2024 NEWG Tornado

South Dakota Wing completed two tornado damage assessment sorties in Nebraska this week for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The flights, flown in coordination with CAP's Nebraska and Iowa wings, traced the path of the powerful April 27 tornado from near Lincoln, past Omaha and Blair, and on toward the Northeast. FEMA will use the geo-tagged photographs to help determine building-by-building storm-related damage.

"It was a great privilege to fly the mission with Cadet/Col. Keon den Hoed and 1^st. Lt. Kyle Clement as Mission Observer and Aerial Photographer," said Lt. Col. Mike Cassidy, pilot for the mission and director of operations for CAP in South Dakota. "It makes me proud to know that we all serve together in Civil Air Patrol with these professionals, knowing that if and when our South Dakota community needs us we'll be there."

Cassidy noted that in addition to the South Dakota aircrew that flew the mission, a second South Dakota aircrew was on standby, if needed.

"One of our mantras in Civil Air Patrol is 'One CAP,'" said Col. Michael Marek, SD Wing commander. "Just as we cross state lines to help our neighbors, we can call in support from CAP in surrounding states for large-scale disaster relief missions, search and rescue, and other essential support for local, state, tribal and federal agencies."