About the Wing

Organization & Leadership

Wing Headquarters Organizational Chart

This chart is displayed live through Google Slides. Click the "3 dots" icon on the bottom left to enter full-screen view.

For more internal CAP information about wing headquarters, go to Intranet.NatCapWing.org, which requires a NatCap Apps account to view. To email anyone on the wing staff, use the office symbol shown in parentheses on the organizational chart above along with @natcapwg.cap.gov.

With the exception of the wing administrator personnel are unpaid volunteers. Civil Air Patrol is a member-managed nonprofit organization chartered by Congress under 36 U.S.C. chapter 403.

Wing Leadership Team Bios

Commander: Col. Bill Eliason

Col. William T. “Bill” Eliason is the commander of Civil Air Patrol’s National Capital Wing, headquartered at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C.

Eliason joined CAP in 2012 with the Maryland Wing’s Apollo One Senior Squadron. He transferred to the National Capital Wing in 2014 where he served in multiple roles in the Arlington Composite Squadron and as the wing’s professional development officer earning the 2015 National Capital Wing PDO of the Year Award. Selected for command of the Mount Vernon Composite Squadron in 2017, he completed a successful four-year tour that included two “effective” rated subordinate unit inspections, three Quality Cadet Unit Awards, and the 2018 Squadron of Merit as the best youth program in the wing that year. In 2021, Eliason took command of the Arlington Composite Squadron, growing membership by more than 50% and winning their 14th consecutive Quality Cadet Unit Award.

As a qualified CAP mission pilot for more than a decade, he has participated in more than 30 wing search and rescue (SAR) exercises, two region SAR colleges, and flown nearly 100 cadet orientation flights. He holds an FAA private pilot with an instrument rating and remote pilot certificates with nearly 800 flying hours.

A Department of Defense civilian since 2010, Eliason serves as director of the National Defense University Press and editor-in-chief of Joint Force Quarterly, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s professional military journal. He is a retired Air Force colonel, rated aviator, and decorated combat veteran with more than 30 years of active-duty service. Eliason was a master air battle manager with more than 2,400 flight hours aboard U.S. and NATO E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft and led the largest ground command and control operation deployed in combat since the Vietnam War. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from the Air Force Academy, two Master of Science degrees from the University of Southern California and Air University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Old Dominion University.

Eliason and Debbie, his wife of more than 43 years and an Air Force veteran herself, live in Alexandria, Va. They have three adult children and two grandchildren.

Email: eliason.w@natcapwg.cap.gov

Vice Commander: Lt. Col. Aaron Newman

Lt. Col. Aaron Newman is the vice commander of Civil Air Patrol's National Capital Wing. He previously served as the wing chief of staff and the commander of Arlington Composite Squadron. He has also served as the director of information technology for CAP's Middle East Region (now Mid-Atlantic Region) and continues to assist the region headquarters when needed.

Newman is an active participant in the emergency services programs for the wing both as an aircrew member and as a radio communications professional. He has been recognized for his leadership in serving as course director for a CAP Squadron Leadership School, as an instructor for a CAP Corporate Learning Course, and as project officer for the Civil Air Patrol Annual Memorial Ceremony. He also led a successful effort to modernize the website and email services for the region headquarters.

Newman was born in New York City. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as an engineer’s degree in information technology from George Mason University.

Newman joined Civil Air Patrol in September 2011. Outside of the organization, he is a principal data scientist and program manager with Whiteboard Federal.

Email: newman.a@natcapwg.cap.gov