12
March
2019
|
16:40 PM
America/Chicago

Ill. Unit Commander Named Air Mobility Command Staff Volunteer of the Year

Maj. Greg Hoffeditz
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Illinois Wing

Lt. Col. Jacob Hiles, commander of the Illinois Wing’s Scott Composite Squadron as well as a U.S. Air Force major, has been recognized as Staff Volunteer of the Year by the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command.

Hiles began serving in the Air Force in 2001 and in Civil Air Patrol in 1992. In addition to his squadron command, he’s the officer for operations, personnel and professional development for Illinois Wing Group 1. He also volunteers for his church’s service team, providing aid to church members in need, while also teaching weekly Sunday school classes.

Hiles’ CAP accomplishments for 2018 included leading a 49-member team at Hawk Mountain Ranger School as an executive officer for Charlie Squadron. He also taught land navigation, knot tying and woodsmanship skills. An alumnus and staff member of several Hawk Mountain winter and summer Ranger Training School programs, both as a cadet and a senior member, he currently holds an Advanced Ranger rating.

He’s a highly skilled CAP emergency services ground team leader and incident commander, and he planned, coordinated, taught and/or led no fewer than 10 search and rescue exercises and real-world missions during 2018. These accomplishments directly contributed to his recognition with the 2018 Great Lakes Region Col. Edwin W. Lewis Jr. Incident Staff Member of the Year Award.

He also led the Scott squadron in attaining a coveted Illinois Wing Squadron of Merit Award and the Great Lakes Region Squadron of Distinction Award for 2018.

Maj. Wesley Flannell, Illinois Wing Group 1 commander, called Hiles “one of the most motivated individuals I have met. Regardless of the task, he will put in a full effort to accomplish it and will not stop until all resources are used.“

“This attitude is apparent in everything he does within CAP, from planning ES (emergency services) training within the group to leading Scott Composite Squadron, to coordinating professional development events for the group, wing and region,” Flannell said. “He is a vital part of Group 1 and Illinois Wing!”

Hiles currently serves as the chief, C-130H Aircrew Training at Headquarters, Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base, and is responsible for oversight of Air Force Reserve Component aircrew training. He has flown 256 combat missions in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Inherent Resolve as a command pilot and aircraft commander. He has also served as an instructor pilot in the C-130E and H models.