In 1971, a small group of CAF members in Minnesota came up with a radical idea: to form a Wing, separate yet subordinate, in order to help "distribute" the mission of the CAF. On July 1st, 1971, the Southern Minnesota Wing was formed and officially became the first CAF Unit ever created.
The Wing was granted Charter #2, since CAF Headquarters determined that Charter #1 should represent CAF Headquarters. With that simple idea, and gathering the support of 25 members, the Southern Minnesota Wing began its career as the northern maintenance arm of the CAF.
