MURFREESBORO (AP) — The Tennessee Wing of the Civil Air Patrol will make history this month when it installs its first female commander of the state organization.
Lt. Col. Arlinda Bailey of Johnson City will be promoted to full colonel and succeed Col. Bill Lane as wing commander during the wing's conference at Middle Tennessee State University on March 28.
The patrol is the volunteer civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. The 64-year-old Bailey joined in 1998 to help her son serve as a cadet in CAP's youth program. CAP's Tennessee Wing is best known for its emergency services, which make up 90 percent of the nation's inland search and rescue missions.
Besides its cadet program, the wing is also well known for its aerospace education outreach.