Mount Airy Squadron celebrates a year of accomplishments at annual awards banquet - MD Delegate Nancy Stocksdale in attendance

1st Lt. Stacey Bowen, CAP

Public Affairs Officer

Mt. Airy Composite Squadron, MD

04/23/2009 – DAMASCUS, MARYLAND – Members of the Mount Airy Composite Squadron, Maryland Wing (MDWG) Civil Air Patrol (CAP), held their annual awards banquet on Saturday evening, April 18th, where families, friends, and special guests shared in the recognition of unit and member accomplishments during 2008.  Special guests included Maryland Delegate Nancy Stocksdale, Mount Airy Mayor Dave Pyatt, and Mt. Airy Lions Club President Mr. Ben Gue.  CAP awards and promotions were presented by MDWG Commander Col. Jerry Weiss, MDWG Vice Commander Lt. Col. John Knowles, Group 1 Commander Lt. Col. Eric Haertel, and Mt. Airy Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Judith McLellan.  125 guests attended the event which took place at Montgomery United Methodist Church in Damascus, Md. 

1st Lt. Ron Long, the Squadron’s Logistics Officer, and Project Officer for MDWG’s annual Aerospace Academy, served as Master of Ceremonies.  The evening began with a presentation of the colors.  An invocation was offered by Cadet 2nd Lt. Kyle Flanick, former cadet commander, and Cadet Sr. Amn. Robert Greer paid tribute to the Missing Comrades’ Table.  The buffet dinner was accompanied by a photo and video slideshow of the Unit’s activities over the past year.   

As a first gesture, Lt. Col. McLellan presented Mr. Ben Gue with a Certificate of Appreciation for the Lions Club’s support of Mt. Airy Squadron.  Mr. Gue proceeded to offer Lt. Col. McLellan a monetary donation for the squadron, stating that without the help of the CAP, he wouldn’t be able to hold the town’s annual May and Fall Festivals.  Mt. Airy’s cadets and officers handle traffic control during these events, keeping Main Street closed, and ensuring pedestrian safety. 

Col. Weiss made his initial presentation to Delegate Stocksdale:  a Certificate of Appreciation for her legislative work on behalf of MDWG CAP.  In March, Stocksdale proposed a tax bill to benefit members of CAP who are involved in the Emergency Services mission.  Weiss also presented her with a MDWG coin, and engaged the audience in a little background on the coining tradition.  Delegate Stocksdale explained that prior to this past March, when she received contact from Capt. Tim Bowen, asking for consideration based on a tax law already in effect for other emergency services organizations, she had never even heard of Civil Air Patrol.  She notified MDWG of her intentions to propose a bill, and invited CAP members to testify at a hearing with the House Ways and Means Committee.  The Wing was represented by Capt. Bowen, along with Lt. Col. John Knowles and C/Col. Zachary Bowen, who educated the committee on the services Civil Air Patrol provides to the state of Maryland.  Although the bill did not pass this year, due to its fiscal note, she plans to re-address it next year with the support of more co-sponsors.  She recommended that every MDWG CAP member contact their local delegate and ask for their support. 

2d Lt. Bob Dickey, Communications officer for the Squadron, began the Emergency Services (ES) presentation by describing the radio training required for members wishing to serve in ES, and recognized cadets and seniors who had successfully completed this training.   

Mt. Airy’s ES Officer, 1st Lt. Denise Sharp, talked about the Squadron’s Ground Team accomplishments.  She is currently working with six Ground Team Member (GTM) Trainees, three of whom only need to participate in one more Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) to qualify.  She recognized C/TSgt Sean Barker for completing his GTM 3 Training, and presented him with a cloth GTM badge for his field uniform.   Later in the evening, Col. Weiss and Lt. Col. Knowles commended Lt. Sharp for her efforts in “building a squadron Ground Team from scratch.”  Knowles presented her with a coin for coming so far over the past year. 

Capt. Tim Bowen, Deputy Commander for Cadets at Mt. Airy, and Glider Operations Coordinator for MDWG, gave thanks to pilot 1st Lt. Adam Donaldson, of Montgomery Senior Squadron, for his time and dedication to arranging and providing powered orientation flights to Mt. Airy cadets.  Eight cadets received their Certificates of First Flight:  C/SMSgt Shiloh Lockard, C/MSgt Joshua Bowen, C/MSgt Prithvi Mandayam, C/SrA Chris Cook, C/Amn Richard Heflin, C/Amn Ryan Jackson, C/Amn Jacob O’Connell, and C/Amn Ashley Petersen.

