Massachusetts Wing

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.

The Massachusetts Wing welcomed 1st Lt. Kaci Leonard into the ranks of its pilots recently. Leonard is currently the only active women pilot in the Wing and the youngest currently at 22 years old.