While we traditionally provide at least one ceremonial detail in honor of Veterans Day, this year our squadron\'s cadets were busy throughout the week prior honoring the men and women who have served our nation. The ceremonies began on Sunday, 8 November with a Color Guard composed of C/SMSgt Fetters, C/TSgt Woolley, C/SSgt Spina, C/SrA Holt, and C/A1C Bolen with Capt Hrinko as escort. The team presented the Colors at a special Veterans Day program at Christian Life Church in Canfield. Presenting a unique challenge were the events occurring on Veterans Day. The squadron\'s cadets had to plan around the logistical problems of two ceremonies occurring simultaneously in both Newton Falls and Struthers (30 miles separated), securing the necessary equipment, finding enough volunteers, and getting the required senior member support, which was difficult due to the events taking place during the work day. However, they overcame these challenges and performed admirably at both ceremonies. The Newton Falls Color Guard consisted of C/1st Lt Spletzer, C/SSgt Rothacker, and C/SrA Holt with Maj Mullins as escort in support of their High Schools annual Veterans Day Assembly. The Struthers Color Guard was composed of C/MSgt Ciccone, C/A1C Clegg, and C/Amn Davis with Capt Creed as escort. This was an outdoors ceremony at Struthers High School\'s War Memorial and posed a unique challenge. Due to the lack of a flag stand at the site, the Color Guard dutifully remained at attention throughout the ceremony, keeping the flag prominently displayed in its place of honor. Thank you to all the cadets and senior members who took their time to play a part in these ceremonies. Pictured at left, the Color Guard for the Christian Life Church Ceremony presents the Colors during the National Anthem. At right, C/A1C Clegg posts the American Flag throughout the Struthers Ceremony.

(Photos by Matt Fetters [left] and Capt Paul Creed III [right])

The Tribune Chronicle has featured a story covering our 2009 Drill Team and their trip to the National Cadet Competition in McMinnville, OR. You can view the story here.

Tonight, 28 September 2009, command of the Youngstown ARS Composite Squadron was officially transferred from Capt Ted Pifer to 1st Lt John Santiago. Capt Pifer has served as our Squadron Commander since August of 2003, during which time the Squadron has seen many notable accomplishments, including three Squadron of Merit titles, one Squadron of Distinction title, two drill teams competing at National Cadet Competition, and maintaining our status as one of the largest units in Ohio Wing. 1st Lt Santiago is relatively new to the Civil Air Patrol, but he brings with him a great deal of enthusiasm and Air Force experience. In his regular job he is a Technical Sergeant in the 910th Security Forces Squadron of the Air Force Reserve. He transferred to our CAP squadron in February 2007 and has been an energetic supporter for advancing the education and training of both our Senior Members and Cadets alike. Using his years of experience in the Air Force he aims to continue the success of our Squadron and take it to even greater heights. We thank Capt Piper for his service as our previous Commander, and look forward to great things to come from 1st Lt Santiago! Pictured, Capt Pifer (left) passes the Squadron Guidon to 1st Lt Santiago (right).

A few days before the much anticipated Thunder Over the Valley Airshow, a group of our squadron\'s cadets received a rare treat - a one-on-one meet and greet with the show\'s headliners, the USAF Thunderbirds Flight Demonstration Team. The event was held at the Trumbull County Career and Technical Center in conjunction with a few cadets from TCCTC\'s AFJROTC Detachment. The cadets had a great time meeting the team members and asked plenty of questions. Representing the Thunderbirds were Maj Sean Gustafson, #4 Slot Pilot, and SSgt Christopher McClure, Assistant Crew Chief #4. The cadets that were selected to participate were C/1st Lt Spletzer, C/SMSgt Forrider, C/MSgt Ciccone, C/TSgt Fetters, C/TSgt Pifer, C/TSgt Zank, C/SSgt Rothacker, C/SrA Spina, C/A1C Forrider, C/A1C Holt, C/A1C Santiago, and C/Amn Riggers. Pictured, Holt talks with Maj Gustafson as Fetters, Riggers, and Santiago meet with SSgt McClure.

(Photo by 1st Lt Paul Creed III)

Cadet Command of the squadron was officially transferred from C/1st Lt Michael Hnat to C/2d Lt Joseph Spletzer 20 July 2009. C/1st Lt Hnat has been our Cadet Commander since 21 April 2008 and during that time we saw a 37% growth in the size of our cadet corps, two Drill Teams making it to Region Cadet Competition, and one make it all the way to the National Cadet Competition. He most recently was named Ohio Wing\'s Cadet Officer of the Year for 2009. Hnat will be leaving shortly to begin his career as a Military Policeman in the United States Army. Coincidentally, Ohio Wing\'s 2009 Cadet NCO of the Year, C/2d Lt Spletzer, will be taking the reigns now as Cadet Commander and brings a great deal of leadership and talent to the table. If his recent performance as the Great Lakes Region Drill Team Commander is any indicator, we can expect to see great improvements in the unit coming from his direction. Thank you C/1st Lt Hnat, and good luck C/2d Lt Spletzer! Pictured, C/1st Lt Hnat hands off the squadron guidon to incoming Cadet Commander C/2d Lt Spletzer, as Squadron Commander Capt Pifer and Squadron First Sergeant C/SMSgt Forrider look on.

Repeating the success of our 2004 Drill Team, our squadron\'s Cadets have once again earned the honor of competing at the prestigious Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Competition (NCC). This year\'s NCC was held in McMinnville, Oregon with the cadets staying at Linfield College and competing at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. Only eight teams, one from each region, are allowed to compete at this level each year. As the Drill Team for the Great Lakes Region, our Cadets represented not only Ohio, but Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin as well.

