Command Team
The Command Staff of South Carolina Wing consists of the following leaders:
Wing Commander
Col James Brogan III of Charleston, South Carolina joined CAP as a cadet in Coastal Charleston Composite Squadron in September 1995. He has a history of leadership experience at multiple levels of the organization.
As a senior member, he has served in National Capital (DC), Hawaii, and Nebraska wings as well as a director on the Mid-Atlantic Region staff twice. He has served in several roles including as a Wing Chief of Staff (NEWG), Director of Cadet Programs (HIWG) and as a Squadron Commander (DCWG). He is mission qualified as a Planning Section Chief, Ground Branch Director, and Mission Scanner. He previously served as the SCWG Inspector General and as Deputy Chief of Staff prior to his service as a Vice Commander of Units.
Wearing the Air Force uniform since 9th grade as an AFJROTC cadet, Lt Col Brogan is also a combat veteran of the U.S. Air Force (1998-2009). He served as a medic, responding to the Pentagon after the events of 9/11, and as a Special Agent with the Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI). His OSI assignments include two years at Shaw AFB, SC, three years on the Pacific Anti-terrorism Specialty Team and a strategic assignment in the greater Washington, D.C. area. He deployed five times between 2001 and 2007 in support of U.S. operations to include Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He subsequently served and retired from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as a Supervisory Special Agent (GS-14) in 2018. His government assignments include leading DoD-level programs and service as a branch chief in a U.S. Combatant Command. Lt Col Brogan’s select military awards include the USSOCOM Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service (“Combat Patch”), Air Force Combat Action Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V device and 2 OLCs, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign medals, Armed Forces and GWOT Expeditionary Medals, and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border.
Lt Col Brogan is a 2014 graduate of the National IG College and a 2019 graduate of the National Staff College. His Civil Air Patrol awards include the USAF Organizational Excellence Award, Bronze Medal of Valor, Exceptional Service Award, Meritorious Service Award with Clasp, Region Commander’s Commendation, three Wing Commander’s Commendations, two CAP Achievement Awards, Disaster Relief award with silver V, and the Gill Robb Wilson Award (#3661). He was named the National Capital Wing (DCWG) Senior Member of the Year in 2013, and is a recipient of the Fairfax, VA, Citizen’s Award. Lt Col Brogan holds master ratings in Professional Development, Cadet Programs, Personnel, and Administration as well as other senior and technician ratings.
Vice Commander of Operations - Maj Rachael Mercer
Maj Rachael J. Mercer is the Vice Commander of the South Carolina Wing. Mercer, a 9-year member of Civil Air Patrol, holds master ratings in Command, Public Affairs, Recruiting & Retention, and Cadet Programs and senior ratings in Aerospace Education, Character Development Instruction, and Safety. She completed Level V of the Education & Training Program in July 2023.
Mercer, whose Civil Air Patrol career began in Public Affairs, has earned five National Balsem Awards. She was named the SCWG Public Affairs Officer of the year 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023; the Mid-Atlantic Region Public Affairs Officer of the year in 2018 & 2021; and was named the National Public Affairs Officer of the Year in 2018.
In 2019 she assumed command of ACE Basin Composite Squadron leading the squadron through a "worst to first" turnaround, earning its first ever Quality Cadet Unit Award and following that with SCWG Squadron of Merit in 2020. She was named the SCWG Senior Member of the Year in 2020. In 2021 Mercer took on the role of Deputy Chief of Staff, overseeing Public Affairs, Recruiting & Retention, Information Technology, Historian, and Diversity Equity & Inclusion Directorates. She simultaneously served on the 80th anniversary working group, developing products still in use today. Maj Mercer has been intricately involved with the MId-Atlantic Region Honor Guard Academy, serving as Public Affairs Officer and Deputy Commander of Support and co-Activity Director since 2019. She served as Group Commander before assuming the role of Vice Commander.
Maj Mercer attended every SCWG Encampment, Cadet Training Weekend, and Staff Training Academy from 2016 to 2024, serving as Lead Dining Services Officer and Deputy Commander for Support. Because of this, she wrote a book for Civil Air Patrol emphasizing food safety and providing how-to guides for those leading the kitchen for large-scale, long duration events. She is frequently contacted by other Wings to assist their dining service staff in planning or ordering for encampments. She was selected as an instructor for the 2024 National Conference in San Antonio.
