Wing Commander

Lt. Col. James Brogan III of Charleston, South Carolina, joined Civil Air Patrol in September 1995 as a cadet in the Coastal Charleston Composite Squadron. He has held leadership roles at multiple levels of the organization throughout his career.

As an adult member, Brogan has served in the National Capital, Hawaii, and Nebraska wings, and twice as a director on the Mid-Atlantic Region staff. His previous assignments include chief of staff for the Nebraska Wing, director of cadet programs for the Hawaii Wing, and squadron commander in the National Capital Wing. He holds emergency services qualifications as a planning section chief, ground branch director, and mission scanner. He previously served as the South Carolina Wing inspector general and deputy chief of staff before being named vice commander of units.

Following his military service, Brogan served in the U.S. Department of Defense, retiring in 2018 as a GS-14 supervisory special agent. His federal career included leading department-level programs and serving as a branch chief within a U.S. combatant command.

A graduate of the National Inspector General College (2014) and the National Staff College (2019), Brogan has also received several CAP awards. These include the U.S. Air Force 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 Ribbon with silver “V” device, and the Gill Robb Wilson Award (No. 3661). He was recognized as the National Capital Wing Senior Member of the Year in 2013 and received the Fairfax, Virginia, Citizen’s Award.

Brogan holds master ratings in professional development, cadet programs, personnel, and administration, as well as additional senior and technician ratings.