Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol

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Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol
Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol Insignia.png
Ohio Wing of Civil Air Patrol
Associated branches
United States Air Force
Command staff
Commander US-O6 insignia.svg Col David A. "DAD" Dlugiewicz
Deputy Commander US-O4 insignia.svg Maj Eric J. Coggin
Chief of Staff US-O5 insignia.svg Lt Col Thomas A. Rehman
Current statistics
Cadets770
Seniors596
Total Membership1,366
Website ohwg.cap.gov
Statistics as of 24 July 2025

The Ohio Wing (OHWG) of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of CAP in the state of Ohio. The Ohio Wing headquarters are located in Columbus at the Defense Supply Center, Columbus. The wing is a member of the Great Lakes Region of the CAP.

Contents

History

The Ohio Wing's foundation corresponds with the late 1930s movement to organize civilian aviation for domestic defense. In 1940 in Toledo, Milton Knight organized a Civil Air Reserve unit. After taking office in 1939, Governor John W. Bricker appointed Cleveland resident Earle L. Johnson as Director of the Ohio Bureau of Aeronautics. A graduate of the Ohio State University, Johnson's interest in aviation began in the mid-1920s thanks to his neighbor and Cleveland native David Ingalls, the only United States Navy fighter ace from World War I. While working for Governor Bricker, Johnson in September 1941 organized Ohio's civilian pilots into a state Civil Air Defense wing. When the federal Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) established the Civil Air Patrol in December 1941, the state Civil Air Defense wing evolved into a CAP wing, with Johnson serving as the first wing commander. In March 1942, Johnson entered active army service and succeeded Major General John F. Curry as the national commander of the CAP, a position he held until his death in 1947. [1]

Civil Air Patrol pilots and planes in 1942. Civil Air Patrol pilots and planes in Lansing, Michigan, 1942.jpg
Civil Air Patrol pilots and planes in 1942.

The Ohio Wing grew rapidly following the onset of the war. Governor Bricker joined CAP in May 1942, as did Congressman John M. Vorys, himself a World War I naval aviator and former director of the Ohio Bureau of Aeronautics. By July 1942, the wing numbered 3,282 men and women organized in nine groups and 39 squadrons, making the Ohio Wing the third largest CAP wing in the nation; over 4,200 members served in the Ohio Wing by 31 October 1942. Ohio squadrons undertook a variety of missions on behalf of the war effort, including searches for scrap metal, aerial patrol over the state's valuable timber resources, preventing large forest fires from erupting, surveillance of coal, oil, and gas resources, patrolling flood-stricken areas across the state, and served as aerial couriers during the war. [2]

Ohio, far removed from the U-boat menace, resolved to contribute to the coastal patrol effort. In July 1942, Vorys made an open request for volunteers to help form an all-Ohio CAP Coastal Patrol base, which was authorized on July 16, 1942, by the activation of Coastal Patrol Base No. 14 at Panama City, Florida. [3] Aircrews spotted oil slicks, debris, reported suspected U-boats, remains of crashed aircraft, and anything out of the ordinary. They assisted in the rescue of shipwreck survivors, reported sinking or suspicious vessels to the military, and ensured that the valuable tankers and supply vessels leaving ports in the Gulf made their way safely to military forces in Europe and the Pacific. [4]

Air Force Reserve Master Sgt. Dan Bryant, a communication and navigation systems craftsman with the 910th Maintenance Squadron, explains the components of avionics equipment to Ohio Civil Air Patrol cadets. Master Sgt. Dan Bryant explains components to Ohio CAP cadets.JPG
Air Force Reserve Master Sgt. Dan Bryant, a communication and navigation systems craftsman with the 910th Maintenance Squadron, explains the components of avionics equipment to Ohio Civil Air Patrol cadets.

Since World War II, the Ohio Wing has continued to prosper, developing scores of young men and women into model citizens and future personnel in the armed forces. Members of the wing have assisted in the rescue of downed aviators, provided assistance to state and national officials in natural disasters and local emergencies, and proudly represented the Birthplace of Aviation by promoting Ohio's aviation resources and heritage.

In January 2009, members of the Ohio Wing, along with CAP members from the Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky Wings, flew sorties surveying damage and boosting communications for the Kentucky National Guard following a severe ice storm in Kentucky, while CAP ground crews assisted National Guardsmen in going door to door to perform wellness checks on residents. [5]

Annual encampment

The Ohio Wing holds a cadet encampment annually. Serving as a weeklong training camp for cadets, the encampment involves instruction in discipline, teamwork, and leadership. Other activities involve instruction in drill and ceremonies, customs and courtesies, basic CAP knowledge and military tradition. Encampment attendance is a prerequisite for the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award. Senior members may also be awarded the ribbon for providing leadership at CAP this encampment. The encampment has been held in several locations over the years, including but not limited to: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Dayton, Ohio, [6] [7] Athletes in Action sports complex, in Xenia, Ohio, Camp James A. Garfield, in Newton Falls, Ohio, and most recently, Wright State University, in Fairborn, Ohio. [8]