Mercer serves as Character Development Instructor for Lexington Composite Squadron. In 2023 she was named SCWG and Mid-Atlantic Region Character Development Instructor of the Year. In the realm of Emergency Services, she is qualified as a Chaplain Support Specialist and Mission Safety Officer. She is an experienced Public Information Officer and Mission Staff Assistant. Since 2023 she has served as a VolU instructor, and has had the opportunity to teach at the University of the Rocky Mountain Region Level V courses along with assisting SCWG members by teaching Level II, III, and Squadron Command Course modules.
Maj Mercer is active at Lakeside Baptist Church and works part-time at the Washington Baptist Association as an administrative assistant. She volunteers with Georgia 4-H and numerous other groups. Maj Mercer holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and a minor in English from the University of Georgia, where she met her husband of 25 years. She is the mom of four, three of whom were (or are) cadets. When she isn't volunteering, she can be found outdoors in the garden or with the flowers.
Chief of Staff - Lt Col David Roberts
Lieutenant Colonel David E. Roberts began his Civil Air Patrol career as a Cadet in 1981 with the Moultrie Composite Squadron of the Georgia Wing. Lieutenant Colonel Roberts served as a Cadet unit 1984 when he graduated from high school. He joined the Maryland Wing in 2015 as a pilot with the Harford Composite Squadron (MD-008) and assumed command of the Squadron in 2017. Upon retiring from the US Army in 2020, he transferred to the South Carolina Wing and was appointed as Commander of the Grand Strand Composite Squadron (SC-114) in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In March 2024, Lt Col Roberts was appointed as the Chief of Staff for the South Carolina Wing.
Lt Col Roberts is a Level V officer and holds Master ratings in Command, Education and Training, Aerospace, and Recruiting and Retention. He also holds Senior ratings in Cadet Programs, Operations, and Emergency Services. His Civil Air patrol decorations include the Commander’s Commendation Award, the Achievement Award, the Life Saving Award, the Find Ribbon, Crisis Service Ribbon, Orientation Pilot Ribbon, the Air Force Organizational Award, and the Wing and Mid-Atlantic Region Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year for 2022.
Lt Col Roberts was commissioned in 1988 as an Ensign in the United States Navy through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at Auburn University. Upon commissioning, Ensign Roberts attended Naval Flight Training and was designated a Naval Aviator in May 1990. As a Lieutenant Junior Grade, he attended the Navy-Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center in Dam Neck, Virginia. He then deployed to the Persian Gulf aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) in 1992 during Operation Southern Watch. Lieutenant Roberts left the US Navy in 1993.
Lieutenant Colonel Roberts joined the Georgia Army National Guard in 2000 as a Captain and was assigned as a Military Intelligence Officer in Company B, 221st Military Intelligence Battalion (Tactical Exploitation). In 2001, he was transferred to the 3 rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) Detachment as the Division Rear Command Post Tactical Intelligence Officer. He was mobilized by the division in 2003. He deployed for Operation Iraq Freedom and participated in the invasion and liberation of Iraq. After redeployment, he then transferred to the Texas Army National Guard, where he served as Commander, Company C, 636th Military Intelligence Battalion (Direct Support).
In 2005, Lt Col Roberts transferred to the 115th Military Police Battalion, Maryland Army National Guard as a Tactical Intelligence Officer. He then transferred to active duty in 2006 and was promoted to Major. He served for the next four years as the Executive Officer of the 1297th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. His next assignment was as the Maryland National Guard’s State Partnership Program Director on the Joint Staff. He was then promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 2010 and assigned as the brigade Operations Officer for the 58th Troop Command. Over the next six years, Lieutenant Colonel Roberts also served as the Commander, Maryland Recruiting and Retention Battalion, the Active Guard Branch Manager, the Assistant Chief of Staff, the Deputy Director of Logistics/G4, and the Director of Intelligence/G2.
