LIEUTENANT COLONEL STEPHEN L. TUPPER 

Lt Col Steve Tupper serves as the deputy commander for operations of Michigan Wing, Civil Air Patrol. He is responsible for operations, emergency services, and homeland security, including the employment of 13 assigned search-and-rescue and training aircraft.

Lt Col Tupper joined CAP in 2004 as a legal officer and later expanded into air operations at all levels in CAP as a mission pilot and check pilot examiner. He has served as a legal officer at the squadron, wing, and region levels and as the primary aviation lawyer for CAP nationally. He serves also as the Program Manager for CAP’s national Standards and Evaluation team.

He holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate with commercial privileges in multi-engine land airplanes and gliders and is type rated (SIC) in the Douglas DC-3/C-47. He is a certificated flight instructor (CFI) in airplanes and gliders with an instrument airplane rating and has been recognized twice by the National Association of Flight Instructors as a Master CFI. He specializes in warbird, tailwheel, and formation operations and holds an FAA Air Boss (RAB/SV) letter of authorization. He operates a private law practice specializing in aviation, technology, privacy, and corporate matters.

EDUCATION
1988 B.A. Economics and Political Science – Albion College
1993 MBA Finance – Western Michigan University
1998 J.D. – Wayne State University Law School
2008, 2010, 2014, 2024 National Legal Officer College (Faculty 2010, 2024)
2010 National Emergency Services Academy, Mission Aircrew School (Distinguished Graduate)
2013 Officer Basic Course
2016 National Check Pilot Standards Course (recurrent through 2024)
2017 Squadron Leadership School
2016 Corporate Learning Course
2020 Senior Executive Fellow – Harvard Kennedy School
2025 Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program – ATP Jets
2025 Multi-Crew Cockpit Course – Pan Am Academy

ASSIGNMENTS
    1.  Legal Officer, Oakland Composite Squadron (GLR-MI-238) (2006-2007)
    2.  Asst. Legal Officer, Michigan Wing (GLR-MI-001) (2007-2015)
    3.  Legal Officer, Michigan Wing (GLR-MI-001) (2015-2018)
    4.  Legal Officer, Great Lakes Region (GLR-001) (2018-2021)
    5.  Asst. Legal Officer – Great Lakes Region (GLR-001) (2021-Present)
    6.  Aviation Advisor, CAP National OPS Staff (2020-Present)
    7.  CAP NHQ Standards/Evaluation Team (2024-Present)
    8.  Vice Commander – Michigan Wing (2021-2024)
    9.  Deputy Commander for Operations – Michigan Wing (2024-Present)

MAJOR CIVIL AIR PATROL AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Exceptional Service Award with two bronze clasps
Crisis Service Award
National Commander’s Commendation

SPECIALTY TRACK RATINGS
Master Rating, Legal Officer
Senior Rating, Logistics
Technician Rating, Standards and Evaluation and Recruiting and Retention

ATTORNEY ADMISSIONS
Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. Supreme Court

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
State Bar of Michigan (Chair Emeritus of the Information Technology and Aviation Sections)
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), Master CFI
International Council of Air Shows (ICAS)
Red Star Pilots Association (RPA), Lead formation card holder
North American Trainer Association (NATA)
Warbirds of America
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
International Aerobatic Club (IAC)

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2020 – Major General Dwight H. Wheless National Legal Officer of the Year

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Senior Member: 28 October 2004
Captain: 07 April 2006
Major: 22 May 2009
Lieutenant Colonel: 05 November 2013

(Current as of March 2025)