Groups and squadrons

Base Operations personnel at Grissom Reserve Air Base screen Ohio Civil Air Patrol cadets prior to an orientation flight on a 434th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotanker. Base Operations personnel screen Ohio Civil Air Patrol cadets.jpg
Base Operations personnel at Grissom Reserve Air Base screen Ohio Civil Air Patrol cadets prior to an orientation flight on a 434th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotanker.
Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Jenelle Rodriguez, an aerospace propulsion journeyman with the 910th Maintenance Squadron, explains the functioning of a C-130H Hercules propeller to Ohio Civil Air Patrol cadets. Staff Sgt. Jenelle Rodriguez show propeller to Ohio CAP cadets.JPG
Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Jenelle Rodriguez, an aerospace propulsion journeyman with the 910th Maintenance Squadron, explains the functioning of a C-130H Hercules propeller to Ohio Civil Air Patrol cadets.
A delegation from the Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol meets with Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown. Ohio Wing of Civil Air Patrol delegation meeting with Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, 1 March 2012.jpg
A delegation from the Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol meets with Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.
Air Force Reserve SrA Jerry Winkler, an aerospace propulsion helper with the 910th Maintenance Squadron, explain the functioning of a C-130H Hercules propeller to Civil Air Patrol cadets. SrA Jerry Winkler explains propeller to Ohio Wing CAP cadets.JPG
Air Force Reserve SrA Jerry Winkler, an aerospace propulsion helper with the 910th Maintenance Squadron, explain the functioning of a C-130H Hercules propeller to Civil Air Patrol cadets.
Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Derek Pressell, an aerospace propulsion technician, with the 910th Maintenance Squadron explains the components of a C-130H Hercules aircraft cut away engine to Ohio Civil Air Patrol cadets. Staff Sgt. Derek Pressell and Ohio Wing cadets.JPG
Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Derek Pressell, an aerospace propulsion technician, with the 910th Maintenance Squadron explains the components of a C-130H Hercules aircraft cut away engine to Ohio Civil Air Patrol cadets.
Groups and squadrons of the Ohio Wing [9]
GroupNumberSquadron nameLocation
Wing HeadquartersGLR-OH-001Ohio Wing Headquarters Columbus
GLR-OH-000Ohio Reserve Squadron Columbus
GLR-OH-999Ohio Wing Legislative Squadron Columbus
Southwest GroupGLR-OH-044Southwest Headquarters Blue Ash
GLR-OH-037Wright-Patterson Composite Squadron Wright-Patterson AFB
GLR-OH-078Lunken Cadet Squadron Cincinnati
GLR-OH-114Don Gentile Composite Squadron 709 Piqua
GLR-OH-145Lt Col Jerome P. Ashman Composite Squadron Maineville
GLR-OH-178Springfield ANGB Composite Squadron Springfield
GLR-OH-197Dayton Aero Cadet Squadron 706 Troy
GLR-OH-244Lt Col James R. Sanders Senior Squadron Blue Ash
GLR-OH-279Clermont County Composite Squadron Batavia
GLR-OH-284Wright Brothers Composite Squadron Miamisburg
GLR-OH-288Pathfinder Cadet Squadron Middletown
Northeast GroupGLR-OH-058Northeast Headquarters Cleveland
GLR-OH-003Lorain County Composite Squadron Elyria
GLR-OH-051Youngstown ARS Composite Squadron Vienna
GLR-OH-09696th Composite Squadron Stow
GLR-OH-131Cuyahoga County Cadet Squadron Brecksville
GLR-OH-219Median County Skyhawks Composite Squadron Wadsworth
GLR-OH-236Lakefront Senior Squadron Cleveland
GLR-OH-252Frank H. Kettlewood Composite Squadron Painesville
GLR-OH-275Akron-Canton Senior Flying Squadron Green
GLR-OH-278Akron-Canton Composite Squadron North Canton
Northwest GroupGLR-OH-064Northwest

Headquarters

Bowling Green
GLR-OH-016Toledo ANGB Composite Squadron Swanton
GLR-OH-018Wood County Senior Squadron Bowling Green
GLR-OH-177Mansfield 177th Squadron Mansfield
GLR-OH-298Flag City Composite Squadron Findlay
GLR-OH-802Galion City Schools Cadet Squadron Galion
Southeast GroupGLR-OH-291Southeast Headquarters Columbus
GLR-OH-085Columbus Senior Squadron Columbus
GLR-OH-121Rickenbacker ANGB Composite SquadronSouth of Columbus
GLR-OH-139Columbus Composite Squadron Worthington
GLR-OH-157Licking County Composite Squadron Newark
GLR-OH-234Victor A. Hammond Composite Squadron Marysville
GLR-OH-299Knox County Airport Cadet Flight Mt Vernon
Former Groups and Squadrons of the Ohio Wing
GroupNumberSquadron nameLocation
Group IGLR-OH-156Warren County Cadet Squadron Lebanon
Group IIGLR-OH-293Headquarters Group II Columbus
Group IVGLR-OH-004Eagle Composite Squadron Beachwood
Group VGLR-OH-292Headquarters Group V Cleveland
Group VIGLR-OH-801Sandusky High School Cadet Squadron Sandusky
Group VIIGLR-OH-070Ross P. Barrett Composite Squadron Springfield
GLR-OH-227Xenia Cadet Squadron Xenia
GLR-OH-231Grand Lake Composite Squadron Celina
GLR-OH-282Wright Brothers Composite Squadron Dayton
GLR-OH-285Dayton Senior Squadron Wright-Patterson AFB
Group VIIIGLR-OH-115Capt Eddie Rickenbacker Composite Squadron Columbus
GLR-OH-210Rickenbacker ANGB Composite Squadron Lancaster, Ohio
GLR-OH-243Ross County Senior Squadron Chillicothe

