Brig. Gen. Regena Aye, Civil Air Patrol’s next national commander/CEO, has named Col. R. Jason Bailey — CAP’s national executive officer the past three years — as the next national vice commander.
“Col. Bailey has excelled in various leadership roles in Civil Air Patrol, including North Carolina Wing commander, Mid-Atlantic Region vice commander, national logistics manager, and most recently as national executive officer,” said Aye, whose appointment of Bailey was approved by CAP’s Board of Governors.
“Col. Bailey is known and respected for a collaborative approach to overcoming challenges and is a dedicated servant leader who brings outstanding business and strategic insight to the team,” Aye said.
Bailey’s primary duty as national vice commander will be to help Aye lead CAP’s 68,000 volunteers in fulfillment of the organization’s three primary programs — emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet programs.
In its role as civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP is a member of the Total Force, filling a critical role in Defense Support of Civil Authorities that includes preserving life, relieving suffering, and providing training support.
In addition to advising Aye — who succeeds Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka next month as national commander/CEO after three years as national vice commander — and the Board of Governors on operational and policy issues, Bailey will also be a member of both the CAP Command Council and the Senior Advisory Group.
“Being selected for the role of national vice commander in Civil Air Patrol is a tremendous honor and responsibility,” said Bailey, who joined CAP in 2010. “It represents a new opportunity to contribute to this incredible organization and its missions.”
As national executive officer, Bailey vetted instructors for the Education and Training Program’s Volunteer University as well as all CAP national volunteer positions.
He also moderated Command Council meetings, worked with Board of Governor preselection committees, helped select national professional team members, led working groups, and worked with Phelka on awards and promotions and represented him at events.
“I am deeply grateful to Maj. Gen. Phelka for his leadership and the opportunity to serve as the national executive officer over these last three years and to Brig. Gen. Aye for her trust and confidence in selecting me and the Board of Governors confirming me for this position,” Bailey said.
“As vice commander, I will be committed to upholding the values of integrity, volunteer service, respect, and excellence that define Civil Air Patrol. I look forward to working with all our stakeholders to further strengthen our capabilities and impact in serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.”
Before becoming national executive officer in August 2021, Bailey served as vice commander/south for the Mid-Atlantic Region beginning in November 2020 after serving as North Carolina Wing commander from 2016-2020.
Previously, he held command positions at the wing, squadron, and group levels and staff assignments up to the national level, including service as the national logistics officer from 2014-2022. Other assignments were North Carolina Wing vice commander (2015-2016), wing chief of staff (2013-2015), Group II commander (2012-2013), Burlington Composite Squadron commander (2011-2012), and wing assistant director of logistics (2011-2016).
He also served as director of the Mid-Atlantic Region Staff College as well as the Cadet Leadership School.
Bailey was recognized for his more than 4,000 hours of CAP service with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2023. The award, including a certificate signed by President Joe Biden, was presented by Phelka during the Command Council’s general session in Washington, D.C.
He holds Master ratings in CAP in the Administration, Cadet Programs, Command, Communications, Emergency Services, Logistics, and Professional Development specialty tracks and Senior ratings in Aerospace Education, Personnel, and Safety. He completed Level 5 and earned the Gill Robb Wilson Award in the Education and Training Program in 2014.
Most recently, he earned dual bachelor’s degrees from Western Carolina University with concentrations in management, in which he graduated summa cum laude, and business administration and law.
Bailey is a Civil Air Patrol mission pilot with more than 400 flying hours and a CAP observer and scanner. He also holds incident commander and ground team member credentials with CAP.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Award (2020), five Exceptional Service Awards (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021), two Meritorious Service Awards (2012, 2019), four Commander’s Commendation Awards (2011, 2012, 2012, 2014), and three Achievement Awards (2012, 2014, 2020).
He was recognized as national Property Manager of the Year in 2013.
Outside of CAP, Bailey worked for Avista Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Kurita, in San Marcos, California. As the corporation’s vice president of technical support, he led international project teams and working groups in 2023. Before that, he was Avista Technologies’ application and sales manager, where he was responsible for growing the corporation’s business in the Southeast U.S. from 2011-2023.
In December 2023, Bailey was employed by Komline-Harn based in Venice, Florida, where he now serves as the corporation’s director of business development.
Born and raised in Mebane, North Carolina, he is married to Christy H. Bailey and remains in Mebane. They have two adult children who were CAP cadets. Briar Bailey achieved the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award and Emma Bailey earned the Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell Award. Both continue as adult members in CAP.
He recently became a grandfather.
