Maj. Gen. Regena Aye assumed command of Civil Air Patrol on Aug. 17 in a time-honored ceremony steeped in military tradition.
Aye became CAP’s national commander and CEO during the organization’s National Conference at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter. More than 800 CAP members gathered in Texas for the conference, and they were treated to a rousing acceptance speech from Aye after she officially became a two-star general.
“My vision is that of a strong, relevant Civil Air Patrol,” Aye said, outlining a plan to meet the CAP Board of Governors’ objectives over the next three years.
“Armed with the [CAP] core values, we’re more than a team, we’re architects of a world-class experience — crafting moments that resonate with the highest standards of excellence and serve as a benchmark to others as we save lives and shape futures,” she said.
Aye encouraged each segment of CAP, the U.S. Air Force auxiliary, to work together “as one team, one Civil Air Patrol” to attain her vision.
“From our Board of Governors to our National Headquarters team, to our volunteers and CAP-USAF partners, we have to move this organization forward in a single direction aligned with our strategic plan and initiatives,” she said, challenging “every Civil Air Patrol leader to help” with the effort.
“We’re united in the pursuit of excellence and a shared vision and a common goal, not only to reach the pinnacle of our potential but to set new benchmarks to what can be achieved,” Aye said.
Aye previously served as a one-star brigadier general as CAP’s national vice commander in support of Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, whose three-year term as national commander/CEO ended with the change of command ceremony on the last day of the conference.
Before her service as national vice commander, Aye was commander of the Kansas Wing (2008-2012) and North Central Region vice commander (2013-2016) and commander (2016-2020).
A college teacher and mentor by trade, Aye became the first CAP chief of education and training in 2020, a national post she assumed after revising CAP’s legacy professional development program and replacing it with the more flexible Education and Training program. The new program, launched that same year, includes Volunteer University, which provides on-site and online professional development experience for CAP’s 37,000 adult members, and the mentoring program.
The Board of Governors appointed Aye to be national commander in April to give her time to select members of her command team and senior staff. She chose Phelka’s national executive officer, Col. R. Jason Bailey, as her national deputy commander, and he was promoted to brigadier general during the change of command ceremony.
Other members of Aye’s command team and senior staff will include:
Col. Rose Hunt, who succeeds Bailey as national executive officer;
Chief Master Sgt. Todd Parsons, now in his third year as CAP’s command chief;
Col. Joe Winter, national inspector general;
Col. Matthew Phillips, chief of the Legal Officer Corps; and
Chaplain (Col.) John Reutemann III, chief of the Chaplain Corps.
