Fredericksburg Squadron - Mar 2012

7/30/2019 Fredericksburg Squadron - Mar 2012

1/10

Capt Richard Leonard, Commander MER-VA-108 Spring 2012 Edition

FROM THE COMMANDERS DESKGreetings members:

The Fredericksburg Composite Squadron has undergone manychanges in 2012. In January I assumed command of the Squadronfrom Captain Julius Garrett. These are large shoes to fill as CaptainGarrett had done an outstanding job leading the Squadron these pastfew years. He continues to remain active with the Squadron as ourStandardization and Evaluation Officer, a position for which he is well-

suited with his flying experience and status as an evaluator. Otherchanges include LTC Elizabeth Sydow assuming the position as Dep-uty Commander for Cadets, Captain Linda Tabb as Personnel Officer,Captain Jeffrey Smith as Aerospace Education Officer, and 2Lt. GreggBrown assuming the Deputy Commander for Seniors position. I havetotal faith in each of these individuals as each is well qualified to per-form in their new duty positions. I look forward to working with our newCommand Staff in the future as we continue in the tradition set by Cap-tain Garrett, to improve our ability to perform the CAP Mission and topromote growth in our senior and cadet ranks.

We have recently completed and submitted the Squadron Self-

Assessment. We will be receiving an inspection later this year. Wehave identified several areas which need improvement, and over thenext few months will be working to improve those areas prior to the in-spection. It is essential that all Squadron personnel do their best to en-sure that the Squadron receives an Excellent on the upcoming inspec-tion.

Many of our members have completed training requirements over thepast few months. Our goal is to achieve one fully qualified GroundTeam and one fully qualified Aircrew this year in order to meet CAPMission requirements. I encourage each of you to participate in the up-

coming training events in these areas in order

to become fully qualified in your chosen spe-cialty area.

As you are aware, you must complete certainmandatory professional development trainingcourses to be eligible for promotions. Howquickly you advance in your professional de-velopment courses is a direct result of howquickly you choose to complete the necessaryrequirements. If you are not sure of what

See Commanders Desk, Page 9

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fri-Sun, April 13-15VA Wing GSAR College Part II

Ft. PickettBlackstone, VA

Fri-Sun, April 27-29VA Wing SAREX

Lake Anna & Culpeperand

Encampment Staff TrainingFt. PickettBlackstone, VA

Fri-Sun, May 4-6MER SAR College


Sat, May 12Group Camping F&PLt. Thompsons Home

Corporate Learning CourseCulpeper AirportBrandy Station, VA

Sat, May 19Wing SAREX

Chesterfield Airport, VA

Sun, May 20USMC Half Marathon

Water StationFredericksburg, VA

Thur, June 7HEAVRecruiting/DDR

Richmond, VA

Sun, June 17Sully Car Show/Fundraiser

Chantilly, VA

June 23-July1VA Wing Encampment



2/10

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: CAPT. GARRETTS FIRST FLIGHT

During Capt. Julius Garretts two-year command of the Freder-icksburg Composite Squadron, he successfully recruited addi-tional pilots to the membership and personally qualified them in

their necessary ratings. Garrett continuously advances his train-ing and skills to better serve the squadron and the community.He is a certified Mission Pilot, Flight Observer, Flight Scanner,Transport Mission Pilot, Mountain Pilot, Flight Release Officer,Orientation Pilot, AFROTC Orientation Pilot, Counterdrug Pilot,Check Pilot, Check Pilot Examiner and Instructor Pilot. Whenthe weather prohibits flying, Garrett still contributes as a statecertified search and rescue ground team member through theVirginia Department of Emergency Management.

Capt. Garrett grew up in Oberlin, Pa., in a house under the flight path of what was then Olmstead Air ForceBase. Remembering his childhood, Garrett says, As a boy I was intrigued and impressed seeing the flights

of F86 Sabers, F100 Super Sabers, and F4 Phantoms as they flewtheir missions into and out of the base. I was able to ride my bicy-cle to a neighboring community to a family friends house locatedon a hill just three miles from the base and see the planes land andtake off. In those days it was not uncommon to hear the sonicboom as the jets broke the sound barrier. You could sometimesfeel the boom and the house would shake.

