MAXWELL AFB, Ala. — Brig. Gen. Dwight Wheless of Manteo, N.C. has been reelected by the Civil Air Patrol National Board for a third term as national Vice-Commander. CAP is the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force with more than 64,000 members nationwide.

Wheless, a Manteo attorney, said he is honored to continue in the position. "It's been an honor to serve," said Wheless. "I appreciate the confidence of the National Board and the opportunity to help shape tomorrow’s Civil Air Patrol and its services to America."

As vice commander, Brig. Gen. Wheless is a member of CAP’s Board of Governors, National Executive Committee and National Board, the organization’s governing and advisory bodies.

The Board of Governors for CAP was established by the Defense Authorization Act of 2001 after CAP’s leadership structure was reorganized. The board is made up of four CAP representatives, four members appointed by the Air Force, and three members from other agencies and organizations.

Wheless joined CAP in 1981 when the Coastal Senior Squadron reactivated in Manteo, N.C. He has also served CAP as National Legal Officer, North Carolina Wing Commander, Chairman of the National Appeals Board, Chairman and Member of the Member Appeal Review Board and the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.

For his service to CAP, Wheless has been awarded multiple Distinguished Service medals, Exceptional Service awards, Meritorious Service awards and Commanders commendations.

Wheless has practiced law in Manteo for 36 years – 22 years of which were also spent as Dare County Attorney. He has served as: President, Dare County and First Judicial District Bar Associations; Founder and President, North Carolina Airports Association; President, Albemarle Development Authority, Inc.; Chairman, Dare County Morehead Awards Nomination Committee; Chairman, District Bar Review Committee; President, North Carolina County Attorneys Association; and has been a member of various local civic groups. Wheless was twice voted the Outstanding County Attorney in North Carolina and has been awarded the state’s highest honor for volunteer service, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit organization. It performs 95% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 27,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 60 years.