08/27/2026
We’re starting a new tradition in Florida Wing Emergency Services!
Incident Commander (IC) badge presentations are now being conducted by the Director of Emergency Services to members who earn their IC qualification.
Florida Wing congratulates to our newest Incident Commander, Major Christian Dominguez.
The Basic incident commander badge is awarded to those members who achieve the first of three incident commander qualifications: Incident Commander 3. The badge recognizes not only the qualification, but the commitment, leadership, and responsibility that comes with leading CAP’s emergency services missions.
Becoming an Incident Commander in CAP is not a simple process, but rather the culmination of a members training in the Emergency Services program. Members typically begin by qualifying as aircrew members, such as a Mission Observer or Mission Pilot, or as ground team members, such as an Urban Direction-Finding Team member or Ground Team Leader.
From there, members progress into leadership positions, first qualifying as either a Ground Branch Director or Air Operations Branch Director. They then work toward qualifications as a Planning Section Chief and Operations Section Chief. Once these qualifications are completed, members can begin their Incident Commander training.
At this stage, the wing pairs the trainee with an experienced mentor to guide them through their progression. Trainees will gain experience managing a wide variety of missions, from simple Emergency Locator Transmitter searches to multi-day, multi-agency operations, before ultimately becoming fully qualified as an Incident Commander.
Maj. Dominguez is pictured in the center, with Lt. Sean Clavey, Director of Emergency Services, on the left and his IC mentor, Capt. Addison English, on the right. The presentation was made at Miami Composite Squadron One meeting which took place at Coast Guard Air Station Opa Locka.
If you are interested in becoming an incident commander, watch your email for future announcements for the Pathway to Incident Management Program. Lt. Col. Leet will be sending out announcements for the next IC program training series in the near future.
