Commander Air Group
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The Commander, Air Group (CAG) is the senior pilot aboard a battlestar, responsible for Air Wing operations and personnel. The billet is filled by the senior flight officer with a rank of captain or higher.
It should be noted that Commander, Air Groups may also be in overall command of all local battlestar Air Wings, following and including Pegasus integration into the Fleet.
Commander, Air Group battlestar Galactica
edit- For a complete list of all Galactica CAGs, see: Senior Staff of Galactica
| Photo | Person | Rank | Period of Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Armin "High Top" Diaz | Captain | c. 42 BCH (58YR) - Blood and Chrome | Served as William "Husker" Adama's CAG during the First Cylon War. |
 |
Jackson "Ripper" Spencer | Major | c. 1 BCH (99YR) to 0 ACH (2000BYR) - "Miniseries, Night 1" | KIA during the Fall of the Twelve Colonies. |
 |
Lee "Apollo" Adama | Captain → Major | 0 ACH (2000BYR) - "Miniseries, Night 2" to "Resistance"; "Home, Part II" to "Pegasus"; "Resurrection Ship, Part II" to "Epiphanies"
|
|
 |
George "Catman" Birch | Captain | 1 ACH (2000BYR) - "Home, Part II" | Briefly replaces Lee "Apollo" Adama who goes AWOL as part of the Laura Roslin faction. |
 |
Kara "Starbuck" Thrace | Captain | 1 ACH (2000BYR) - "Resurrection Ship, Part I" to "Epiphanies"; "Downloaded" to "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II"
|
Was in overall command of both Galactica and Pegasus air groups during Rear Admiral Helena Cain's tenure. |
 |
Louanne "Kat" Katraine | Captain | 1 ACH (2000BYR) - 2 ACH (2001BYR) - "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II" to "Exodus, Part II"
3 ACH (2002BYR) - "The Passage" (honorary, in memoriam) |
Served as CAG during New Caprica settlement and occupation period.
Later given honorary re-assignment in memoriam following her passing. |
 |
Karl "Helo" Agathon | Captain | 2 ACH (2001BYR) to 4 ACH (2003BYR) - "The Son Also Rises" to "Six of One" | CAG following Lee "Apollo" Adama's retirement from service. |
Commander, Air Group battlestar Pegasus
edit| Photo | Person | Rank | Period of Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Cole "Stinger" Taylor | Captain | 0 ACH (2000BYR) to 1 ACH (2000BYR) - "Razor" to "Resurrection Ship, Part I" | Relieved by Admiral Cain following Standoff Between Galactica and Pegasus. |
|
Kara "Starbuck" Thrace | Captain | 1 ACH (2000BYR) - "Resurrection Ship, Part I" to "Epiphanies"; "The Captain's Hand" to "Razor" | Transferred from Galactica; later re-assigned back to Galactica. |
| Unknown | Time of Pegasus destruction | CAG at time of destruction unknown, but Louanne "Kat" Katraine likely oversaw air wings from both Galactica and Pegasus as part of New Caprica defense fleet. |
Notes
edit- CAGs have normally been captains throughout the series, but always senior to all other pilots. Captain Lee "Apollo" Adama is initially appointed CAG by virtue of his rank, and eventually is promoted to major with several captains serving under him as squadron commanders. Subsequent CAGs (Kara "Starbuck" Thrace, George "Catman" Birch, Louanne "Kat" Katraine) are captains when appointed. In Thrace's case in "Pegasus," Lee Adama is demoted to Lieutenant under her by Rear Admiral Helena Cain.
- "CAG" is a US Navy term that has gained widespread recognition through films and television series such as "Top Gun" and "JAG". The term "CAG" is obsolete as Air Groups are now known as Air Wings and the position is "Commander, Air Wing" (CAW), but it is still used, especially on an informal level. The term "Air Wing" is also used on Battlestar Galactica (TRS: "Pegasus").
- The CAG's rank and place in the ship's hierarchy is one area where Battlestar Galactica diverges from the US Navy. In the real world, the CAG is a captain (O-6) of equal seniority to the ship's captain (or skipper), with both under the command of an admiral who commands the Carrier Strike Group. Battlestar Galactica places the CAG under the ship's commander, and at major or even captain he or she holds a relatively low rank.