He took his first ride in an airplane in 1968 at the age of 15. Hisfathers friend owned a 1946 Cessna 140 with ceconite coveredwings that he used on good weather days to fly to his job at God-dard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Mr. Shreve had his own

private grass airstrip near Wellsville, Pennsylvania. Garrett ex-plains, I remember him explaining the preflight, using the check-list, which he had me read, the run-up and explanation of the mag-neto check and setting the compass. Then, I vividly remember thesound of the aluminum fuselage rattling like a bad tin roof on a rick-ety shed and seeing the end of the runway rapidly approaching Ilooked at Mr. Shreve and asked somewhat nervously, Are we go-ing to get off?

They did get up and Garrett remembers the rattling of the alumi-num stopping and just hearing the sound of the engine and windover the airframe. He had other invitations and remembers flightsover the Bay Bridge and landing at the airport on Kent Island,Maryland just to have lunch. Then there was the memorable tripto Frederick, Maryland just to pick up a paper mache donkey headto be used in A Midsummer Nights Dream production in theirhometown. On these subsequent flights, Garrett learned aboutpilotage and dead reckoning, tuning and using a VOR (radio navi-gation system for aircraft), filling in flight logs, and the use of theE6B flight computer whiz wheel that aids in calculating fuel burn,wind correction and time en route.

Thank you Capt. Garrett for your service to our squadron!

FREDERICKSBURG FLIGHT REPORT PAGE 2

SENIOR MEMBERACHIEVEMENTS

By Lt Col Liz Sydow,Professional Development Officer

Promotions:Capt Gregg Kneipp

Capt Linda TabbCapt D. Tyler Floyd2d Lt Ryan Blanding

2d Lt Beatrice GarrettSpecialty Ratings:

Capt Linda TabbPersonnel Technician Rating

2d Lt Lisa SylviaPublic Affairs Technician Rating

2d Lt Lawrence WatsonLogistics Technician Rating

Benjamin O. Davis Award (Level II):Capt Gregg Kneipp

Capt D. Tyler FloydMembership Award (Level I):

2d Lt Beatrice GarrettSM David Fattaleh

Officer Basic Course:Capt Gregg Kneipp

Squadron Leadership School:Capt Gregg Kneipp


3/10


RECOGNITION FOROUTSTANDING PROGRAMBy Lt Col Liz Sydow, DCC

Congratulations to the entire squadron for achievingthe 2011 Quality Cadet Unit Award. Only eight

squadrons in Virginia received this distinction. Theaward recognizes cadet units that are doing the thingsthat make for a strong program. It's verification thatwe are on the right track.

To qualify, we had to meet at least five of eight crite-ria. Award criteria that we met are membership, re-newals, growth, Wright Brothers Award, AEX, andseniors attending a TLC (Training Leaders of Cadets).We were strong, but need additional improvement onencampment attendance and orientation flights (O-rides).

Excellent work by the cadet programs staff, recruiting,operations, aerospace, cadet staff, each cadet, andthe parents who supported them.

CADET PROMOTIONS

Congratulations to the following

cadets who have promoted in thepast 90 days:

Gen. J.F. Curry (Achievement 1)C/Amn Katherine Andrews,

C/Amn Maria Barber,C/Amn Bunteero Bulatindo,C/Amn Alexander Hoffman,

C/Amn Bethany Shields

Gen. Hap Arnold (Achievement 2)C/A1C Georganna Grizzard

Mary Feik (Achievement 3)C/SrA Elise Ivory

MilestoneWright Brothers AwardPhase 1 Completion, The Learning Phase

C/SSgt Conor Roberson

Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker (Achievement 4)C/TSgt Isaiah Padgett,

