The awards and decorations of the Civil Air Patrol are "designed to recognize heroism, service, and program achievements" of members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) of the United States of America. The CAP is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, and these awards are made to improve the esprit de corps of members. These awards are all worn in the form of medals or ribbons and all are considered civilian decorations. Civil Air Patrol regulations allow them to only be worn and displayed on appropriate CAP uniforms. In order to be considered for one of these awards, an individual must be a member in good standing of the Civil Air Patrol at the time of the act being recognized. There is a statute of limitations for these awards and all recommendations must be submitted within 2 years of the act being performed. It is possible for the next of kin of deceased persons to be presented awards to which a member was entitled, but which he or she did not receive. Award review boards are established at the region, wing, group, and squadron levels to consider recommendations for all awards and decorations.
The Gill Robb Wilson Award is Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) highest award for Senior Member professional development. It recognizes senior members who have dedicated themselves to leadership and personal development in the CAP. The CAP first gave this award in 1964 to honor the late Gill Robb Wilson. He is regarded as the founder of Civil Air Patrol, and served as CAP’s first executive officer.
The Grover Loening Award is given to Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Senior Members who complete Level III of the Senior Member Professional Development Program. It recognizes those members who have dedicated themselves to leadership and personal development in the CAP. This award was first given in 1964 and honors the late Grover Loening. A noted aviation pioneer, he was the first civilian member of the National Air and Space Museum’s Advisory Board.
The 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 people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and occupations. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services, which includes search and rescue and disaster relief operations; aerospace education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for teenage youth. In addition, CAP has recently been tasked with homeland security and courier service missions. CAP also performs non-auxiliary missions for various governmental and private agencies, such as local law enforcement and the American Red Cross. The program is established as an organization by Title 10 of the United States Code and its purposes defined by Title 36.
Cadet grades and insignia of the Civil Air Patrol are a series of cadet ranks awarded to cadets in Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Each grade and insignia corresponds to an equivalent United States Air Force enlisted and an equivalent officer grade insignia. A cadet begins at Cadet Airman Basic and must progress through all the enlisted grades before becoming a cadet officer. Each achievement requires the completion of several tasks.
The Georgia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of CAP in the State of Georgia. Georgia Wing headquarters are located at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia.
The New Mexico Wing Civil Air Patrol (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 Colonel Annette R. Peters.
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 six "composite" squadrons that are composed of cadets and senior members. SDWG is currently commanded by Colonel David Small Jr.
The New York Wing Civil Air Patrol is the highest echelon of the Civil Air Patrol in the state of New York. Headquartered at Westchester County Airport campus in White Plains, New York, the New York Wing (NYWG) has 9 primary subordinate units located throughout the state to help it carry out its missions.
The California Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of California. California Wing headquarters are located in Van Nuys, California. The California Wing consists of over 3,000 cadet and adult members at over 77 locations across the state of California.
The Louisiana Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Louisiana. Louisiana Wing headquarters are located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Louisiana Wing consists of over 500 cadet and adult members at 17 locations across the state of Louisiana.
The West Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of West Virginia. West Virginia Wing headquarters are located in Charleston, West Virginia. The West Virginia Wing consists of over 600 cadet and adult members at over 12 locations across the state of West Virginia.
The Oregon Wing is one of six wings that comprise the Pacific Region and one of 52 wings in the Civil Air Patrol. It serves as the headquarters for Civil Air Patrol units in the state of Oregon. Oregon Wing headquarters is located in Eugene, Oregon. The wing itself oversees over 600 cadet and adult members serving with 13 squadrons or flights across the state of Oregon.
The Nevada Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Nevada. Nevada Wing headquarters are located in Reno, Nevada. The Nevada Wing consists of over 700 cadet and adult members at locations across the state of Nevada.
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.
The National Capital Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the district of Washington, D.C. The National Capital Wing consists of nearly 400 cadet and adult members at over 6 locations across the District of Columbia; the City of Alexandria, Arlington County and Fairfax County in Northern Virginia; and Prince Georges County, MD..
The Rhode Island Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Rhode Island. Rhode Island Wing headquarters are located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Wing consists of over 140 cadet and adult members operating from 4 locations across the state of Rhode Island.
The Utah Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Utah. Utah Wing headquarters are located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utah Wing consists of over 750 cadet and adult members in 14 locations across the state of Utah.
The Puerto Rico Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico Wing headquarters are located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico Wing consists of over 1,000 cadet and adult members at 30 locations across the island. Puerto Rico Wing was activated on November 22, 1949.
The Nebraska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Nebraska. Nebraska Wing headquarters are located in Fremont, Nebraska. The Nebraska Wing consists of over 450 cadet and adult members at over 17 locations across the state of Nebraska.
