Civil Air Patrol Colorado Wing

09/11/2026

Meet your 2026 Winter Encampment Cadet Training Group Commander:

"Hello, my name is C/Capt Matthew Heistad from Valkyrie Cadet Squadron. To me, leadership means setting the example, holding yourself and others to high standards, and building a culture where people are challenged to learn and grow. My goal is to create that environment at Winter Encampment, where cadets and staff are pushed to work together, grow, learn, and lead."

📆 Student registration for the Colorado Wing 2026 Winter Encampment is open until November 1, 2026. Please visit https://cowg.cap.gov/programs/cadet-programs/winter-encampment for additional information and link to the Registration Zone event.

⚠ Senior Members! You are the lifeblood of our Encampments. Please visit the link in the above paragraph for information on registering to serve at the COWG 2026 Winter Encampment.

09/11/2026

Starting our day with a moment of reflection to honor the many lives lost in--and the heroes who responded to--one of our nation's greatest tragedies 25 years ago.

We remember.

The story of September 11 is one of profound loss. It is also the story of those who stepped forward in the hours and days that followed.

The image behind this message was captured by Civil Air Patrol during response operations in New York, preserving a perspective from a pivotal moment in our nation's history.

Like so many acts of service that followed the attacks, it reflects a commitment to serve when help was needed most.

Today, we honor the memory of those who were lost and the enduring spirit that emerged in the aftermath.

We Remember.

09/08/2026

Meet your 2026 Winter Encampment Cadet Executive Staff!

"My name is C/Lt Col Kaylin Sittenfeld, and I am from Highlander Composite Squadron. This will be my 9th encampment, and I’m honored to serve as the Cadet Wing Commander for Winter Encampment 2026. My leadership philosophy is built on giving leaders control and learning through challenges. My vision is to create a unified, growth‑focused environment where Encampment, CoLA, and FORGE work together to develop confident, capable cadets. Every cadet is a student first, and my goal is to ensure they leave this activity more prepared to lead than when they arrived."

📆 Student registration for the Colorado Wing 2026 Winter Encampment is open until November 1, 2026. Please visit https://cowg.cap.gov/programs/cadet-programs/winter-encampment for additional information and link to the Registration Zone event.

⚠ Senior Members! You are the lifeblood of our Encampments. Please visit the link in the above paragraph for information on registering to serve at the COWG 2026 Winter Encampment.

08/31/2026

June Eaker Promotions

Only a select few reach this horizon. The General Ira C. Eaker Award is an elite honor shared by less than 2% of all Civil Air Patrol cadets. Marking the completion of Phase IV, it recognizes a cadet's sustained excellence across all areas of cadet life. With this milestone, cadets promote to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel and are challenged to lead junior cadets not just in their squadron, but across the Wing.

Please join us in congratulating C/LtCol C. Brawer, C/LtCol E. Clem, C/LtCol M. Dagostino, C/LtCol L. Hanson, C/LtCol D. Sacks, C/LtCol K. Sittenfeld, LtCol H. Wyatt, on this phenomenal achievement!

08/31/2026

June Earhart Award!

Earning the Amelia Earhart Award is a major achievement that marks a cadet's transition into the advanced stages of the Civil Air Patrol program. It is an elite milestone reached by only about 3% of cadets nationwide.

To qualify, they have to demonstrate excellence in all areas of cadet life and pass a challenging, comprehensive leadership exam. With this award, they are promoted to Cadet Captain and take on the responsibility of mentoring and guiding junior cadets across the entire Wing.

Please join us in congratulating C/Capt M. Vallens, C/Capt N. Roseman, C/Capt B. Manning, C/Capt B. Lovato, C/Capt N. Newton, and C/Capt T. Moreau on this well-deserved promotion!

08/31/2026

June Mitchell Award Promotions!

Earning the General Billy Mitchell Award is a huge milestone that officially crosses a cadet over into the officer ranks of Civil Air Patrol. It’s a demanding hurdle that only about 15% of cadets nationwide manage to clear.

To get here, individuals have to prove their dedication by passing dual comprehensive exams in leadership and aerospace, alongside completing a weeklong encampment. This achievement promotes them to Cadet Second Lieutenant, shifting their role from learning the basics to actively leading and developing junior personnel.

