Lonestar Emergency Services Academy South

LoneStar Emergency Services Academy South (LESA South) offers a week of intensive training that prepares members for participation in CAP Emergency Services and allows cadets to work with non-CAP emergency management professionals with an eye toward career preparation. Training accomplished will be used to increase the number of qualified Mission Aircrew, Mission Staff, Mission Support Staff, Ground Team Members (GTM) 3 and 2, and advanced skills for GTM 1, Ground Team Leaders (GTL), and sUAS Course. Curriculum from the CAP National Emergency Services Academy, NASAR, military medic training, and Texas-specific training will be used to implement the training.

Contact for Activity: Col Sean Crandall at leasouth@txwg.cap.gov

Website for Activity: www.brownsville.cap.gov/lesasouth

Cadets may participate in any areas where age, qualifications and CAP regulations permit. Attendees shall be active CAP members with a CAPF 101 or SQTR marked for SAR/DR Trainee or any advanced specialty qualifications. No members without General Emergency Service’s qualification will be allowed to sign in and participate in the schools. Participants must have all prerequisites done in advance in order to facilitate efficient training at the exercise. Participants in all the courses must possess the prerequisites necessary for qualifications. 

Participants:

Completed Encampment
C/SrA or above
At least 15 years of age
Complete CAPT 117, part 1
GES qualified
Physical Category I (must be physically fit to attend and complete GT Sorties)
Bring complete 72-hour pack according to the LESA South packing list.

Staff:

Cadets: Same as participants plus

Senior Members: 

Complete Level 1/ CPPT
Working knowledge of drill and ceremonies (talk to your cadets)
Complete CAPT 117, part 1
Complete 72 hour pack (Ref. GT Task Guide) *GT School 
Physical Category I (must be physically fit to attend and complete GT Sorties) *GT SCHOOL* 

Reservists: Contact your LR for basic criteria.  Note: This is a physically demanding activity, and you should be able to participate in a physical fitness program without restriction.

Apply in Registration Zone.

Application instructions: 

This NCSA uses Subevents. Please follow the steps below:

• Step 1 - Apply for the Parent Event - Winter LESA 
• Step 2 - Apply for one or more available Subevents 
• Step 3 - Wait for Commander Approval & Slotting Decisions

LoneStar Emergency Service Academy South (LESA South)

702 South Vermillion Ave., Gate #15

Brownsville, Texas 78521

All emails should go to lesasouth@txwg.cap.gov

DEADLINES: 

Application deadline is October 6, 2026. 
Parent approval due NLT Oct 8
Unit approval due NLT Oct 10
Wing approval due NLT Oct 12
Selection and notification planned by Oct 16

***************MANDATORY*****************

If you are selected for staff, you must attend a video conference staff training and complete the Required Staff Training module in Absorb.

Apply for Winter 27 Lift/Top to be considered for needs-based financial assistance.  These programs are designed to offset costs associated with attending some NCSAs, including flight academies. They include payment of your activity fees and travel reimbursement towards transportation to and from the activity. See the Lift/Top page for more details.

Deadline to apply for financial assistance is 6 October. Applying for Lift/Top does not guarantee financial assistance will be offered. Being offered financial assistance is not a guarantee of acceptance into an activity. You must compete for and receive a slot at an activity. You will be notified if you are a recipient of financial aid/scholarship before you are required to accept or decline a slot at an activity.   

• Actively participate in 80% of the contact hours and not be dismissed early for behavior

• Activity Director determines course objectives met.

Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements. Units that bring members to the activity can work out ahead of time

sortie information for inbound/outbound sorites.  Once you arrive at the training center, your CAP vehicle will be checked in as

part of the activity. 

Attendees who are flying CAP aircraft to LESA South, please contact us prior to ANY aircraft movement.

****** ONLY PRE-ASSIGNED SORTIES TO AND FROM LESA SOUTH WILL BE AUTHORIZED*********

Address location: LoneStar Emergency Service Academy South (LESA South)

702 South Vermillion Ave., Gate #15

Brownsville, Texas 78521

School start dates:  26 December 2026  (check-in 8am-10 am) Course starts at 1pm.

Ends: 31 December 2026 at 11am.  The release is by noon.

Commercial Flights to LESA

We have transportation to pick up from both airports and this allows for members from around the country to fly in from any region to attend training.

We must know travel arrangements in advance to make arrangements. Any questions concerning transportation, please contact us at  lesasouth@txwg.cap.gov

 Arrivals must be on December 26th, and departures must be on December 31st.

Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (training center location)

Carriers: American Airlines, United Airlines , Aerus

Valley International Airport (HRL) (30 minutes from the training center)

Carriers: Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Sun Country.

Commercial Flights to LESA

We have transportation to pick up from both airports and this allows for members from around the country to fly in from any region to attend training.

We must know travel arrangements in advance to make arrangements. Any questions concerning transportation, please contact us at lesasouth@txwgcap.org.

Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (training center location)

Carriers: American Airlines, United Airlines, Avelo

Valley International Airport (HRL) (30 minutes from the training center)

Carriers: Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Sun Country.