C/TSgt Michael Vandevander,

C/TSgt Ian Woods

Charles Lindbergh (Achievement 5)C/MSgt Jacob Barber,

C/MSgt Rebecca Montanaro

Gen. Jimmy Doolittle (Achievement 6)C/SMSgt Thien-Nam Hoang

Dr. Robert Goddard (Achievement 7)C/CMSgt Daniel Montanaro,

C/CMSgt Rachel Sydow

MilestoneBilly Mitchell AwardPhase II Completion,

The Leadership Phase

C/2dLt Theophilus Felder

C/2dLt Daniel SylviaL to R: Cadet Commander 2d Lt Rachel Boelsche, 2011Deputy Commander for Cadets, Capt. Linda Tabb, acceptaward from Virginia Wing Commander, Col Dave Carter.


4/10

Four cadets from our squadron volunteered to participate inLegislative Day on Capitol Hill. Cadet First Sergeant John

Boelsche, C/CMSgt Rachel Sydow, C/2dLt Daniel Sylvia, andC/2dLt Jairus Tabb all spent the day visiting Virginias congres-sional representatives. The cadets were escorted by Maj.James Quinn, VA Wing Vice Commander and Col. Dave

Carter, VA WingCommander.

There were alsocadets who partici-pated from othersquadrons in Vir-ginia. Maj. Quinn

and Col. Cartereach took a groupof cadets and splitthe list of legislatorsto visit.

Col. Carters groupvisited Congress-man Webbs officewith CAP NationalVice CommanderB r i g . G e n .

Vazquez. The mis-sion was to pro-mote CAPs goalsand budget require-ments.


VA WING ENCAMPMENTCADET STAFF SELECTIONS

By Lt Col Liz Sydow, Deputy Commander for Cadets

Congratulations to our cadets who will serveon staff at 2012 Virginia Wing Encampment:

Squadron CommandersC/2dLt Matthew Papandrea, C/2dLt Daniel Sylvia

Flight Sergeant Medical StaffC/TSgt Ian Woods C/CMSgt Gabriela Duncan

CAP LEGISLATIVE DAYMarch 1, 2012Washington, D.C.By 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia, PAO

L to R: C/2dLt Hill, Congressman Forbes, MajQuinn, C/CMSgt Sydow, C/CMSgt Boelsche,C/2dLt Sylvia

L to R: VA Wing Commander, Col Dave Carter,C/2dLt Tabb, C/Lt Col Hendry, C/2dLt Felder,C/CMSgt Martinez.

L to R: C/2dLt Felder, CAP Vice Commander,Brig Gen Vazquez, C/2dLt Tabb, C/Lt Col Hen-dry.

L to R: C/CMSgt Sydow, Maj Quinn, C/2dLtHill, C/CMSgt John Boelsche.


5/10

CADET COMMANDERS CORNERBy C/2dLt Rachel Boelsche

Keep Up the Good Work!

It truly does not seem long ago that I was writing my very first Cadet Commanders Corner; three Cornerslater and Im suddenly writing my final one. I guess time not only flies when youre having fun, but alsowhen youre at the best squadron any cadet could hope to be a part of. Thats really what I have felt overthe past five and a half years: that I am blessed to be a member of a truly exceptional unit. I know everycadet commander might say that about their unit, but theres a big difference this time its the truth.

I know this is the truth not because VA-108 has always been perfect, but instead because it has grownand adapted over the years in constant search of excellence. That is the sign of an extraordinary squad-ron. Too often you find units that strictly stick to incorrect customs and old ways rather than striving to

learn the right way, or grow into a better unit. But not Fredericksburg! When I joined we barely had a sin-gle flight of cadets, and we had a limited number of staff positions. Now the squadron has over 60 cadetsand around 30 cadet staff positions. That is growth. I have seen old policies left behind because of theirinaccuracies, despite the customs which kept them alive to begin with. That is responsibility and improve-ment. Yes, this is the best squadron because this squadron is always pursuing the best and most correctmanner of doing things, and as a result is able to continue to grow. It is the same Fredericksburg Com-posite Squadron with the same unique traditions, but it has also grown into an even better unit. That issomething that I am very proud of, and hope that you are as well.

