CHAIN OF COMMAND
Since CAP was first established in 1941 its objectives have included things such as conducting search and rescue and humanitarian service missions, educating American citizens on aerospace topics, encouraging volunteer service, and providing aviation training. In order to accomplish all this, CAP has an established chain of command.
A chain of command gives each individual a clear path by which to pass information up and down, carry out orders, and to accomplish the mission.
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
The Department of the Air Force is one of the three Military Departments within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. All three Departments are located at The Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, and also include the Department of the Army and the Department of the Navy. The department includes all elements and units of the United States Air Force (USAF) and the United States Space Force (USSF).
Frank Kendall III
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
Gen Mark D. Kelly
COMMANDER
AIR COMBAT COMMAND
ACC is one of USAF’s ten major commands and is headquartered at Langley AFB, VA. ACC is the primary provider of air combat forces for the USAF.
FIRST AIR FORCE
The First Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command and is headquartered at Tyndall AFB, FL. It’s primary mission is the air defense of the contiguous United States (CONUS), United States Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Lt Gen Kirk S. Pierce
COMMANDER
Col Mark A. Wootan
COMMANDER
CAP-USAF
CAP-USAF is an Air Force organization responsible for ensuring that CAP is organized, trained, and equipped to fulfill the Air Force-assigned missions. CAP-USAF is headquartered at Maxwell AFB, AL.
CAP-USAF maintains staff at CAP National HQ and locations in New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Colorado, California, and Florida, as well as Puerto Rico and at several oversees Air Force installations.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
The Board of Governors is the governing body of CAP and governs, directs, and manages the affairs of CAP. It is comprised of 11 members: four members appointed by the Secretary of the Air Force; four members of CAP; and three members appointed jointly by the Secretary and the CAP National Commander.
Maj Gen Edward D. Phelka
NATIONAL COMMANDER
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
The CAP National Headquarters consists of the National Commander and the Chief Operating Officer (CO). CAP National Headquarters is located at Maxwell AFB, AL.
The CAP National Commander is primarily responsible for the operational missions of CAP and serves as a permanent advisor to the Board of Governors.
The CAP CO administers the day-to-day activities of CAP and issues rules, regulations, and other directives in accordance with the resolutions of the Board of Governors.
REGIONAL COMMAND
CAP is divided into eight separate regions. Arizona Wing is located within the Southwest Region which is headquartered at Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, TX.
Regional Headquarters provide management and infrastructure support to their Wings so they can successfully achieve their assigned missions. Regions provide fiscal, administrative, operational, educational, training, and supply management oversight and guidance as defined by CAP National Headquarters.
Col Martha C. Morris
REGIONAL COMMANDER
Col Rob Pinckard
WING COMMANDER
WING COMMAND
There are 52 wings in CAP, one for each state and one in the District of Columbia and one in Puerto Rico. Arizona Wing is headquartered at Luke AFB.
Wings are responsible for promoting the objectives of CAP by encouraging the achievement of established goals and programs by all units and by establishing new goals and programs within the wing. Wings are also responsible for ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment. Wings also apprise subordinate units (squadrons) on matters affecting them and assist them by furnishing guidance and resolving problems.
GROUP COMMAND
When a geographic area of a wing is too large or if there are too many units for the Wing Commander to directly supervise groups may be formed, which then take on the responsibility of supervising the squadrons that are assigned. There must be a minimum of five squadrons within each group formed.
Willie Composite Squadron is a part of the East Group.
Maj Kerry MacPherson
GROUP COMMANDER
Capt Frank Gibson
SQUADRON COMMANDER
SQUADRON COMMAND
The squadron is the basic unit by which CAP achieves its goals. Squadrons are responsible to the group commander and to the wing commander for ensuring that the corporation objectives, policies, and operational directives are effectively executed within their squadron.
