter-than-air flight while furthering their aerospace education.
In 1938, plans for a General Aviation Organization was provided to aid the U.S. Military at the home front with the war in Europe building. The idea was approved, thus creating the New Jersey Civil Air Defense Service (NJCADS)
The Civil Air Patrol was created on December 1, 1941 through Administrative Order 9, issued by Fiorello H. LaGuardia in his capacity as Director of the Office of Civilian Defense. Major General John F. Curry was the first National Commander. During World War II, the CAP was seen as a way to use America's civilian aviation resources to aid the war effort instead of grounding them. The organization assumed many missions including anti-submarine patrol and warfare, border patrols and courier services. The CAP pilots sighted 173 enemy U-boats and sank two, dropping a total of 83 bombs and depth charges throughout the entire conflict.[3] From 1946 to 1948, 48 Wings were stood up across the nation, all recruiting civilian volunteers, a large part was 17- to 19-year-old cadets to train and become pilots within the program.
July 1, 1946, Public Law 79-476 enacted CAP to become "Solely of a benevolent character", never again being involved in direct combact activities. May 26, 1948, Congress made CAP the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF) and Congressionally mandated Cadet Program through a curriculum of leadership, aerospace, fitness and character.
The CAP continued to support the U.S. Government directly by enforcing the Peacetime Military Selective Service Act (DRAFT). CAP had a large role in this act by providing Basic Military style training to young cadets, preparing them for the military when they became of age. This was later changed with the removal of the DRAFT in 1973. CAP has since become an organization that does not train cadets for military service, but provide cadets the tools and skills needed to Lead and become outstanding citizens.
In 1956, the USAF recognized the great efforts and military structured program and directed CAP to help develop a USAF Junior ROTC program based on their Cadet Program (CAPC), thus creating the USAF JROTC that we have today. In 1964, CAP modified their Cadet Program to better serve the Cadets and Civil aspects of the program. This modification was not received well throughout the nation, and it became quickly apparent that each CAP unit needed a Professional Teacher or Instructor to incorporate the new program and curriculums to succeed. This was a major change for CAP as it deviated from the original concept of the CAPC program. Unit across the nation pushed back so much so due to the change that between 1969 and 1974, CAP introduced a '5 year moratorium' to incorporate the 'modified' cadet program. During this introduction time frame brought forward revised texts and study materials, and introduced new workbooks, films, training aids, and most important the techniques needed to revise and implement the new program.
1993, a middle school in Houston, TX modified the Drug Demand Reduction program to incorporate into their school in an attempt to provide a program that would deter students from drugs and other behaviors and incorporate a better learning environment for underprivileged students and make aware the Aerospace Specialty fields available to them. 2006, National Headquarters officially recognized the School Enrichment Program (SEP) as a school affiliated program for grades 6-12. In just 1 year, 70 SEP squadrons were available across 13 states. A pilot program for Junior Cadets was also being fashioned for students in grades K-5. The overall mission of the program was to encourage students and make them aware of the Aerospace careers in the ageing industry and work force as well as promoting community service.
In April 2020, pilots from the New Mexico Wing began flying test kits from the Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces to Albuquerque for processing as a part of New Mexico's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]
In March 2023, New Mexico Wing had a total of 221 Cadets, 418 Senior Members, in 18 Squadrons. In April 2024, NMWG had grown to 271 Cadets, 450 Senior Members, in 19 Squadrons.
