Civil Air Patrol Nevada Wing

Big news! Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Alexis McCauley just completed her first solo flight through Civil Air Patrol, a nonprofit organization that provides America's youth with real-world aviation training and leadership opportunities. She is the 11th cadet to reach this milestone thanks to the Maj. Billy R. Edwards Memorial Flight Scholarship. This is proof that community investment in young people can quite literally take them to new heights. Congratulations to Cadet McCauley and her flight instructors, Capt. Joe Forti and Maj. Kevin Donovan!

February 2026 brought 181 newly promoted cadets across the Nevada Wing, and we couldn't be prouder! Every stripe and achievement pin earned represents hours of hard work, dedication, and a commitment to becoming the best version of themselves.

Civil Air Patrol develops tomorrow's leaders today. Want to start your own journey? Visit gocivilairpatrol.com to find a squadron near you.

What does a day in Civil Air Patrol look like? How about flying aboard a C-130 with the ramp open over the Ruby Mountains!

The Tahoe Truckee Composite Squadron joined forces with the Humboldt County Composite Squadron and Elko Composite Squandron in Winnemucca for an unforgettable orientation flight that gave cadets and senior members a front-row seat to real aviation operations. Between the roar of the engines, the breathtaking views, and the camaraderie built between two great units, it's safe to say this one will be talked about for a long time, especially that moment when the rear ramp opened mid-flight over the Rubies!

Experiences like this are what Civil Air Patrol is all about. Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, serving youth and communities through aerospace education, emergency services, and cadet development.

Want your chance at experiences like this? Join us! Visit gocivilairpatrol.com to find your local squadron and take the first step toward your aviation future.

Cadets from the Tahoe Truckee Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, gathered at the University of Nevada, Reno last week for an inspiring evening with soaring distance record holder and airline pilot Gordon Boettger. Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is dedicated to aerospace education, emergency services, and cadet development. Evenings like this bring that mission to life.

Pictured (left to right): C/CMSgt Ryan Schumacher, Gordon Boettger, C/Amn Liam Roberts, C/SSgt Ella Ben-Shoshan, C/SMSgt Kellen Purvance-Rassuchine, and Cadet Mason Resnikoff.

January 2026 Cadet Promotions! Congratulations to everyone who promoted, keep up the good work!

We are proud to announce that 21 cadets from squadrons NV-65, NV-70, NV-77, NV-90, and NV-802 are participating in the Aerial Drone Competition Teams again in 2026.

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, the following cadets participated in our first competition at the STEAM Center in Mesquite, Nevada.

We are proud to announce that the Hawks took 6th place, the Predators took 9th place, and the Reapers took 11th place overall out of the 17 teams participating in this event.

The Hawks were awarded the Best Team Communication of the event, scoring 2nd place in the Teamwork challenge and 2nd place in the overall skills challenge.

Civil Air Patrol Hawks
C/Maj Preston Ballou, C/1st Lt Jakob Toms, C/2d Lt Michael Toms, C/MSgt Cayden Dobson, C/TSgt Max Millican, C/A1C Caleb Marshall, C/A1C Soleil Robertson, and C/A1C Knox Robertson

Civil Air Patrol Predators
C/SMSgt Andrei Taduran, C/MSgt Daven Mills, C/MSgt Justin Hilton, C/MSgt Mika Hilton, C/SrA Liam Lewis, C/A1C Terrance Bidaut, and C/Amn Preston Groppenbacher.

Civil Air Patrol Reapers
C/CMSgt Amelia Suell, C/SrA Jeridan Gelacio, C/SrA Tigran Demirchyan, C/SrA Maksim Stieb, C/SrA Max Poza, and C/SrA Elias Elkind.

We would also like to give a big thank you to all the parents and senior members who are supporting our teams this year and specifically Coaches: Troy Starr, Angela Dobson, Andrea Hagg, Tambi Suell, and Adrian Gelacio.

On Saturday, February 21st, the Henderson Composite Squadron Color Guard presented the colors for the 15th Annual Chinese New Year in the Desert parade in Downtown Las Vegas.

Are you looking for a color guard for your event? Contact us! We have multiple teams ready to present at your event.

Join us March 13th-15th for our wing conference! Early-Bird registration ends on February 22nd. There will be a wide range of classes for both cadets and adult members. Register now before prices go up!

Register here: https://civilairpatrolnvwg.regfox.com/2026-cap-nvwg-educational-conference-awards-banquet

Congratulations to Cadet 1st Lt. Owen Hansen on his solo in a powered aircraft on 15 January 2025. Cadet 1st Lt. Hansen is a member of the Las Vegas Composite Squadron. He was a 2025 recipient of the Nevada Wing Major Billy R. Edwards Memorial Flight Scholarship and his CFI was Capt. Ethan Peterson, also of the Las Vegas Composite Squadron.

Cadet 1st Lt. Hansen is the tenth Nevada Wing cadet to solo using the Major Billy R. Edwards Memorial Flight Scholarship since its inception 5 years ago.

Congratulations, a job well done!