Hackett Assumes Iowa Wing Command

Col. Joe Hackett assumed command April 7 of the Iowa Wing in a ceremony conducted at the Des Moines Air National Guard Base. Hackett succeeds Maj. Ron Mutchler, who had served as interim wing commander since November.

Col. Regena Aye, North Central Region commander, served as presiding official for the change of command.

Guests included Air Force Brig. Gen. Shawn Ford, Iowa deputy adjutant general for air, and Col. Mark Childley, commander of the Air Force’s 132nd Wing, which is headquartered at the Des Moines base. The Iowa Wing’s Des Moines Squadron – which was presented with the 2018 Squadron of Merit Award during the ceremony – hosted the ceremony.

Hackett has filled a wide array of squadron leadership positions during his 25 years in Civil Air Patrol’s Wisconsin and Iowa wings, including director of cadet programs, director of professional development, operations officer, safety officer, deputy commander for cadets, emergency services officer, emergency services training officer, professional development officer, transportation officer, communications officer and administrative officer.

“I am honored to be selected as the next Iowa Wing commander,” Hackett said afterward. “We have a lot of great officers and cadets that deliver a quality Civil Air Patrol program on a weekly basis through our squadrons. It will be a privilege to lead them for the next four years.

“Iowa Wing has a history of providing great programs to support Civil Air Patrol’s three missions. We need to get back to the basics to build a solid foundation to build a wing of excellence,” he continued.

“Developing a robust training team to deliver a quality program for emergency services, flight operations, professional and leadership development is a priority for our command team.

Servant leadership development has been a focus for the majority of my professional career outside of CAP. I will bring some of these leadership traits and philosophies to the Iowa Wing at all levels,” Hackett said.

“Iowa Wing is only as strong as our squadrons. We need to expand the delivery of the promise we make when a new member joins our organization. A quality active program that follows the guidance of our CAP materials on a weekly basis at the squadrons meets this promise,” the new commander added.

“Cadet programs that engage and create excitement in leadership, aerospace and emergency services are needed to expand our reach to youth in our communities.

“I am excited about the next four years as Iowa Wing commander and look forward to building a foundation that will form a wing of excellence,” Hackett concluded.