HARFORD COMPOSITE SQUADRON TAKES TOP HONORS IN 2019 COMPETITION

WARFIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Md. -- Maryland Civil Air Patrol officials gathered for an awards banquet Dec. 7 to celebrate its best members and organizations.

Maryland Wing Commander Col. Joe Winter selected Harford Composite Squadron as 2019 Squadron of the Year. 

Maj. Samuel Thomas, squadron commander, accepted a guidon streamer on behalf of the unit. The squadron also took top honors at the group level of the competition.

“Our program is focused on meeting CAP goals,” Thomas said. “Everyone stays fully engaged, meaningfully investing their time with satisfying results.”

Harford Composite Squadron also took home a Quality Cadet Unit Award. Any unit that displays strong program fundamentals can earn the award. Officials said this award “motivates squadrons to pursue goals that will inevitably lead to their having a vibrant Cadet Program.”

With this accolade, Harford’s cadet program is now recognized as among the best in the state, he said.

“We work to build character and leadership skills, while deliberately channeling our youth onto productive career paths,” he said. “We have a heavy emphasis on flying, emergency services training, public speaking and cyber defense.”

This year the squadron saw many its cadets move away to attend colleges, universities and U.S. service academies.

“We do a lot of preparatory training and write a lot of recommendations for higher education here,” Thomas said. “Truly, this is Harford's greatest achievement.” 

Winning recognition as the Maryland Wing's Squadron of the Year this year is due in large part to the vision of the former commander, Lt. Col. Dave Roberts, Thomas said. Harford Composite Squadron changed leadership Dec. 2 at its own holiday banquet. Thomas moved up from his former position as deputy commander for cadets to become squadron commander.“Dave has now retired from the Army and moved to South Carolina,” Thomas said. 

Thomas said the squadron’s success is the result of “hard work, enthusiasm and cooperation of its members.”

While many senior members and cadets from among the 800-member Maryland Wing received honors, Harford Composite Squadron members got special recognition.

1st Lt. Michelle Travers earned a Commander’s Commendation for outstanding efforts in support of her unit, the wing, region and national headquarters in the public affairs arena, including photography and recruitment. Her husband, 2nd Lt. Lee Travers III, earned a Lifesaving Award for his heroic efforts in saving the lives of a woman and her unborn child.

Additionally the Wing commander honored four Harford Composite Squadron senior members for being the best at what they do:

• Deputy Commander for Seniors of the Year – Lt. Col. Thomas Curran

• Deputy Commander for Cadets of the Year – Maj. Samuel Thomas

• Public Affairs Officer of the Year – 1st Lt. Michelle Travers

• Transportation Officer of the Year – 2nd Lt. Olivia Higgins

“To be sure, there are many great squadrons in the Maryland Wing who will be tough competition for next year’s awards,” Thomas said. “We're all friends however, with a common goal, helping and encouraging one another to do ever greater things.”

Related Link: 

Maryland Wing recognizes its outstanding members for 2019 at awards event

Harford Composite Squadron features both adult and youth programs. The unit meets Mondays from 7-9 p.m. at the Aberdeen Proving Ground STEM Center, Building 4508, 6483 Wayberry Road.

Do you have a passion for aviation, dream of flight, or are considering a career in the military? Do you want to serve your community and enhance your leadership skills? Join us. Youths, ages 12 to 18, as well as parents and adults interested in the cadet and/or senior program are welcome to visit meetings and talk with the staff. Follow the squadron on Facebook.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90 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 82 lives annually. CAP’s 66,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 28,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for information.

More than 1,500 members serve in Civil Air Patrol’s Maryland Wing. Last year, wing members flew 13 actual search and rescue missions. Overall, the Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland, flying 2,245 hours in all mission categories, and was credited with four finds. Volunteers contributed services estimated at $4.6 million. For information, contact the Maryland Wing at mdwg.cap.gov or follow the wing on Facebook.