Burke Civil Air Patrol Wins 2021 Aerospace Education Achievement

BURKE, VA — Add another award to the collection for the Burke Composite Squadron of the Virginia Civil Air Patrol, a local unit made up of adult and youth members.

The squadron was recently awarded the 2021 Squadron Aerospace Education Achievement Award. This award recognizes units with vibrant aerospace education programs that have excelled aerospace education in the last fiscal year. To qualify for the award, Civil Air Patrol units must complete at least eight tasks from October 2020 to September 2021.

The Burke Composite Squadron has promoted aerospace, cyberspace, aviation and STEM to members through a number of initiatives. Cadets recently participated in the High-Altitude Balloon Challenge, sending experiments to an altitude over 87,000 feet. The squadron earned the Innovative Science Award and received a $600 grant for its experiment.

In addition, the squadron has completed the AE Excellence Award program providing aerospace, aviation, space, and STEM-related activities to members. Cadets had the chance to launch model rockets as well as glider orientation flights and powered orientation flights. The powered orientation flights included the chance to control a Cessna 182 in flight.

"This award exemplifies the teamwork of all our adult leaders and our cadets," stated Capt. Sara Demyanovich, commander of the Burke Composite Squadron. "The dedication of our members towards providing leadership and aerospace education are evident in earning this award.

Demyanovich credited Second Lieutenant J. Paul Douglas for serving as the squadron’s aerospace education officer and Cadet Captain Austin Martin for serving as the cadet aerospace education officer.

Another recent award for the squadron was the 2021 Quality Cadet Unit Award from the Civil Air Patrol's Virginia Wing. To qualify for the award, the squadron had to meet six out of 10 criteria, which could include maintaining a minimum number of cadets on the roster, ensuring that new cadets that joined promoted and earned their first achievement in eight weeks, and that a certain number of cadets had met their first milestone award, transitioning from cadet airman to non-commissioned officer.

In addition to educational activities, the squadron supports local charities and civic activities. It recently supported the Salvation Army’s 5K run in October and will support Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery in December.

The Burke Composite Squadron is one of 22 squadrons of the Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. The Civil Air Patrol serves as the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and also has cadet programs for younger members. Units can provide members, aircraft and equipment for search and rescue, homeland security, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and counter-drug missions. Founded in 1987, the Burke Squadron has members aged 12 and older who are interested in search and rescue, flying in Cessna aircraft, cyber security and other Civil Air Patrol opportunities.

Burke Composite Squadron meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evenings at Washington Irving Middle School in Springfield at 6:30 pm. For more information, visit vawg.cap.gov/units/burke.