Smith Inducted into CAP Hall of Honor

Maj. Gen. Mark Smith, who served an extended term as national commander/CEO helping guide Civil Air Patrol through the first year of the COVID pandemic, is the newest member of the CAP Hall of Honor.

Smith is the 36th member of the hall, established in June 1972 to pay tribute to individuals, past and present, who were either instrumental in the establishment of the organization or contributed to its development over the years.

“I am humbled to receive such recognition from Civil Air Patrol,” said Smith, who headed CAP from September 2017-August 2021, with the fourth year coming at the request of the Board of Governors in light of the special challenges the pandemic posed throughout the organization.

“I very much consider this to be a team award.  I was blessed to have exceptional teammates both on the national staff and in the ranks of our volunteer leadership,” he said.

Smith previously served as commander of the New Mexico Wing and the Southwest Region.

“Reflecting on this honor reminds me of what convinced me to stay in Civil Air Patrol,” he said. “We have amazing people who do amazing things.  I was hooked once that point struck home early in my Civil Air Patrol career. 

“After that I committed myself to serving in whatever way I could to help our people and organization to be successful.”

Under his leadership at the national level, CAP conducted more than 520 consecutive days of pandemic response missions, contributing more than 49,000 volunteer days.

One of his most impactful achievements was leading CAP’s first Mission-Based Budget Review. This initiative aligned resources with mission priorities and laid the foundation for future funding. As a result, CAP’s budget grew from $43.1 million in fiscal 2018 to $69 million in fiscal 2024 — a 60% increase — earning the trust of the Board of Governors, the U.S. Air Force, and Congress.

Smith championed Cadet Programs, expanding flight academies and orientation flights and launching the Cadet Wings program, which enables cadets to earn their Federal Aviation Administration private pilot certificates. He also expanded CAP’s STEM Kit program, reaching record numbers of students during the pandemic’s shift to virtual learning.

In Emergency Services, he advanced capabilities through radar and cellphone forensics and expanded the use of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems in support of Air Force missions. He also led the transformation of adult member education into CAP Volunteer University, dramatically increasing access to leadership training.

Other members of the Hall of Honor, with year of induction, are: