Maj. Craig Newton assumed command of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) South Coast Group 7 during a change of command ceremony held at South Coast Group 7 headquarters at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base on 8 January, 2018. CAP California Wing Commander Col. Alan Ferguson presided over the time-honored ceremony signifying the transfer of authority from one commander to another, as he received the South Coast Group 7 flag from outgoing Commander Lt. Col. James Robertson and handed it to Major Newton. Also representing California Wing at the ceremony was Vice Commander Lt. Col. Gregory Chase.
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| Maj. Craig Newton (L) receives the Group 7 flag from California Wing Commander Col. Alan Ferguson |
During his final remarks as Group 7 Commander Lieutenant Colonel Robertson said, "Major Newton is highly respected within Civil Air Patrol. He is one of the most prepared people to assume command of this Group."
Major Newton joined Civil Air Patrol in December 2011. "When looking at my wife's singing schedule (who is a professional opera singer) in the upcoming year, we realized that she was going to be very busy. She jokingly told me that I needed to get a hobby. I had been looking at joining CAP and the rest, as they say, is history."
Prior to his appointment as South Coast Group 7 commander Newton served as the squadron commander for Falcon Senior Squadron 40, based at Fullerton Municipal Airport. He holds numerous emergency services qualifications including Mission Pilot, Airborne Photographer, Air Operations Branch Director, Incident Commander 3 (Trainee), and Senior Flight Release Officer. He is also serves as the assistant Inspector General for California Wing.
When asked what he is looking most forward to in his new role as South Coast Group 7 Commander Newton said, "I enjoy meeting new people and interacting with them. I hope to give the members of Group 7 the knowledge to succeed; I hope to do this by selecting my staff of experts, that can be called upon as mentors."
