New Mexico Wing Civil Air Patrol

Local Civil Air Patrol cadets and leaders watch a balloon they helped launch. The New Mexico CAP’s new balloon program allows members to participate in lighter-than-air flight while furthering their aerospace education.

In 1938, plans for a General Aviation Organization was provided to aid the U.S. Military at the home front with the war in Europe building. The idea was approved, thus creating the New Jersey Civil Air Defense Service (NJCADS)

The Civil Air Patrol was created on December 1, 1941 through Administrative Order 9, issued by Fiorello H. LaGuardia in his capacity as Director of the Office of Civilian Defense. Major General John F. Curry was the first National Commander. During World War II, the CAP was seen as a way to use America's civilian aviation resources to aid the war effort instead of grounding them. The organization assumed many missions including anti-submarine patrol and warfare, border patrols and courier services. The CAP pilots sighted 173 enemy U-boats and sank two, dropping a total of 83 bombs and depth charges throughout the entire conflict.[3] From 1946 to 1948, 48 Wings were stood up across the nation, all recruiting civilian volunteers, a large part was 17- to 19-year-old cadets to train and become pilots within the program.

July 1, 1946, Public Law 79-476 enacted CAP to become "Solely of a benevolent character", never again being involved in direct combact activities. May 26, 1948, Congress made CAP the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF) and Congressionally mandated Cadet Program through a curriculum of leadership, aerospace, fitness and character.

The CAP continued to support the U.S. Government directly by enforcing the Peacetime Military Selective Service Act (DRAFT). CAP had a large role in this act by providing Basic Military style training to young cadets, preparing them for the military when they became of age. This was later changed with the removal of the DRAFT in 1973. CAP has since become an organization that does not train cadets for military service, but provide cadets the tools and skills needed to Lead and become outstanding citizens.

In 1956, the USAF recognized the great efforts and military structured program and directed CAP to help develop a USAF Junior ROTC program based on their Cadet Program (CAPC), thus creating the USAF JROTC that we have today. In 1964, CAP modified their Cadet Program to better serve the Cadets and Civil aspects of the program. This modification was not received well throughout the nation, and it became quickly apparent that each CAP unit needed a Professional Teacher or Instructor to incorporate the new program and curriculums to succeed. This was a major change for CAP as it deviated from the original concept of the CAPC program. Unit across the nation pushed back so much so due to the change that between 1969 and 1974, CAP introduced a '5 year moratorium' to incorporate the 'modified' cadet program. During this introduction time frame brought forward revised texts and study materials, and introduced new workbooks, films, training aids, and most important the techniques needed to revise and implement the new program.

1993, a middle school in Houston, Tx modified the Drug Demand Reduction program to incorporate into their school in an attempt to provide a program that would deter students from drugs and other behaviors and incorporate a better learning environment for underprivileged students and make aware the Aerospace Specialty fields available to them. 2006, National Headquarters officially recognized the School Enrichment Program (SEP) as a school affiliated program for grades 6-12. In just 1 year, 70 SEP squadrons were available across 13 states. A pilot program for Junior Cadets was also being fashioned for students in grades K-5. The overall mission of the program was to encourage students and make them aware of the Aerospace careers in the ageing industry and work force as well as promoting community service.

In April 2020, pilots from the New Mexico Wing began flying test kits from the Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces to Albuquerque for processing as a part of New Mexico's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

Civil Air Patrol at Kirtland Field

The Civil Air Patrol operates at and near unit at Kirtland Field. It is a volunteer network of pilots and aviators established during World War II one week before the events at Pearl Harbor. CAP pilots were called the "Flying Minutemen" and specialized in coastal patrols searching for enemy submarines, search and rescue missions throughout the country, and cargo and courier flights to transport materials and personnel.[4]

