Welcome to the online home of the Syracuse Cadet Squadron!

In a ceremony on 11 August 2010 Major John Jones was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel by Maj. Gen. Robert A. Knauff, USAF (RET). His official date of rank is 06 July 2010. LtCol Jones joined CAP as a cadet in 1987.  He rose to the rank of C/Maj before joining the U.S. Air Force.  He served on active duty for five years as a C-5 crew chief stationed at Dover AFB, DE.  Upon leaving active duty, LtCol Jones returned to Central New York and joined the 174th Fighter Wing, New York Air National Guard, as an avionics technician.  He was recently promoted to SMSgt and currently serves as the Quality Assurance Chief Inspector for the unit.

In addition to his Guard duties, LtCol Jones has been an active senior member in CAP since leaving active duty.  He served as a squadron commander twice; first in the Utica Cadet Squadron from 1999-2000, then again in the Syracuse Cadet Squadron from 2005-2007.  He also served on the IG staff from 2000-2004, and since 2007, has served in numerous staff roles in the squadron, including his current assignment as the Deputy Commander and Public Affairs Officer.  He is also the Logistics Officer and Transportation Officer for Central New York Group, and he served on the Wing encampment staff in 2003.

LtCol Jones will be completing his bachelor’s degree in December 2010, and has been accepted to graduate school to begin in January 2011.  He has been able to adeptly balance his work, CAP, and school duties.

LtCol Jones has exemplified a tireless commitment to CAP, and embodies the Core Values of Integrity and Excellence in each of his duty assignments.  He is a well-respected member of his Squadron and Group, he is deserving of this promotion as both as a recognition of his previous efforts, and an acknowledgment of his potential to contribute even more to the organization in the future.

On 09 October 2010 the Syracuse Cadet Squadron Color Guard will be presenting the colors for the Syracuse Crunch’s opening night hockey game. As a fundraiser leading up to the game the squadron will be selling tickets at the discounted rate of $15. Please consider purchasing a ticket or two and come to watch our cadets show respect to our great country.

Eleven members of the Syracuse Cadet Squadron attended the New York Wing Encampment held at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, NY from the end of July to the second week in August 2010. For seven of the cadets this was their first time at an encampment. Two of the cadets returned to be on the cadet staff, one cadet returned to attend the flight school and one senior member attended for his first time and was a flight mentor.

A C-130 flight, tour of a Black Hawk Helicopter, tour of the local aerospace museum, tour of the fire house on base, climbing a rock wall, learning about drill and ceremony, customs and courtesies, leadership and orientation flights in a Cessna (It was Cadet Nicholas Buell’s first one) were just a few of the activities and highlights the encampment had to offer.

Cadet CMSgt Elizabeth Diamond was named honor cadet of the encampment beating out 144 other cadets from all over New York to win this coveted award. At the graduation ceremony she was presented with a plaque and challenge coin for her accomplishments. She was also presented with a challenge coin earlier in the week for living the core values of CAP.

Cadet Capt William Coons was named honor cadet officer of the executive staff and at the graduation ceremony was presented with a plaque and challenge coin for his accomplishments.

Cadet Capt Nathan Porceng pre-soloed in a Cessna 172 and was awarded his pre-solo wings at the graduation ceremony.

Early in the encampment on 3 Aug 1st Lt Matthew Mallory was awarded a challenge coin from the encampment commander for his outstanding service as the bravo flight mentor. That same night his flight won honor flight and on 5 Aug they won warrior flight. Three nights in a row from 4-6 Aug his cabin won best bungalow of the encampment for keeping their cabin in order and clean. They won this award more times than any other cabin.

Everyone at the Syracuse Cadet Squadron is very proud of all the determination and effort that was put in by all those who attended the encampment. Our squadron is what it is because of the fine members that make up our ranks.

On 4 August 2010 Syracuse Cadet Squadron’s very own Cadet Colonel Fritz Koennecke returned from an over 2 week long trip to the Republic of Ghana, a country in West Africa. The Civil Air Patrol program that afforded him this once in a lifetime experience is called International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE). IACE is designed to promote international understanding, goodwill, and friendship among young people in different countries who have a common interest in aviation.

C/Col Koennecke was able to visit and tour Accra, Akosombo, Kloem Mountain, Ministry of Education, Command and Staff Collage, Cape Deaf School for the Deaf, Cape Coast Castle, fishing communities, Cape Coast Beach, Kakum National Park, Air Force Base Accra, Military Academy and Training School (MATS), House Of Parliament, Ada Paradise Beach Resort, African Market, World War Cemetery, Military Cemetery, and TV 3 Network.

He participated in Church service at the Royal House Chapel, Football competition I.A.C.E. versus Locals, and Jungle Warfare School (JWS) and had meetings with the Base Commander, and the Minister of Education. Truly a once in a lifetime trip.

On 27 June 2010 C/CMSgt Michael Marotta graduated from Staff Training at the elite Hawk Mountain Ranger School in Pennsylvania and was one of only 30% of the students who got promoted. He was named Honor Cadet of Bravo Flight and was given the position of Exec Officer for the Summer School where he overseen 20 cadets.

On 18 July 2010 C/CMSgt Nathan Diamond and C/CMSgt William Adams graduated from Hawk Mountain Ranger School and C/CMSgt Michael Marotta served as the XO. Once again NY Wing Cadets from the Syracuse Cadet Squadron represent in Pennsylvania.