Fort McHenry CAP Cadets Are Recognized for Their Achievements!

25 May 2017. Arbutus, Md. Recently, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Maryland Wing, Fort McHenry composite squadron (FMCS) commander, Lt Col Steven Hollis, proudly promoted C/SSgts Lucy Hollis and Mervyn Thomas-Crawford and C/SrA Angelia Pfluger. Surrounded and supported by other squadron members and families, the cadets were congratulated for their awards and commitment to the CAP mission and goals of volunteer service, excellence, integrity and respect.

Cadets Hollis and Thomas-Crawford received the Wright Brothers award; the first of five milestone awards given in the CAP cadet program. This award is accompanied by the promotion to staff sergeant. With this promotion, both cadets enter Phase 2, the Leadership Phase. To earn the Wright Brothers Award and the promotion, a cadet must complete the related eligibility requirements. Cadets Hollis and Thomas-Crawford passed a comprehensive leadership exam, completed the cadet physical fitness test, participated actively in their squadron and met specific leadership expectations. As they accept this promotion, they begin to take on more leadership responsibilities within the cadet cadre and will continue to pursue excellence. This award acknowledges Orville and Wilbur Wright who were the first people credited with controlled, sustained, powered, heavier-than-air flight.

Cadet SrA Angelina Pfluger was recognized for her achievement of the Col Mary E. Feik Award. This award is CAP’s third achievement within the Phase One, Learning Phase of the cadet program and is accompanied by promotion to cadet senior airman. Senior airmen are in essence non-commissioned officers in training. They may be asked to supervise subordinate cadets and are usually designated as element leaders. This award honors Col Mary Feik, who serving in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII, Feik is credited with becoming the first woman engineer in research and development in the Air Technical Service Command’s Engineering Division.

CAP cadet life is centered around four main elements: leadership, aerospace, fitness and character development. A fifth program element – activities – unifies the four main elements. Through cadet activities such as flying, leadership academies, bivouacs, field trips and more, cadets apply what they have learned in the four main program elements and display their enthusiasm for the cadet ethic. As cadets participate in these five elements, they advance through a series of achievements, earning honors and increased responsibilities along the way. Cadets advance at their own pace through self-study and group study. To progress, cadets must actively participate, pass written and performance tests and show they are ready to accept increased responsibilities.

Through its cadet program, CAP has been transforming youth into responsible citizens since 1942. CAP produces confident young leaders who think independently and persuade others in an atmosphere of teamwork and mutual respect. Cadets serve their communities by helping with CAP's real-world humanitarian efforts. Former cadets can be found in leadership positions in the military, aerospace industry, public service and other professions.

The Fort McHenry Composite Squadron, as part of the Civil Air Patrol, America's Air Force Auxiliary, is comprised of volunteers who are part of the nation's finest force of citizens performing Missions for America. The squadron meets weekly on Wednesday nights from 7-9 p.m. at the American Legion Post 109, 1610 Old Sulphur Spring Road, Arbutus, Maryland, 21227. Prospective cadets aged 12-18 with their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking volunteer opportunities are invited as well. Follow the Fort McHenry Squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fortmchenrycap For more information about CAP and the squadrons of the Maryland Wing, Group II, visit www.mdgroup2cap.org.

Nearly 1,600 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with four finds. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,245 hours in all mission categories. Volunteers contributed services estimated at $4.6 million. For more information, contact the Maryland Wing at www.mdcap.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWGCAP.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and 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 78 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol’s 56,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. Performing missions for America for the past 75 years, CAP received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.

Article by: Capt. Alice Raatjes, Public Affairs Officer, FMCS, Group II, Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol.

Photo Credit: Lt Col James Steinmeier, Deputy Commander, Cadets, FMCS, Group II, Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol.

Photos: C/SSgt Thomas-Crawford with family members.

C/SSgt Lucy Hollis

C/SrA Angelina Pfluger with family member.