Civil Air Patrol Washington Wing

10/28/2026

Two sisters have been Civil Air Patrol members for 76 years and told their story to the McChord Composite Squadron.

 

“The Twins” of the Washington Wing: Lt. Cols. Eleanor Baker and her younger sister — by seven minutes — Evelyn Lundstrom-Weiss. They were interviewed by cadets so they could share decades of experience with a new group of Civil Air Patrol members. Now in their 90’s they have been an inspiration to our volunteers. 

Thank you to the WAWG Historian staff and the McChord team for putting this together.

More coverage inbound!

10/16/2026

10/06/2026

https://www.cap.news/p/civil-air-patrol-concludes-monthlong-response-in-washington-state

Volunteer CAP aircrews, drone pilots, and ground teams supported damage-assessment missions across Eastern and North Central Washington.

09/25/2026

Seattle Composite Squadron Helps to Test New Gear.

Airports are busy places, and minutes of delay can lead to hours of accumulated delays. King County International Airport (KBFI), also known as Boeing Field in the Seattle area, is no stranger to movement area delays. When an airplane lands, the tires absorb a lot of energy. A lot of engineering goes into that moment of contact, from a tire that is not rotating to 2,000 RPM in an instant. Sometimes it doesn't go as planned, and the tire is damaged or loses pressure. A multi-engine aircraft may be able to taxi off with the bad tire. But a single-engine aircraft is stranded and unable to move.

KBFI has had this issue and experienced the delays of clearing an aircraft off the active runway and taxiways. They decided to purchase a sled-type system that the tire sits on, allowing the aircraft to be towed to clear the runway or taxiway.

With this new tool, KBFI Airport Operations called Civil Air Patrol to learn how it works. The Seattle Composite Squadron jumped in to help. After a request to the Washington Wing Director of Operations, who approved the support, a small team of aircraft pilots and aircraft mechanics convened to help the airport practice with their new tools. CAP used its aircraft to simulate aircraft that needed to be towed off.

After a safety brief and understanding of the tool’s instructions, Airport Operations and CAP members completed multiple installations and removals; on that day, our volunteers helped the Airport Operations team learn to use the tool in any conditions, including rain, snow, and wind, and in daylight or the dark. From helping our community with search and rescue operations to a tool fit check, Civil Air Patrol volunteers are dedicated to our communities and to teaching aerospace to all.

Capt. Matthew Prendergast
WAWG Director of Communications

09/22/2026

Overlake Cadets Serve Community at Snoqualmie Street Fair

On 12 Sept. 2026, Overlake Composite Squadron had the opportunity to serve the community for the third year at the annual Snoqualmie Street Fair.

Overlake cadets arrived early to help vendors find their assigned booths and assist with setup. As the fair got underway, cadets continued supporting vendors and aided wherever they were needed. Then, at the end of the day, cadets helped with teardown, wrapping up a full day of community service.

The event provided cadets an opportunity to give back to the community while developing teamwork, responsibility, and leadership skills through hands-on service.

The event was a great success, and Overlake Composite Squadron received high praise from the City of Snoqualmie and the event coordinator for the cadets’ hard work and dedication.

A special thank you goes to our Cadet in Charge, C/TSgt Richardson; event coordinator, C/Maj Halim; Cadet Commander, 1st Lt. Klemets; 2nd Lt. Brown; SM Richardson; and 1st Lt. Halim for their support and coordination. We also thank all the Overlake cadets and senior members who volunteered their time to support the event.

C/Maj Olivia Halim , Cadet Commander
Overtake Composite Squadron

09/20/2026

Girls in Aviation Day 2026! Hosted at the Museum of Flight.

Washington Wing sent a small team and one of our aircraft to help inspire future aviators.

09/09/2026

Arlington Cadets Take to the Skies During Orientation Flights

ARLINGTON, Washington — Five Civil Air Patrol cadets from Arlington Composite Squadron took to the skies on 30 Aug. 2026 during orientation flights from Arlington Municipal Airport, with four experiencing a CAP orientation flight for the first time.

C/Amn Kerth and C/Amn Plenger were the first to take flight, flying with pilot Charles Jackson of Northshore Composite Squadron. Both cadets completed their first orientation flight before returning to Arlington later in the day.

A second flight, piloted by Brian Gregory of Northshore Composite Squadron, carried C/SSgt Betancourt, C/A1C Kerth and C/TSgt Schultz. Kerth and Schultz completed their first orientation flights, while Betancourt took to the skies for his second.

