# Tennessee Wing Civil Air Patrol

The Tennessee Wing Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Tennessee. The Wing headquarters are located near Signature Flight Services (FBO) on McGhee Tyson airport in Alcoa, Tennessee. The Tennessee Wing consists of over 1,000 cadet and adult members at over 30 locations across the state.

## Mission

The Tennessee Wing performs all three missions of the Civil Air Patrol: providing emergency services; offering cadet programs for youth; and providing aerospace education for both CAP members and the general public.

### Emergency services

Always prepared, both in the air and on the ground, members of Civil Air Patrol perform emergency services for state and local agencies as well as the federal government as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and for states/local communities as a nonprofit organization.
In 2022, Tennessee wing provided support to FEMA and other agencies following the spring tornadoes in eastern Kentucky and later, in August, after the severe flooding in western Kentucky.

### Cadet programs

Civil Air Patrol’s cadet program transforms youth into dynamic Americans and aerospace leaders through a curriculum that focuses on leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character. As cadets participate in these four elements, they advance through a series of achievements, earning honors and increased responsibilities along the way. Many of the nation’s astronauts, pilots, engineers, and scientists first explored their careers through CAP. It shapes the experiences and aspirations of youth age 12-21, both in and outside CAP’s cadet program. Squadrons with cadets can be found across Tennessee, as shown in the list below. Activities have included Encampment karaoke in 2022, various escapades at the 2023 and 2024 Vonore Balloon Festival, and the storied exploits of TN-187.

### Aerospace education

Civil Air Patrol’s awarding-winning aerospace education program promotes aerospace, aviation, and STEM-related careers with engaging, standards-based, hands-on curriculum and activities. It provides training to the members of CAP, and also offers workshops for youth and educators across the nation through schools and at public aviation events. Tennessee CAP holds annual professional development classes for teachers working with grades K-12, and also provides both published materials and STEM kits to homeschool groups.

## Organization

Squadrons of the Tennessee Wing :
| Designation | Squadron Name | Location | Notes |
| TN001 | Tennessee Wing Headquarters | Alcoa | |
| TN004 | Tri-Cites Composite Squadron | Blountville | |
| TN005 | Smyrna Composite Squadron | Smyrna | |
| TN014 | Memphis Belle Composite Squadron | Millington | |
| TN015 | Greeneville Composite Squadron | Greeneville | |
| TN019 | Morristown Composite Squadron | Morristown | |
| TN036 | Tullahoma Composite Squadron | Tullahoma | |
| TN080 | Henry County Composite Squadron | Paris | 2001 Squadron of Merit, 2003 Squadron of Merit, 2004 Squadron of Merit |
| TN087 | Knoxville Senior Squadron | Knoxville | |
| TN093 | Sevier County Composite Squadron | Sevierville | |
| TN114 | Southern Middle Tennessee Flight | Lewisburg | |
| TN119 | Jackson Madison County Senior Squadron | Jackson | |
| TN120 | Crossville Senior Squadron | Crossville | |
| TN133 | Middle Tennessee Senior Squadron | Ashland City | |
| TN148 | McGhee-Tyson Composite Squadron | Knoxville | |
| TN160 | Sumner County Cadet Squadron | Madison | |
| TN162 | Murfreesboro Composite Squadron | Murfreesboro | |
| TN170 | Oak Ridge Composite Squadron | Oak Ridge | |
| TN173 | Cleveland Composite Squadron | Cleveland | |
| TN176 | Rhea County Flight | Dayton | |
| TN185 | Music City Composite Squadron | Nashville | Squadron of Merit 2003, 2008, 2020, 2022 Squadron of Distinction 2020 Quality Cadet Unit Award 2014, 2016 - 2022 Unit Citation May 2019 and June 2021 |
| TN187 | Chattanooga Cadet Squadron | Chattanooga | |
| TN191 | Hendersonville Cadet Squadron | Hendersonville | |
| TN192 | Choo Choo Senior Squadron | Chattanooga | |
| TN193 | Williamson County Cadet Squadron | Thompson Station | |
| TN194 | Hardeman County Cadet Squadron | Rossville | |
| TN195 | Union City Composite Squadron | Union City | |
| TN218 | Dickson County Composite Squadron | Dickson | |
| TN330 | Sequoyah Cadet Squadron | Madisonville | |
| TN393 | Cumberland Composite Squadron | Gainesboro | |
| TN395 | Portland Flight | Portland | |
| TN582 | Sunsphere Cadet Squadron | Knoxville | |
| TN999 | Tennessee Legislative Squadron | Nashville |

## Legal protection

Civil Air Patrol members employed within the borders of Tennessee are guaranteed unpaid leave from their place of work without "loss of time, pay not specifically related to leave of absence time, regular leave or vacation, or impairment of efficiency rating" whenever they are activated for duty or training, under TN Code § 8-33-110 and § 42-7-102 (2021).