List of Nat'l Commanders?

[thefischNX01]

Does anybody have a list of CAP National Commanders and the dates in which they served?

[SarDragon]

Sure, someone's got a list.   

Oh, you mean a forum member?

Look on the NHQ web site, or do a search for "CAP History" on Yahoo! or Google.

[Pace]

It's not current, but it makes a lot of headweight:

NATIONAL COMMANDERS US ARMY AIR FORCE:

-- Maj. Gen. John F. Curry, USAAF Dec 1941 to Mar 1942 (original unit),
-- Brig. Gen. Earle L. Johnson, USAAF Mar 1942 to 16 Feb 1947 (Deceased),
-- Brig. Gen. Frederic H. Smith, USAAF Feb 1947 to Oct 1947.

NATIONAL COMMANDERS US AIR FORCE:

-- Maj. Gen. Lucas V. Beau, USAF Oct 1947 to Dec 1955,
-- Maj. Gen. Walter R. Agee, USAF Jan 1956 to Mar 1959,
-- Brig. Gen. Stephen D. McElroy, USAF Apr 1959 to Dec 1961,
-- Col. Paul C. Ashworth, USAF Dec 1961 to Jul 1964,
-- Col. Joe L. Mason, USAF Aug 1964 to May 1967,
-- Brig. Gen. William W. Wilcox, USAF May 1967 to Oct 1968,
-- Maj. Gen. Walter B. Putnam, USAF 1 Nov 1968 to 31 Oct 1969,
-- Brig. Gen. Richard N. Ellis, USAF Nov 1969 to Oct 1972,
-- Brig. Gen. Leslie J. Westberg, USAF Nov 1972 to Aug 1975.

USAF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS:

-- Brig. Gen. Carl S. Miller, USAF Aug 1975 to Nov 1977,
-- Brig. Gen. Paul E. Gardner, USAF Nov 1977 to Jul 1980,
-- Brig. Gen. Horace W. Miller, USAF,1 Aug 1980 to Aug 1981,
-- Brig. Gen David L. Patton, USAF Aug 1981 to May 1984,
-- Col. John T. Massingale, Jr. USAF Jun 1984 to Oct 1989,
-- Col. Clyde O. Westbrook, Jr. USAF Oct 1989 to Jun 1990,
-- Col. Joseph M. Nall, USAF Jun 1990 to Aug 1992,
-- Col. Ronald T. Sampson, USAF Aug 1992 to Mar 1995.

SENIOR AIR FORCE ADVISORS:

-- Col. Garland W. Padgett, Jr. USAF Mar 1995 to April 199<, >
-- Col. Dennis B. Parkhurst, USAF Apr 1998.

CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL BOARD CAP:(Foot Note 2)

-- Col. George A. Stone, CAP Aug 1947 to Aug 1948 (Deceased), (Foot Note 3)
-- Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, USAF-Ret Aug 1948 to Apr 1959,
-- Col. D. Harold Byrd, CAP Apr 1959 to Apr 1960,
-- Col. William C. Whelen, CAP Apr 1960 to Apr 1962,
-- Col. Paul W. Turner, CAP Sep 1962 to Oct 1965, (Foot Note 4)
-- Brig. Gen. Lyle w. Castle, CAP Oct 1965 to Oct 1968,
-- Brig. Gen. F. Ward Reilly, CAP Oct 1968 to Oct 1970,
-- Brig. Gen. Samuel H. DuPont, Jr., CAP Oct 1970 to Oct 1973,
-- Brig. Gen. William M. Patterso., CAP Oct 1973 to Aug 1975.

NATIONAL COMMANDERS CAP:(Foot Note 5)

-- Brig. Gen. William M. Patterson, CAP, 1 Sep 1975 to 19 Sep 1976,
-- Brig. Gen. Thomas C. Casaday, CAP 19 Sep 1976 to 30 Sep 1979,
-- Brig. Gen. Johnnie Boyd, CAP 30 Sep 1979 to 14 Aug 1982,
-- Brig. Gen. Howard Brookfield, CAP 14 Aug 1982 to 4 Aug 1984,
-- Brig. Gen. William B. Cass, CAP 4 Aug 1984 to 22 Mar 1986,
-- Maj. Gen. Eugene E. Harwell, CAP 22 Mar 1986 to 11 Aug 90,
-- Brig. Gen. Warren J. Barry, CAP 11 Aug 1990 to Aug 1993,
-- Brig. Gen Richard L. Anderson, CAP Aug 1993 to Aug 1996,
-- Col. Paul M. Bergman, CAP Aug 1996 to Mar 1998,
-- Brig. Gen. James C. Bobick, CAP Mar 1998 - present.

