News

During this past week there have been many remembrances as the nation observed the 25th anniversary of the terror attack of the United States, which took place on September 11, 2001.  It was a terrible day with an almost unimaginable loss of life. Those of us who were in the Civil Air Patrol on that day know “bits and pieces” of how members of the Massachusetts Wing responded.  As time wears on, that story becomes less and less known.  An adult member, Maj. Dick Shafner, reminded me of that time and shared some lesser-known details along with a video that I am sharing with you.

Massachusetts Wing Encampment, planned and led by a cadet cadre, focuses on aerospace education, and character and leadership development. Cadets participate in obstacle courses and physical fitness exercises, and orientation flights aboard Civil Air Patrol aircraft. However, encampment is about more than aviation and physical fitness — it is about building future leaders. Cadets plan every detail of the weeklong training event, with adult member volunteers serving as guides and mentors.

Long before encampment begins, cadet cadre are studying what it means to be a leader. Leadership isn't learned in a single week. It is developed over time.

More than 140 Civil Air Patrol cadets from across Massachusetts and the United States, ranging in age from 12 to 21, converged on Joint Base Cape Cod this week for a weeklong training program hosted by the Massachusetts Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

Encampment, planned and led by a cadet cadre, focuses on aerospace education, and character and leadership development. Cadets participate in obstacle courses and physical fitness exercises, and orientation flights aboard Civil Air Patrol aircraft. This year, cadets also had the opportunity to fly in an U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules.

The cadet cadre of the 2026 Massachusetts Encampment underwent training to prepare for this year’s Encampment last weekend. Throughout both days, cadets planned and practiced activities for the upcoming Encampment, including “by the book” drill, formations and ceremonies, communications protocols, and classes.

Standing atop the same ridge that Captain John Parker used to ambush the British Regulars retreating from Concord, 15 cadets and adult members of the Massachusetts Wing reflected on how Parker could so successfully rally his men from the morning’s disaster on the Lexington Green.  

“The level of discussion and cross-talk between age groups was remarkable,” said Captain Alex Baptiste, one of the Wing’s adult members. The level of analysis was on par with what we see in the professional world, he added.

The group was participating in a “Staff Ride,” a leadership development program that uses an historical event to drive conversations about modern command, decision-making, and leadership. While participants do discuss “what” happened they focused more on the “why” of what the people did.

Adult members and cadets from the Westover Composite Squadron participated in a community outreach mission at Barnes Regional Airport on Saturday, May 16, representing the Civil Air Patrol during the Westfield Aviation Museum’s annual open house.

The event drew aviation enthusiasts, families, and community members from across the region, offering visitors the opportunity to explore several vintage aircraft and historical exhibits maintained by the museum. The open house serves as one of the museum’s primary public engagement opportunities each year, highlighting local aviation heritage and fostering community interest in aerospace education.

Registration is now open for the Massachusetts Wing 2026 Encampment!

This week-long cadet program provides comprehensive training in leadership, teamwork, discipline, and aerospace education. Through structured activities and immersive experiences, cadets will develop confidence, responsibility, and followership skills that carry far beyond the program. Whether you're attending as a Basic Student or stepping up as Cadet Cadre, encampment is a defining milestone in the CAP cadet journey.

More than 120 adult members and cadets from across the Massachusetts Wing gathered at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Mass., on April 25 for the Wing's annual conference. Both adults and cadets helped plan the full-day conference.

Cadets and adult members of the Westover Composite Squadron played a vital role in the success of Holyoke’s legendary Saint Patrick’s Day "Homecoming Weekend," providing essential ground support for both the 10k road race and the annual parade March 21-22, 2026.

During the Brig. Gen. Arthur J. Pierce Squadron’s annual safety stand-down day in March, adult member 2^nd Lt. Ryan Bishop, from the Westover Squadron, met with Pierce cadets in Amherst, Mass., to talk aircraft and airfield safety, as well as running through a pre-flight inspection.