Civil Air Patrol Maryland Wing

07/31/2026

More than 150 cadets attending Civil Air Patrol's National Capital Wing Encampment came to Maryland Wing Headquarters for a day of aerospace/STEM activities. Cadets received a briefing and tour of BA-79 Nike Missile Site (which is located at Maryland Wing Headquarters and has been restored by its members), had the opportunity to fly sUAS, and had a class on coding and AI. Many thanks to the Maryland Wing team members who helped make the day a success:
C/Lt. Col. Andrew Grimes, SM Robin Haines, 2nd Lt. Deborah Dibert, 1st Lt. Katherine Weinhold, Capt. Sherry Moitoza, Capt. Erin Lavelle, Maj. Nathan Rolfe, CMSgt Tom Reed, Lt. Col. Bob Thompson, Col. Brenda Reed.

07/26/2026

Final days to save on your MDWG Conference registration with our early bird rates! Rates go up August 1. Sign up today and save! More details: https://mdwg.cap.gov/main/maryland-wing-annual-conference

07/23/2026

Congratulations to Cadet TSgt Thien Le of Maryland Wing's Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron on the completion of his Private Pilot Certificate. Le is a graduate of the 2025 Robert Ayres National Flight Academy and is the 518th cadet nationwide to complete his PPC through the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Wings program. Congratulations Cadet Le!

Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Programs

07/22/2026

Civil Air Patrol cadets attending Tri-Wing Encampment tour the Global Readiness Deployment Center (GRDC) at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., July 17, 2026. GRDC is a key component of the 621st Contingency Response Wing, which rapidly deploys versatile forces to project airpower and support global operations.

https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9821209/grdc-tour

Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Programs
Delaware Wing - Civil Air Patrol
DVIDSHUB

Members of the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce and cadets from the Maryland and Delaware Civil Air Patrol tour the Global Readiness Deployment Center (GRDC) at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., July 17, 2026. The GRDC is a key component of the 621st Contingency Response Wing, wh...

07/17/2026

What sound does a Cessna 172 make? 🛩️

Our cadets had... opinions.

Here's the thing though: they actually know. Because CAP cadets fly.

Every Civil Air Patrol cadet under 18 gets five free powered orientation flights (usually in a Cessna 172, hence the very scientific debate happening above), plus backseat time when conditions allow. Free. Front seat. Hands on the yoke, with a CAP pilot right there.

Not a tour. Not a ride-along. You fly it.

So yeah, our cadets have earned the right to argue about what a 172 sounds like. 😎

Sound on. 🔊 And tag a cadet who's ready to defend their answer in the comments. 👇

📸 Photos from encampment: photos.cap.gov/Mid-Atlantic-Region/Maryland-Wing/Encampments/Maryland-Wing-2026-Tri-Wing-Encampment

07/16/2026

We're past the midpoint. 4 days in, 3 to go, and the best is still ahead.

227 cadets (178 students plus 49 cadre) and 100+ senior staff from 11 states & territories and 53 home squadrons have shown up strong, every single day. So far: boarding a Coast Guard vessel and running the ROV, getting up close on the flightline under a USAF C-40, and reaching for space with a NASA ambassador. Plus 158 scheduled blocks, 14 guest speakers, and 8,212 hydration checks (and counting 💧).

Still ahead: the Obstacle Course, Leadership Reaction Course, CRW, and Graduation this weekend 🎓.

The hardest, and best, is still to come.

To the families: every push-up, every formation, every win, we see them. Keep cheering them on. 💙

📍 Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst · July 11 to 18, 2026 Follow along for the finish 👉

07/15/2026

Looking back at Day 3, and our cadets have turned a corner. 🚀🇺🇸

The day opened with the flag detail raising the colors and PT out on Spartan Field. From there, an incredible lineup: a Military Leadership session with Col Anthony Mollison, Deputy Commander of JBMDL; a trip through the Space Domain with NASA Solar System Ambassador Mr. Tom Timko; and a leadership keynote from Major General Cole, Commander of 21st Air Force and the USAF Expeditionary Center. Cadets also dove into a Cyber Domain briefing with New Jersey Guardsmen and a Healthy Lifestyle session with the 87th Medical Group. The evening brought flight-vs-flight volleyball and a surprise fire drill, which the Cadet Corps mustered for in the fastest time this encampment has ever recorded. 🔥

"We have really turned a corner today. The cadets are really starting to look good... I'm very pleased!" — Lt Col Gary Renfrow, TWE Commander