On June 3, 2011 at Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB), the New Mexico Civil Air Patrol Wing received an "Excellent" rating for its performance on its Air Force mandated Operations Evaluation held on April 29 through May 1 at Kirtland AFB and throughout New Mexico. The evaluation tested the New Mexico CAP's ability to perform Air Force assigned missions, such as homeland security, disaster relief, search and rescue, and counter drug operations. In 2009, the Wing also received an "Excellent" rating when the evaluation's mission base was in Farmington, NM. On that occasion, the Air Force Evaluation Team cited two outstanding performers. They were CAP Lt. Col. Mark Smith (retired colonel), the mission safety officer, and CAP Capt. William Fitzpatrick (Staff Sgt., NM Air National Guard), flight line supervisor.[5]

In 2011, two units were awarded the Civil Air Patrol Quality Cadet Unit Award. Any cadet unit that displays strong program fundamentals can earn the Quality Cadet Unit Award which aims to motivate squadrons to pursue objective goals that are thought will lead to their having a quality Cadet Program. The two squadrons which achieved this were SWR-NM-077 Rio Rancho Falcon Composite Squadron and SWR-NM-083 Albuquerque Heights Composite Squadron.[6]

Cadets from the New Mexico Wing of Civil Air Patrol await a briefing before launching hot-air balloons at Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta Park.

Lt. Col. Jon Hitchcock, right, Civil Air Patrol incident commander, and Maj. Scott Zenonian, Planning Branch Director, stay in touch with members across the state during the CAP New Mexico Wing's evaluation by the U.S. Air Force at Kirtland Air Force Base.

Civil Air Patrol Master Sgt. Nathan Baker (left), CAP Staff Sgt. Troy Henson (center), and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Angelito Cooper (right) pose with informational brochures.

The New Mexico Wing is the highest echelon of the Civil Air Patrol in New Mexico. It reports to the South West Region CAP, which reports to CAP National Headquarters. The wing supervises the individual groups and squadrons that comprise the basic operational unit of the CAP. The New Mexico Wing headquarters are located at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. New Mexico Civil Air Patrol is also governed under Ch. 20, art. 7 NMSA 1978 under the New Mexico Department of Military Affairs, Commanded by the Adjutant General of the State.[7]

Below the Wing level, New Mexico is divided into Groups with subordinate squadrons. Groups report directly to the wing level and squadrons report directly to their Group HQ. Squadrons are the local level of organization, and they meet weekly to conduct training and education to continue to accomplish the Congressionally mandated Cadet Program through a curriculum of leadership, aerospace, fitness and character. Following a military model, the program emphasizes the Air Force traditions and values; Shaping Today's Cadets into Tomorrow's Aerospace Leaders.

There are three types of Civil Air Patrol squadrons:

• A cadet squadron focus primarily on training, leadership development and activities for CAP cadets.
• A senior squadron is a unit dedicated to allowing senior members to focus on CAP's missions, normally search and rescue activities.
• Composite squadrons offer programs for both cadets and senior members.

Southern Group

Commander Lt Col Dennis Hunter

Sqd. No	Name/Type	Location
SWR-NM 073	Alamogordo Composite Sq	Alamogordo
SWR-NM 060	Clovis High Plains Composite Sq	Clovis
SWR-NM 024	Las Cruces Composite Sq	Las Cruces
SWR-NM 082	Roswell Composite Sq	Roswell
SWR-NM 084	Socorro Composite Sq	Socorro

Raily Blankley, a member of the New Mexico Civil Air Patrol, holds the balloon opening as it is inflated. The New Mexico CAP’s new balloon program allows members to participate in lighter-than-air flight while furthering their aerospace education.

Members of the Civil Air Patrol and U.S. Air Force render a salute as honor guardsmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., present the colors.

Members of the Civil Air Patrol who are employed within the state of New Mexico are entitled to up to fifteen days of leave annually from their place of employment to take part in official duties as assigned by the director of the civil air patrol division conducted by the Civil Air Patrol.[9]

• New Mexico Air National Guard
• New Mexico State Defense Force

• Official site