last modified: Tuesday, August 24, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAXWELL AFB, Ala. — Dwight Wheless of Manteo, N.C. is the new national commander of Civil Air Patrol.

Wheless was elected Aug. 19 by the CAP National Board and was promoted to the CAP rank of major general immediately prior to the official Change of Command ceremony on Aug. 21.

Wheless assumed command of the 62,000-member Air Force auxiliary from Maj. Gen. Richard L. Bowling of Knoxville, Tenn., who was ending his three-year term in office.

When elected to the post of national commander, Wheless was serving as CAP’s national vice commander. Since joining the organization in 1981, Wheless had also served as CAP’s national legal officer, North Carolina Wing commander, chair of the National Appeal Board, chair and member of the Member Appeal Review Board, and member of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. 

Throughout his years with CAP, Wheless was honored with multiple Distinguished Service medals, Exceptional Service awards, Meritorious Service awards and Commander’s commendations.

“Civil Air Patrol’s dedicated professional volunteers stand ready to answer this nation’s call today with no less fervor than in the World War II era, when CAP was first founded,” Wheless said. “Our men, women and young people daily perform missions for America in the air and on land in emergency services and homeland security, and constitute a substantial force-multiplier. It is an honor to lead these volunteers, especially during this time of war against terrorism.”

Wheless has practiced law in Manteo for 35 years. He has served as president of the Dare County and First Judicial District Bar associations, was founder and president of the North Carolina Airports Association, chair of the District Bar Review Committee, and president of the North Carolina County Attorneys Association. He was also awarded the state’s highest honor for volunteer service – the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Taking over Wheless’ position as CAP’s national vice commander will be Antonio Pineda of Plantation, Fla. Pineda was promoted to the CAP rank of brigadier general prior to Saturday’s Change of Command ceremony.

The elections of the new national commander and vice commander were high points of the CAP National Board meeting, which was held at the Tampa Waterside Marriott in Tampa, Fla. In conjunction with the National Board meeting, CAP also held its annual national conference, which drew hundreds of CAP members from throughout the nation.

Wheless gave his first presentation as national commander following the change of command ceremony at a formal banquet Saturday evening.

Civil Air Patrol is the official Air Force auxiliary and is made up entirely of civilian volunteers. CAP performs 95% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Its 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.

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