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This woman rules the CAP skies

by MADISON HARDY
Staff Writer | September 20, 2021 1:09 AM

Coeur d'Alene resident Col. Robin Vest is a part of the Civil Air Patrol's past, present and future. 

On Thursday, Vest became the second woman in history to serve as Idaho Wing Commander for the CAP. The last female commander, she said, held the office in 1974. 

"There have been a lot of men in the commander's seat," Vest said. 

The Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force formed during World War II to mobilize the nation's civil aviation resources for national defense. This year is the 80th anniversary of CAP service.

Today, CAP members perform search and rescue missions, provide disaster relief, homeland security and drug interdiction services across the inland U.S. 

A love of aviation is in Vest's blood. Vest is the daughter of aviation pioneer Col. Mary Feik and former U.S. Air Force Chief Scientist Robert Lewis Feik. 

Still, Vest said she wasn't born with a passion for the skies. Before joining the Civil Air Patrol at 31 years old, Vest received a college education and became an accountant.

"It was completely different from what my parents did," Vest said. "My dad was always busy when I was younger. (My mother) and I didn't really see eye-to-eye on a lot of things growing up." 

Mary Feik was an American aviation engineer, mechanic, pilot, instructor, aircraft restorer and colonel in the CAP. During World War II, she became a leader in aircraft maintenance for the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Today, she is recognized as one of the first female aviation engineers in research and development. Later in life, Feik was recognized by the CAP for her service and, before passing, had a CAP squadron named in her honor.

"She did a lot of things that women weren't doing at the time," Vest said. 

After following her mother on some of her aviation excursions, including the Discovery Space Shuttle launch in 1984, Vest decided to join the CAP. She started out doing odd jobs at the state level and later became a squadron commander in Maryland. 

"I'm still friends with a lot of the cadets in that squadron. All of them turned into wonderful adults," Vest said. "One of the female cadets is now the CAP Rocky Mountain Region manager." 

Like her mother, Vest believes the presence of women in the CAP is powerful.

"I think a female as a commander in Idaho will be beneficial," Vest said. "I feel I can inspire a lot of female cadets to live up to their potential."

For the past two and a half years, Vest has acted as vice-commander for the Idaho Wing. Her husband, Warren, is a former CAP Board of Governors member and recently stepped down as the Montana Wing commander. Together, the Vests have devoted 71 years to the Civil Air Patrol. 

"This role takes a lot of dedication," Vest said. "I want to help the members do the best they can and make sure we're helping the national organization in partnership with the U.S. Air Force." 

In Robin Vest's 33 years of service, she has served as interim wing commander, region director of finance, squadron commander, cadet officer school seminar advisor, and director of several national flight academies.

Vest said the best part of the CAP is working with cadets, meeting new people and participating in community service. 

"The program helps children become better adults and better children. They learn all kinds of things and make friends that last a lifetime," she said.

Thursday was notable for another reason: Vest's 64th birthday. She was honored for the promotion and said her mother would be, too. 

"She would be so happy," Vest said. "Both my parents devoted their lives to service, and I am too."

photo

Coeur d'Alene resident Colonel Robin Vest smiles after becoming the second woman in history to serve as Idaho Wing Commander for the Civil Air Patrol during a change of command ceremony Thursday night.