Meet the Command Staff
Wing Commander: Col Ashley LaPlante
Col Ashley LaPlante is Civil Air Patrol’s Connecticut Wing Commander.
As wing commander, she is the senior officer on the wing command staff and is responsible to the corporation and to the region commander for ensuring that Corporation objectives, policies, and operational directives are effectively executed within their wing. She exercises command over all units and personnel in her wing, and represents the wing at all national command council meetings. She is responsible for the achievement of established goals and programs by all units and by establishing new goals and programs within the wing in support of the corporation’s objectives. She establishes plans, policies, and procedures necessary to the proper conduct of wing affairs that are not in conflict with National Headquarters and region policies and directives.
LaPlante joined CAP as a cadet in 2005 eventually earning the General Ira C. Eaker Award, and was active within the wing and nation. She attended five CTWG encampments and three national activities as a cadet, Engineering Technologies Academy, Cadet Officer School, and the International Air Cadet Exchange.
As a senior member, she served as a Deputy Squadron Commander for two years before taking command of the Silver City Cadet Squadron in 2016. She continued to be active in the wing, region, and nation, through cadet programs and emergency services and most recently held the position of wing Director of Cadet Programs. She has served in four encampments as a senior member, including two years as Commandant of Cadets. She holds Emergency Services qualifications as planning section chief, ground branch director, ground team leader, mission radio operator, as well as several others.
LaPlante earned Level V of the senior member development program in May of 2020, and has been decorated with three Commanders Commendations including one region commanders’ commendation, the U.S. Air Force Organizational Excellence award, and two wing achievement awards. She holds master specialty track rating in cadet programs, senior rating in command and emergency services, as well as technician ratings in finance, safety, administration, and aerospace education.
LaPlante holds two master’s degrees, organizational leadership and business administration from Quinnipiac University, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut. She is a Compression Systems Model Manager for advisory Pratt & Whitney, and a former Integrated Product Team Leader, for the company prior to assuming her present role.
Last Edited 20 MAY 24
