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New CAP-USAF Commander Installed
Col. Tyler P. Frander became the 32nd commander of Civil Air Patrol-U.S. Air Force in a ceremony April 13 in the main hangar at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
As CAP-USAF commander, Frander is responsible for ensuring CAP — the Air Force auxiliary — is organized, trained and equipped to fulfill Air Force-assigned missions. He assumes command from Col. Mark Wootan, who has led CAP-USAF since April 2019 and is retiring from active duty.
“I am humbled and honored to be part of the team, and I look forward to continuing to build upon the strong relationships between CAP and CAP-USAF,” Frander said.
CAP-USAF provides day-to-day support, advice, and liaison to Civil Air Patrol members and oversight for CAP's programs and 1,500 units and fleet of 555 aircraft, with emphasis on safety and program requirements. CAP-USAF personnel are also the primary function interface between other federal agencies and CAP.
CAP-USAF is staffed with about 200 active-duty, reservist and civilian airmen at CAP National Headquarters at Maxwell AFB and 50 locations throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and several overseas Air Force installations.
“We welcome Col. Frander to his new command and offer sincerest congratulations on behalf of more than 56,000 CAP volunteers and employees. We all look forward to further strengthening the partnership between the CAP-USAF team and Civil Air Patrol,” said Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, CAP’s national commander and CEO.
"He brings nearly 24 years of Air Force knowledge and insight to CAP-USAF — experience that is certain to help shape the future of our organization.”
Frander has served with Wootan as CAP-USAF national vice commander since June.
“I’ve been fortunate to serve as Col. Wootan’s vice commander for almost a year,” Frander said. “He is a great leader and mentor who truly cares about Civil Air Patrol and their incredible mission.”
Before his CAP-USAF assignment, Frander served for two years as director of Strategic Plans & Programs for the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Previous positions held include service as commander of Detachment 1, 730th Air Mobility Squadron, at Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory; commander of the 30th Student Squadron, Squadron Officer School, at Maxwell AFB; and deputy commander of Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 4, at Peterson AFB, Colorado.
Frander received his Air Force commission through Auburn University’s ROTC program. He has served as a Special Operations receiver evaluator pilot in the KC-135RT and an All Weather Aerial Delivery System instructor pilot in the C-130H3.
He has flown over 1,100 combat hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
His major awards and decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
Frander and his wife, Col. Abigail Frander, have two daughters, Genevieve, 9, and Josephine, 6.