Alaska Wing
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Wing Commander

About the Commander

Col. Derk MacPherson assumed command of the Alaska Wing Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary, on August 3rd, 2023. He is responsible for the Command and Administration of approximately 500 Senior members, 260 Cadets, 17 Squadrons, aircraft, vehicles, and communication equipment to support military, state, and local missions statewide. 

Col. MacPherson came to Alaska after his 20-year US Air Force (USAF) career. Col. MacPherson started his CAP career in April 1987 when he joined the Golden Eagle Cadet Squadron 77 in San Diego, California. As a Cadet he rode to the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel before enlisting in the Air Force in 1993. Col MacPherson rejoined CAP in Washington Wing in 1995 and moved to North Dakota Wing in 1998. After a brief absence from CAP between 2001 and 2003 he rejoined CAP in North Dakota where he remained until his PCS to Turkey in 2010. His USAF career took him away from his home in California to Colorado for technical training followed by 2 stateside assignments as Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington, and Minot AFB in Minot, North Dakota followed by an overseas assignment to Incirlik AB Turkey.  In February 2013 he retired from the Air Force and decided to move to Alaska after having visited here in 2009 before going to Turkey.

 

He has held several positions at Wing level and Squadron Level:

Alaska Wing

Assistant Director of Operations, Apr 2018 to Jun 2018
Director of Operations, Apr 2018 to Dec 2018 and Jul 2019 to Aug 2023
Wing Vice Commander, Dec 2018 to Jul 2019
Assistant Director of Aerospace Education, Jul 2021 to Oct 2022 and May 2023 to Aug 2023
Director of Aerospace Education, Oct 2022 to May 2023
Director of Operations, Apr 2018 to Dec 2018 and Jul 2019 to Aug 2023
Wing Commander, August 2023 - Present

 

Polaris Composite Squadron (PCR-AK-015)

Communications Officer, Feb 2013 to Jun 2017
Squadron Commander, Oct 2016 to Jun 2018


North Dakota Wing

Chief of Staff, Apr 2007 to Apr 2009

 

Minot Composite Squadron (NCR-ND-021)

Squadron Leadership Officer, Apr 1999 to Apr 2001 and Apr 2003 to Jul 2004
Squadron Commander, Jul 2004 to Apr 2007

 

Col. MacPherson CAP decorations include a National Commanders Commendation, 2 Wing Commanders Commendations, Achievement Award, Gill Robb Wilson Award (#3657), Brigadier General Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager Aerospace Education Achievement Award, Ira C. Eaker Award, and a Search “Find” Ribbon with 3 bronze triangular devices, and Air Search and Rescue Ribbon with 3 bronze triangular devices.

Col. MacPherson obtained his Private Pilot Single Engine Land License in Dec 2014.

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