New Kansas Wing Commander Assumes Command

Please join North Central Region in congratulating Col. Eric Davis as he assumes command of Kansas Wing, and thanks to out-going Kansas Wing commander Col. Mark Lahan on a job well done!

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In a heartfelt Change of Command Ceremony held on Saturday, May 10th, at the Starbase in Salina, the Civil Air Patrol Kansas Wing bid farewell to outgoing Commander Col. Mark Lahan and welcomed Col. Eric Davis as the new Wing Commander.

Col. Davis brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He first joined CAP in 1980 as a cadet with the Stillwater Composite Squadron in Oklahoma. During his cadet years, he attended several encampments, participated in National Blue Beret, and earned his solo wings.

Following a tour of active duty with the U.S. Army, he returned to CAP as a senior member. He served as deputy commander for cadets with the Broken Arrow Composite Squadron in Oklahoma, and contributed as a pilot and mission observer while completing his college education.

Since rejoining CAP in 2012, Col. Davis has held leadership roles as a squadron commander in both the Iowa and Kansas Wings and has served in multiple staff positions at the wing level. He holds master ratings in the Command, Communications, Aerospace, and Safety specialty tracks. He is also an active mission pilot, flight instructor, and has participated in several encampments and National Cadet Special Activities.

Professionally, Col. Davis works as a principal engineer at Collins Aerospace in Lenexa, Kansas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a Master of Science in aerospace engineering, with nearly 30 years of experience in the aerospace industry.

The North Central Region Commander Col. Thomas Theis was present at the ceremony. He assumed his current command on June 2nd, 2024. Col. Theis previously served two terms as the region’s vice commander under Brig. Gen. Regena Aye and Col. John O’Neill.