Barron new CAP commander in Martinsburg

November 25, 2009

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The appointment of Lt. Col. Dennis D. Barron of Martinsburg, W.Va., as commander of Civil Air Patrol's West Virginia Wing became official Oct. 25.

Barron took over command during a change of command ceremony held during the West Virginia Wing of Civil Air Patrol's Conference and Banquet in Charleston.

Barron joined the Civil Air Patrol in 1965, as a cadet member of the Martinsburg Composite Squadron.

He is concluding four years of service as the Wing's chief of staff. He also held the positions of Wing DDR administrator, Wing inspector general, and was a commander of the Martinsburg Composite Squadron for 20 years.

He is a pilot and an incident commander, and has commanded more than 45 summer encampments for the West Virginia Wing.

Included among the many awards he has earned over the years are three Exceptional Service Awards, eight Meritorious Service Awards, more than 25 Commander's Commendation Awards, the West Virginia Wing Commander's Special Commendation Award, the Gill Robb Wilson Award and three Air Force Liaison Awards for mentoring cadets.

"I am very honored to have been selected as the new commander of the West Virginia Wing," Barron said. "We have an outstanding wing with some of the finest members in the nation, and it is a real privilege to have been named the WV Wing Commander.

"The West Virginia Wing has made great progress in the last four to six years in every facet of the CAP program. We have a lot to be proud of, but we cannot rest on our laurels. We must forge ahead and build on our past successes."

Former Wing Commander Col. Rod Moore has agreed to act as vice commander until a new command staff is in place. He will also assume the position of director of operations for the wing.

"He has done an excellent job managing the West Virginia Wing, and will be a valuable member of West Virginia and Middle East Region in the years to come," said Col Joe Vazquez, commander of Civil Air Patrol Middle East Region.

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