Col. David L. Roberts, former Oklahoma Wing commander, will be the next commander of Civil Air Patrol’s Southwest Region.
Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, CAP’s national commander/CEO, has appointed Roberts to succeed Col. Martha C. Morris, who has led the region since August 2021. Roberts, the Oklahoma Wing commander from 2017-2021 and region vice commander the last three years, will assume command Aug. 16 at CAP’s National Conference in San Antonio.
“Col. Roberts has distinguished himself in leadership roles inside and outside Civil Air Patrol,” Phelka said. “His character, passion, experience, and dedication make him an excellent choice to lead Southwest Region.”
Following his service as wing commander, Roberts became the Southwest Region’s vice commander in 2021 and has also served as the region’s transportation officer. The region consists of more than 8,500 CAP members in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Upon learning of his promotion, Roberts said, “I am excited for the opportunity to lead and serve with the members of the Southwest Region.”
His CAP service includes various staff assignments in both Missouri and Oklahoma at the unit, group, and wing levels. He transferred to the Oklahoma Wing in 2006, starting the Grove Composite Squadron and serving as its commander until 2012.
Before he took command of the Oklahoma Wing in 2017, Roberts served as its vice commander (2015-1017) and director of emergency services (2012-2021).
He has held 27 emergency services qualifications and has served in Civil Air Patrol search and rescue, counterdrug, and homeland security missions. He holds a CAP pilot aeronautical rating as well as 13 Master ratings and four Senior ratings in the organization’s specialty tracks.
Roberts’ awards and accolades include a Distinguished Service, two Exceptional Service, three Meritorious Service, two National Commander Commendation, and two Achievement awards. He has also received the CAP Lifesaving and A. Scott Crossfield awards as well as four unit citations.
He completed the old CAP Professional Development Program and received the Gill Robb Wilson Award in 2007 and now serves as the Level 5 co-chair for online learning in Volunteer University — the cornerstone of CAP’s Education and Training Program.
He has also completed Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College and is enrolled in the Air War College.
Roberts’ appointment drew the endorsement of Morris.
“Col. Roberts embraces and applies Civil Air Patrol’s core values of integrity, volunteer service, excellence, and respect in all that he does,” she said. “Ultimately through his education and experience, he understands the strategic vision of the program and tactical demands to ensure success.
“It is my belief that with his knowledge, skills, maturity, and drive Col. Roberts is a straightforward choice as next commander of the Southwest Region.”
Outside CAP, Roberts attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Northeastern State University, and Andersonville Theological Seminary. He holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice, a bachelor’s degree in history, and master’s and doctoral degrees in theology as well as more than a dozen computer certifications from Microsoft, Novell, CompTIA A+, and Cisco.
He retired in May 2017 after 36 years in public education in Oklahoma. He is employed part-time by Grove Public Schools as the safety director and aviation instructor for the school district.
Roberts is also an ordained deacon and licensed minister and has served as chairman of deacons at First Baptist Church in Grove for over 25 years.
He and his wife, Becky, have three adult children and five grandchildren.
