As the historian for the South Dakota Wing (SDWG), I often receive calls from people hoping to donate items related to Civil Air Patrol (CAP) history. Every so often, one of those calls turns out to be a rare and priceless find.
One such call led me to the legacy of Lt. Col. Thomas Brownfield Roberts Jr., the first commanding officer of the South Dakota Wing. Appointed on December 1, 1941, Roberts led the Wing through its developing years and the duration of World War II, stepping down on October 15, 1945.
The South Dakota and North Dakota Wings of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) are set to host the 2025 Joint Dakota Encampment (JDE) from June 21 to June 29 at Camp Rapid.
This premier training event will unite over 150 cadets and senior members from 10 states, marking it as one of the largest encampments in the region. The encampment offers cadets an immersive experience in military-style discipline, leadership, and aerospace education.
On June 9th, South Dakota Wing acquired a brand-new Cessna-182 from the Cessna factory in Independence, KS. Wing members Justin Johnson, Craig Goodrich, and Jeremy Langrock flew the new aircraft back to its new home in South Dakota.
The Civil Air Patrol’s North Central Region held its regional small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) training exercise in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, bringing together nearly 20 members from five of the seven states in the region.
When a B-1 Bomber crashed during landing at Ellsworth AFB last year, the accident board called on South Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol for fast-turnaround airborne photography of the accident site. CAP photography was included in the Air Force accident investigation report, showing the site and CAP’s rapid response capabilities.