Five Cadets were recognized for performing Color Guard duties for the squadron during the past year:  C/MSgt Prithvi Mandayam, C/SrA Melissa Weinhold, C/SrA Nick Peterson, C/A1C Chris Petersen, and C/A1C James Petersen.  Additionally, five cadets were presented with white Cadet Competition shoulder cords for their participation on the Maryland Wing Drill Team:  C/Col Zachary Bowen, C/SMSgt Shiloh Lockard, C/MSgt Joshua Bowen, C/MSgt Kevin Lohoefer, and C/MSgt Prithvi Mandayam. 

As a lead-in to the evening’s promotions and awards, Cadet Commander C/2nd Lt. Trevor Flanick took to the podium and expressed his pride in his “Squadron’s fulfillment of its motto, ‘Can Do!’ “  He told the audience, “Training our members to be leaders, to set great examples for their peers, and to influence others around them in a confident manner has always been a part of Mt. Airy Squadron.”  He noted that his Unit’s “embodiment of Civil Air Patrol’s core values of Integrity, Respect, Volunteer Service and Excellence has never wavered.”  Flanick said, “Our members exemplify integrity – they have the courage to stand up for what is right, no matter what the circumstances.  They show respect for themselves and others.  Volunteer service is evident as cadets see a need, and step up to take action.  In excellence, our members give it their all and work to be the best that they can be.”   

Flanick acknowledged Mt. Airy’s milestones over the past year, beginning with the squadron’s designation as MDWG’s Squadron of Merit for the year 2008.  Some of the Squadron’s accomplishments included:  the addition of nine new cadets and two senior members; the issuing of five Wright Brothers Awards, three Gen. Billy Mitchell Awards, and one Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award; two senior member promotions; one senior member serving on Group 1 Staff, and one serving on Wing Staff; seven cadets and two senior members participating in Tri-Wing Encampment; twelve cadets and five senior members participating in MDWG’s Aerospace (Glider) Academy; one cadet receiving his pilot’s license and becoming a Form 5 pilot for MDWG; and two cadets attending National Cadet Special Activities.

On this evening, the following Senior Members received Promotions: 

Promoted to 2d Lt:  Robert Dickey, Kevin Greer, Alan Siegrist, and Brian Winters

Promoted to 1st Lt:  Stacey Bowen

Promoted to Lt. Col.:  Judith McLellan

The following Cadets received Phase I and Phase II Promotions: 

Promoted to C/Amn:  Cadets Richard Heflin and Jacob O’Connell

Promoted to C/SSgt (Wright Brothers Award):  Cadets Austin Cirulli and Robert Greer

Promoted to C/TSgt:  Cadet Sean Barker

Promoted to C/MSgt:  Cadets Joshua Bowen, Kevin Lohoefer, and Prithvi Mandayam

Promoted to C/SMSgt:  Cadet Shiloh Lockard

Cadets Zachary Fry and Joshua Newsome received the second milestone award in the CAP cadet program, the General Billy Mitchell Award.  This award honors the late Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell, aviation pioneer, advocate, and staunch supporter of an independent Air Force for America.  Earning this award marks the end of the enlisted phase of the cadet program, and the beginning of the officer phase.  Cadets earning the Mitchell Award receive the grade of cadet second lieutenant.  In addition to this, Mitchell recipients may enter the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, or U.S. Coast Guard at the advanced pay grade of E-3 (Airman First Class). 

To earn this award, these cadets passed a combined leadership and aerospace exam, a physical fitness test, and a uniform inspection.  They also directed moral leadership discussions, mentored other cadets, attended squadron activities and a CAP encampment, and passed a board of review.  The enlisted phase of the CAP cadet program requires a minimum service time of 20 months.  

Col. Weiss presented the cadets with their Mitchell Awards, and offered them a MDWG coin with the traditional handshake.

Cadet Fry, age 17, joined CAP in April of 2007.  He attended Tri-Wing Encampment and Maryland Wing’s Aerospace Academy in the summer of 2007.  Within the squadron, Fry has held the positions of Flight Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Moral Leadership Officer.  He was recognized as Mt. Airy’s Cadet Airman of the Year for 2007.    

Currently a senior at South Carroll High School, Fry is a member of the National Honor Society.  He also served as his Junior Class President.  During the summer of 2008, he was selected to participate in the The American Legion’s Boys State program, and traveled to Greece and Italy through the People to People Student Ambassador program. 

Cadet Fry’s mother, Holly Fry, assisted with the pinning of his new rank insignia.

