Colorado Wing Civil Air Patrol Colorado Wing Civil Air Patrol ( CAP ) is the highest echelon of CAP in the state of Colorado . Its headquarters are located at Peterson AFB , and the wing is under the command of Colonel Earl Sherwin The Colorado Wing ( COWG ) operates in the Rocky Mountain Region for the CAP . The Wing consists of 35 squadrons in four groups within Colorado . CAP squadrons are of three types : Cadet , Composite and Senior : 1 ) " Cadet " squadrons consists of basic cadets , with a minimum of three senior members ( adults ) for supervisory , administrative , and training requirements ; 2 ) " Senior " squadrons consists exclusively of senior members , all over the age of 18 ; and , 3 ) " Composite " squadrons consists of both cadets and senior members , conducting both cadet and senior programs . Structure . The Colorado Wing is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in Colorado , and reports to Rocky Mountain Region CAP , who reports to CAP National Headquarters . The wing supervises the individual groups and squadrons that comprise the basic operational unit of CAP . The Colorado Wing headquarters are located at Peterson AFB , Colorado . Below the Wing level , Colorado is divided into smaller groups . Each group conducts its own training and programs , Underneath each group are numerous squadron s . Squadrons are the local level of organization , and squadrons meet weekly to conduct training . There are three types of Civil Air Patrol squadrons : Group 1 . Group 1 , Sqdn 166 , is responsible for operations in and around greater Denver area . Group 2 . Group 2 , Sqdn 167 , operates in Northern Colorado , out of Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport , Building B8 . Group 3 . Group 3 , Sqdn 168 operates in Southern Colorado , out of Peterson Air Force Base . Group 4 . Group 4 , Sqdn 169 , conducts operations in Western Colorado , from Montrose , out of Montrose Armory . Encampment . Cadet encampment s , usually a week in length , provide cadets with an intense look at military life . Encampment attendance is a prerequisite for the Gen . Billy Mitchell Award . Senior members may also be awarded the ribbon for providing leadership at CAP encampments . Colorado Wing ' s Encampment has been held at the US Air Force Academy , Ft Carson and Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs , CO . Ground search and rescue . The Wing operates a " ground search and rescue " ( " GSAR " ) school on an annual basis , normally held in the Gore Range of the Rocky Mountains , west of Kremmling To participate , Cadets must be at least 14 years old , hold the rank of at least Cadet Senior Airman , successfully pass a physical fitness test , and have previous participation in cadet summer activities . Additionally , all participants must have completed basic training in emergency services ( offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency ) and be able to hike long distances with a 20 - 25 pound pack . Participants spend the entire school ( normally , eight days ) in a field environment , and are awarded a Ground Team member badge at the successful completion of the school . Air search and rescue . CAP cadets can qualify to participate in FAA - approved air - search flights as observers with a CAP - certified pilot . Cadets with their pilot - in - command license can qualify as cadet pilots for air - search flights . Training is provided , along with age and license requirements .