Capt Richard Leonard, Commander

MER-VA-108

Spring 2012 Edition

FROM THE COMMANDERS DESK

Greetings members: The Fredericksburg Composite Squadron has undergone many changes in 2012. In January I assumed command of the Squadron from Captain Julius Garrett. These are large shoes to fill as Captain Garrett had done an outstanding job leading the Squadron these past few years. He continues to remain active with the Squadron as our Standardization and Evaluation Officer, a position for which he is wellsuited with his flying experience and status as an evaluator. Other changes include LTC Elizabeth Sydow assuming the position as Deputy Commander for Cadets, Captain Linda Tabb as Personnel Officer, Captain Jeffrey Smith as Aerospace Education Officer, and 2Lt. Gregg Brown assuming the Deputy Commander for Seniors position. I have total faith in each of these individuals as each is well qualified to perform in their new duty positions. I look forward to working with our new Command Staff in the future as we continue in the tradition set by Captain Garrett, to improve our ability to perform the CAP Mission and to promote growth in our senior and cadet ranks. We have recently completed and submitted the Squadron SelfAssessment. We will be receiving an inspection later this year. We have identified several areas which need improvement, and over the next few months will be working to improve those areas prior to the inspection. It is essential that all Squadron personnel do their best to ensure that the Squadron receives an Excellent on the upcoming inspection. Many of our members have completed training requirements over the past few months. Our goal is to achieve one fully qualified Ground Team and one fully qualified Aircrew this year in order to meet CAP Mission requirements. I encourage each of you to participate in the upcoming training events in these areas in order to become fully qualified in your chosen specialty area. As you are aware, you must complete certain mandatory professional development training courses to be eligible for promotions. How quickly you advance in your professional development courses is a direct result of how quickly you choose to complete the necessary requirements. If you are not sure of what

UPCOMING EVENTS
Fri-Sun, April 13-15 VA Wing GSAR College Part II Ft. PickettBlackstone, VA Fri-Sun, April 27-29 VA Wing SAREX Lake Anna & Culpeper and Encampment Staff Training Ft. PickettBlackstone, VA Fri-Sun, May 4-6 MER SAR College Ft. PickettBlackstone, VA Sat, May 12 Group Camping F&P Lt. Thompsons Home Corporate Learning Course Culpeper AirportBrandy Station, VA Sat, May 19 Wing SAREX Chesterfield Airport, VA Sun, May 20 USMC Half Marathon Water StationFredericksburg, VA Thur, June 7 HEAVRecruiting/DDR Richmond, VA Sun, June 17 Sully Car Show/Fundraiser Chantilly, VA June 23-July1 VA Wing Encampment Ft. PickettBlackstone, VA

See Commanders Desk, Page 9

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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: CAPT. GARRETTS FIRST FLIGHT

During Capt. Julius Garretts two-year command of the Fredericksburg Composite Squadron, he successfully recruited additional pilots to the membership and personally qualified them in their necessary ratings. Garrett continuously advances his training 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. When the weather prohibits flying, Garrett still contributes as a state certified search and rescue ground team member through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Capt. Garrett grew up in Oberlin, Pa., in a house under the flight path of what was then Olmstead Air Force Base. 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 flew their missions into and out of the base. I was able to ride my bicycle to a neighboring community to a family friends house located on a hill just three miles from the base and see the planes land and take off. In those days it was not uncommon to hear the sonic By Lt Col Liz Sydow, boom as the jets broke the sound barrier. You could sometimes Professional Development Officer feel the boom and the house would shake. Promotions: He took his first ride in an airplane in 1968 at the age of 15. His Capt Gregg Kneipp fathers friend owned a 1946 Cessna 140 with ceconite covered Capt Linda Tabb wings that he used on good weather days to fly to his job at GodCapt D. Tyler Floyd dard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Mr. Shreve had his own 2d Lt Ryan Blanding private grass airstrip near Wellsville, Pennsylvania. Garrett ex2d Lt Beatrice Garrett plains, I remember him explaining the preflight, using the checkSpecialty Ratings: list, which he had me read, the run-up and explanation of the magCapt Linda Tabb neto check and setting the compass. Then, I vividly remember the Personnel Technician Rating sound of the aluminum fuselage rattling like a bad tin roof on a rickety shed and seeing the end of the runway rapidly approaching I 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia looked at Mr. Shreve and asked somewhat nervously, Are we goPublic Affairs Technician Rating ing to get off? 2d Lt Lawrence Watson Logistics Technician Rating They did get up and Garrett remembers the rattling of the aluminum stopping and just hearing the sound of the engine and wind Benjamin O. Davis Award (Level II): over the airframe. He had other invitations and remembers flights Capt Gregg Kneipp over the Bay Bridge and landing at the airport on Kent Island, Capt D. Tyler Floyd Maryland just to have lunch. Then there was the memorable trip Membership Award (Level I): to Frederick, Maryland just to pick up a paper mache donkey head 2d Lt Beatrice Garrett to be used in A Midsummer Nights Dream production in their SM David Fattaleh hometown. On these subsequent flights, Garrett learned about pilotage and dead reckoning, tuning and using a VOR (radio naviOfficer Basic Course: gation system for aircraft), filling in flight logs, and the use of the Capt Gregg Kneipp E6B flight computer whiz wheel that aids in calculating fuel burn, Squadron Leadership School: wind correction and time en route. Capt Gregg Kneipp Thank you Capt. Garrett for your service to our squadron!

