Teton CAP Squadron Deactivated, Cessna 206 Reassigned

The Teton Civil Air Patrol squadron in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, was deactivated on Aug. 17, 2024, after months of disagreement between local leaders and the Wyoming Wing. The squadron's Cessna 206, used for search-and-rescue for about 30 years, was removed from Jackson Hole Airport and reassigned to another location.

Dispute Over Leadership

According to a Jackson Hole News & Guide report, former commander Steve Foster told the Teton County Board of Commissioners that the squadron had effectively dissolved and that the Wyoming Wing had taken its aircraft from the airport. Foster blamed the closure on conflicts with new Wyoming Wing leadership. He said the state organization had imposed “unachievable and discriminatory demands” and created a punitive environment. Three pilots were also removed from the organization, he added.

Col. John Rhoades, commander of the Rocky Mountain Region that oversees the Wyoming Wing, offered a different explanation. Rhoades told county officials that local squadron leaders had been given opportunities to address concerns about the unit’s long-term sustainability and operational readiness. “Despite those efforts, no viable long-term solution emerged,” he said. He described deactivation as a last resort.

Aircraft Reassignment

The Cessna 206, an Air Force-owned aircraft, had been based at Jackson Hole Airport for roughly 30 years. It had supported search-and-rescue missions and responses to natural disasters, including flooding. Rhoades said the aircraft was not removed from Civil Air Patrol service; instead, it was reassigned to another location where it could have a greater operational impact. He also highlighted the geographic distribution of the squadron’s members as a factor, noting that a substantial portion of a unit’s membership outside the community where it is based can make local leadership, accountability and oversight more difficult.

The reassignment could influence regional stats for search and rescue, as the aircraft will now operate in a different operational theatre.

Financial Implications

The dispute also involves money provided by Teton County to support the squadron. County commissioners said approximately $17,000 remained in the squadron’s account when it was dissolved and requested that the funds be returned. The request could affect the squad’s fixtures for future missions.

Whether another CAP unit or aircraft will eventually assume the squadron’s local role remains unclear.