Andrew E. Barron, a program and quality management professional with a diverse background in aviation management and operations, is Civil Air Patrol’s new director of aviation logistics management.
Barron will oversee all aspects of CAP’s aircraft lifecycle logistics, from procurement to disposition and everything in between.
“Andrew brings over 29 years of leadership experience in aviation maintenance, logistics, and team management, including extensive service as both U.S. Navy enlisted and officer,” said Mike Valdez, CAP’s chief logistics management officer.
Valdez said one of Barron’s top priorities will be implementing the organization’s Maintenance Improvement Team initiatives, including rolling out a new maintenance information system, overhauling aircraft governance, and evaluating key programs such as the aircraft sales program and engine overhaul processes.
“Andrew has led large-scale maintenance teams, managed multimillion-dollar contracts, and driven operational improvements across diverse aviation programs,” Valdez said. “His expertise in resource management, process innovation, and data-driven decision-making will be a tremendous asset as we work to optimize our aircraft readiness and maintenance operations.”
Barron said, “I am extremely humbled to be a part of the Civil Air Patrol Logistics team.”
Born in 1974 in Silver Spring, Maryland, he graduated in 1992 from Stamford High School in Connecticut. His active-duty enlisted service began Nov. 22, 1995. He graduated from basic training at Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois, as part of “Hall of Fame” Triple Threat Division 907 in January 1996. He reported to and completed Naval AE “A” School in Millington, Tennessee.
Barron’s Navy service included experience leading teams, managing logistics, and ensuring operational readiness for multiple aviation platforms, both afloat and ashore. He held positions both enlisted and officer, from wrench-turner to program manager, guiding large-scale aviation operations, managing multimillion-dollar assets and comprehensive budgets with precision and accountability.
His enlisted tours include the Sea Operational detachment of Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department Oceana, a ships company tour aboard the USS George Washington where he was selected as chief petty officer in 2006, the Vanguard of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14, and the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron 11. He completed three carrier deployments on the U.S.S. George Washington, two on the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower, and one on the U.S.S. Enterprise as well as numerous detachments both afloat and ashore.
Selected as a limited duty officer in 2011, he went on to complete tours with the Chargers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 14, precommissioning the carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, and with the Roman Empire of Strike Fighter 106.
“From E-1 electrician to Navy chief to class deck officer (and a lot in between) it brought me a ton of joy to serve in so many ways through my career,” Barron said. “It shaped me to have an extensive understanding and care for all aspects of aviation maintenance and team management, an exacting concern for the value of the programs that are foundational to our flying, and a genuine care for our ‘bread and butter,’ our people.”
In 2019, he redesignated as an aerospace maintenance duty officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He went on to transition the Fighting Omars of Strike Fighter Squadron 12 to the Boeing F/A-18E/F Superhornet and is the former tactical air maintenance officer at Commander, Naval Air Forces Reserve. Retiring from the Navy in 2024, he took a short-term position as an availability work package manager for the U.S.S. George H.W. Bush at Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.
“My maintenance philosophies are rather simple: Stay rooted in safety and accountability,” he said. “Be proactive and always strive for the highest standard. Foster a culture of ownership for the aircraft and the programs and processes that make up our daily culture. Place high value on clear documentation, informed decision-making, and open and frequent communication.
“Bottom line, my goal is to provide safe aircraft that are mission-ready while minimizing their downtime and to maximize the discipline and repeatability in our maintenance practices while consistently achieving excellence in the management of our programs and resources.”
Barron earned a master’s of professional aeronautics, specializing in unmanned aerospace systems, through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He holds various online certifications in Lean Six Sigma as well as an extensive record of program, acquisition, and logistics experience.
He has been married to Karla Barron for 28 years. They have three children.
