Colorado Wing Civil Air Patrol

Colorado Wing Civil Air Patrol
Colorado Wing of Civil Air Patrol
Associated branches
United States Air Force
Command staff
Commander Col Michael Fay
Deputy Commander Maj Daniel Kubitschek
Chief of Staff Maj Robert Yusko
Current statistics
Cadets1,290
Seniors872
Total Membership2,162
Websitecowg.cap.gov
Statistics as of October 2025

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.

Colorado Wing (COWG) operates in the Rocky Mountain Region for CAP. COWG consists of 27 squadrons in four groups within Colorado. CAP squadrons are of three types: Cadet, Composite and Senior: 1) "Cadet" squadrons consists of basic cadets, with a minimum of three senior members (adults) for supervisory, administrative, and training requirements; 2) "Senior" squadrons consists exclusively of senior members, all over the age of 18; and, 3) "Composite" squadrons consists of both cadets and senior members, conducting both cadet and senior programs.[1]

Structure

Colorado Wing is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in Colorado, and reports to Rocky Mountain Region CAP, who reports to CAP National Headquarters. The wing supervises the individual groups and squadrons that comprise the basic operational unit of CAP. The Colorado Wing headquarters is located at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs.

Below the Wing level, Colorado is divided into smaller groups. Each group conducts its own training and programs,

Underneath each group are numerous squadrons. Squadrons are the local level of organization, and squadrons meet weekly to conduct training. There are three types of Civil Air Patrol squadrons:

  • Cadet squadrons focus primarily on training, leadership development and activities for CAP cadets.
  • Senior squadrons are dedicated towards allowing senior members to focus on CAP's missions, normally search and rescue activities.
  • Composite squadrons offer programs for both cadets and senior members.

Group 1

Group 1, Unit 167, conducts operations in Northern Colorado.

A youth gets acquainted with a Civil Air Patrol aircraft in Colorado.
Senior Airman Paul Kelly explains weapon handling and safety to members of the Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron.
Squadrons of Group 1
Sqdn No. Name/Type City Meets at Website
022 Vance Brand Cadet Longmont National Guard Armory building

VanceBrand.cap.gov

068 North Valley Composite Thornton Village Baptist Church

NorthValley.cap.gov

072 Boulder Composite Boulder Boulder Municipal Airport (KDBU)

boulder.cap.gov

099 Broomfield Composite Broomfield First Baptist Church

Broomfield.cap.gov

136 Jefferson County Senior Rocky Mountain Metro Airport Mt Evans Rm, RMMA Terminal Bldg (2d floor)

JeffcoSquadron.cap.gov

147 Thompson Valley Composite Fort Collins COARNG Recruiting,
Laporte Ave, Fort Collins

ThompsonValley.CAP.gov

191 Platte Valley Cadet Fort Lupton COANG Readiness Center, Fort Lupton

co191.cap.gov

Group 2

Group 2, Unit 169, conducts operations in Western Colorado.

First Lt. Chad Morris of Civil Air Patrol's Colorado wing photographs a sports utility vehicle from 1,000 feet during a homeland security mission simulation.
Squadrons of Group 2
Sqdn No. Name/Type City Meets at Website
015 Thunder Mountain Composite Grand Junction Western Region One Source Bldg. & Grand Junction Regional Airport thundermountain.cap.gov
053 Eagle County Composite Gyspum Colorado National Guard Armory in Gypsum
141 Montrose Composite Montrose Montrose National Guard Armory

montrose.cap.gov/

181 Steamboat Springs Composite Steamboat Springs Steamboat Springs Airport

steamboat.cap.gov

189 Mesa Verde Composite Cortez American Legion Building, Cortez, CO

Group 3

Group 3, Unit 165, conducts operations in Southern Colorado.[2]

