Squadron 156 Parent Newsletter - December 2020
Message from the Deputy Commander
Dear Parents and Cadets,
Happy Holidays to you and your families. As we approach the end of the year and look forward to 2021, we have faced quite a few challenges and the world has changed tremendously. None of us could have imagined that 2020 would have required us to overcome so much adversity, but we have met these challenges successfully.
During our 2020 California Wing Conference, the California Wing Commander recognized the many accomplishments of our wing including the longest-running humanitarian missions in Civil Air Patrol history in helping feed the hungry affected by the pandemic. Our members also supported missions to assist in assessing damage from the many wildfires in California and Oregon in addition to the dozens of emergency services missions that are conducted by our members in a more traditional sense.
As we finish 2020, I am excited by how much our organization has evolved but also look forward to being able to meet cadets and parents again at our in-person meetings as soon as possible.
Capt. Joe Spears
Tri-Valley Composite Squadron 156
Deputy Commander for Cadets
Promotions, Awards and New Members
Please join us during our meeting on Wednesday, December 2nd at 6:30 PM to honor cadets who have advanced since our last promotion ceremony:
- C/TSgt Samuel Krechetov completed Achievement 5 – earning the Charles Lindbergh Ribbon – and is promoted to C/MSgt
- C/CMSgt Lena Amato completed Achievement 8 – earning the Neil Armstrong Ribbon.
Let’s congratulate C/SMSgt Daniel Fealy for the completion of his term as the first-ever Squadron 156 First Sergeant.
Please welcome Cadet Samuel Costello who joined our squadron during the month of November.
CadetInvest
This is the last month for CadetInvest applications. I encourage all cadets to apply.
For more information on CadetInvest:
https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/cadetinvest
Apply Now!
Staff Selection Process Concluded
During the months of October and November, cadets were invited to apply for staff positions within the squadron.
This process included writing a resume and cover letter as well as participating in job interviews. Our cadet command staff also ran the interview process themselves and made the selections of our support staff.
Final announcements for selected cadets will be shared during our meeting on Wednesday, December 2nd. Please feel free to join us as we announce the members of cadet staff for the December – May 2021 Term.
California Wing Conference
California Wing conducted its annual conference virtually this year. More Squadron 156 members were presented with prestigious “Of The Year” awards than any other squadron in California Wing:
- Capt Keith Breton – 2020 California Wing Pilot of the Year
- Capt John Stevulak – 2020 California Wing Mission Scanner of the Year
- Capt Nikolay Zherebnenkov – 2020 California Wing Historian of the Year
- Capt Joe Spears – 2020 California Wing Maj Gen Jeanne M. Holm Aerospace Ed. Officer of the Year.
CyberPatriot Team Update
Our CyberPatriots team placed 141st in the country (in the top 15% nationwide) during the November 15th CyberPatriot Competition – Round 1.
- Our team scored 227 out of a possible 300 points on the virtual image portion of the competition
- Our team scored 28 out of a possible 30 points on the Cisco Networking Challenge portion of the competition
At this pace, our team will place within the coveted Platinum Tier (the highest tier) during the second competition round December 10-13.
Congratulations and Good Luck!
Cadet Programs Conference – Feb 12-15, 2021
The annual Cadet Programs Conference is will be conducted in Virtual Reality this year. More information is coming, but normally CPC can be described as a 3 1/2 Day conference completely dedicated to cadets.
Cadets can choose from over 100 different on a variety of topics. Saturday will include an activities fair where cadets are able to play games and visit various booths highlighting different local, regional and national CAP activities, careers, colleges and clubs!
Cadets can apply for staff positions and can also register here: http://cawgcpc.com/ - Deadline 22 Jan 2021.
Squadron Dues
Dues
To support these expenses as well as other cadet program costs, squadron dues were set at the following levels:
- Senor Members - $50 per year
- Cadets - $20 per year
If you are having a financial hardship, please reach out to the Deputy Commander or the Squadron Commander to have dues waived.
Cadet Emergency Services Academy – Jan 16-17, 2021
Event Details:
- Who: California Wing Cadet and Senior Members with interest in entry level Emergency Services roles
- Where: Via Microsoft Teams
This course is a cadet-oriented-but-open-for-everyone emergency services school. We are recruiting instructors and staff to cover 3 possible tracks;
- Aircrew - a Mission Scanner School for cadets approaching or older than 18 years old and senior members
- SUAS (drones) - open for everyone, to cover SUAS Technician and/or SUAS Pilot Emergency Services training tasks
- Ground/Base - open for everyone, which will include training for Radio Communication, Mission Staff Assistant, Urban Direction-Finding Team and possibly Ground Team 3.
