Command

Commander

Col. Michael "Sean" McClanahan

Col. Sean McClanahan, a member of CAP since February 2014, joined Iowa Wing in January 2022. He served as the Iowa Wing Chief of Staff until June 2024 when he became the Iowa Wing Commander. His CAP career began in the Delaware Wing, where he held leadership roles in Communications, Emergency Services, and Operations. Col. McClanahan was also the Squadron Commander for the Delaware Legislative Squadron and Deputy Commander for Seniors at the Coastal Patrol Base 2 Memorial Composite Squadron. During his tenure in Delaware Wing, he earned multiple Emergency Services ratings, including Mission Observer and Incident Command Level 2. He served in key roles during the planning and participation of multi-agency exercises and missions. Currently, Col. McClanahan also serves as the acting Communications Training Officer for the North Central Region, CAP.

You can contact Col McClanahan at smcclanahan@iawg.cap.gov.

Vice Commander

Maj James T McLaughlin

Maj James McLaughlin has been a member of Civil Air Patrol from  2002-2009, then rejoined in January 2020. He became the Director of Emergency Services for Iowa Wing in May 2023 and is the Director of the Iowa Emergency Services Academy Ground Schools. In June of 2024 Maj McLaughlin became the Iowa Wing Voce Commander after a successful term as the Commander of the Des Moines Composite Squadron. Maj McLaughlin is Master Rated in Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, and Education & Training. He holds an additional Senor Rating in Command, 7 Technician Ratings in Various areas, and has earned the Gil Rob Wilson (Level 5) Award  #3890. As an Emergency Manager for Civil Air Patrol, he is a Pilot, Ground Team Leader, sUAS Mission Check Pilot Examiner, and Incident Commander Level 2. He has earned both the Exceptional and Meritorious Service Awards, National Commanders Commendation, Crisis Service Ribbon, Disaster Relief with ‘V’ device, Senior Recruiting Ribbon, Search ‘Find” Ribbon, and the Certificate of Lifesaving awards.

Major McLaughlin works for Johnson Controls as a Field Service Technician and lives with his Wife and Daughters in central Iowa. You can contact Maj McLaughlin at jmclaughlin@iawg.cap.gov.

Chief of Staff

Maj Alexander H Paul

Maj Alex Paul has been a member of CAP since January, 2007, and joined Iowa Wing in June 2015.  He became the Iowa Wing Director of Operations in July 2021 and served in that role until 3 June 2024 when he became Iowa Wing Chief of Staff.  He began his CAP career in the Colorado Wing in the cadet program reaching the Capt Eddie Rickenbacker Achievement (C/TSgt).   As a senior in the Iowa Wing he has served as the Des Moines Composite Squadron Commander and the Black Hawk County Squadron Commander and served at the wing level in Communications.   While serving in the Iowa Wing, Maj Paul obtained his Mission Pilot rating, his Incident Commander 3 rating, and was responsible for the planning and training of numerous wing-lead exercises.  

Maj Alex Paul serves in the Iowa Army National Guard as a Captain in the Medical Services Corps, flying UH-60L MEDEVAC Blackhawk helicopters and as a first officer with Sun Country Airlines.  You can contact Maj Paul at apaul@iawg.cap.gov.

Command NCO

CMSgt Paul E Wallace

Chief Master Sergeant Paul E Wallace serves the Iowa Wing as Command NCO, Assistant Director of Operations, and Maintenance Officer. He is also an Orientation Pilot, sUAS Check Pilot, and aircrew member.

Chief Master Sergeant Paul E Wallace is the Superintendent, 455th Expeditionary Operations Group, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The group includes close air support; combat search and rescue and personnel recovery; intra-theater air mobility; electronic attack; and aeromedical evacuation in support of Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and RESOLUTE SUPPORT missions. He is the senior enlisted advisor to the Operations Group Commander on all matters affecting combat operations, health, morale, welfare, discipline and effective utilization of over 350 Total Force Airmen assigned to six squadrons at Bagram Airfield.

You can contact CMSgt Wallace at PWallace@iawg.cap.gov