I suppose another way of saying all that is through the unofficial second motto of CAP, semper gumby.Fredericksburg rocks because it is always flexible. We continue the traditions that make us VA-108, andthat is always important. However, we also adapt and stay current. I know that this will continue to be the

case as long as each member remembers to be flexible and value what is right over what is easy.

This squadron is special; our members are special, our families are special, even our van Eduardo is spe-cial. It has been an honor to serve as cadet commander of a truly one-of-a-kind unit like ours, and I willalways remember my time here. Yet I can take comfort in knowing that the squadron will stay exceptionalas long as its members continue to always strive for excellence. I have learned a lot during my year ascadet commander, but the lesson that has stood out the most is that no one person can make a team suc-cessful. Each member of the squadron working together is what gives VA-108 its excellence. Keep doingthat and the name Fredericksburg Composite Squadron will continue to be distinguished and respectedfor a long time. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your cadet commander. I am, and always will be,proud to be a part of the Fredericksburg family.


2012 NCSA ATTENDEES(National Cadet Special Activities)

CONGRATULATIONS!

Honor Guard Academy, Westminster, MD, July 8-21

Third YearC/2dLt Matthew Papandrea

Powered Flight Academy, Blackstone, VA, June 30-July 8C/2dLt Daniel Sylvia

Talk to these cadets to find out about these programs.

MadamVice at theDining-Out.

Best Wishesto our Cadet

Commander!

We will missyou

...YourMER-VA-108Family.


6/10

COL. MARY FEIK SPEAKS ATSQUADRON DINING-OUTBy 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia, PAO

Members and guests at the Fredericksburg Com-posite Squadrons Dining-out enjoyed a specialnight with guest speaker, Col. Mary Feik. Shebrought pictures of the aircraft she maintained in hercareer as a master airplane mechanic and ex-plained their interesting qualities in her power pointpresentation. The audience was enthralled to hearstories of the first woman to receive numerous avia-tion related engineering and mechanic awards. Col.Feik also surprised the nine cadets who in 2011earned the CAP achievement, named in her honor,with personally signed certificates.

The squadron welcomed the return of this specialmilitary-style dinner and awards ceremony and in-troduced many new members to this traditionalevent. The festivities were conducted at the Freder-icksburg Country Club. Capt. Julius Garrett pre-sided as the honorable President of the Mess andCadet Commander Rachel Boelsche served asMadam Vice. Other VIP guests in attendance in-cluded MER Vice Commander Col. Moseley, Vir-ginia Wing Commander, Col. Carter, former Minne-sota Wing Commander, Col. Sliwinski, VA Group 3

Commander, Maj. Van Etten, CAP Charter Member,Lt. Col. Guertin, and VA Wing ES Officer Maj.Payne.

The evening opened with the presentation of colorsand a POW/MIA Table Ceremony by our ColorGuard. After the traditional military toasts, the grogbowl humor kept everyone entertained and carefulto follow the rules of the mess protocol. Cadetscarefully selected their ingredients to remind mem-bers of our service in CAP. This year the grog in-cluded olive oil (plane fuel), carrot juice (orange

safety vests), EmergenC (encampment), hot choco-late (winter activities), hot sauce (muscle burn ofPT), cocoa powder (dirty boots), Arnold Palmer (theleadership/followership combination) and cranberry

juice (blood of fallen soldiers).

At one point in the evening, Madam Vice deemed aparticular mischievous behavior cause to send theentire Sydow/Sliwinski family to the Grog Bowl. Itwas a moment of levity we will forever chuckleover.


C/SrA Nikyla Wardrop receives a personally signed FeikAward Certificate from Col Mary Feik.

L to R: Group 3 Commander, Maj Jeff Van Etten, CaptRichard Leonard, Capt Julius Garrett, prepare for Changeof Command Ceremony.

Color Guard performs POW/MIA Table Ceremony. L to R:C/MSgt Rebecca Montanaro, C/SrA Elise Ivory, C/MSgtJacob Barber, C/Amn Jeremiah Browne, C/CMSgt DanielMontanaro.