Origins of the New Mexico wing
New Mexico Wing was led by Maj Harlee Townsden from December 1, 1941 until June 14, 1943. There is very little documentation about the early history of New Mexico Wing. January 6, 1943, an article released stated, "Two members of the New Mexico Civil Air Patrol have been called into service, Capt. Walter Biddle, in charge of the local CAP squadron, said yesterday. They are Howard Livingston and Henry Mares. Others will be sent into service as fast as they complete their training courses, Capt. Biddle said. Squadrons in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Roswell have been ordered into courier duty for the Army according to a dispatch of the Associated Press from Santa Fe." [3]
Civil Air Patrol at Kirtland Field
The Civil Air Patrol operates at and near unit at Kirtland Field. It is a volunteer network of pilots and aviators established during World War II one week before the events at Pearl Harbor. CAP pilots were called the "Flying Minutemen" and specialized in coastal patrols searching for enemy submarines, search and rescue missions throughout the country, and cargo and courier flights to transport materials and personnel.[4]
On June 3, 2011 at Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB), the New Mexico Civil Air Patrol Wing received an "Excellent" rating for its performance on its Air Force mandated Operations Evaluation held on April 29 through May 1 at Kirtland AFB and throughout New Mexico. The evaluation tested the New Mexico CAP's ability to perform Air Force assigned missions, such as homeland security, disaster relief, search and rescue, and counter drug operations. In 2009, the Wing also received an "Excellent" rating when the evaluation's mission base was in Farmington, NM. On that occasion, the Air Force Evaluation Team cited two outstanding performers. They were CAP Lt. Col. Mark Smith (retired colonel), the mission safety officer, and CAP Capt. William Fitzpatrick (Staff Sgt., NM Air National Guard), flight line supervisor.[5]
In 2011, two units were awarded the Civil Air Patrol Quality Cadet Unit Award. Any cadet unit that displays strong program fundamentals can earn the Quality Cadet Unit Award which aims to motivate squadrons to pursue objective goals that are thought will lead to their having a quality Cadet Program. The two squadrons which achieved this were SWR-NM-077 Rio Rancho Falcon Composite Squadron and SWR-NM-083 Albuquerque Heights Composite Squadron.[6] SWR-NM-083 Albuquerque Heights Composite Squadron has achieved this award 12 times in a row since earning it in 2011.
Cadets from the New Mexico Wing of Civil Air Patrol await a briefing before launching hot-air balloons at Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta Park.Lt. Col. Jon Hitchcock, right, Civil Air Patrol incident commander, and Maj. Scott Zenonian, Planning Branch Director, stay in touch with members across the state during the CAP New Mexico Wing's evaluation by the U.S. Air Force at Kirtland Air Force Base.Civil Air Patrol Master Sgt. Nathan Baker (left), CAP Staff Sgt. Troy Henson (center), and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Angelito Cooper (right) pose with informational brochures.
The New Mexico Wing is the highest echelon of the Civil Air Patrol in New Mexico. It reports to the South West Region CAP, which reports to CAP National Headquarters. The wing supervises the individual groups and squadrons that compose the basic operational unit of the CAP. The New Mexico Wing headquarters are located at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. New Mexico Civil Air Patrol is also governed under Ch. 20, art. 7 NMSA 1978 under the New Mexico Department of Military Affairs, Commanded by the Adjutant General of the State.[7] As a Total Force member in the United States Air Force, NMWG Civil Air Patrol also works with CAP-USAF for missions.
Below the Wing level, New Mexico is divided into Groups with subordinate squadrons, or flights. Groups report directly to the wing level and squadrons report directly to their Group HQ. Squadrons are the local level of organization, and they meet weekly to conduct training and education to continue to accomplish the Congressionally mandated Cadet Program through a curriculum of leadership, aerospace, fitness and character. Following a military model, the program emphasizes the Air Force traditions and values; Shaping Today's Cadets into Tomorrow's Aerospace Leaders.
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.
Raily Blankley, a member of the New Mexico Civil Air Patrol, holds the balloon opening as it is inflated. The New Mexico CAP’s new balloon program allows members to participate in lighter-than-air flight while furthering their aerospace education.
Members of the Civil Air Patrol who are employed within the state of New Mexico are entitled to up to fifteen days of leave annually from their place of employment to take part in official duties as assigned by the director of the civil air patrol division conducted by the Civil Air Patrol.[9]
Kirtland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base. It is located in the southeast quadrant of the Albuquerque, New Mexico, urban area, adjacent to the Albuquerque International Sunport. The base was named for the early Army aviator Col. Roy C. Kirtland. The military and the international airport share the same runways, making ABQ a joint civil-military airport.
The Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFROTC) is one of the three primary commissioning sources for officers in the United States Air Force and United States Space Force, the other two being the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and Air Force Officer Training School (OTS). A subordinate command of the Air University within the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), AFROTC is aligned under the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. The Holm Center, formerly known as the Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools (AFOATS), retains direct responsibility for both AFROTC and OTS.
