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Carroll cadets train at annual Tri-Wing Encampment

Civil Air Patrol cadets from the Carroll Composite Squadron attend the Tri-Wing Encampment held at Camp Fretterd, near Reisterstown. Left to right, back row: Robert McCauley, Daniel McCauley, Michael Schuster, Brandon Brooks, Chris Brandt, Colin Valentine. Front row: John Boles, Josh Anderson, Travis Lambert, Tom Dembeck, and Jake Reed.

By Brenda A. Reed, 1st Lt, CAP
Public Affairs Officer
Posted July 15, 2006

REISTERSTOWN, Md. -- Carroll Composite Squadron cadets joined over 230 Civil Air Patrol cadets and senior members from nine states and three regions came together for the annual Tri-Wing Encampment, which was held at Camp Fretterd from June 24-July 2.
        Tri-Wing Encampment, hosted by the Maryland, National Capital, and Delaware wings of Civil Air Patrol, is a prerequisite for advancement in the cadet program. This year saw 160 cadet basics attend the activity, assisted by a staff of cadets and senior members.   Cadets not only learn about CAP and the Air Force, aerospace, and leadership in lecture-style classes and hands-on training within their flights, but they have opportunities to go rappelling, work as a team in a leadership reaction course, take part in orientation rides in a C-130J and a Chinook helicopter, along with tours of the Warfield Maryland Air National Guard base and career day activities.
        Cadet basics graduating encampment from the Carroll Composite Squadron, located in Westminster, included Joshua Anderson, John Boles, Chris Brandt, Brandon Brooks, Tom Dembeck, Travis Lambert, Daniel McCauley, Robert McCauley, Michael Schuster, and Colin Valentine.
        Captain Joseph Winter, commander of the encampment, led a team of senior members and cadet staff as they worked with the basics.   Basics were divided into eight flights in four squadrons. As the week progressed, the flights and squadrons competed in academics, drill, volleyball, and room inspections. Cadet staff members work directly with the basics in their training, while senior members mentor the cadet staff during the activity.
        Three Carroll cadets joined the staff during this years training. Cadet senior master sgt. Tyler Czarnowsky was a member of the logistics staff; cadet captain Jennifer Reed was the cadet public affairs officer and webmaster; and cadet colonel Jake Reed was the commander of squadron four.   First Lieutenant Brenda Reed, an adult member of CAP, served as special assistant to the encampment commander for the event.
         A graduation banquet was held at the end of the activity. Brig. Generals Charles A. Morgan III, assistant adjutant general for air at the Maryland Air National Guard (M-ANG); Guy M. Walsh, commander of the M-ANG's 175th Wing; and Frederic N. Smalkin, commander of the Maryland Defense Force and member of the Carroll Composite Squadron of CAP, were on hand to help the cadets celebrate their success. Col. James Grove, commander of Camp Fretterd, rounded out the head table. Each was presented a thank you gift for their efforts and support of the encampment.
        In addition, three members from the Air National Guard were specifically honored for their work in helping the encampment be a success. Master Sgt. Rob Pounders, along with Technical Sgts. Robert Sweeny and Mark Prorock, were presented gifts by Winter.
        Before the banquet was over, the honors for the week were announced.    Squadron Four, commanded by Carroll cadet colonel Jake Reed, won honor squadron for the activity. Carroll members in this squadron included Joshua Anderson, John Boles, Brandon Brooks, and Michael Schuster. Brooks also served as the squadrons guidon (flag) bearer.
        First Lt. Reed was awarded the Outstanding Senior Staff Officer Award for her work during the event.
        The encampment ended with a pass and review parade for families and friends on the parade grounds at Camp Fretterd.
        Photos from each day of the Tri-Wing Encampment, along with additional information about the event, can be viewed at www.carrollcap.org/triwing.
        CAP, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 60,000 members nationwide. CAP volunteers perform 95 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state, and local agencies.
        Members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 25,000 young people currently participating in the CAP Cadet Program. CAP's cadet programs provide young men and women with a safe and motivating environment in which to grow and explore opportunities in the military and aviation industries. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 63 years.
        The Carroll Composite Squadron meets on Tuesday evenings at the National Guard Armory on Hahn Road in Westminster. Prospective cadets, ages 12-18, and their families are always welcome. More information can be found at www.carrrollcap.org.