Kansas Wing 2022 in Review

Volunteers with Civil Air Patrol's Kansas Wing had a lot to celebrate in 2022. Throughout the year volunteers completed education and training, earned promotions, recruited new members, and served their communities. Kansas Wing also saw growth in membership and continues to be ready to answer the call to serve.

202 Senior Members and 191 Cadets serve in Kansas Wing, spread across 12 squadrons throughout the state. Squadrons are the "heart" of Civil Air Patrol, providing home to most volunteers in the organization. Kansas Wing squadrons can be found in: Emporia, Junction City, Kansas City, Lawrence, Manhattan, Olathe, Salina, Topeka, and Wichita. Kansas Wing also has a headquarters squadron in Salina, and a Legislative squadron in Topeka. 

In Emergency Services, volunteers performed 109 "real-world" missions in support of their communities, state, and nation. This included four missions in support of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, three missions supporting the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, and 102 blood transport missions supporting the American Red Cross. These missions resulted in two "Find" awards and two Life Saving awards. Volunteers also completed 19 training missions, allowing them to hone their knowledge and skills to provide safe, effective assistance when called on. 

In Cadet Programs, Kansas Wing hosted an Encampment in December which allowed students complete an important requirement for their future promotions. 97 students, 50 cadet staff, and 30 senior staff from across the midwest successfully completed the activity which took place over a week in Salina. Cadets also completed several milestone awards, including: 47 Wright Brothers awards, 11 Gen. Billy Mitchell awards, six Amelia Earhart awards, and one Gen. Ira C. Eaker award. 

Kansas Wing also welcomed a new Commander, Colonel Mark Lahan, in May 2022. Col. Lahan has been a member of Kansas Wing since 2004 and has served in various positions across the organization, including time as a squadron commander, wing staff member, and most recently with North Central Region. As Commander, Col. Lahan is responsible for managing volunteers and equipment across the state, and overseeing the completion of Civil Air Patrol's three congressional missions across Kansas Wing.

Kansas Wing's over 300 volunteers completed a lot in 2022, and has more to look forward to in 2023. On behalf of the Commander and his staff, thank you to the dedicated members of Team Kansas and congratulations on your accomplishments!

For More Information:

1st Lt Cole Oakland, Wing Public Affairs Officer

pao@kswg.cap.gov