SENIOR MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS

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CADET PROMOTIONS
Congratulations to the following cadets who have promoted in the past 90 days:

RECOGNITION FOR OUTSTANDING PROGRAM

By Lt Col Liz Sydow, DCC
Congratulations to the entire squadron for achieving the 2011 Quality Cadet Unit Award. Only eight squadrons in Virginia received this distinction. The award recognizes cadet units that are doing the things that make for a strong program. It's verification that we are on the right track. To qualify, we had to meet at least five of eight criteria. Award criteria that we met are membership, renewals, growth, Wright Brothers Award, AEX, and seniors attending a TLC (Training Leaders of Cadets). We were strong, but need additional improvement on encampment attendance and orientation flights (Orides). Excellent work by the cadet programs staff, recruiting, operations, aerospace, cadet staff, each cadet, and the parents who supported them.

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 Award Phase 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 Award Phase II Completion, The Leadership Phase C/2dLt Theophilus Felder
L to R: Cadet Commander 2d Lt Rachel Boelsche, 2011 Deputy Commander for Cadets, Capt. Linda Tabb, accept award from Virginia Wing Commander, Col Dave Carter.

C/2dLt Daniel Sylvia

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CAP LEGISLATIVE DAYMarch 1, 2012Washington, D.C.

By 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia, PAO
Four cadets from our squadron volunteered to participate in Legislative Day on Capitol Hill. Cadet First Sergeant John Boelsche, C/CMSgt Rachel Sydow, C/2dLt Daniel Sylvia, and C/2dLt Jairus Tabb all spent the day visiting Virginias congressional representatives. The cadets were escorted by Maj. James Quinn, VA Wing Vice Commander and Col. Dave Carter, VA Wing Commander. There were also cadets who participated from other squadrons in Virginia. Maj. Quinn and Col. Carter each took a group of cadets and split the list of legislators to visit. Col. Carters group visited Congressman Webbs office with CAP National Vice Commander Brig. Gen. Vazquez. The mission was to promote CAPs goals and budget requirements.

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

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

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

VA WING ENCAMPMENT CADET STAFF SELECTIONS

By Lt Col Liz Sydow, Deputy Commander for Cadets

Congratulations to our cadets who will serve on staff at 2012 Virginia Wing Encampment:
Squadron Commanders C/2dLt Matthew Papandrea, C/2dLt Daniel Sylvia Flight Sergeant C/TSgt Ian Woods Medical Staff C/CMSgt Gabriela Duncan
L to R: C/2dLt Felder, CAP Vice Commander, Brig Gen Vazquez, C/2dLt Tabb, C/Lt Col Hendry.

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Madam Vice at the Dining-Out. Best Wishes to our Cadet Commander! We will miss you ...Your MER-VA-108 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 8 C/2dLt Daniel Sylvia Talk to these cadets to find out about these programs.