Before leaving the ground, the cadets joined their pilots for preflight activities and instruction around Civil Air Patrol aircraft N115CP, getting an up-close look at the aircraft while learning about the procedures involved in preparing for flight.

Once aboard, the cadets moved from ramp instruction to experiencing aviation from inside a Civil Air Patrol aircraft.

Civil Air Patrol's Cadet Orientation Flight Program brings together two of CAP's core missions — Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education — allowing cadets to take concepts learned through aerospace education and experience them firsthand in the air. Through a progressive series of flight experiences, cadets are introduced to general aviation, aircraft operations, and principles of flight.

For four of Arlington's five cadets, the day's flights marked the beginning of that progression, while Betancourt continued the program with his second orientation flight.

The day's flights also brought together members of two Washington Wing units, with pilots from Northshore Composite Squadron helping Arlington's cadets take to the skies.

By the time the day's flying came to an end at Arlington, all five cadets had gained hands-on aviation experience through Civil Air Patrol — and for four of them, 30 Aug. 2026 marked their first CAP orientation flight.

By Shelley Johnson, Public Affairs Officer, Arlington Composite Squadron

08/30/2026

CAP Cadets Help Young Eagles Take Flight at Arlington Community Airport Day

ARLINGTON, Washington — For many of the young people arriving at Arlington Municipal Airport on 23 Aug. 2026, the day brought something they had never experienced before: a flight in a small aircraft.

Waiting for those airplanes on the ground were young people experiencing aviation from another perspective — Civil Air Patrol cadets helping keep aircraft moving safely on the flight line.

Arlington Composite Squadron supported Community Airport Day as the Young Eagles program introduced children ages 8 to 17 to general aviation. Participants attended an educational ground-school session before taking to the air with volunteer pilots. Following their flights, each young aviator received a certificate and commemorative wings.

Throughout the day, Arlington cadets worked alongside CAP senior members, marshaling aircraft as Young Eagles flights moved on and off the ramp.

The squadron also welcomed visiting cadets from several Washington Wing units, including Overlake Composite Squadron, Northshore Composite Squadron, Fort Vancouver Composite Squadron and units from Eastern Washington. Visiting cadets assisted with a variety of duties throughout the event.

Among them was C/A1C Seerat Mann of Fort Vancouver Composite Squadron, who had an opportunity to join Arlington cadets on the flight line.

Arlington Composite Squadron Cadet Commander C/Capt Lauren Schultz spent time working one-on-one with Mann, demonstrating aircraft marshaling signals and coaching her through the process.

Then came the opportunity to put the lesson into action.

With an aircraft approaching, Mann stepped into position with the marshaling wands and, under supervision, guided the airplane into its parking spot.

When the aircraft was safely parked, the lesson ended with a high-five.

It was a quick celebration on a busy flight line, but one that captured something larger about Civil Air Patrol's Cadet Program: cadets teaching cadets, sharing what they know and giving one another the confidence to take the next step.

That same spirit of mentorship also shows in Capt Kenny Bates, who brought three decades of Civil Air Patrol experience to the flight line. Bates' connection to Arlington Composite Squadron is part of a family legacy. His mother served as the squadron's first commander, and his father also served as commander.

That legacy continues with another generation. Bates' daughter, C/A1C Pepper Bates, now serves as an Arlington cadet and worked alongside her father during the day's flight-line operations.

Aircraft marshaling requires more than knowing where to point a pair of orange wands. Cadets must maintain situational awareness, communicate clearly, and work together in an active aviation environment. The day's activities gave them an opportunity to put those skills into practice while taking an active role in an event designed to introduce another generation of young people to aviation.

That made Community Airport Day a natural fit for Civil Air Patrol.

Two of CAP's three primary missions — Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education — were easy to see throughout the day. While Young Eagles participants discovered aviation from inside the cockpit, CAP cadets built their own aviation knowledge, leadership skills, and confidence on the ground.

The event also gave cadets from several Washington Wing squadrons an opportunity to work together outside their regular unit activities, sharing experience and building connections with fellow CAP members from across the state.

For some of the day's Young Eagles, that first flight may have sparked a lifelong interest in aviation.

And just a few feet away, Civil Air Patrol cadets were showing them one of the many places that interest can lead.

Shelley Johnson, Arlington Composite Squadron PAO