Squadron News

The Syracuse Cadet Squadron designed, built and helped to staff an elaborate Civil Air Patrol booth at the great New York State Fair. Visitors could try their hand at flying an ultralight, Cessna, helicopter, jet, UAV Predator, R/C planes and or getting into a dog fight in a WWII plane.

The booth also showcased the NY Wing EMCU (Emergency Mobil Communications Unit) truck with tow behind generator, 2 large model rockets from the CNY Model Rocketry Challenge, a full size R/C plane that was positioned to hang over the R/C simulator, a video of this years NY Wing encampment and many pictures, magazines and brochures.

The booth was staffed for all 12 days of the fair by over 200 CAP cadets and senior members from 14 units within the state. The staff was in recruiting mode, talking to thousands of youth and adults about the Civil Air Patrol program and why they love it so much. Next year is sure to be a success as well.

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.

With 1st Lt Matthew J. Mallory’s passing of the course 13 test on 19 July 2010 he meets all requirements for level 2 and level 3 of the CAP senior member 5 level track. Of CAP’s 35,000 senior members, about 670 earn the Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Award (level 2) each year and only about 350 earn the Grover Loening Aerospace Award (level 3) each year. 1st Lt Mallory is now eligible for promotion to Captain in June of 2011 and Major in June of 2014.

C/Lt. Col. Koennecke recently completed all of the requirements for the General Carl A. Spaatz award. He is the first cadet in the history of what is now the Central NY Group and 1,764th in all of CAP to do so. He will be presented his award in a ceremony by Maj. Gen. Robert A. Knauff, USAF (RET) on Wednesday 11 August 2010 at 1900 at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Liverpool, NY.

On the evening of 7 July 2010 the Syracuse Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) held a cadet change of command, awards and graduation ceremony. The ceremony started with the posting of the colors. The outgoing cadet commander 17 year old Cadet Captain William Coons directed the squadron to salute during the playing of the National Anthem. Shortly thereafter C/Capt Coons handed the reins over to 17 year old Cadet 1st Lieutenant Sara Schreiber by way of the ceremonial passing of the squadron guidon. Squadron Commander 1st Lieutenant Matthew J. Mallory officiated the ceremony with Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Fritz Koennecke as the guide on barer. Cadet promotions and awards followed.

Dignitaries and distinguished guests in attendance included NY State Senator John A. DeFrancisco; NY State Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli; Deputy Chief Shawn Broton representing Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner; Colonel Charles S. Dorsey, 174th Fighter Wing Vice Commander; Lieutenant Colonel Seth M. Hoffer, Battalion Commander, 3rd Battalion, 309th Regiment, 174th Infantry Brigade; Lieutenant Colonel Tom Carello, Vice Commander NY Wing CAP; and Lieutenant Colonel Ken Field, Commander CNY Group CAP.

Light refreshments were served while over 60 people in attendance listened as Col Dorsey, Senator DeFrancisco, Assemblyman Magnarelli and LTC Hoffer individually addressed the cadets about leadership, pride, education and why a program like Civil Air Patrol is valuable to our community and is important to the future of our country.

The Syracuse Cadet Squadron posed for a new unit photo on the front steps of the 1LT James McConnell Army Reserve Center.

The quarterly schedule for July-September 2010 has been updated. Download the 2010 Q3 Schedule here.

C/Capt Porceng recently completed all of the requirements for the third milestone of the Cadet Program, the Amelia Earhart Award which is earned after the receipt of the General Billy Mitchell Award and the completion of the first eleven achievements of the Cadet Program. In addition, C/Capt Porceng had to pass a comprehensive 100-question examination covering aerospace topics, leadership theory and staff duties. To highlight the significance of this accomplishment, as of 28 June 2010, 14,921 cadets have earned this award since its inception in 1964.

He will be presented his award in a ceremony by LtCol Tom Carello, CAP NY Wing Vice Commander on Wednesday 11 August 2010 at 1900 at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Liverpool, NY.

Syracuse Cadet Squadron Members:

When commanders transition into new positions they often bring with them new goals, ideas, different ways of completing things and sometimes even new staff. This in no way is to undermine the past command staff or all of the great things they completed during their time in command. For that we are forever thankful! Without them we would not have a squadron to charge forward with.

I have created an action plan to move us in a direction I feel you will all enjoy and benefit from. We will strive to attain hefty goals over the next few years. All changes made will be to strengthen our squadron internally as well as in the community. Goals such as increasing our squadron membership by 50% in 2010 will not be easily attained but will be well worth the reward once accomplished.

The word that I have associated with our next year together is “IMAGE”. Our charge will be to improve our internal image both individually and as a squadron as well as how our image is seen in the local, regional and national community.

I am a firm believer in teamwork and do not believe that one man or woman has all of the answers. That said, I am always open to input, ideas and suggestions so please feel free to pass your thoughts up your chain of command to me. The only dumb question is the one not asked. As such, the only wasted thought is the one not acted upon.

I am very blessed to be awarded the opportunity to be the commander of the Syracuse Cadet Squadron and I look forward to soaring to new heights with all of you.

Sincerely,
Matthew J. Mallory, 1st Lt, CAP
Commander NER-NY-135
Syracuse Cadet Squadron

The quarterly schedule for April-June 2010 has been updated. Download the 2010 Q2 Schedule here.

The quarterly schedule for January-March 2010 has been updated. Download the 2010 Q1 Schedule here.