Wing commanders

Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Jenelle Rodriguez shows the engine room to Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol cadets. Ohio Wing CAP cadets in the engine shop.jpg
Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Jenelle Rodriguez shows the engine room to Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol cadets.
Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol members during an encampment at Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Ohio. CAP encampment at Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Ohio.jpg
Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol members during an encampment at Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Ohio.
Air Force Reserve Technical Sgt. Mike Lamantia explains the C-130 Modular Aerial Spray System (MASS) to a group of Ohio Civil Air Patrol cadets. Technical Sgt. Mike Lamantia explains the C-130 Modular Aerial Spay System (MASS) to a group of Ohio Civil Air Patrol.JPG
Air Force Reserve Technical Sgt. Mike Lamantia explains the C-130 Modular Aerial Spray System (MASS) to a group of Ohio Civil Air Patrol cadets.
Commanders of the Ohio Wing of the Civil Air Patrol [10]
Commander's namePeriod of service
Earle L. Johnson*December 1, 1941 – April 1, 1942
Col George A. Stone, Jr.April 7, 1942 – June 1, 1947
Col John R. McGuireJune 1, 1947 – July 17, 1951
Col Edmund P. LunkenJuly 17, 1951 – September 23, 1953
Col John O. SwartsSeptember 23, 1953 – September 14, 1957
Lt Col Lyle W. CastleSeptember 14, 1957 – August 12, 1960
Col Robert H. HerwehAugust 12, 1960 – December 6, 1963
Col William W. KightDecember 6, 1963 – December 8, 1967
Col Patrick R. SorohanDecember 8, 1967 – June 1, 1970
Col Gerald M. TartaglioneJune 1, 1970 – June 1, 1974
Col Leon W. DillonJune 1, 1974 – January 4, 1978
Col Claude H. Fore, Jr. (interim)January 4, 1978 – December 1, 1978
Col Marjorie J. SwainDecember 1, 1978 – February 20, 1983
Col Loren G. GillespieFebruary 20, 1983 – May 6, 1987
Col Larkin C. DurdinMay 6, 1987 – December 31, 1989
Col Leslie S. BryantDecember 31, 1989 – January 1, 1992
Col Carl C. Stophlet, Jr.January 1, 1992 – October 1, 1994
Col Jacquelyn L. HartiganOctober 1, 1994 – September 19, 1998
Col Robert M. SponsellerSeptember 19, 1998 – August 4, 1999
Col Michael J. MurrellAugust 4, 1999 – September 14, 2003
Col Charles L. Carr, Jr.*September 14, 2003 – March 1, 2007
Col Dave Winters (interim)March 1, 2007 – June 6, 2007
Col Dave WintersJune 6, 2007 – June 11, 2011
Col Gregory L. MathewsJune 11, 2011 – June 23, 2013
Col Theodore L. ShafferOctober 13, 2013 – October 14, 2017
Col David J. JennisonOctober 14, 2017 – May 28, 2021
Col Peter K. BowdenMay 28, 2021 – April 20, 2024
Col David A. "DAD" DlugiewiczApril 20, 2024 – Present

* denotes commanders who have gone on to become the national commander of the Civil Air Patrol.

See also

References

  1. "Civil Air Patrol Commander, Two Others Killed in Crash," The Washington Post, 17 February 1947.
  2. "Civil Air Patrol Volunteers Comb the Clouds for Uncle Sam," The Columbus Sunday Dispatch, July 26, 1942.
  3. "Robert E. Arn". Mywarhistory.com. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  4. Louis E. Keefer, From Maine to Mexico: With America's Private Pilots in the Fight Against Nazi U-Boats. Reston, V.A.: COTU Publishing, 1997, pp. 316-45.
  5. "Ice Storm Puts Kentucky in Deep Freeze" (PDF). Capmembers.com. 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  6. "2012 Ohio Wing Encampment". encampment.ohwg.cap.gov. Ohio Wing, Civil Air Patrol. Archived from the original on September 8, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  7. "Encampment Location". encampment.ohwg.cap.gov. Ohio Wing, Civil Air Patrol. Archived from the original on February 12, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  8. "Encampment". Civil Air Patrol . Archived from the original on May 7, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  9. "Units". ohwg.cap.gov. Ohio Wing, Civil Air Patrol. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  10. Blazich, Frank. "Ohio Wing of the Civil Air Patrol in World War II – A Brief Overview". ohwg.cap.gov. Ohio Wing, Civil Air Patrol. Archived from the original on November 18, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2012.