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Mims Named Commander, Mississippi Wing, Civil Air Patrol

May 7, 2021

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Lt Col Robert P. Mims has been named Mississippi Wing Commander, Civil Air Patrol.  He has been serving as the Mississippi 096 squadron commander and will replace Lt Col Felix D. Diaz, Mississippi Wing (MSWG) Interim Commander.  

Col Andrea Van Buren, commander, Southeast Region, Civil Air Patrol, announced the appointment, saying, “Lt Col Mims has served as an outstanding leader during his tenure with Mississippi Wing.  With MS-096, he has been selected Squadron Commander of the Year three times.  Lt Col Mims has a strong ability to mentor members and to grow and retain membership.  His ability to provide a clear vision is coupled with great communication skills which he uses to motivate membership and match volunteer skills with positions.  He will be a valuable addition to the Southeast Region team of wing commanders.”  

Mims is a 30-year veteran of the United States Air Force.  Among his many positions, he served at Headquarters Military Airlift Command (MAC) where he managed global operations for all airlift wings.  Mims was assigned as Chief of Operational Programming Division and then Strategy and Doctrine Division where he directed development of air mobility doctrine, concepts, and plans, managing $52 billion force structure modernization program.

During his military career, he began as a C-130 and AC-130 gunship aircraft commander, with later service as commander of a C-130 Tactical Airlift Squadron.  He deployed overseas five times with up to 600 personnel and 26 aircraft; this included a deployment during Desert Storm.  As Commandant of the Air Force Air Mobility School, he trained thousands of multi-service personnel in global airlift and air mobility.  He concluded his military service as the professor of Aerospace Studies at Louisiana Tech University.  

Mims has been a source of inspiration and leadership both to senior and cadet members.  Even during the covid-19 pandemic, he developed ways to keep cadets engaged; the program increased its membership due to these efforts during a difficult year.  Many cadets in his squadron have been nominated to the United States service academies.  He also helped establish a Cyber Patriot team.  

Lt Col Mims has served as Mississippi Wing assistant director of operations, squadron operations officer, mission pilot, scanner, flight release officer, air operation branch director, aerial photographer, aerospace education member and much more. In addition, Mims also served for over 20 years as an Air Force Junior ROTC Senior Aerospace Science instructor. He has 51 years of flying experience.  

Lt Col Mims holds a Master of Science degree in operations management from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering technology from Mississippi State University. He also holds a Master of Science degree in secondary education from Grand Canyon University. 

Tagged As: Change of Command

For More Information:

1st Lt Alysia English, CAP
Southeast Region Public Affairs Officer
(C) 404.273.2760
Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary
http://GoCivilAirPatrol.com
http://ser.cap.gov

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