Southwest Region Commander
Colonel David Roberts
Southwest Region Commander
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.
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.
last update 9/11/24
