The Civil Air Patrol's Idaho Wing (Abbreviated IDWG) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Idaho. Idaho Wing headquarters are located in Blackfoot, Idaho.[1] Idaho Wing oversees 9 squadrons and over 600 cadets and senior members across the state of Idaho.[2]
Civil Air Patrol has three missions: providing emergency services; offering cadet programs for youth; and providing aerospace education for both CAP members and the general public.[3]
Civil Air Patrol provides emergency services, including search and rescue missions, disaster relief operations, humanitarian services, Air Force support missions, and counter-drug operations.[4]
In March 2020, volunteers from the Idaho Wing were activated to support the Kootenai County Emergency Operations Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members performed administrative functions in support of the county, including helping the operations center obtain FEMA reimbursements.[5]
In 2023, IDWG was activated to search for two missing persons in Kootenai County.
Civil Air Patrol provides a cadet program for youth aged 12 to 21. Cadets train through the 16-step program in skills including aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness, and moral leadership.[4]
Civil Air Patrol provides both internal training for CAP members, and external training for the general public. Internal training is directed at both senior members and cadets. External training through the public is provided through the nation's educational system through workshops provided to students.[4]
The Current Commander of Idaho Wing is Colonel Robin Vest, the Vice Commander is Lieutenant Colonel Kirk Dehn and the Command Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) is Master Sergeant (MSgt) Gerald Martin. They were preceded by Colonel Robert Bost who served as Commander of Idaho Wing from 2018 to 2021.
| Designation | Squadron Name | Location | Squadron Commander | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ID-001 | Idaho Wing Headquarters | Blackfoot | Col. Robin Vest | ||
| ID-097 | Eagle Rock Composite Squadron | Idaho Falls | Maj Paul Young | ||
| ID-096 | Pocatello Composite Squadron | Pocatello | 1st Lt Mike Smith | ||
| ID-069 | Joe Engle Composite Squadron | Burley | Maj Jeff Heins | ||
| ID-049 | Twin Falls Composite Squadron | Twin Falls | Capt. Kirk Gustafson | ||
| ID-073 | Boise Composite Squadron | Boise | 1st Lt Stephanie Payton | ||
| ID-015 | Nampa Composite Squadron | Nampa | 2nd Lt Cory Edwards | ||
| ID-083 | Coeur d’Alene Composite Squadron | Hayden | Capt. Gary Bough | ||
| ID-098 | Selkirk Composite Squadron | Bonners Ferry | 1st Lt Damen Therkildsen | ||
| ID-099 | Mountain Home Composite Squadron | Mountain Home | Lt. Col. Ted Thompson | ||
| ID-999 | Idaho Legislative Squadron | Boise | Col. Warren Vest |