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Civil Air Patrol asks Luzerne County for long-term lease or MOU for permanent space at Wyoming Airport

5398270 · July 9, 2025

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Summary

Civil Air Patrol representatives briefed council on local squadron activities and requested a nominal-cost long-term lease or memorandum of understanding for space at the Wyoming Airport to establish a classroom, storage and radio room; council members expressed support and staff noted ARPA airport funds are already allocated to other projects.

Members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and Major Sean Stanford of the local CAP squadron presented a work-session briefing on June 24 and asked Luzerne County for assistance securing permanent space at the Wyoming Airport for classroom, storage and operational use.

Stanford described CAP as a congressionally chartered, volunteer auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and outlined CAP missions — aerospace education, cadet programs for youth, and emergency services. He said the local squadron has roughly 20 cadets attending meetings and lacks adequate classroom and storage space; uniforms and equipment are currently kept in volunteers’ garages. Stanford asked the county for a nominal-cost lease or an MOU (he used the example of a nominal $1-per-year lease or a long-term (e.g., 99-year) lease so the squadron could raise grants and build a small facility.

County staff and council members responded positively to the request. Council members encouraged the squadron to coordinate with airport tenants and airport board members to identify suitable land. County staff clarified that ARPA money for the airport has already been allocated to other capital projects (jet-A fuel facility, T-hangars and AWA system) and cannot be repurposed for a new building, but councilors said they would explore options and urged the squadron to pursue grants.

Major Stanford indicated that a permanent space would help the squadron base and potentially house a CAP aircraft; he said that having a permanent base would support long-term community emergency response capabilities. Council members offered to follow up with airport management and the airport board to identify feasible lease or grant pathways.