Cadet Newsome, age 16, joined CAP in October of 2005.  He attended Tri-Wing Encampment in 2007.  He has participated in Maryland Wing’s Aerospace Academy since 2006, serving as Flight Sergeant in 2007 and Flight Commander in 2008.  He attended National Emergency Services Academy’s Advanced Ground Search and Rescue School in July 2008, and serves in CAP’s Emergency Services program as a Ground Team Member, level 1.  Within the squadron, Cadet Newsome has served as Flight Sergeant, Flight Commander, Cadet Executive Officer, and Moral Leadership Officer.  He was recognized as Mt. Airy’s Cadet Airman of the Year in 2006, and Cadet NCO of the Year in 2007.

A junior at Liberty High School, Newsome is a drummer in the high school’s band, and a member of both the indoor and outdoor track teams, where he has been a sprinter for three years.  He is a member of the German Club and National Honor Society.  He is a Life Scout with Boy Scouts of America Troop 719, and plays in his church praise band, Red Sea Parting.  He is also a part-time associate at Kmart. 

Cadet Newsome was pinned with the new grade insignia by his parents, Mr. Ed Newsome, and Capt. Sandy Newsome, CAP. 

Following the Mitchell ceremony, Newsome received the Air Force Sergeants Association Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year Award, recognizing him as most outstanding NCO during 2008.  To round out the evening for Newsome, Col. Weiss announced that he has been selected to attend this summer’s CAP Maryland Wing Solo Flight Scholarship Program (Solo School), where he will receive ground school and powered flight training up to his first solo in a single engine Cessna. 

Maj. Bob Hawkins, CAP, Air Force Association (AFA) Chapter President, came forward to present an AFA Citation to C/Col Zachary Bowen in recognition of outstanding achievement in leadership and academic standing in the Civil Air Patrol. 

In the tradition of Mt. Airy’s past awards ceremonies, cadets were recognized for their special strengths and contributions to the unit: 

Most Improved Cadet:  C/TSgt Sean Barker

Best Military Demeanor:  C/MSgt Prithvi Mandayam

Best Precision Drill:  C/MSgt Kevin Lohoefer

Most Active Cadet:  C/MSgt Joshua Bowen

Best Physical Fitness:  C/A1C James Petersen

Best Team Spirit:  C/SSgt Robert Greer

Outstanding Leadership Initiative:  C/2d Lt Joshua Newsome

Most Inspirational Cadet:  C/2d Lt Trevor Flanick

Mt. Airy Squadron’s 2008 “of the Year” Awards were saved for last:

2008 Senior Member of the Year – Capt. Timothy Bowen

2008 Cadet Airman of the Year – C/SMSgt Shiloh Lockard

2008 Cadet Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year – C/2d Lt Zachary Fry

2008 Cadet of the Year – C/2d Lt Kyle Flanick

Four Mt. Airy cadets who are high school seniors have chosen to pursue military careers following graduation: 

Cadet James Petersen has been accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy’s Prep School.

Cadets Kyle and Trevor Flanick have received full Army ROTC scholarships to Messiah College, near Harrisburg, Pa.

Cadet Zachary Fry has received a full Army ROTC scholarship to Loyola College in Baltimore, Md.

Cadet Trevor Flanick remarked to the audience that “cadets move on to greater things, while new cadets fill the spaces left behind.”  Adding later, “The cadets who have moved on are a testimony to the leadership that they learned while here at Mt. Airy.” 

Col. Weiss commended the cadets of the Squadron who are attending college, yet still continue to stay active in the CAP and support the Unit when they can. 

At the end of the evening, Col. Weiss lauded the growth of Mt. Airy Squadron, the exhibited family support, and the Unit’s dedication to the training of its members.  He said to all, “You are no longer followers in this Wing.  You have become leaders.” 

The Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U. S. Air Force, was founded on Dec. 1, 1941, less than a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the U. S. into World War II. CAP is a nonprofit organization with more than 56,000 members nationwide. The organization’s members perform 95 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and were credited by the AFRCC with saving 103 lives in fiscal year 2007. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. 

Members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 25,000 young people currently participating in the CAP Cadet Program. CAP’s cadet programs provide young men and women with a safe and motivating environment in which to grow and explore opportunities in the military and aviation industries. CAP has been performing mission for American for more than 63 years. 

There are approximately 1,300 members of CAP in Maryland. Last fiscal year wing members flew 42 search and rescue missions and were credited with 31 finds. For more information, visit www.mdcap.org. 

The Mount Airy Composite Squadron meets at 6:45p.m. Thursdays at the Mount Airy Senior and Community Center, 703 Ridge Ave., Mount Airy.  Prospective cadets, ages 12 to 18, and their parents are always welcome.  Adults seeking mentoring opportunities are invited as well.  For more information, e-mail contactus@mtairy-cap.org , call 301-829-9057, or visit www.mtairy-cap.org .

Any comments and/or suggestions: webmaster@mtairy-cap.org.