Towson Squadron Holds Year-End Awards Night

Towson Squadron proudly recognizes members during an evening of promotion and awards.

By Captain Brian Green, Public Affairs Officer, Towson Composite Squadron.

TOWSON, MD. December 16, 2015. The Towson Composite Squadron, Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) held an evening of member recognition and promotions. Cadets, family members and friends proudly watched as 10 cadets and senior members were promoted or presented with awards.

The evening began with the squadron’s opening formation followed by squadron activities that included a review of the updated cadet physical fitness program and drill instruction and testing for the cadets. New cadets and visiting prospective members interested in joining the Towson Composite Squadron, participated alongside squadron members and experienced an introduction to the squadron opening formation and military protocol. Experienced cadets, regardless of age, demonstrated the proper wear of the CAP air force-style uniform and how flights and groups interact and march.

The special evening concluded with the awards ceremony, led by the Towson Composite Squadron Commander, Captain Stacey McManus. Cadets Adam Benjamin, Robert Blonder, Camren Putty, Da’Qwan Putty, and Kyle Spawn received their First Flight awards, for successfully completing their first orientation flight in a Cessna 172 or 182 aircraft during 2015. Cadets Blonder and Spawn were among five cadets who placed second in the 2015 Maryland Wing Cadet Competition and were presented with National Cadet Competition certificates and ribbons. Cadet Benjamin received the General Henry “Hap” Arnold award and was promoted to Cadet Airman First Class. C/A1C Benjamin was also awarded an honor roll cord to wear, denoting his academic achievement in his middle school. Cadets Blonder and Spawn retained their honor roll cords for maintaining the scholastic achievements.

Cadets Blonder and Urvesh Sukhai received achievement awards for their participation in the Maryland National Guard’s change of command ceremony held February 28, 2015. Cadet Sukhai was also awarded the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Achievement ribbon and promoted to the grade of Cadet Chief Master Sergeant. Capt. McManus congratulated each cadet on their hard work and achievement. Each cadet received an achievement certificate and those who were promoted were presented with a new set of metal chevrons, which were ceremoniously pinned to their collars, before salutes and hand-shakes were exchanged.

Two senior members were recognized for their professional development and achievements. SM Bill Schneider completed level one of the CAP senior member program and was presented with a certificate of achievement. Captain Brian Green completed level two and was presented with the Benjamin O. Davis award. Captain Green was also presented with a certificate and search find ribbon for his participation in an aerial and ground-based search and rescue mission that took place in Western Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania in November 2015.

Captain McManus then recognized several members with annual Towson Squadron awards. Cadet Airman First Class Roshane Mills was recognized as the most improved cadet in 2015. Cadet Staff Sergeant Kyle Spawn was named the unit’s junior cadet non-commissioned officer of the year. C/CMSgt Sukhai was recognized as the cadet senior non-commissioned officer of 2015. Second Lt William Blonder was named staff officer of the year for his service as squadron aerospace education officer. Captain Green was named squadron senior member of the year.

Squadron members and guests shared a potluck dinner following the awards ceremony. Dinner was complimented by informal holiday-themed games, including “human-bingo.” This activity provided everyone an opportunity to interact with the cadets and senior members who attend the squadron’s weekly meetings. This December meeting is historically the night when the most family members attend, often including cadets and relatives returning from college or university studies. One notable returnee this year was Cadet Captain Kira Stires, who is studying in California and is a recipient of a Navy ROTC scholarship.

The structured Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program is divided into 16 achievements, involving study and performance in five cadet program areas. Upon completion of each achievement, cadets earn increased responsibility, decorations, awards, eligibility for national and international special activities, and opportunities to apply for both flight and academic scholarships. CAP senior members progress through the Senior Member Professional Development Program, which provides opportunities for senior members to learn specific mission-related skills and prepare for leadership positions. All members have the opportunity to participate in emergency services, search and rescue, and aviation activities.

The Towson Composite Squadron meets every Wednesday from 7 p.m. until 9:15 p.m. at the MG Harry C. Ruhl Armory, 1035 York Road, Towson, Maryland 21204. Prospective cadets, ages 12-18, and their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking mentoring opportunities are invited as well. For more information, email sherry.a.mcmanus@mdcap.org or visit www.MD013.org. You can also follow the squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TowsonCAP.

Nearly 1,600 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with four finds. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,245 hours in all mission categories. Volunteers contributed services estimated at 4.6 million dollars. For more information, contact the Maryland Wing at www.mdcap.org or follow the wing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 58,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs about 85 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 70 lives annually. Its unpaid professionals also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. Performing missions for America for the past 73 years, CAP received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.