Pegelow Named Next South Dakota Wing Commander

Lt. Col. Kevin Pegelow will serve as CAP's next South Dakota Wing Commander. Col Tim Theis, CAP's North Central Region Commander, made the announcement (date). The change of command will be in December.

Pegelow, currently South Dakota Wing Vice Commander, joined Civil Air Patrol in 1992, progressed through the cadet program, and is a proud graduate of the Wisconsin Cadet Academy. He received the Carl A. Spaatz award in 1997 (#1362) and served in Wisconsin wing in a number of squadron officer roles including leadership, emergency services, and operations as well as deputy commander for cadets until 2006.

After moving to South Dakota in 2021, he rejoined Civil Air Patrol after a 15-year break.

"I wanted to give back to the organization that provided so many wonderful experiences and lasting friendships as a young member," Pegelow said.

The in-coming commander progressed rapidly through senior member levels of CAP training, as well as pursuing a variety of specialty tracks.

He received the Gill Rob Wilson Award (#4220) in Sept 2023 and holds a master rating in cadet programs, senior ratings in emergency services, safety, command, finance, professional development, personnel, and administration and technician ratings in aerospace education and communications.

In South Dakota Pegelow has served as squadron deputy commander for cadets, deputy commander, wing director of finance, assistant wing chief of staff, and wing vice commander. As an avid believer in the incredible benefits of the cadet program, he has attended 12 encampments, and two years at National Blue Beret. In 2024 he attended the National Emergency Services Academy for incident commander.

Lt Col Pegelow serves as an incident commander and has completed 21 FEMA courses. Awards include, Meritorious Service, six Commanders Commendations (Wing) and an achievement award.

Pegelow is a retired Plant Manager and Safety Director for a Midwest precast concrete company and will soon be celebrating his 13th anniversary with his wife Ella. He enjoys shooting sports and spending time with his two bull mastiff dogs.