The Kansas Wing of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Kansas. Kansas Wing headquarters are located in Salina, Kansas.[1] The Kansas Wing consists of over 400 cadet and adult members at 13 locations across the state of Kansas.[2]
See main article: History of the Civil Air Patrol.
Kansas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol was organized under its first commander, H. Howard Wilcox, in December 1941.[3] Wilcox led the Kansas Wing until September 1947, followed by Paul D. Threlfall to April 1950. A total of 30 individuals have led the Kansas Wing since its formation.
The Kansas Wing assisted the neighboring Oklahoma Wing in their response to the 2013 Moore tornado by assisting with ground team photography of the tornado's path.[4]
In March 2020, Kansas Wing members reported to Kansas' Emergency Operations Center to augment logistics and planning staff in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly thereafter, members began transporting lab specimens from rural and remote areas to the Kansas Department of Emergency Management's laboratory in Topeka.[5]
The Kansas Wing performs the three missions of Civil Air Patrol: providing emergency services; offering cadet programs for youth; and providing aerospace education for both CAP members and the general public.[6]
Civil Air Patrol performs search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian service, and Air Force support missions, as well as homeland security and counter-drug operations.
Civil Air Patrol provides cadet programs for youth aged 12-21 training in leadership, aerospace education, communication, and emergency services. Cadets receive training at weekly squadron meetings as well as through participating in local and wing level activities throughout the year.[7] Cadets have the opportunity to attend encampments which provide a week of immersion training at a military installation.[8]
Civil Air Patrol provides aerospace education to both members of Civil Air Patrol and the public. Education provided to members is offered through the cadet program and through specialized education to CAP pilots. Education provided to the public is offered through educational materials provided to schools and private organizations.[9]
The Kansas Wing utilizes the "Group" structure and has two designated groups, Group 1 & Group 2.
| Designation | Squadron Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCR-KS-001 | Kansas Wing Headquarters | Salina | |
| NCR-KS-003 | Konza Composite Squadron | Manhattan | |
| NCR-KS-034 | Kansas City Composite Flight | Kansas City | |
| NCR-KS-035 | Topeka Eagle Composite Squadron | Topeka | |
| NCR-KS-055 | Heartland Cadet Squadron | Lenexa | |
| NCR-KS-061 | Lawrence Composite Squadron | Lawrence | |
| NCR-KS-066 | Flint Hills Composite Squadron | Junction City | |
| NCR-KS-077 | Emporia Senior Flight | Emporia | |
| NCR-KS-086 | Post Rock Composite Squadron | Russell | |
| NCR-KS-092 | Smoky Hill Composite Squadron | Salina | |
| NCR-KS-123 | New Century Composite Squadron | Olathe | |
| NCR-KS-125 | Air Capital Composite Squadron | Wichita | |
| NCR-KS-999 | Kansas Legislative Squadron | Topeka | |