CADET COMMANDERS CORNER

By 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 Corners later and Im suddenly writing my final one. I guess time not only flies when youre having fun, but also when youre at the best squadron any cadet could hope to be a part of. Thats really what I have felt over the past five and a half years: that I am blessed to be a member of a truly exceptional unit. I know every cadet 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 grown and adapted over the years in constant search of excellence. That is the sign of an extraordinary squadron. 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 single flight of cadets, and we had a limited number of staff positions. Now the squadron has over 60 cadets and around 30 cadet staff positions. That is growth. I have seen old policies left behind because of their inaccuracies, despite the customs which kept them alive to begin with. That is responsibility and improvement. Yes, this is the best squadron because this squadron is always pursuing the best and most correct manner of doing things, and as a result is able to continue to grow. It is the same Fredericksburg Composite Squadron with the same unique traditions, but it has also grown into an even better unit. That is something 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, and that 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 special. It has been an honor to serve as cadet commander of a truly one-of-a-kind unit like ours, and I will always remember my time here. Yet I can take comfort in knowing that the squadron will stay exceptional as long as its members continue to always strive for excellence. I have learned a lot during my year as cadet commander, but the lesson that has stood out the most is that no one person can make a team successful. Each member of the squadron working together is what gives VA-108 its excellence. Keep doing that and the name Fredericksburg Composite Squadron will continue to be distinguished and respected for 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.

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COL. MARY FEIK SPEAKS AT SQUADRON DINING-OUT

By 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia, PAO
Members and guests at the Fredericksburg Composite Squadrons Dining-out enjoyed a special night with guest speaker, Col. Mary Feik. She brought pictures of the aircraft she maintained in her career as a master airplane mechanic and explained their interesting qualities in her power point presentation. The audience was enthralled to hear stories of the first woman to receive numerous aviation related engineering and mechanic awards. Col. Feik also surprised the nine cadets who in 2011 earned the CAP achievement, named in her honor, with personally signed certificates. The squadron welcomed the return of this special military-style dinner and awards ceremony and introduced many new members to this traditional event. The festivities were conducted at the Fredericksburg Country Club. Capt. Julius Garrett presided as the honorable President of the Mess and Cadet Commander Rachel Boelsche served as Madam Vice. Other VIP guests in attendance included MER Vice Commander Col. Moseley, Virginia Wing Commander, Col. Carter, former Minnesota 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 colors and a POW/MIA Table Ceremony by our Color Guard. After the traditional military toasts, the grog bowl humor kept everyone entertained and careful to follow the rules of the mess protocol. Cadets carefully selected their ingredients to remind members of our service in CAP. This year the grog included olive oil (plane fuel), carrot juice (orange safety vests), EmergenC (encampment), hot chocolate (winter activities), hot sauce (muscle burn of PT), cocoa powder (dirty boots), Arnold Palmer (the leadership/followership combination) and cranberry juice (blood of fallen soldiers). At one point in the evening, Madam Vice deemed a particular mischievous behavior cause to send the entire Sydow/Sliwinski family to the Grog Bowl. It was a moment of levity we will forever chuckle over.

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

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

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

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WINTER STORM - CADETS PARTICIPATE IN WING SAREX

By 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia, PAO
Lt. Col. Sydow and eight cadets completed Familiarization and Preparation for Mission Staff Assistant trainee designation on their 101 Card in order to attend the VA Wing Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) at Wing Headquarters in February. Capt. Garrett provided the training at a squadron meeting with Col. Moseley present as an evaluator. Each participant also completed their online GES 116 quiz (General Emergency Services) training which is also a pre-requisite. Upon arrival the cadets were assigned to different posts and rotated to numerous duty stations throughout the day. E v e r yo n e e xp e r i e n c e d t h e operation at different levels and gained knowledge of the responsibilities assigned to all areas of an Incident Command Center. The Winter Storm scenario was based on loss of power throughout VA from a blizzard and tasked with provided aerial coverage to assist Emergency Responders with the location of stranded motorists throughout the state.
Lt Col McInturf, Staging Officer, training C/2dLt Sylvia and Lt. Col. Sydow on check-in. L to R: C/Amn Browne, C/A1C Strickland, C/2dLt Sylvia, C/SSgt Roberson, C/Amn Mumma, instructed by Flight Line Supervisor Lt Col Girardi about position board.

Public Info. Officer, Maj Quinn with MSA trainee C/2dLt Papandrea, prepping for Public Affairs Photo Flight Mission.

C/CMSgt Sydow trains as a Mission Radio Operator.

Visit our squadron YouTube Channel: Fredericksburg CAP to see more photos of this event.

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

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

By 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

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CADET SPOTLIGHTS
By 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. These awards can be self-nominated. Members are encouraged to take note of cadet contributions throughout the year and continue the tradition of these awards. Information for nominations can be found on our fburgcap YahooGroup site in the Files, Awards section. Each cadet selected receives a citation, medal and ribbon.

