SOUTH DAKTOA – Unprecedented attendance and media interest highlighted the split search and rescue exercise Jan. 12-13 held in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. In Sioux Falls, a record 53 members from the Big Sioux and Sioux Falls composite squadrons participated in the exercise, which also attracted coverage from all three local commercial TV news stations – KDLT, the NBC affiliate; CBS affiliate KELO; and KSFY, the ABC statation – and the state’s largest daily newspaper, the Argus Leader.

For the first time in South Dakota electoral history, a state LGBT group has given political action money to state legislative candidates. Equality South Dakota PAC (EqSD PAC) has recently provided over $5,000 in funding to both Republican and Democratic candidates involved in the June 3, 2008 South Dakota primary.

Bald Eagle Days is noted for its programs on migratory bald eagles that winter along the forests and ice-free Mississippi River near the Quad Cities.  . The event also features bird of prey demonstrations.

SOUTH DAKOTA—Col. John Seten and Lt. Col. Rick Larson are the South Dakota Wing’s new commander and vice commander, respectively. Seten most recently held the position of wing director of operations. An incident commander and mission pilot, during extensive flooding last year he flew many photo missions in support of the state’s and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief efforts and also directed other missions.

SOUTH DAKOTA – The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office has suspended the search for Cadet 2nd Lt. Justin Lewis of the Crazy Horse Composite Squadron, ending the South Dakota Wing's role in the quest to find one of their own. Specialized dive teams from state and local government have since begunconcentrating on Deerfield Lake in the central Black Hills, where Lewis was last thought to be kayaking. A dive team and search dogs are expected tojoin the search on the water Saturday.

SIOUX FALLS — Dogs, airplanes, and high-technology will converge on the Sioux Empire Saturday as the South Dakota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) holds a training exercise in Sioux Falls.

SOUTH DAKOTA — South Dakota Wing began searching this morning for a missing PA-24 Comanche that left Chamberlain Municipal Airport for Millard Airport, near Omaha, Neb., about 5 p.m. Sunday. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center contacted Civil Air Patrol to conduct a search after the Comanche failed to arrive at its reported destination as expected. No electronic locator transmitter signal from the aircraft has been expected.

SOUTH DAKOTA – Maj. Teresa Schimelfening, a U.S. Army veteran who spent nearly nine years on active duty, will accept command of the South Dakota Wing at the wing’s 2010 conference in Chamberlain on Jan. 23. Schimelfening will take the reins from Col. Mike Beason, the wing commander for the last 4 1/2 years. Upon assuming command, she will be promoted to colonel for the duration of her four-year term.