Lt Col Roberts’ civilian education includes a Master of Science in Administration from Georgia Southwestern State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Auburn University. He is branch qualified in Military Intelligence, Military Police, Logistics, and Ordnance. He is also a graduate of the Military Intelligence Captains’ Career Course, and the Intermediate Level Education-Advanced Operations Course. Lieutenant Colonel Roberts is married to Katie Roberts (also a Civil Air Patrol member) and has three children, two of whom are Intelligence Officers in the United States Army
Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) - SMSgt Steve Fox
Senior Master Sergeant Steve Fox serves as the South Carolina Wing Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL), the senior NCO Corps leader for the Wing. In this role, SMSgt Fox advises the Wing Commander and staff on matters of mission effectiveness, professional development, training, and utilization of the Wing’s NCO members. He identifies and addresses any shortfalls or challenges faced by the NCO Corps. His key responsibilities are as follows. Participates in decision-making processes on technical, operational, and organizational issues concerning the NCO Corps. Advises the Wing Commander on proper dress and personal appearance for CAP members, particularly NCOs. Acts as a representative of the Wing Commander. Serves on award and recognition selection committees to ensure deserving NCO members are recognized during CAP functions. Encourages NCO mentorship of cadets and junior officer CAP members. Promotes the recruitment of enlisted service members, both current and retired, to join CAP.
SMSgt Fox’s CAP career began in 2016. He entered CAP as an officer and earned the rank of Captain before converting to the CAP NCO Corps. He began his service as the Professional Development Officer in the Delaware Wing. SMSgt Fox transferred to the South Carolina Wing in 2019 to our Lexington Composite Squadron. In 2020 he began working in Cadet Programs as the Deputy Commander Cadets. His other roles in CAP have been Deputy Commander Seniors, Safety Officer, Education & Training Officer, Squadron NCO, Group NCO and Wing Transportation Officer. SMSgt Fox has served on multiple encampments and region level events mostly in support roles. He has served as Logistics, Activity Safety Officer, Transportation, Dinning support and Deputy Commander of Support. He enjoys being behind the scenes supporting those that make the magic happen. SMSgt Fox has earned his Paul E. Garber Award (Level IV) in professional Development. SMSgt Fox earned a Master Rating in Professional Development, a Senior Rating in Safety and Cadet Programs and a Technician Rating in Logistics and Command. SMSgt Fox also serves as a Character Development Instructor and has been a VolU instructor since it’s inception.
Some of SMSgt Fox’s CAP awards include Meritorious Service Award, Commanders Commendation (Wing, 1 Device), Achievement Award (2 Devices), Crisis Service Award, AF Organizational Excellence Award, Community Service Award (1 Device). He was the 2023 Property Manager of the year and at the wing level was one of our Senior Member NCOs of the year.
SMSgt Fox is a veteran who served for a total of 22.5 years. Most of his service was as part of the 113th Wing, District of Columbia Air National Guard. He started out as many others as an E1 Airman Basic and earned E8 Senior Master Sergeant before he retired. He started as a plumbing apprentice in 1989 and finished as the Water & Fuel Systems Maintenance superintendent. For a few years he worked in Command & Control as a Production Control Technician. While a member of Civil Engineering he also had the addition duties of Safety NCO, Self-Aide & Buddy Care Instructor, Community First-aid & Safety Instructor and Backflow Prevention Program Manager. SMSgt Fox has mobilized multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Noble Eagle (Homeland Sec.). While deployed for OIF he was also able to support our teams in the Horn of Africa, Korea and Operation Enduring Freedom.
SMSgt. Fox is employed full-time with the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES). As a self-proclaimed Drinking Water Nerd, he works with the Bureau of Water as the states Cross-Connection Control Program Manager. Steve work with water system, industry and water customer to ensure we keep our drinking water from becoming contaminated.
The Wing Commander has overall responsibility for all operations in the Wing.
The Vice Commander is able to represent the Wing Commander during his absence. The Chief of Staff is also able to represent the Wing Commander as necessary.
The Deputy Chiefs of Staff each report to the Chief of Staff and have directorates and staff positions which report to them.
The Command NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) advises the Wing Commander and other Command Staff about protocol, and acts in an advisory capacity at the Wing level.
