Brig. Gen. R. Jason Bailey

Brig. Gen. R. Jason Bailey, National Deputy Commander

Brig. Gen. R. Jason Bailey is the national deputy commander of Civil Air Patrol. He was named to the leadership position by Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, CAP’s national commander/CEO, confirmed by the organization’s Board of Governors, and promoted to brigadier general (one-star) with Aye when she took command Aug. 17, 2024.

His primary duty as national deputy commander is to help Aye lead CAP’s nearly 70,000 volunteers in fulfillment of the nonprofit organization’s three primary programs of emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs. In its role as the U.S. Air Force auxiliary, CAP is a member of the Total Force, filling a critical role in Defense Support of Civil Authorities that includes preserving life, relieving suffering, and providing training support. In addition to advising Aye and the Board of Governors on operational and policy issues, he is also a member of the Command Council and the Senior Advisory Group.

Before his promotion to national deputy commander, Bailey was CAP’s national executive officer — from August 2021-August 2024. Among his duties was vetting instructors for the Education and Training Program’s Volunteer University as well as all CAP national volunteer positions. He also moderated Command Council meetings, worked with Board of Governors preselection committees, helped select national professional team members, led working groups, and collaborated with the then-national commander/CEO, Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, on awards and promotions and represented him at events.

Bailey previously served as vice commander/south for the Mid-Atlantic Region, beginning in November 2020 after serving as North Carolina Wing commander from 2016-2020. Before that, he held command positions at the wing, squadron, and group levels and staff assignments up to the national level, including service as the national logistics officer from 2014-2022. Other assignments were North Carolina Wing vice commander (2015-2016), wing chief of staff (2013-2015), Group II commander (2012-2013), Burlington Composite Squadron commander (2011-2012), and wing assistant director of logistics (2011-2016).

He also served as director of the Mid-Atlantic Region Staff College as well as the Cadet Leadership School.

Bailey is a 2023 recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award for Lifetime Achievement, recognized for his more than 4,000 hours of CAP service.

He holds Master ratings in CAP in the Administration, Cadet Programs, Command, Communications, Emergency Services, Logistics, and Professional Development specialty tracks and Senior ratings in Aerospace Education, Personnel, and Safety. He completed Level 5 and earned the Gill Robb Wilson Award in 2014.

Most recently, he earned dual bachelor’s degrees from Western Carolina University with concentrations in management, in which he graduated summa cum laude, and business administration and law.

Bailey is also a Civil Air Patrol mission pilot with more than 400 flying hours and a CAP observer and scanner. He also holds incident commander and ground team member credentials with CAP.

His awards and decorations include two Distinguished Service Awards (2020, 2024), five Exceptional Service Awards (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021), two Meritorious Service Awards (2012, 2019), four Commander’s Commendation Awards (2011, 2012, 2012, 2014), and three Achievement Awards (2012, 2014, 2020).

He was recognized as national Property Manager of the Year in 2013.

Outside of CAP, Bailey worked for Avista Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Kurita, in San Marcos, California. As the corporation’s vice president of technical support, he led international project teams and working groups in 2023. Before that, he was Avista Technologies’ application and sales manager, where he was responsible for growing the corporation’s business in the Southeast U.S. from 2011-2023.

In December 2023, Bailey was employed by Komline-Harn based in Venice, Florida, where he now serves as the corporation’s director of business development.

Born and raised in Mebane, North Carolina, he is married to Christy H. Bailey and remains in Mebane. They have two adult children who were CAP cadets. Briar Bailey achieved the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award and Emma Bailey earned the Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell Award. Both continue as adult members in CAP.

Current as of Aug. 17, 2024