Squadron of the Year - And The Award Goes To...

Congratulations!!! At the Wing Conference yesterday, Leesburg Squadron received the Squadron of the Year award. Col Randy Petyak received the Deputy Commander of Cadets of the Year Award. The year, by the way, is the Government fiscal year, which starts in October and ends in September.

These awards are an indication of the hard work and faithful service of both the cadets and seniors. Your efforts have been recognized by our Wing and your achievements for the year included the following:

The AEOs conducted Model Rocketry classes and activities culminating in 10 Redstone Stage, 2 Titan Stage, 3 Saturn Stage Certificates and 3 Model Rocketry Badges. 10 cadets participated on a July launch date with multiple launches.
8 cadets and 1 senior participated in the Jun 07 Udvar-Hazy Be a Pilot Day
The Sq participated in a glider o-ride day, completing 6 glider orientation flight and 3 senior flights. Additionally 15 cadets completed powered orientation flights.

CADET PROGRAMS

Cadet membership grew from 38 to 54, an increase of almost 40% in one year!
Cadets participated in numerous National Cadet Special Activities
one senior participated on the IACE Washington DC staff
5 Wright Brothers Awards were earned
4 Mitchell Awards were earned
3 Earhart Awards were earned
102 Leadership Laboratory tests were passed
84 Cadet Physical Fitness Tests were passed
74 Aerospace Education Tests were passed
17 Staff Duty Analysis requirements were completed
94 cadet achievements were completed

OPERATIONS

Cadets & Seniors participated in 2 successful UDF searches, earning Find Ribbons
Three Seniors operating as an aircrew earned a Find for a downed AC in Sep 07
Cadet S Golden organized ground team for a missing person search in Jun 07
Nov 06 - VAWG Culpepper SARCAP - 14 participants
Mar 07 - Shenandoah Mtn Rescue Group SAREX, 3 Cadets, 2 seniors participated
Aug 07 - Group 3 ES Bivouac 5 cadets and seniors attended
The Squadron has 4 Scanner, 10 Observer,4 MP, 1GTL, 6 GTM, 8 UDF, 1AOBD
Sq has logged 113.5 man hours of comms training. All but the newest members have Basic radio Operators cards.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Cadets and Seniors participated in the Wreaths Across America Program at the Leesburg cemetery. We were published in the Loudoun Eastern.
Cadet Harvey palyed Taps for the Memorial Day Services at Balls Bluff National cemetery. He was published in the Loudoun Times.
Recruited at the Loudoun Youth Day Festival and the Dulles Plane Pull.

SENIOR PROGRAMS

3 Seniors attended UCC
1 was Curriculum Director for the UCC
3 attended SLS
we earned 1 Level IV and 1 Level V.

So as you can see, it was a busy year and our squadron has been very productive. Each of you has contributed to make this achievement possible. I'm honored to work with you and very proud of your accomplishments.

Good job,

Jeff Van Etten, Maj, CAP
Commander, Leesburg Composite Squadron

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