2026 Encampment Day 5
Encampment Day 5
Awards
Honor Flight: Delta
Honor Squadron: Squadron 3
Student: C/Amn Heather Meek, India Flight
Line Support NCO: C/CMSgt Audrey Mayer, Charlie Flight
Line Support Officer: C/2nd Lt. Anne Fox, Echo Flight
Staff Department: Administration Team
Staff Support NCO: C/TSgt Descoust, Logistics Team
Staff Support Officer: C/2nd Lt Jackson Wright, Communications Team
The 2026 GAWG Summer Encampment is coming to an end. Some cadets are excited, some are anxious and some are sad. Over the week, many have formed friendships that may last a lifetime. Cadets have spent their days learning leadership, aerospace, cybersecurity, warrior spirit and the importance of living the Core Values.
“Even though we have faced adversity all week, the cadets have remained upbeat, motivated and encouraging,” said Non‑Commissioned Officer Adviser Master Sgt. Eric Townsend.
Today, cadets completed five more classes covering fitness, Core Values, military leadership, aerospace education and the space domain. They also participated in a drill evaluation, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve learned throughout the week.
Tonight, they’ll celebrate their accomplishments at the banquet, sharing one final dinner with the friends they’ve made here. The room will be filled with emotion as the encampment concludes.
Line staff are beyond proud of their students and everything they’ve achieved. From the first day, they watched cadets arrive unsure of drill, customs and courtesies or basic leadership skills. By week’s end, those same cadets were demonstrating confidence in drill, respect, teamwork and a wide range of new abilities. The lessons learned here will serve them not only in Civil Air Patrol but in their daily lives.
Support staff, working behind the scenes, observed that growth from afar. As the week progressed, they saw cadets become more self‑assured in their leadership, drill and every subject they tackled.
“Despite the weather challenges faced at the encampment, we adapted and gave our students the best experience,” said Deputy Commander of Support 1st Lt. Paul Cash.
Written by Cadet Captain Sophia Tubbs