(Foot Notes)

--(2) Original CAP title was Chairman of CAP Board, Colonel George A. Stone, Ohio Wing Commander, became first Chairman but died in aircraft accident.

--(3) Upon adoption of CAP Constitution and Bylaws on 26 May 1948, CAP Board became National Executive Board, but was changed to National Executive Committee on 26 April 1960.

--(4) The USAF approved the grade of Brigadier General, CAP order PANHQ 9, 15 March 1968.

--(5) Original CAP title of Chairman of the National Board was changed to National Commander, the US Air Force-appointed National Commander now became the Executive Director on 1 September 1975. The title of Executive Director was changed to Senior Air Force Advisor on 8 March 1995.

[jacklumanog]

Can anyone tell me why the CAP Natl Commander's rank only goes as high as Major General?  Why not all 4 stars?  Is CAP supposed to mirror the Adjutant General for each state that goes only as high as Major General?  Just curious. 

[Pace]

I'm not sure why Brig Gen was added back in the late 60s, but IIRC, Maj Gen was added by Jumper to align CAP as a MAJCOM.  My USAF job title and commiserate rank is a little rusty, but I thought MAJCOMs were Maj Gen billets.

I'll probably get corrected on that, but that's what I remember.

[Monty]

Generally, "SUPER" MAJCOMS (i.e., ACC, AMC, etc.) are commanded by 4-star billets.  "MINOR" MAJCOMS (i.e., ANG, AFSOC) are commanded by 3-star billets.  Remember though, it's not a hard 'n fast rule so it can go either way.

In speaking with Maj Gen Bowling, CAP, a few years ago, he indicated that there was a distinct future possibility that the CAP/CC would eventually become a Lt Gen like the "minor" MAJCOMS (with corresponding promotions right on down the command line to region commanders.)

At any rate, shortly after our conversation, Rick became a (legitimate) CAP 2-star.  Again, my understanding was the AF and the CAP wanted to see if CAP "super generals" were any more needed or if it was just a vanity deal.  As it stands, I don't believe there is any further talk of making the CAP/CC a 3-star for the forseeable future...reckon things are where they are going to be for awhile.

Hopefully that's a bit more insight (but take my words with grains of salt, if you wish.)

[thefischNX01]

Thanks dcpacemaker.  You're right, it does help a lot. 

Now, who were the Commanders from '98 to present?

[Pace]

Brig Gen Bobick (last on the list)

[not sure if there's any more between Bobick and Bowling]

Maj Gen Richard Bowling (?? - Aug 2004)
Maj Gen Dwight Wheless (Aug 2004 - ??)
Maj Gen Antonio Pineda (?? - present)

[flyguy06]

I think if CAP wants to mirror the USAF, they should do it all the way. In the USAF a Wing Commander is a Brig. General. A Group Commander is a full Colonel CAP should do the same thing but then that would probably be too many Generals running around cause you'd have to make Region CC's Generals too.

[shorning]

I think if CAP wants to mirror the USAF, they should do it all the way. In the USAF a Wing Commander is a Brig. General.

Not always.  Some are colonels.  Most are in fact.

A Group Commander is a full Colonel

Most of the time, but there are a few that are Lt Cols.

If you want to extend your analogy, then all squadron commanders should be Lt Cols with the occasional Major for smaller units.

[ncc1912]

I think if CAP wants to mirror the USAF, they should do it all the way. In the USAF a Wing Commander is a Brig. General.

Not always.  Some are colonels.  Most are in fact.

A Group Commander is a full Colonel

Most of the time, but there are a few that are Lt Cols.

If you want to extend your analogy, then all squadron commanders should be Lt Cols with the occasional Major for smaller units.

...It makes sense.  There is no such thing in the Air Force as a squadron commander in the rank of captain.  Most individuals in the military would laugh at such a concept.  Company grade is company grade and anyone under the rank of major is rarely if ever, in command of a unit as large as a squadron.

[Horn229]

Brig Gen Bobick (last on the list)

[not sure if there's any more between Bobick and Bowling]

Maj Gen Richard Bowling (?? - Aug 2004)
Maj Gen Dwight Wheless (Aug 2004 - ??)
Maj Gen Antonio Pineda (?? - present)

It went from Brig Gen Bobick to Maj Gen Bowling. I seem to recall Brig Gen Bobick's term ending in Aug '01. Also, IIRC Maj Gen Wheless stepped down in July '05.

[thefischNX01]

allright, cool.. Thanks guys!

[JaL5597]

I see one error on the list.  Colonel Bergman should actually be a CAP Brigadier General.

[Pace]

You're right.  I overlooked that.  At the time the list was published, he had not yet been reinstated to Brig Gen.