Please join us in congratulating these cadets for earning the rank of officer!

08/31/2026

June Wright Brothers Award Cadets!

Earning the Wright Brothers Award is a huge step for a Civil Air Patrol cadet, it officially completes Phase I and welcomes them into the NCO ranks! To earn this achievement, cadets demonstrate their dedication to the program and successfully complete their first closed-book leadership exam.

This milestone promotes them to Cadet Staff Sergeant, marking an exciting transition from learning the fundamentals of cadet life to becoming young servant-leaders who can help mentor, guide, and train newer cadets.

👏 Let's welcome these cadets to the NCO Corps! Congratulations on reaching this important milestone in your CAP journey!

08/31/2026

June Curry Achievement Cadets!

Earning the Curry Achievement is a big moment for a Civil Air Patrol cadet, it marks their very first official promotion in the program!

To earn this achievement, new cadets complete their first leadership chapter and demonstrate their commitment to physical fitness. Once they successfully complete these requirements, they are promoted to Cadet Airman, officially beginning their journey through the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.

This first promotion is more than a new rank on a uniform. It represents a cadet taking those first steps toward developing leadership skills, building confidence, and challenging themselves through new experiences, including opportunities to participate in wing activities and summer encampment.

👏 Let's hear it for all of our Curry Achievement Cadets! Congratulations on this important first step in your CAP journey, we can't wait to see where it takes you!

08/28/2026

🚀✈️ THE SOARING SERIES – ELEVATE
Your Future in Aerospace and Aviation

Why attend? Aerospace is moving fast — eVTOLs, hypersonics, orbital tech. Come see where it's headed and where you fit in. Connect with fellow students, industry professionals, and the people shaping tomorrow's aerospace careers.

📅 Saturday, September 19 | Doors & food at 9:30 AM | Talks begin at 10:00 AM

📍 Centennial Vertiport, Centennial Airport
12951 E Control Tower Road, Englewood, CO 80112

After last year's Soaring event drew 70 attendees and a wave of requests for more, we're back — with a venue, a vision, and a full lineup. Presented by Centennial Aerospace, with support from Civil Air Patrol, NASA, and Space Foundation, this event is built to inspire, educate, and uplift the next generation of aerospace leaders.

Featured Speakers:
🎙️ Scott Smith — Aviation Expert, on aircraft, performance, and the future of flight
🎙️ Dr. Barbara Adams — Neuroscientist, CAP Colorado Wing External Aerospace Education Officer, NASA/JPL Ambassador
🎙️ Alexandria Maltezo-Smith — COO, Centennial Aerospace, "From Runways to the Moon"

What We'll Explore:
eVTOLs and the next revolution in flight, high altitude platform systems, hypersonic drones, orbital platforms and the new space economy, mesh networks, and the careers and skills the next 20 years of aviation and aerospace will demand.

Agenda:
10:00 – Welcome & Introductions
10:15 – Featured Speakers
11:30 – Aircraft Showcase
12:30 – Q&A Panel
1:00 – Networking & Open Hangar

All are welcome, with high schoolers and undergrads especially encouraged to explore aerospace career paths. Last year we had 70 attendees; let's make it 100 this time.

✨ Save the date for what's next: our November 7, 2026 talk features astronaut Steve Lindsey, with more events lined up for 2027.

08/27/2026

Calling all Senior Members!

CAP's Senior Members are necessary to the success of every Encampment experience, and the 2026 Colorado Wing Winter Encampment is no exception! Among the many required roles that Seniors are needed to fill for a successful Encampment, one of the most critical and memorable is that of the Encampment Training Officer (TO). Often described as, "the hardest job you'll ever love," the role of TO does not require any previous experience. TOs are not assigned merely to satisfy Cadet Protection Policy supervision ratios—they serve as teachers, coaches, mentors, advisors, and safety nets. Their responsibility is to develop cadets through guided leadership experiences while ensuring the encampment remains safe, professional, and aligned with commander intent.

📆 The 2026 Colorado Wing Winter Encampment is taking place 27 Dec, 2026 - 3 Jan, 2027 (additional days required for training) in Fort Carson, CO. Application and additional information can be found at the link in the comments.