Commander

Colonel Thomas Benckert assumed command of Civil Air Patrol's Vermont Wing on November 17, 2007. As the Commander, he is the tactical and strategic leader of the Wing. He is responsible for ensuring the operational readiness of the Vermont Wing to meet the Civil Air Patrol's congressionally chartered missions of Emergency Services (comprised of Homeland Security, Search and Rescue, Disaster Relief and Counter-Drug taskings), Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education.

Colonel Benckert is a former cadet in the Pennsylvania Wing, where he earned the Mitchell (#6681) and Earhart (#2896) Awards and was a Hawk Mountain Staff Cadet. He holds the Ranger Rating of Instructor and is a qualified Incident Commander. He has completed the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College in addition to the National Search and Rescue School's Inland SAR Planner and Search Management Courses.

In professional life, Colonel Benckert is a career federal law enforcement officer.

TRIVIA QUESTION FOR CADETS

Colonel Benckert is one of five sitting (as of Nov 2008) wing commanders who were Pennsylvania Wing cadets. Can you name the other four? Either the names or wings are acceptable.

Colonel Thomas Benckert

Biography

CLICK ON THE CAP NATIONAL BOARD BADGE TO SEE PAST WING COMMANDERS.