7/10

WINTER STORM - CADETSPARTICIPATE IN WING SAREXBy 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia, PAO

Lt. Col. Sydow and eight cadets

completed Familiarization andPreparation for Mission Staff Assis-tant trainee designation on their101 Card in order to attend the VAWing Search and Rescue Exercise(SAREX) at Wing Headquarters inFebruary. Capt. Garrett providedthe training at a squadron meetingwith Col. Moseley present as anevaluator.

Each participant also completed

their online GES 116 quiz (GeneralEmergency Services) trainingwhich is also a pre-requisite. Uponarrival the cadets were assigned todifferent posts and rotated to nu-merous duty stations throughoutthe day.

Everyone exper ienced theoperation at different levels andgained knowledge of the responsi-bilities assigned to all areas of an

Incident Command Center.

The Winter Storm scenario wasbased on loss of power throughoutVA from a blizzard and tasked withprovided aerial coverage to assistEmergency Responders with thelocation of stranded motoriststhroughout the state.

Visit our squadron YouTube Chan-nel: Fredericksburg CAP to see

more photos of this event.


WELCOME NEW MEMBERSBy Capt Linda Tabb, Personnel Officer

Cadets:Justin Barnett, Emily Capra, C/2dLt Theophilus Felder, Jarrad Martinez,

John Martinez, C/A1C Samuel Reid, Charles Soper

Seniors: David Fattaleh, Brian Fisher, Bridget Watson

C/CMSgt Sydow trains as aMission Radio Operator.

Lt Col McInturf, Staging Officer,training C/2dLt Sylvia and Lt.Col. Sydow on check-in.

Public Info. Officer, Maj Quinn with MSAtrainee C/2dLt Papandrea, prepping forPublic Affairs Photo Flight Mission.

L to R: C/Amn Browne, C/A1C Strickland,C/2dLt Sylvia, C/SSgt Roberson, C/AmnMumma, instructed by Flight Line Supervi-sor Lt Col Girardi about position board.

Lt Col Kabler, Plans Chief explains mapto c/TSgt Padgett.


8/10

CADET SPOTLIGHTSBy Lt Col Liz Sydow, Deputy Commander for Cadets

The 2011 of the year cadet awards for our unit were presented at the March promotion ceremony. Theseawards can be self-nominated. Members are encouraged to take note of cadet contributions throughout theyear and continue the tradition of these awards. Information for nominations can be found on our fburgcapYahooGroup site in the Files, Awards section. Each cadet selected receives a citation, medal and ribbon.


VFW Cadet Officer of the YearC/2dLt Rachel Boelsche, Cadet Commander

AFA Cadet of the YearC/2dLt Daniel Sylvia,Falcon Flight Commander,Emergency Services Officer

VFW Cadet NCO of the YearC/TSgt Lydia Eley, Alpha Element Leader

AFSA Cadet NCO of the YearC/2dLt Jairus Tabb, Flight Commander


9/10

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN SPEAK ATAIR AND SPACE MUSEUMBy 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia, PAO

Cadets and senior members traveled to the Air & Space Museumin Washington, D.C. to hear a panel discussion of three Tuskegeeairmen. Afterward, the cadets enjoyed visiting the exhibits.

COMMANDERS DESK: Contd

FROM PAGE 1courses you need to complete, please see LTC Sydow and she willbe happy to help you determine what is needed to achieve ratingsand promotions.

During the next few months we have several fundraising eventswhich are the life-blood of our Squadron finances. The Sully CarShow is one example. For assisting with parking for one day, theSquadron receives a $2,000.00 donation. We need all Squadronmembers who are able to participate to do so. The funds raisedduring such fundraising efforts helps to provide scholarships forcadets to attend encampment and other CAP related programs,pays for fuel, supplies, and uniforms for cadets and senior mem-bers to name a few. Its important that we continue to supportthese fundraising events in order to keep our unit finances at ac-ceptable levels.

