Wing Commander
Colonel David A. "Dad" Dlugiewicz
Col. David A. Dlugiewicz serves as the Ohio Wing Commander where he oversees four groups consisting of a total of 35 squadrons throughout the state. Ohio Wing boasts eight aircraft, including one glider, plus 19 corporate vehicles and more than 1,100 cadet and senior member volunteers.
Dlugiewicz joined CAP in 2009 in Minnesota Wing’s Mankato Composite squadron and advanced to commander in 2012. In 2013 he moved to Ohio and took command of the Rickenbacker Composite Squadron. In 2015 he assumed command of the Ohio Group VIII. While assuming command of Group VIII, Dlugiewicz was selected as the chair of the newly created Functional Users Group, which is the voice of the membership to National Headquarters.
In 2020, Dlugiewicz was selected as the National information technology manager. Dlugiewicz is directly involved with information technology decisions involving members. He represents all 64,000 volunteers to the paid staff on information technology matters. He serves on the Information Technology Steering Committee. He also serves on the Information Technology Executive Committee.
Dlugiewicz serves as a founding member of Civil Air Patrol’s Innovation Team. He was instrumental in leading the team to help CAP make a transformational shift in thinking. He managed the JanEX 2022 competition and created a scoring program that tracked and guaranteed the results of the competition.
In his time outside Civil Air Patrol, Dlugiewicz dedicated nearly 21 years to the United States Air Force. In the role of a cryptologic linguist, he was stationed at multiple bases across Europe, some even within the confines of the Iron Curtain. As a member of elite crews, Dlugiewicz participated in Rivet Joint and Combat Sent operations over European skies and was a key instructor for the Rivet Joint airborne course at Goodfellow Air Force Base. His significant contribution includes the development of an independent training system that was instrumental in preparing numerous crew members for operations during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In 1992, he was selected to spearhead a pioneering initiative on Looking Glass aircraft, distinguishing himself as the sole airborne-qualified computer programmer in the United States Air Force. His illustrious career in the United States Air Force culminated in Panama, where he served a dual role. He was the Director of Operations at the 33rd Intelligence Squadron, overseeing and participating in Senior Scout, Flowing Pen and Pacer Coin missions. Additionally, Dlugiewicz was appointed as the Superintendent of the Consolidated Mission Operations Center, coordinating joint Army-Air Force missions while fulfilling his responsibilities as Director of Operations.
Welcome to the Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol!
Welcome to the Ohio Wing of Civil Air Patrol. We are congressionally chartered and operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. When operating under and Air Force Assigned mission, we are a civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force in the Buckeye State. More than 1,000 Ohioans comprise our team of volunteers whose focus directly supports the three main missions of Cadet Programs, Emergency Services and Aerospace Education. Professionalism is our cornerstone as our officers and noncommissioned officers develop Ohio’s youth into future leaders to further serve our country and communities.
Following state and national emergencies, you will find our members flying to capture critical aerial images that are used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other state agencies to direct support to the hardest hit areas. You will find our officers serving critical roles at incident command posts and cadets managing effective radio communications to better coordinate resources. When aircraft are missing, we are the prime agency responsible to the Air Force to search for those aircraft and crews. We also assist other state agencies, both in the air and on the ground, to help them perform their critical missions.
Ohio Wing pilots operate Cessna 172, Cessna 182 aircraft and the Blaník L23 Super Glider. In addition to supporting the operational missions we are tasked with, Ohio Wing flies more than 1,000 orientation flights for CAP cadets, Air force ROTC cadets and Air Force JROTC cadets annually. CAP cadets are afforded five front-seat powered orientation flights and unlimited backseat flights, as well as five glider flights.
Our cadet program is a successful and challenging program that gets today’s youth excited about possible careers in the aerospace industry. You will find former cadets serving as decorated military leaders while many explore careers in the science, technology and aviation industries. It molds young men and women into responsible, self-assured adults that know-how to lead and instills in them the self-discipline necessary to make sound life choices. Throughout our 80-year history, the cadet program has produced many leaders in aerospace and the military.
No matter where you look, our team of professional volunteers is hard at work helping to make Ohio and our Nation a better place.
Join Your Fellow Civic-Minded Ohio Residents Who Volunteer with Civil Air Patrol!
Our volunteers, who are from all backgrounds and ages, make our essential missions possible. You do not need to be a pilot or a member of the Armed Forces. Our volunteer civilian members are teachers, medical professionals, engineers, business people, tradesmen, grandparents, mom's and dad's.
It is the diversity of our civilian members that make it possible to provide leadership-developing programs to youth, save lives each year, and help make our community a better place to live.
Contact Information
Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol
Defense Supply Center Columbus
3990 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43218-3990
Phone: 614-338-8198
Email: info@ohwg.cap.gov
US Mail:
Ohio Wing HQ Civil Air Patrol
6031 East Main Street #301
Columbus, OH 43213
It is essential that you include the mailbox #301 to ensure delivery.
