Civil Air Patrol Alabama Wing

06/11/2026

The Cadet Aviation Team is excited to invite cadets age 16+, parents, and CAP adult leaders to our Cadet Wings Application Preparation Webinar on June 22 at 7:00 PM Central Time.

Agenda:
✈️ Important updates for the FY27 application cycle
✈️ Tips to help you prepare before applications open
✈️Selection Process Updates
✈️Common Mistakes in the Application Process

Cadet Wings applications will be accepted from July 1 through September 1 at 12:00 PM (Noon) Central Time.

Starting early gives you the best opportunity to submit a complete and competitive application.

Register for the webinar here: https://shorturl.at/Vte4m

A webinar access link will be emailed approximately one hour before the event begins.

The webinar will be recorded and available afterward; however, we strongly encourage live attendance so you can hear the latest information and ask questions directly to the Cadet Aviation Team.

Don't miss this opportunity to take the next step toward your aviation goals with CAP!

06/10/2026

ALWG Team,

It is with great pride that I share outstanding news for our Wing. The Dothan Composite Squadron has been selected as the Civil Air Patrol 2026 Brig Gen F. Ward Reilly Leadership Award and Squadron of Distinction.

This is a distinct honor and a well-deserved recognition of the squadron’s leadership, teamwork, and sustained excellence. While this award belongs to Dothan Composite Squadron, it also reflects positively on Alabama Wing and the high standard of service our members continue to uphold.

Maj Smallen will be recognized at the upcoming National Conference in Kansas City, Missouri on 28–29 August 2026. Additional details regarding the ceremony date, time, and related events will follow from the point of contact.

Please join me in congratulating the members of Dothan Composite Squadron on this exceptional achievement.

-Kim

Col. Kim Miller, CAP
Commander, Alabama Wing
Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary

06/10/2026

Eleven Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Alabama Wing Check Pilots participated in a Wing-level National Check Pilot Standardization Course (NCPSC) on Saturday, June 6, 2025 at the Jefferson State Community College, Pell City, Alabama.

Led by CAP Lt Cols Harold Coghlan Dave McGonegal, and Ray Harkey participants were briefed or discussed aviation safety, fundamentals of instruction, operational updates, and standardization topics. In addition to the academic seminars, one NCPSC training sorties was also flown on Saturday. The participants included:

CAP
Col Jayson Altieri
Lt Col Harold Coghlan
Lt Col William O. Hill
Lt Col Jerry May
Lt Col Dave McGonegal
Lt Col Bart Nelson
Lt Col Ricky Phillips
Lt Col Steve Terrance
Maj Ray Harkey
Maj Ryan Smallen
Capt Kip Madison
Capt Doug Henderson
1Lt Nick Madison

Written by: Col Jayson Altieri
Photo Courtesy of Col Jayson Altieri

06/09/2026

On Tuesday, 26 May 2026, the Billy Mitchell Award was presented to Cadet Juan Dana of the Maxwell Composite Squadron, Montgomery Alabama. Cadet Second Lt. Dana is the son Lt Rob Dana, Commander, Maxwell Composite Squadron and Marisa Dana. Congratulations Cadet Second Lt Dana for achieving this milestone.

Photos and article by 2nd Lt. Maryanne D Fosse

06/09/2026

For Alabama Wing members in the Maxwell AFB AO.

🚨ATTENTION - TEMPORARY GATE CLOSURE🚨

Please be advised that the Dalraida Gate at Gunter Annex will be temporarily closed for scheduled maintenance from Monday, June 15, through Friday, June 19, 2026.

All traffic shall be redirected to the Congressman Dickinson Drive gate for installation access. 🚦

06/08/2026

Mobile, AL — Twenty members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) from the Alabama and Mississippi Wings completed Over Water Survival Training (OWST) at the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile. The course prepares CAP aircrews for potential over‑water emergencies during missions in the Southeast region.

Training included classroom instruction led by 1st Lt. Robert Taylor (AL-005). Maj. John Hoffman (AL-005) conducted the three‑member aircraft‑egress simulation and supervised water‑survival skills in a pool environment. Wearing full CAP flight uniforms, boots or shoes, and an inflated Personal Flotation Device (PFD), participants were required to swim 50 feet, tread water for 10 minutes, and work together as a three‑person crew to stabilize and enter a life raft.

The Alabama and Mississippi Wings extend their appreciation to the Mobile Composite Squadron—and especially to the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Training Center—for hosting and supporting this essential aircrew development.

Photos - Capt. Laural Booth, CAP

06/08/2026

Alabama Wing Senior Members,

It is with great sadness that I share the passing of Lt Col Sam Snead, CAP.

Lt Col Snead served with distinction in the Maxwell Composite Squadron from 1998 to 2018, including roles as a Mission Pilot, Operations Officer, and Maintenance Officer. He was a dedicated leader and mentor who had a lasting impact on many of our members and the broader Alabama Wing.

In addition to his Civil Air Patrol service, Lt Col Snead had a distinguished career in the Alabama Air National Guard, where he served as commander of the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, flew the RF-84 and RF-4C, and later served as Chief of Standardization and Evaluation. He ultimately retired as the State Director of Operations. In his civilian career, he was also a pilot with Delta Airlines.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Visitation: June 8, 2026 at 10:30 AM (CST)
Service: June 8, 2026 at 11:30 AM (CST)
Location: Ridout’s Brown Service – Prattville Chapel, 347 East Main Street, Prattville, AL 36067

Burial:
Alabama National Cemetery
3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, AL 35115
2:00 PM (CST), following a police-escorted procession

Please keep Lt Col Snead’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Condolences may be sent to:

Mrs. Anne Snead
339 Plantation Crossings
Millbrook, AL 36054

Lt Col Snead’s legacy of service, mentorship, and professionalism will not be forgotten.

Respectfully,

Kim

06/07/2026

ALWG Encampment has come to a close. We challenged our members to grow and they rose to the challenge. At awards on Friday night, they were asked to continue to push themselves but to bring others along with them. Already looking forward to next year! Check back in the next week for the encampment video!

See more photos at https://photos.cap.gov/SoutheastRegion/Alabama-Wing/Wing-Activities/ALWG-Encampments/2026-ALWG-Encampment/Day-7-Graduation

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

ALWG Encampment Training Day 6 started with an all encampment run followed by a return to the leadership course to assess the growth of our teams. After lunch, inspections and the final encampment awards ceremony showed the cadets just how far they've come. We can't believe graduation is tomorrow! We'll see everyone for our graduation parade at 10:00 at Marion Military Institute!

See more photos at https://photos.cap.gov/SoutheastRegion/Alabama-Wing/Wing-Activities/ALWG-Encampments/2026-ALWG-Encampment/Day-6