The Air Education and Training Command (AETC) is one of the nine Major Commands (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force (USAF), reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force. It was established 1 July 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University.
The New Mexico Air National Guard is the aerial militia of the State of New Mexico, United States of America. It is, along with the New Mexico Army National Guard, an element of the New Mexico National Guard.
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.
Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base is a joint installation shared by various active component and reserve component military units, as well as aircraft flight operations of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under the aegis of the nearby Johnson Space Center. The host wing for the installation is the Texas Air National Guard's 147th Attack Wing. Opened in 1917, Ellington Field was one of thirty-two Air Service training camps established after the United States entry into World War I. It is named for First Lieutenant Eric Ellington, a U.S. Army aviator who was killed in a plane crash in San Diego, California in 1913.
The Connecticut Wing Civil Air Patrol is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Connecticut. Headquartered in Beers Hall at the Connecticut Valley Hospital campus in Middletown, Connecticut, Connecticut Wing (CTWG) has 14 primary subordinate units located throughout the state to help it carry out its missions. The missions include providing aerospace education and training for all of its members, teaching leadership skills to Connecticut youth, and performing various domestic emergency services for the United States of America in a noncombatant capacity.
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 Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of CAP in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Wing headquarters is located at Fort Indiantown Gap, an Army National Guard installation near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Wing is abbreviated as "PAWG", and is often referred to by its members as "PA Wing". A Pennsylvania keystone is a symbol commonly used in patches and designs of PAWG.
Delaware Wing Civil Air Patrol is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in the state of Delaware. Delaware Wing headquarters is located at Dover Air Force Base. It comprises seven squadrons from Claymont to Georgetown, and a unit just over the border in Elkton, Maryland. Delaware Wing is abbreviated as DEWG. As a federally chartered organization, CAP has 3 primary missions as instructed by Congress. The missions include providing aerospace education and training for all of its members, teaching leadership skills to Delaware youth, and performing various domestic emergency services for the United States of America in a noncombatant capacity.
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".
Colorado Wing Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of CAP in the state of Colorado. Its headquarters are located at Peterson Space Force Base, and the wing is under the command of Col Michael Fay.
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.
The New Hampshire Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (NHWG) is the highest echelon of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in New Hampshire, in the United States. Its headquarters is located in Concord, New Hampshire, near the Concord Municipal Airport. The New Hampshire Wing is part of the Northeast Region of CAP.
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.
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. Florida Wing consists of over 3,500 cadet and adult members at over 66 locations across the state of Florida. Col David Panzera assumed command from Col Luis Negron on April 6, 2024, at the Florida Wing Conference in Orlando, Florida.
The 811th Cadet Squadron was one of the few remaining School Enrichment Program (SEP) Cadet Squadrons in Civil Air Patrol. It acted as a regular squadron, yet had a partnership with an in school elective class that was offered to students at the middle school, who do not need to be members to participate. This was before the squadron was retired, in 2023, due to lack of participating members, and loss of reliable location. The squadron members were re-distributed into the 855th Albuquerque Aviation Academy Cadet Squadron, which started later that year.
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.
Mark E. Smith is a major general and the 24th National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol. Maj Gen Smith succeeded Maj Gen Joseph Vazquez as National Commander on September 2, 2017. He led over 63,000 members across the U.S. in fulfilling CAP's congressionally chartered missions of Emergency Services, Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education, including Homeland Security as the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. He was previously the Southwest Region Commander and New Mexico Wing Commander.
Members of Civil Air Patrol are assigned various ranks, the titles and insignia of which are based on those used by the United States Air Force. Each grade and insignia corresponds to an equivalent United States Air Force enlisted rank insignia and an equivalent officer rank insignia.
↑ Ted Spitzmiller and Gwen Sawyer, Enchanted Wing: the History of the New Mexico Wing Civil Air Patrol (publication place: iUniverse, 2009), 5-6. " ISBN9781440181269"
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Col Andrew F. Selph
Lt Col Michael Eckert
