South Dakota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary, is made up of about 200 adults (senior members) and about 120 youth members (cadets). All are civilian volunteers who contribute their time and energy to the organization.

The commander of South Dakota Wing is Colonel Mike Beason of Rapid City. Also a volunteer, Col. Beason has served as squadron commander and in several wing-level positions. He is also a member of National Board of directors of C.A.P.

The state headquarters, also known as Wing Headquarters, is located in Rapid City. Local chapters, known as Squadrons or Flights, depending on their size, are located in ten communities around South Dakota. The CAP units in South Dakota all support the Cadet Program as well as Senior Member activities.

Six aircraft owned by the national Civil Air Patrol organization, three Cessna 182 Skylanes (2 of which have the latest "glass cockpits") and three Cessna 172 Skyhawks, are assigned to South Dakota Wing. The aircraft are rotated around the state as needed to support actual missions and training activities.

Find out more in "A Brief History of South Dakota Wing" by Wing Historian and former Wing Commander Lester W. Snyder, COL, CAP.