WA Senate approves integrating Civil Air Patrol into state military department

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Senate has passed legislation to establish the Civil Air Patrol as an official division of the Washington State Military Department, a move intended to accelerate emergency response capabilities.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Keith Wagoner (R-Sedro-Woolley) would transition the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) from an informal partner into a formal state asset. By creating a dedicated division, the state aims to ensure a unified chain of command, allowing the military department to rapidly deploy volunteer pilots and ground crews during critical missions.

These deployments typically include inland search and rescue, as well as tracking wildfires and floods.

“The Civil Air Patrol does such a great job with young people, teaching them leadership and about opportunities that they might not learn about otherwise,” Wagoner said. He emphasized that the measure supports the organization’s broader mission of youth development through its cadet program, which provides aerospace education and character development for future leaders.

The organizational shift would impact local units across the state, including active squadrons in the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla.

The legislation now heads to the House for consideration.

Photo via Civil Air Patrol

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Elkhorn Media Group