COLONEL RICHARD L.

GRIFFITH, CAP
Colonel Richard L. Griffith, CAP is the Commander, Indiana
Wing Civil Air Patrol. As Commander, he leads more than
1,350 senior members and cadets in Civil Air Patrols search and
rescue, homeland security, counter drug, youth leadership
development, and air and space science outreach activities in the
State of Indiana. The Indiana Wing operates nine aircraft,
13 vehicles, 2 mobile command posts, and a state-wide radio
network through four groups and 31 local squadrons and flights.
In 1989, Colonel Griffith became a Civil Air Patrol cadet and
served in the Weir Cook Cadet Squadron, Indiana Wing and the
Feltwell Cadet Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, UK. He completed
Cadet Officer School and the International Air Cadet Exchange,
and received the General Carl A. Spaatz Award in 1995.
Since becoming a senior member in 1995, Colonel Griffith has
held leadership roles at the flight, squadron, group, wing, and
region echelons. From 2003 to 2005, he was the Assistant Chief of Health Services, National
Headquarters, Civil Air Patrol, and most recently served as Vice Commander, Indiana Wing. He is a
counterdrug aircrew member and SAR ground team member, and is a graduate of the USAF Squadron
Officer School and the CAP National Staff College. He received the Gill Robb Wilson Award in 2007.
Colonel Griffith is a career civil servant at the Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN.
Dates of Promotion
Captain 1995
Major 2003

Lieutenant Colonel 2003

Colonel 2010

Education and Professional Development

1997 BS Public Health, Indiana University
1998 USAF Commissioned Officer Training, Maxwell AFB, AL
2003 Master of Healthcare Administration, Baylor University
2004 USAF Squadron Officer School (In Residence), Maxwell AFB, AL
2007 US Coast Guard Inland SAR Planners Course, Chicago, IL
2007 CAP National Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives
Major USAF Awards and Decorations
Meritorious Service Medal
Commendation Medal w/oak leaf cluster
Achievement Medal
Outstanding Unit Award w/V device and
oak leaf cluster
Iraq Campaign Medal w/campaign star
Expeditionary Service Ribbon w/combat border

Major CAP Awards and Decorations

Exceptional Service Award w/bronze clasp
Meritorious Service Award
Commanders Commendation Award w/silver
star and three bronze clasps
National Commanders Unit Citation
2004 MS WG Staff Member of the Year
1999 DG, CAP Incident Command School