RAPID CITY, S.D. (Press Release) — South Dakota Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has received a rare award for excellence. The Unit Citation Award, given by the organization’s national headquarters, recognized unprecedented growth and accomplishments during 2019.

In the online presentation ceremony, CAP North Central Region Commander, Col. John
R. O’Neill, praised South Dakota CAP members. He noted that the award is so rare that
he has never seen one presented.

Among the Wing’s accomplishments in 2019:
● Recruitment – An increase in squadrons in the Wing
● Aerospace Education – Camps in rural and underserved communities
● Legislative Squadron – Huge increase in membership. Nearly all 105 members
of the South Dakota State Legislators are also members of the legislative
squadron, as well as the growth of other units
● Emergency Services — First wing to use sUAS (drones) in a real mission
● Emergency Services — Developed national training standards for the use of UAVs
● Emergency Services — Conducted a variety of missing persons and disaster
relief missions

Col. Nick Genger, South Dakota Wing Wing Commander, talked about the unit.

In the last several days, South Dakota Wing has assisted the South Dakota Department
of Health with COVID-19 vaccination transport flights. Additional flights are anticipated.
South Dakota wing has over 400 members in units in Brookings, Custer, Miller, Mitchell,
Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Spearfish, and Tea. Wing aircraft and aircrews are
located i n Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, Spearfish, and Brookings.

The wing can deploy its six aircraft and ground teams where needed to assist i n emergency response and other support to local, state, tribal, and federal agencies.