Deputy Commander East
Biography – Lt. Col. Craig Richardson, CAP
Lieutenant Colonel Craig Richardson has been a pillar of the Civil Air Patrol for almost 40 years. His Civil Air Patrol duty began in 1986 when he joined as a cadet. After reaching the rank of Cadet Lt. Col., he transferred to the senior member ranks in 1991. Today, he is still completely immersed in Civil Air Patrol, with top positions like Director of Logistics for the Mid-Atlantic Region, or with his leadership role as the Assistant Director of Safety for the North Carolina Wing. His long tenure is displayed by his recent command of Group V for four years, where he oversaw operations across several squadrons.
His expertise in the Civil Air Patrol is expansive. Lt. Col. Richardson has earned Master Ratings in twelve different specialty tracks, from Command and Emergency Services to Finance and Communications. He is an accomplished Incident Commander and Ground Team Leader who has spent decades mentoring others through his work as a Volunteer University instructor. Lt. Col. Richardson has been honored with the Gil Robb Wilson Award, and he was named the National Property Management Officer of the Year in 2022, proving his reputation as one of the organization’s most knowledgeable and reliable subject matter experts.
Lt. Col. Richardson’s dedication to service was established during a distinguished 28-year career in the U.S. Army, retiring as a First Sergeant in 2015. Lt. Col. Richardson served as a Tank Master Gunner and First Sergeant for honorable units, including the 1st and 3rd Infantry Divisions. He is a proud member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. His military record includes two Bronze Stars and multiple Meritorious Service Medals earned during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. His background in specialized operations and leadership has been a vital asset to Civil Air Patrol.
In his civilian life, Lt. Col. Richardson continues his work in specialized operations as a Range Crew Leader and remains a life member of several veteran organizations, including the VFW and the American Legion. Despite his busy professional and Civil Air Patrol schedule, he remains a family man at heart, living in North Carolina with his wife, Anja, and keeping up with their two grown daughters, Melanie and Allison. Whether he’s managing a regional logistics information or teaching a leadership course to new members, Lt. Col. Richardson’s life is defined by a consistent commitment to serving his community and his country.
