Next Fla. Wing Commander Named

1st Lt. Alysia English
Director of Public Affairs
Southeast Region

Lt. Col. Luis E. Negron has been named the next commander of the Florida Wing, capping a Civil Air Patrol career that began 25 years ago and has included diverse leadership roles.

Negron will succeed Col. Luis A. Garcia, Florida Wing commander since April 2017, in a change of command ceremony set for July 24 at the wing conference.

“Lt. Col. Negron has served as an outstanding leader during his tenure with Civil Air Patrol. He brings over 29 years of experience in homeland security, military and law enforcement functions, and strategic planning,” Col. Andrea Van Buren, Southeast Region commander, said in announcing the appointment.

“He has a focus on team management and project planning, thriving in fast-paced environments with superb critical thinking skills. He is a great addition to the Southeast Region leadership team,” Van Buren said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic Negron led a team of Florida Wing staff and group commanders in implementing remobilization throughout the wing. He worked with National Headquarters and monitored the daily status of the pandemic in Florida daily to keep member and national staff informed.

Negron has served as Southeast Region emergency services director and as Florida Wing mobilization team leader and Group 7 commander. He previously served as Puerto Rico Wing vice commander, chief of staff, emergency services director and group commander.

The U.S. Coast Guard veteran served as operations duty officer for Coast Guard Air Station Miami, one of the busiest Coast Guard stations in the nation, and was responsible for dispatching aircraft during rapidly changing priorities in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment including coordination with federal, state and local agencies. He also served as the command center manager for Coast Guard Sector Miami, with duties that included the center’s monitoring of radio telecommunications and field operations.

As command center manager of 7th Coast Guard District, Miami, encompassing 1.8 million square nautical miles, he managed the busiest command center in the U.S.

During his tenure Negron managed more than 13,000 search and rescue and law enforcement missions. He was responsible for timely coordination of available Department of Homeland Security resources and was credited with saving 6,471 lives and seizing more than 37,000 kilograms of illegal drugs.

Negron now works for Walt Disney World Resort team as a security specialist. He oversees operations throughout Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts to ensure guests and cast members follow security policies, regulations, rules and norms are followed by guests and cast members.

He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice/homeland security and is a graduate of the Coast Guard Senior Leadership Course and the Chief Petty Officer Academy.