Civil Air Patrol Washington Wing

06/04/2026

Washington Wing volunteers in action.

06/02/2026

The annual Neighbor Day Airshow in Spokane, Washington, provided CAP cadets with an opportunity to demonstrate interest in aviation while supporting event operations. Held on May 30th, the airshow began with rain but ultimately ran smoothly, thanks to volunteer cadets from Deer Park, Fairchild, and Spokane squadrons. Throughout the event, cadets monitored crowd lines, secured access to the flightline, communicated via radio, and engaged directly with the attendees. In addition to volunteer staffing, cadets also enjoyed viewing static aircraft, including a Grumman Goose and several Boeing-Stearman Model 75s, as well as Army vehicles and a homemade hot-air balloon. They were able to get up close and personal with the displays, which not only provided fun but also fostered interest in aviation history, which complemented their responsibilities during the event.

Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Zoey Gregg, Spokane Composite Squadron

05/25/2026

This , we honor the fallen heroes who sacrificed everything for our nation.

We honor their legacies through remembrance and continued service to our communities, our nation, and the next generation of leaders.

Their stories did not end in silence.

We invite you to remember with us. Tell us about a loved one you honor today.

05/22/2026

Washington Cadet Earns Milestone

In August 2018, 12-year-old Ryker Stuart began his journey as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol, unaware that eight years later he would achieve the organization’s highest cadet rank: Cadet Colonel.

Throughout his cadet career, C/Col Stuart has exemplified the very definition of servant leadership. Among the many highlights of his tenure, he served as Cadet Commander of the Fort Vancouver Composite Squadron and as an Advanced Training Flight Commander for Washington Wing’s prestigious Cascade Falcon Encampment.

Nationally, only one-half of one percent of all Civil Air Patrol cadets earn the distinguished General Carl A. Spaatz Award, which accompanies promotion to Cadet Colonel. Since the award’s inception in 1964, only 2,634 cadets nationwide have now achieved this honor.

Ryker’s accomplishments extend well beyond Civil Air Patrol. He has also earned the Boy Scouts of America’s prestigious Eagle Scout rank and completed an Associate Degree in Mechatronics. He will now begin his journey in finding a rewarding career in Aerospace Mechatronics.

During the promotion ceremony, Washington Wing Commander Col. Sid Wiggs and Fort Vancouver Composite Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Rob Siau pinned the rank of Cadet Colonel on Stuart. In recognition of his achievement, he was also promoted to the Civil Air Patrol senior member rank of Captain.

Ryker plans to remain with the Fort Vancouver Composite Squadron, where he will continue mentoring cadets pursuing the Spaatz Award while also serving as an aerospace education instructor at the unit level and beyond.

The Fort Vancouver Composite Squadron is exceptionally proud of Captain Ryker Stuart’s journey, leadership, and the example he sets for both cadets and senior members alike.

Rob Siau, Lt Col, Civil Air Patrol
Deputy Director of Cadet Programs, Washinton Wing

05/17/2026

The Ground Search and Rescue Academy (GSARA) staff are back to training! This weekend, team leaders and personnel are hard at work preparing to lead the academy come July. Staff trainees go through four weekends of intensive training and SAR exercises, all to prepare them to lead at the 8-day academy.

Our members can sign up for the intensive training until June 1st.

Learn more at: https://wawg.cap.gov/activities/gsara

Photos by C/2d Lt Eliana Swan

05/12/2026

05/10/2026

Every month cadet and adult members converge at our Camp Robert L. Boucher training area in Ephrata, Washington.

Each month we focus on training for the 3 pillars of Civil Air Patrol which are Aerospace Education (AE), Cadet Programs (CP) and Emergency Services (ES).

In April 2026 the aerospace focus was on projectile motion. The students investigated the physics behind projectile motion. They engaged in multiple lab activities that taught them the basic principles of kinetics and Newton's laws as they are applied to ballistic problems. Students then built and flew their own pneumatic powered aircraft (rockets and planes) after applying key principles they learned.

The cadet program group focused on building better cadet noncommissioned officers (NCO). They learned key points to being an effective NCO, such as how to create prepared and impromptu speeches. NCO students also learned about constructive criticism and how to instruct drills and ceremonies.

The emergency services branch held small Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX). The purpose of this ES class was to provide advanced training and exercise participation responding to requests for assistance from our partnered agencies. Students receive hands on training in mission support activities, drone operations and communications.

Gallery 3/8/26 1:45 PM

05/08/2026

Last month, the Bellingham Composite Squadron welcomed guest speaker Monica Ribeiro Connolly, author and survivor of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Ms. Connolly spoke to members about her experiences and the resilience skills she employed to survive the disaster and rebuild her life emotionally and physically.

Building on Ms. Connolly's inspiring story of resilience, the goal of the Cadet Program’s character element is to develop cadets’ moral reasoning skills and habits that demonstrate their commitment to CAP’s Core Values. CAP develops cadets’ character through academics, service learning, and mentoring. In making decisions, CAP encourages cadets to consider their Core Values, probable outcomes, and the people they would like to become. We thank her for sharing her time with our cadet and adult members.

All Civil Air Patrol units have charter development programs.

05/05/2026

This weekend, cadets of the Pangborn Composite Squadron provided a color guard for the American Legion Post 10 in the annual Wenatchee Apple Blossom Parade. Cadets also carried banners honoring the fallen with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3617.

04/24/2026

The FAA declared today Drone Safety Day. Civil Air Patrol’s Washington Wing uses drones for both Emergency Services and Aerospace / STEM education.

Cadet and adult members can earn their small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) pilot badge. Safety is paramount in all Civil Air Patrol activities, and the drone program is no exception. Civil Air Patrol began using small drones for search and rescue in 2019. Last December, at FEMA’s request, sUAS teams from the wing supported disaster operations following severe flooding across 14 Washington counties.

Last month, Civil Air Patrol officially became a part of the Washington Military Department, and we will continue to focus our efforts on our drone programs for both disaster response and education.



Safe drone operations are your responsibility—whether you are flying recreationally or for business. We want everyone who operates drones to have fun and be safe! That’s why we’re asking current and future drone enthusiasts to Fly Safe, Fly Smart, and Fly Ready.