Civil Air Patrol South Carolina Wing

09/04/2026

🚨 One distress signal. Three regions. Five hours.

When an emergency beacon activated near Lake Murray, Civil Air Patrol volunteers responded from across South Carolina.

Ground teams came from the Midlands and Upstate. A CAP aircraft launched from Myrtle Beach. And when the search led into a neighborhood, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office joined the mission.

Volunteer Aircrew overhead. Volunteers on the ground. Deputies opening doors. Even local residents helping connect the final dots.

Five hours after the alert, the distress signal was located, and silenced.

This is what teamwork across South Carolina looks like.

This is Civil Air Patrol.

Could you see yourself answering the next call? 👀

GoCivilAirPatrol.com



civilairpatrol rcsd1

08/01/2026

For those of you missing encampment, here are a few Hot Takes by cadre.
Reel by C/1st Lt Sappington

07/26/2026

We support your hiring and recruiting efforts, Civil Air Patrol

07/26/2026

2026 SCWG Encampment Graduation was a successful end to the week. We couldn't have asked for better weather today!

Parents and grandparents attended to take their cadets home. In the words of one dad, "We just arrived home and my son had an incredible time and we can see the growth in him from just from this one week."

Civil Air Patrol's Cadet Program changes lives of young people (and adults too), and encampment is the pivotal point for many.

See all the photos from the week on our SmugMug link, and allow us another day and a good night's rest to get graduation day's pictures loaded for you. https://photos.cap.gov/Mid-Atlantic-Region/South-Carolina-Wing/Encampment/2026

07/25/2026

If you've been following us through the week, even with "one sleep" left in open bay barracks, you know that activities didn't slow down!

The morning began with physical training. Cadets have started each of the last seven days with exercise and then head to breakfast. And then, despite some early rain, the real fun began...

The Fit to Win obstacle course was attempted and conquered by all who rose to the challenge. Uniforms were sandy and sweat-drenched from going through, under, and over obstacles on bellies, feet, and climbing with ropes.

After some drill practice for tomorrow's graduation parade, everyone dressed in their blues for an award ceremony at the theater on base. Each flight had an honor and most improved cadet, the encampment as a whole had a few awards, and 25 advance training cadets who earned their NRA rifle Pro Marksman badges earlier this week received them.

Returning to the barracks, we enjoyed BBQ with sides and banana pudding for dinner before cleaning barracks and going to bed. The week has been full and your cadets will be doing one of three things on the way home: talking non-stop about their adventures and new friends, lost in the phones that they've done without for 7 days, or (quite likely) fast asleep in their seats.

REMINDER: graduation is at 11 a.m. at Hilton Field. Follow the blue line on the road, and please arrive between 10 to 10:30 a.m.

Check out the photos online!
https://photos.cap.gov/Mid-Atlantic-Region/South-Carolina-Wing/Encampment/2026

07/24/2026

***Engcampment Graduation will begin at 11:00 AM at Hilton Field!***
Please plan to arrive between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM to allow time for parking and seating.

07/24/2026

With just two days left of this year's encampment, things certainly aren't slowing down in the adventure department!

Advanced Training Flight and the Executive staff (both adults and cadets) took a trip to Victory Tower, a 40-foot rappel tower. Geared up after a safety briefing, everyone present had the opportunity to descend under the watchful eyes of Fort Jackson staff working the Tower today.

This afternoon, everyone visited the South Carolina Military Museum in Columbia, SC, where Maj Nason introduced Boots, his restored canon, which is stationed in the museum, and time was given to explore the museum's artifacts and displays.

The evening was similar to the rest of the week - dinner, Retreat, and PT games - only the smiles are bigger and the friendships more established.

For all the day's photos, please visit our SmugMug page: https://photos.cap.gov/Mid-Atlantic-Region/South-Carolina-Wing/Encampment/2026

07/23/2026

We're past the halfway mark and flights are becoming teams rather than mere groups. Comaraderie is building, creativity is flowing, and standards continue to be upheld.

Today saw numerous lessons, including Chief Fox teaching on Core Values and Maj Greenway, the CAP-USAF representative who's spent most of the week with us, on Leadership and his career. They also learned the importance of fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

Blues uniforms were inspected. To do this properly, a ruler is used to ensure correct placement of insignia on collars and ribbons on blouses.

At the end of a long day, students had some fun with PT games before showering and getting into beautifully-made beds for a full 8.5 hours of rest.

For all today's photos and those from the rest of the week, please check out our SmugMug page: https://photos.cap.gov/.../South-Carolina.../Encampment/2026

07/22/2026

We're already halfway through encampment, but the fun is certainly not over!

Today brought a trip to McEntire Joint National Guard Base, where cadets got up close to an Apache Guardian & Black Hawk, while also trying night vision glasses and seeing F-16s launch!

Lt Col Humphries, commander of the battalion that has so generously hosted us again this year, gave such an inspirational talk about his own Civil Air Patrol cadet career that continued several years after he achieved his Spaatz promotion, one cadet mentioned he had decided to stop promoting. When asked if that's still the case after hearing Lt Col Humphries' story, his face broke into a huge smile as he said, "No. He was determined and I thought I was too old (at 17), but I realize I'm not."

Flights received their guidons today, an honor assigned to a leader in the flight.

Exploring aerospace is a key element of CAP. 1st Lt Arroya and 1st Lt Sellers led a team teaching a rocketry class, whereafter cadets headed outside to launch them. Look closely at the photo and you'll see why they're called 'jump rockets'.

For all today's photos and those from the rest of the week, please check out our SmugMug page: https://photos.cap.gov/Mid-Atlantic-Region/South-Carolina-Wing/Encampment/2026

07/22/2026

The 2026 South Carolina Wing Encampment took learning to new heights today with an unforgettable visit to McEntire Joint National Guard Base!

Led by Encampment Commander Maj Stanley, Commandant Maj Mattmiller, and CAP-USAF Representative Maj Greenway, our cadets spent the day with the South Carolina Army National Guard Aviation unit, where they had the opportunity to get up close with an AH-64E Apache Guardian and a UH-60L Black Hawk.

Army pilots and aircrew members shared their experiences, explained each aircraft's mission and capabilities, discussed their armament, and answered questions about the rigorous training required to become an Army Aviator.

Adding to the excitement, cadets watched South Carolina Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcons launch on local training sorties, providing a first-hand look at the speed, precision, and readiness that define our nation's air defense.

The visit concluded with a presentation on Army Aviation, where cadets learned about the training pipeline for Army aviators, the diverse missions they perform, and the opportunities available to those who aspire to serve as military pilots.

Experiences like this are at the heart of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program— connecting cadets with military professionals, expanding their understanding of aviation and national defense, and inspiring them to pursue careers in aerospace and military service.

A heartfelt thank you to the Soldiers and Airmen of the South Carolina National Guard for their warm hospitality and for investing in the next generation of leaders. Your professionalism, dedication, and passion for service left a lasting impression on every cadet.

Semper Vigilans!

Members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) visit the South Carolina Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility 1 (AASF1) at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, July 21, 2026. During the tour, the CAP members learned about Army flight operations and the requirements to become a U.S. Army aviator...