Command Staff

Wing Commander

ARWG/CC Col Charles Rine

Biography

Colonel Charles A. Rine is the incoming Commander of the Arkansas Wing, Civil Air Patrol (CAP), based in Little Rock. He oversees CAP’s three core missions—Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs—and represents the Wing to external agencies across the state. As a qualified Incident Commander (IC1), Mission Pilot, and Mission Check Pilot, he brings extensive operational experience to the role.

Col Rine’s aviation journey began in high school through the Air Force Junior ROTC (OH-871), where he earned his pilot wings and served as Cadet Commander. After college and early career pursuits, he joined CAP in 2010, inspired by a longtime friend and mentor. He started with the Rogers Composite Squadron (AR-115), eventually becoming Squadron Commander and leading the unit to a National Squadron of Distinction Award in 2016.

He later served as Wing Director of IT and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintained weekly squadron virtual meetings to support cadets and seniors. In 2020, he became Wing Director of Operations, helping expand the Wing’s fleet and mission capabilities.

A graduate of the Southwest Region Staff College and National Staff College, Col Rine holds a Senior Pilot rating with over 1,200 flight hours and multiple emergency services qualifications. He has earned numerous awards and holds Master ratings in IT and Operations, and Senior ratings in several other specialties.

He holds a B.S. in Electronics Engineering Technology from DeVry University and dual Master’s degrees in Information Systems Management and Business Administration. With over 22 years in the healthcare industry, he currently works as a Virtual Infrastructure Engineer.

Outside of CAP, Col Rine is a Level 3 certified high-power rocketry enthusiast and board member of Tulsa Rocketry. 
He lives in Springdale, Arkansas, with his wife Abrena, an avid marathon runner, and their two dogs.
 

Vice Commander

ARWG/CV Lt Col Larry Webster

Biography

Lt Col Webster was born in El Dorado, Kansas. After high school he entered the United States Air Force as a personnel specialist. After serving 22 years he retired as a Master Sergeant (E-7). Duty assignments included Eaker AFB AR (formerly Blytheville AFB), Vance AFB OK and Little Rock AFB AR, Chanute AFB IL. Overseas assignments included Guam and Udorn RTAFB Thailand. Two special duty assignments included AFROTC Boulder CO and the Military Entrance Processing Station Memphis TN.

While stationed in Memphis in July 1979 he joined Civil Air Patrol serving on group staff in the Tennessee Wing then moved to a local unit at the Air National Guard Base in Memphis serving as their personnel officer. Shortly after that he became the squadron commander of the 99th Composite Squadron in West Memphis AR where he served until his military transfer to the AFROTC unit at the University of Colorado. Again, he served as a squadron commander there and at the local unit on Chanute AFB until his retirement from the Air Force. While in the AF he served as NCOIC of the Quality Force Section, Personnel Records Section, and NCOIC Testing Section at the MEPS Memphis. 

Coming back to the Arkansas Wing, he served as the public affairs officer for the 99th Composite Squadron and later become the squadron commander of the unit. He has also served on wing staff as Chief of Staff, Deputy Commander, Director of Cadet Programs, Director of Education and Training and Group West Commander. He is currently a Virtual in-Residence instructor for Volunteer University. 
His Air Force decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, AF Good Conduct Medal 6 Devices, Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon, Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, AF Longevity Ribbon 4 Devices, AF Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Cold War Ribbon, and AF Training Ribbon. He completed both the NCO Academy and Senior NCO Academy. Civil Air Patrol awards include the Exceptional Service Award, Meritorious Service Award, 9 Commander’s Commendation Awards, 2 Achievement Awards, Red Service Ribbon with 45-year pin, Find Ribbon, AF Organizational Award, Crisis Service Award and was the Region Senior Member of the Year in 2018. In addition, he has attended 7 cadet encampments serving in positions as encampment commander, encampment deputy commander, and chief tactical officer. 

He has attained the master rating in personnel, administration, professional development, and command. Technician ratings include emergency services, logistics, inspector general, safety and aerospace education and earned a senior rating in public affairs. In emergency service he has earned the Basic Emergency Services Badge, Basic Ground Team Badge, Emergency Services Patch and Observer rating. 

Lt Col Webster resides in Marion AR with his wife Carol who is an imagery specialist at the Crittenden Baptist Hospital in West Memphis AR. He has 5 kids, 10 grandkids and 4 great grandkids.

Chief of Staff

ARWG/CS Lt Col Jerome Grotts

Biography

Coming Soon

Command NCO

SMSgt Patrick J Coon
 

Biography

Coming Soon