Cadets from the Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron at Peterson AFB participate in winter training.
Squadrons of Group 3
Sqdn No. Name/Type Location Meets at Website
030 Colorado Springs Cadet Peterson SFB Peterson SFB, Building 350

coloradosprings.cap.gov/

080 Pikes Peak Composite Peterson SFB Vosler NCO Academy, Peterson SFB &

EAA Chapter 72 at Meadowlake Airport

pikespeak.cap.gov/

098 Fremont-Starfire Cadet Cañon City Fremont County Airport

fremontstarfire.cap.gov/

159 Air Academy Cadet USAF Academy USAFA (various locations on site)

airacademy.cap.gov/

805 Colorado Military Academy Colorado Springs coloradomilitaryacademy.org
807 Merit Academy Woodland Park Merit.academy

Group 4

Group 4, Unit 164, conducts operations in the Denver Metro area.[3]

A member of the Colorado Wing of Civil Air Patrol speaks to military veterans while manning a recruitment booth.
Squadrons of Group 4
Sqdn No. Name/Type City Meets at Website
031 Foothills Cadet Lakewood Jacob Academy in Lakewood
143 Mile High Cadet Aurora Buckley Space Force Base

milehigh.cap.gov/

148 Mustang Cadet Centenntial CO Department of Military & Veteran Affairs co148.cap.gov/
157 Castle Rock Cadet Castle Rock New Hope Presbyterian Church

douglas.cap.gov

162 Black Sheep Senior Centennial South Metro Fire Rescue HQ

blacksheep.cap.gov

163 Highlander Composite Highlands Ranch Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Facility highlander.cap.gov/
173 Parker Cadet Parker Parker United Methodist Church

co173.cap.gov/

183 Valkyrie Cadet Denver Wings Over the Rockies Museum vcs.cowg.cap.gov
186 Dakota Ridge Composite Littleton Waterstone Community Church

dakotaridge.cap.gov/

Encampment

Cadet encampments, usually a week in length, provide cadets with an intense look at military life. Encampment attendance is a prerequisite for the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award. Senior members may also be awarded the ribbon for providing leadership at CAP encampments.[4]

Colorado Wing's Encampment has been held at the US Air Force Academy, Ft Carson, and Peterson SFB in Colorado Springs, CO.

Emergency services

Ground search and rescue

The Wing operates a ground search and rescue ("GSAR") school on an annual basis, normally held in the Gore Range of the Rocky Mountains, west of Kremmling[5] To participate, Cadets must be at least 14 years old, hold the rank of at least Cadet Senior Airman, successfully pass a physical fitness test, and have previous participation in cadet summer activities. Additionally, all participants must have completed basic training in emergency services (offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and be able to hike long distances with a 20-25 pound pack. Participants spend the entire school (normally, eight days) in a field environment, and are awarded a Ground Team member badge at the successful completion of the school.

Air search and rescue

N652CP sits on the ramp at Akron Airport, Colorado.

CAP cadets can qualify to participate in FAA-approved air-search flights as observers with a CAP-certified pilot. Cadets with their pilot-in-command license can qualify as cadet pilots for air-search flights. Training is provided, along with age and license requirements.

Covid-19 response

In April 2020, pilots from Colorado Wing made multiple flights across Colorado, distributing personal protective equipment to medical facilities and first responders across the state, as a part of Colorado's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

Awards and decorations

Main article: Awards and decorations of the Civil Air Patrol

Members of Civil Air Patrol who are employed within the borders of Colorado are guaranteed protection from discrimination or firing from their employer based on their membership in Civil Air Patrol. Employers are also legally prohibited from preventing an employee from taking a leave of absence from their employment to respond to emergencies as a part of Civil Air Patrol. These rights are guaranteed under Colorado Revised Statutes § 28-1-103.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ ColoradoWingCAP.org: General Information About The Colorado Wing CAP
  2. ^ ColoradoWingCAP.org: Group 3
  3. ^ ColoradoWingCAP.org: Group 4
  4. ^ "ColoradoWingCAP.org: Colorado Wing Summer Encampment". Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2011-12-18.
  5. ^ "ColoradoWingCAP.org GSAR School". Archived from the original on 2012-02-22. Retrieved 2011-12-18.
  6. ^ "Protective Gear Flown To Western Slope Hospitals". CBS Denver. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  7. ^ "CO Rev Stat § 28-1-103 (2016)". Justia. 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
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