AFA Cadet of the Year

C/2dLt Daniel Sylvia, Falcon Flight Commander, Emergency Services Officer

VFW Cadet Officer of the Year

C/2dLt Rachel Boelsche, Cadet Commander

AFSA Cadet NCO of the Year

C/2dLt Jairus Tabb, Flight Commander

VFW Cadet NCO of the Year

C/TSgt Lydia Eley, Alpha Element Leader

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TUSKEGEE AIRMEN SPEAK AT AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM

By 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia, PAO
Cadets and senior members traveled to the Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C. to hear a panel discussion of three Tuskegee airmen. Afterward, the cadets enjoyed visiting the exhibits.

COMMANDERS DESK: Contd

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

Tuskegee Airmen discuss their individual contributions in the unit.

During the next few months we have several fundraising events which are the life-blood of our Squadron finances. The Sully Car Show is one example. For assisting with parking for one day, the Squadron receives a $2,000.00 donation. We need all Squadron members who are able to participate to do so. The funds raised during such fundraising efforts helps to provide scholarships for cadets to attend encampment and other CAP related programs, C/Amn Bunteero Bulatindo, C/Amn Alex pays for fuel, supplies, and uniforms for cadets and senior mem- Hoffman & Cadet John Martinez listen. bers to name a few. Its important that we continue to support The entire group stops for a photo with these fundraising events in order to keep our unit finances at actheir Senior Member Escorts. Thank you ceptable levels. for Volunteering! Lastly, Safety is our number one priority at all times. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of protecting our members and assets at all times. Our most important asset is our people, both seniors and cadets and there is no mission, no event, and no contingency that is of such importance that we would be willing to place our members in jeopardy. We must continue to use ORM properly and effectively in order to prevent injuries and accidents during CAP related activities. A checklist is in place and must be completed for each activity/event to ensure that we are meeting the requirements set forth by the Air Force and CAP. Safety is everyones concern and everyones job. If it looks unsafe or you are feeling uneasy about something, use the term Knock it off and the activity will be immediately stopped, and will not continue until the hazard or condition has been corrected in order to protect everyone involved in the activity. Any member (senior or cadet) may stop an unsafe act or activity without repercussions. All unsafe conditions or activities will be brought to the attention of the 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

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CYBERPATRIOT TEAM MEETS CAP NATIONAL COMMANDER

By 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia, CyberPatriot Team Coach

THURSDAY MEETINGS 6:30pm9:00pm MEETING LOCATION:

Virginia National Guard Armory 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway Fredericksburg VA (Senior meetings on 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month) MAILING ADDRESS: Fredericksburg Composite Squadron 27 Spring Lake Drive Stafford VA 22556 SQUADRON COMMANDER Capt Richard Leonard 540-408-3149 pwcpig116@comcast.net DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR CADETS Lt Col Liz Sydow 719-201-8599 easydow@comcast.net DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR SENIORS 2d Lt Gregory Brown 540-710-3270 gbrown32@comcast.net CADET COMMANDER C/2dLt Rachel Boelsche 540-834-0155 cadetboelsche@yahoo.com RECRUITMENT & RETENTION OFFICER 2d Lt Shari Barber 540-373-5215 billfarber@yahoo.com PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER 2d Lt Lisa Sylvia 540-207-5028 lisamariesylvia@verizon.net

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

The squadrons CyberPatriot Team attended the Air Force Associations CyberFutures Technology Exposition and observed the CyberPatriot Final Competition. The expo was held at the Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center at National Harbor, Maryland. The team enjoyed an opportunity to test their Cyber Security Skills at a unique challenge set up by representatives of the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center known as DC3. The DC3 mission is to set standards for digital evidence processing, analysis, and diagnostics for any DoD investigation that requires computer forensic support to detect, enhance, or recover digital media, including audio and video. The center assists in criminal, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and fraud investigations of the Defense Criminal Investigative Organizations (DCIOs) and DoD counterintelligence activities. In the challenge, the cadets were tasked with reviewing an interrogation transcript of an employee believed to be stealing information from his company. The cadets had to search him for items that could be used to transport stolen digital files. It seemed like an NCIS mission. During the expo, the cadets were also surprised by a visit from the Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley and took a photo with him. It was a Cyber Cool Day.