Lastly, Safety is our number one priority at all times. I cannot em-phasize enough the importance of protecting our members andassets at all times. Our most important asset is our people, bothseniors and cadets and there is no mission, no event, and no con-tingency that is of such importance that we would be willing toplace our members in jeopardy. We must continue to use ORMproperly and effectively in order to prevent injuries and accidentsduring CAP related activities. A checklist is in place and must be completed for each activity/event to ensurethat we are meeting the requirements set forth by the Air Force and CAP. Safety is everyones concern andeveryones job. If it looks unsafe or you are feeling uneasy about something, use the term Knock it off andthe activity will be immediately stopped, and will not continue until the hazard or condition has been cor-rected in order to protect everyone involved in the activity. Any member (senior or cadet) may stop an un-safe act or activity without repercussions. All unsafe conditions or activities will be brought to the attention ofthe Safety Officer or Activity Leader immediately.

Please remember that I am available to all members of the Squadron should you have concerns, questions,

or suggestions. I have an Open Door policy and will be happy to assist any member at any time. Please

do not hesitate to contact me should you have an issue, concern, or suggestion. I encourage everyone to

participate in this process; senior members, cadets, and parents. We are all a part of this Squadron and

therefore you should have an opportunity to exercise this process regardless of your status. Please keep up

the great work!

Capt Richard Leonard, Commander, VA-108


Tuskegee Airmen discuss their individualcontributions in the unit.

C/Amn Bunteero Bulatindo, C/Amn AlexHoffman & Cadet John Martinez listen.

The entire group stops for a photo withtheir Senior Member Escorts. Thank you

for Volunteering!


10/10

THURSDAY MEETINGS

6:30pm9:00pm

MEETING LOCATION:

Virginia National Guard Armory1700 Jefferson Davis HighwayFredericksburg VA

(Senior meetings on 2nd and 4thThursday of the month)

MAILING ADDRESS:Fredericksburg Composite Squadron

27 Spring Lake DriveStafford VA 22556

SQUADRON COMMANDERCapt Richard Leonard

[email protected]

DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR CADETSLt Col Liz Sydow

[email protected]

DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR SENIORS2d Lt Gregory Brown540-710-3270

[email protected]

CADET COMMANDERC/2dLt Rachel Boelsche

[email protected]

RECRUITMENT &

RETENTION OFFICER2d Lt Shari Barber540-373-5215

[email protected]

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER2d Lt Lisa Sylvia540-207-5028

[email protected]


CYBERPATRIOT TEAM MEETSCAP NATIONAL COMMANDERBy 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia, CyberPatriot Team Coach

The squadrons CyberPatriot Team attended the Air ForceAssociations CyberFutures Technology Exposition andobserved the CyberPatriot Final Competition. The expowas held at the Gaylord National Resort & Conference

Center at National Harbor, Maryland.

The team enjoyed an opportunity to test their Cyber Secu-rity Skills at a unique challenge set up by representativesof the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center knownas DC3. The DC3 mission is to set standards for digitalevidence processing, analysis, and diagnostics for anyDoD investigation that requires computer forensic supportto detect, enhance, or recover digital media, including au-dio and video. The center assists in criminal, counterintelli-gence, counterterrorism, and fraud investigations of theDefense Criminal Investigative Organizations (DCIOs) andDoD counterintelligence activities.

In the challenge, the cadets were tasked with reviewing aninterrogation transcript of an employee believed to bestealing information from his company. The cadets had tosearch him for items that could be used to transport stolendigital files. It seemed like an NCIS mission.

During the expo, the cadets were also surprised by a visitfrom the Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley andtook a photo with him. It was a Cyber Cool Day.

L to R: C/MSgt Jacob Barber, C/MSgt John Strickland, C/MSgtNick Leake, C/2dLt Daniel Sylvia, CAP National Commander,Maj. Gen. Charles Carr, C/A1C Luke Strickland, C/2dLt LukeClark, Coach 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia.

Documents

Fredericksburg Squadron - Mar 2012