Congratulations to the day's Honor Cadets! 💪

📸 Photos posted throughout the encampment: photos.cap.gov/Mid-Atlantic-Region/Maryland-Wing/Encampments/Maryland-Wing-2026-Tri-Wing-Encampment

Photo 1: The flag detail prepares to raise the flag, signaling the start of a new training day. (Photo by C/MSgt Charles F. Webb)
Photo 2: Golf and Hotel Flight hold a plank position for 30 seconds. (Photo by C/CMSgt Emily Williamson)
Photo 3: Mr. Timko from NASA speaks to cadets about our solar system. (Photo by C/SMSgt Marcus San Juan)
Photo 4: Major General Cole speaks to the encampment. (Photo by NER Chief of Staff Joe Abeggo)
Photo 5: Alpha and Bravo Flight prepare to face off in a friendly volleyball game. (Photo by C/SMSgt Marcus San Juan)
Photo 6: All flights gather around the Cadet Commander, C/Lt Col Renfrow, after the fire drill. (Photo by C/1st Lt Noah Hunter)

07/14/2026

Looking back at Day 2, our cadets were hitting their stride! ✈️🇺🇸

The day started with encampment-wide PT and rolled straight into a highlight: cadets walked the flight line for personnel-led tours of a C-17 Globemaster, KC-46 Pegasus, and C-40, getting hands-on with the aircrews. The afternoon brought leadership stations, their first uniform inspection, drill and ceremonies, and a cadet-favorite stop at the JBMDL Infinity Spark Innovation Lab, complete with 3D printers, drones, and active STEM projects. 🚀

"It is incredible how much better the cadets looked compared to the day before. They are making great progress, and I look forward to seeing them in action." — Lt Col Gary Renfrow, TWE Commander

Congratulations to the day's Honor Cadets, and thank you to the families for your continued support. 💪

📸 Photos posted throughout the encampment: photos.cap.gov/Mid-Atlantic-Region/Maryland-Wing/Encampments/Maryland-Wing-2026-Tri-Wing-Encampment
Photo 1: Lt Col Renfrow addresses the encampment, setting expectations and praising the cadets for their hard work so far. (Photo by C/MSgt Charles F. Webb)
Photo 2: The encampment queues up to move out to Spartan Field for PT. (Photo by C/1st Lt Noah Hunter)
Photo 3: Cadets take a seat in the KC-46 aerial refueler, experiencing what the airmen do. (Photo by C/CMSgt Emily Williamson)
Photo 4: Cadets listen in as the staff at the Infinity Spark Lab describe the missions they help fulfill. (Photo by C/SMSgt Marcus San Juan)

07/14/2026

Day 1 is complete, and our cadets are all in! 🌊🇺🇸

What a full day at Tri-Wing Encampment. Cadets started with early-morning PT and a jog around the block, then earned recognition as Honor Cadets of the Day and received challenge coins at opening formation. The highlight was an intense (and very soaked) visit with the U.S. Coast Guard: cadets tested pH levels, piloted tactical ROVs, tried on hazmat suits, explored Coast Guard boats, and teamed up to plug a simulated flood. The day rolled on with a lesson on uniform standards, briefings on teamwork and the importance of a wingman, Sunday services, and a competitive round of evening volleyball. Congratulations to Group 1 on the win! 🏐

"As we close the chapter on our first full day at this year's encampment, I wanted to take a minute to thank you for sending your cadet. Both cadet cadre and students have done a fantastic job of investing in themselves and taking on every challenge of the military lifestyle." — Lt Col Gary Renfrow, TWE Commander

We're honored to host your cadets and can't wait to see what they do this week. 💪

📸 Photos posted throughout the encampment: photos.cap.gov/Mid-Atlantic-Region/Maryland-Wing/Encampments/Maryland-Wing-2026-Tri-Wing-Encampment

Photo 1: During opening formation on the Spartan Drill Field, cadets are awarded challenge coins after being named Honor Cadet of the Day. (Photo by C/MSgt Charles Webb)
Photo 2: Charlie Flight marches out of PT on their way to chow, led by guidon bearer C/SrA Abigail McBean. (Photo by C/MSgt Thomas Crumley)
Photo 3: Cadets C/SrA Isa Summers and C/SrA Alessandra Carrasquillo try on hazmat suits during the Coast Guard experience. (Photo by C/CMSgt Emily Williamson)
Photo 4: Cadet C/Lt Col Nicolas Guzman leads his squadron through a briefing at the pavilion. (Photo by C/MSgt Charles Webb)
Photo 5: Cadets participate in volleyball during evening sports. (Photo by C/MSgt Charles Webb)