Commander, Carrier Space Wing

History
The Commander, Air Group, or CAG position is a hold over from the United States Navy of 1940s Earth. This officer, who filled a Captain's Billet, was in charge of an Aircraft Carrier's entire Air Group ranging anywhere from a hand full to a hundred aircraft. The CAG was the most senior member of the airwing, and was expected to lead all major strike operations. in the 1970s The terminology was changed and the Carrier Air Group became known as a Carrier Air Wing or CVW,but the position of CAG was retained. Shortly after, the position of CAG became co-equal to the Carrier's Commanding Officer, Both of whom reporting directly to the Flag Officer in command of the entire Carrier Battle Group.

Space Wings
With the advent of interstellar spacecraft in the late 21st and early 22nd Centuries, the need for a space born fighter craft which could accompany a large fleet was recognized, and the Yorktown Class carrier, with it's Minotaur Fighter, was fielded in the latter half of the Earth-Romulan War although, each Carrier only carried five of the fighters and an additional ten Shuttlepods, the UESN assigned each an officer equivalent to a department head, who would be in charge of the Space wing, the position was informally referred to as the CAG, and the name stuck.

By the 2380s the CAG's possition had remained essentially unchanged, but in 2381 Starfleet Command elevated the position to replace the Executive Officer on a Carrier, essentially giving them an elevated status over the other department heads.