Region Commander's Corner
Col. Brett D. Dolnick, Pacific Region Commander
“Leadership is not about titles, it’s about impact, influence, and inspiration.”
Col. Brett Dolnick will continue his Civil Air Patrol service as the Pacific Region commander, officially accepting the appointment made by Maj. Gen. Regena M. Aye, Civil Air Patrol’s national commander and chief executive officer. “His nearly 40 years of Civil Air Patrol service, beginning when he became a young cadet in 1985 and culminating recently as the Washington wing commander and the national cyber mission team leader, have prepared him for this new leadership role,” Aye said. “I look forward to working with him over the next three years as he leads the Pacific Region.” Dolnick will assume command April 12 at the joint Pacific Region-Oregon Wing Conference in McMinnville.
A Vision for Transformation
As your Pacific Region Commander, my vision is clear: to transform the way we operate so we can better serve our members, our communities, and our nation. We have an opportunity to move beyond “how it’s always been done” and embrace collaboration, innovation, and shared leadership—across Wings, across teams, and across generations of Civil Air Patrol members.
One Region, One Mission
Our goal is to work as one Region, not just at the leadership level, but at the working level where it matters most. That means sharing best practices, learning from each other, and creating opportunities for all members—cadets and seniors alike.
We need seniors who work directly with cadets and those who contribute in other ways—helping with finance, developing partnerships, supporting legislators, or enhancing emergency management capabilities. Every role is important, and every member has a voice in shaping our future.
Connecting Across Missions
Our members bring incredible talent and passion across all three Civil Air Patrol missions—Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education. I want to see those talents connected across Wings.
Whether it’s sharing best practices for cadet leadership training, exchanging innovations in aerospace education, or coordinating standards and techniques for emergency services, we gain strength when we collaborate. By coming together across Wings—through meetings, joint exercises, shared resources, and open communication—we can elevate the quality of our work, strengthen our unity, and amplify our impact across the Pacific Region.
Learning from Differences
Our Wings operate in unique environments. Our Emergency Management Agencies differ. Our relationships with government, local, and tribal organizations differ. Our geographies and communities differ.
And yet, some lessons transcend those differences—whether it’s how we train, how we inspire youth, or how we respond in times of crisis. We should be learning from one another, not reinventing the wheel, and bringing the best ideas into every Wing.
Guided by Priorities
This year, we align our work with the National Commander’s priorities: cadet protection, airworthiness, safety, and stakeholder experience.
At the heart of this effort is a principle we all embrace — Extreme Ownership — taking responsibility for what we can control, learning from mistakes, and sharing those lessons so we can all improve together.
Our North Star
The Pacific Region is strong today because of your dedication. My goal is to leave it stronger still. This is our North Star. We will move forward together—leveraging our shared values, enhancing our service, and strengthening the trust of those who rely on us.
Because at the end of the day, our mission is clear:
To serve communities, protect lives, and inspire the next generation.