The team fought hard to make it this far and proved that a team comprised of mostly new cadets, from one squadron, can make it to NCC and compete well. Unfortunately, being new to CAP did pose for some rough spots in both of the knowledge events, but this did not deter their drive. The executed their best-yet Innovative Drill routine and had a nearly flawless regulation compliant Standard Drill performance. The physical events proved to be their strong points, netting a tight 5th place finish in the Mile Run and an even tighter 3rd place finish in Volleyball.

The competition was augmented this year by a few special events such as a social BBQ and the awards banquet with keynote speaker General William M. Fraser III, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The team also saw the greatest amount of parental support we\'ve had to date with nine parents/family members making the trip out to Oregon to cheer on their Cadets. Additionally, 1st Lt Paul Creed III was tapped to join the NCC Staff as an event photographer.

In the end, the team placed 6th place overall. The season was a great learning experience for everyone involved, and many lessons have been learned for the 2010 Drill Team season. The team will be training smarter and harder, and they plan on making the top three at NCC, and bringing the Squadron\'s reborn competition Color Guard with them. Congratulations to everyone involved with Drill Team this year! Pictured, the team performs Standard Drill with C/1st Lt Spletzer as Team Commander.

Continuing our record O-Flight year, eight more cadets got a taste of flight on this beautifully sunny Saturday at Salem Airpark. Flying their first flights were C/Amn Jacci Acierno, C/Amn Camesha Edmonds, C/Amn Charles Edmonds, C/Amn Zachary Hogue, C/Amn Avery Mauger, and C/Amn Jessica VanTassel. Flying for the second time was C/Amn Hailey Davis and for the third time was C/2d Lt Joseph Spletzer. The pilot for the day was Capt Ronald Crawford of the Akron Canton Senior Flying Squadron and seniors escorts were Capt Bill Hrinko, Jr. and 1st Lt Paul Creed III. Salem Airpark is proving to be an outstanding venue for these flights as cadets and their parents can stop at the airport\'s restaurant for a bite to eat afterward and discuss the exciting highlights of their flights. Additionally since they are right on the ramp, the cadets were treated to an up-close look at a variety of aircraft including a vintage Piper J-3 Cub, two T-6 Texans, and a Stearman PT-17 Kaydet biplane in their classic military paint schemes. Pictured, the Edmonds\' flight comes in for a landing with a J-3 Cub in the foreground - the same aircraft CAP used to bomb German U-boats off the U.S. coast in World War II.

1st Lt Paul Creed III has taken another major step in his Professional Development: he has earned the Benjamin O. Davis Leadership Award, signifying completion of Level 2 of the Senior Member Professional Development Program. Like the cadets, seniors also go through their own leadership development, focussing on CAP and Air Force structure and knowledge, leadership, communication skills, and staff service. Pictured, Capt Pifer presents 1st Lt Creed with his Award.

Tonight\'s meeting provided some unique opportunities to a few of our Cadets who, thanks to Lt Col Michael Ullman, spent the night flying. C/Amn Daniel Clegg and C/AB Ryan Cain completed their first orientation flight and C/TSgt Trent Zank completed his second flight. Pictured, C/Amn Clegg gets situated for takeoff.

For the first time since 2004, our squadron has laid claim to the title of Great Lakes Region Drill Team Champions! Comprised of mostly Cadet Airmen who had been members of CAP for less than 8 months, and the only Squadron Drill Team at the competition, they were vastly outranked by the other teams from Michigan and Wisconsin. They came in a middle of the pack underdog from a squadron who has been the consistent 2nd Place finisher for the past few years, and they had something to prove. The team trained hard and smart for three months leading up to the competition, and their work paid off. Always strong in Volleyball, the team went undefeated on the court and clinched the other physical activity, the Mile Run, with arguably our squadron\'s best mile finish ever - five cadets coming in under six minutes. C/SSgt Michael Rothacker earned the Male Fleetfoot Award with a time of 5:47. First place finishes were also secured in Standard Drill and the Written Exam. The team came in second in Inspection and Innovative Drill, and third in Panel Quiz. The victory was not solely focussed on winning the championship, but in proving that with hard work and determination, great things can be achieved. We are very proud of the Cadets of the 2009 051 Drill Team and wish them well as they go on to compete at the National Cadet Competition in McMinnville, Oregon! Serving as Team Commander was C/Lt Col Joe Hardy, and the team was comprised of C/2d Lt Joseph Spletzer, C/TSgt Trent Zank, C/SSgt Erin Fetters, C/SSgt Michael Rothacker, C/SrA Isaac Woolley, C/A1C Anthony Spina, C/Amn Daniel Clegg, C/Amn Jared Holt, C/Amn Jessica VanTassel, C/Amn Kelsie Votaw, C/Amn Trenton Wyant, and C/AB Hailey Davis. Team escorts were Capt Bill Hrinko, Jr. and 1st Lt Patricia Hrinko. Pictured at left, the team prepares for In-Ranks Inspection and on left, the team poses with the Ohio Wing Color Guard, both Great Lakes Region Champions in their categories.

Squadron Provides Three Color Guards for Veterans Day Ceremonies

051 Drill Team Featured In Local Newspaper

Squadron Change of Command

Cadets Meet USAF Thunderbirds

Cadet Change of Command

Our Cadets Compete at National Cadet Competition

Orientation Flights: 6 June 2009

1st Lt Creed earns Davis Award

Orientation Flights: 18 May 2009

03 May 2009