In a restructuring of Civil Air Patrol’s National Headquarters Operations team, Chief Master Sgt. Mark Lahan — a U.S. Army veteran with extensive small Unmanned Aircraft System and communications experience — has been named as the organization’s first national emergency services officer.
“I am deeply humbled and extremely joyful to be able to contribute in another capacity to an organization that has meant so much to me almost my entire life,” said Lahan, who joined CAP as a cadet in San Jose, California, in 1980 and most recently served as Kansas Wing commander from 2022-2025. He transitioned from CAP colonel to noncommissioned officer in July based on his service in the Army.
As senior program manager of emergency services, Lahan is responsible for a staff of three, including CAP’s new sUAS program manager, William J. Evans. He will also oversee CAP’s communications efforts.
“These two positions are critical to our fiscal 2026 plans in CAP operations,” said Terry McCaffrey, director of operations.
“We will build on them as we make additional adjustments to help CAP enhance its already-capable and -ready force in support our mission of volunteers serving America's communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.”
A native of Lowell, Massachusetts, Lahan joined CAP as a cadet with the California Wing’s Squadron 36 (now the Jason M. Dahl Cadet Squadron) in San Jose. He became an adult member in CAP upon joining the Army and remained active until 1987.
Lahan joined the U.S. Army’s Delayed Entry Program in November 1984 and began active service in October 1985, reporting for infantry one station unit training at Fort Benning, Georgia, joining the 10th Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Brigade. He then attended airborne school before reporting to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Over the next 25 years, Lahan was assigned to a variety of units — airborne, light, mechanized and long-range surveillance, combat training centers, and basic training.
“During my career I was fortunate to see much of the world, ranging from Europe to Panama and Korea, including several deployments to the Middle East serving with the Multinational Force and Observers in Egypt and many deployments to Iraq,” he said.
“This has given me an understanding of various cultures and the ability to work with very diverse groups.”
During his time in the Army, Lahan became an sUAS operator using the RQ-11B Raven and the RQ-20 Puma. He also served in multiple reconnaissance roles and became a proficient user of HF radio systems, digital messages devices, and satellite communications systems.
He was an observer/controller-mentor/trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center starting at Fort Chaffee, Alaska, and moving with the center to Fort Polk, Louisiana.
While attending the Sergeants Major Academy in 2004 Lahan rejoined CAP as a member of the Texas Wing’s El Paso
Composite Squadron. Following graduation, he was reassigned to Fort Riley and transferred to CAP’s Kansas Wing, where he filled many roles at the squadron and wing levels, culminating in command of the wing. He has also served as the activity director for National Blue Beret and the Pararescue & Survival Orientation Course.
Lahan retired from the Army in 2010 while at Fort Riley and worked for three years with the 7th Army Training Command in Grafenwoehr, Germany, supporting U.S. Army Europe and U.S. Army Africa exercise program as a civilian contractor doing exercise design and simulations support.
In 2014 he returned to the U.S., working as a contractor supporting the Army’s counter-UAS, counter-improvised explosive device, and biometrics collection training programs.
He rejoined the federal service in 2018 as a U.S. Coast Guard civilian working as a training specialist developing user guides and training videos and conducting in-person training on a variety of subjects, helping to keep a workforce of 1,700 ready to perform their duty.
As the new sUAS program manager, Evans will oversee the life cycle of Civil Air Patrol’s unmanned fleet, from requirements and procurement to training, maintenance, modernization, and sustainment, ensuring units nationwide can safely field and employ drones in support of CAP missions.
“Will brings deep operator and instructor experience and a builder’s mindset,” Lahan said. “His track record leading sUAS programs, standardizing training, and managing complex fleets will help us scale CAP’s unmanned capability with discipline, safety, and speed.”
Evans’ initial priorities include implementing standardized maintenance and governance, rolling out upgraded training pipelines for sUAS operators and specialists, and advancing a national modernization roadmap aligned with Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense requirements.
He is coordinating closely with region and wing leadership to expand mission ready capability while improving fleet reliability and data transparency.
An Army veteran, Evans has more than 15 years of unmanned systems experience, including sUAS master trainer, senior instructor, and program manager. His service includes multiple tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.
While assigned to Fort Drum, New York, from 2013–2016 he led the integration and implementation of the InstantEye sUAS program and managed multimillion-dollar UAS assets.
Beyond his military service, Evans supported the Army sUAS Program Management Office as a senior trainer delivering new equipment training and participating in Soldier System Test & Readiness “Trench” events. He has also worked as a contractor helping Department of Defense organizations and law enforcement agencies integrate enterprise sUAS safely and effectively.
His work spans curriculum development, operational test and evaluation, fleet life cycle planning, and readiness tracking for large, distributed teams.
“My maintenance and training philosophies are straightforward: be rooted in safety and accountability, build repeatable processes, and empower crews with clear standards and tools,” Evans said. “Every volunteer we train and every aircraft we keep mission-ready directly strengthens CAP’s ability to serve communities when it matters most.”
Evans has authored and implemented multi-unit Standard Operating Procedures and training materials, contributed to program governance updates, and mentored operators and senior trainers across multiple organizations. His work includes data-driven fleet health tracking and standardization and implementation oversight to improve readiness and reduce downtime.
