Southwest Region

Col. David L. Roberts

Colonel David L. Roberts serves as the Commander of the Southwest Region, Civil Air Patrol. CAP is a congressionally chartered organization with three primary Programs – Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education. When performing missions assigned by the 1st Air Force, CAP is deemed to be an auxiliary of the United States Air Force.

Before his current assignment, Colonel Roberts served as the vice commander of the Southwest Region and Commander of the Oklahoma Wing. Colonel Roberts came to the Oklahoma Wing from the Missouri Wing in 2006, chartering the Grove Composite Squadron SWR-OK-123, and served as its commander until 2012.

Colonel Roberts’ CAP background includes service in various staff assignments in both Missouri and Oklahoma Wings at the unit, group, and wing levels. He has held 27 emergency services qualifications and served in search-and-rescue, counterdrug, and homeland security missions.

He holds a CAP Pilot aeronautical rating as well as 13 master ratings and 4 senior ratings in Civil Air Patrol specialty tracks.

Col. Roberts was born in California but has lived in Oklahoma for the past 59 years. A 1977 graduate of Grove High School in Grove, Oklahoma, Col. Roberts attended NEO A&M College, Northeastern State University, and Andersonville Baptist Seminary.

He holds an AA in Criminal Justice, a BA in History, an MTh in Theology, and a ThD in Theology. Col. Roberts also holds more than a dozen computer certifications from Microsoft, Novell, A+, and Cisco.

Col. Roberts’ CAP awards include the Distinguished Service Award, Exceptional Service Award (2), Meritorious Service Award (3), National Commander’s Commendation Award (2), and Achievement Award (2). He has also received the Lifesaving Award, Unit Citation (4), Yeager Award, and Crossfield Award.

Col. Roberts completed the CAP professional development program and was awarded the Gill Robb Wilson Award in 2007. He has also completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and is currently enrolled in Air War College.

Col. Roberts presently serves as the Level 5 co-chair for online learning at CAP’s Volunteer University.

Col. Roberts retired in May 2017 after 36 years in public education. He is employed part-time by Grove Public Schools as the Safety Director and aviation instructor for the school district.

He was the owner and operator of Dave Roberts Taxidermy for over 20 years. Dr. Roberts is an ordained deacon and licensed minister and has served as Chairman of Deacons at First Baptist Church for over 25 years.

Col. Roberts and his wife, Becky, reside in Grove, Oklahoma. They have three adult children and five grandchildren.