News

Squadron hosts annual awards banquet

April 16, 2022

Middle River, MD: - Member and guests from Maryland Wing Civil Air Patrols Glenn L. Martin Composite Squadron held their annual awards banquet on April 9, 2022. This is the first banquet able to held since January 2020, due to Covid restrictions on large events.

The banquet allows for a formal setting where the command team can present awards for work performed by the squadron members. Some awards for this banquet were earned in 2020, but where not able to be formally presented last year.

The squadron color guard presented the colors to begin the evening. The color guard consists of Cadet Airman First Class Camden Jones, Cadet Senior Airman Jason Bransby, Cadet Staff Sergeant John Bransby and Cadet Staff Sergeant Liam Watson.

After dinner, members were presented with a Commanders Commendation from Mid-Atlantic Region Commander, Colonel Bruce Heinlein. These members supported efforts in 2020 and 2021, transporting and distributing Covid supplies, and supporting Covid testing centers. The members earning the award were 2d Lt Itamar Braga, C/A1C Ta’Majai Latavia Adams, C/MSgt Sean Michael Bransby, C/SSgt John Wayne Bransby, 2d Lt Aaron Hartlove, C/SrA Jason Lee Bransby, Capt. Nadine Hartman, Lt Col Samuel M. Herr, C/CMSgt Antonio J. Pessaro, 1st Lt Patrick S. Sparks, C/CMSgt Willis Gumpert Morales, 2d Lt Robert Rykaczewski, SM Eric Sorlin, C/CMSgt Benjamin Granville Rohm, Maj. Agatha Vogelgesang and Lt Col Earl ‘Roc’ Williams.

The Red Service Award is presented to members who have been an active member of the Civil Air Patrol for a specified time. Earning the award for 2 years of service are C/SrA Jason Bransby, C/SSgt John Bransby, C/MSgt Sean Bransby, C/SrA Sabrina Guy, 2d Lt Aaron Hartlove, 2d Lt Paul Hylenski, 2d Lt Walter Leiser, C/SMSgt Giovanni Nuth, 2d Lt Robert Rykaczewsiki, 2d Lt Eric Sorlin, 1st Lt Amy Sparks, 1st Lt Patrick Sparks, C/CMSgt Samantha Sparks, C/CMSgt Patrick S Sparks, C/A1C Alyssa Thanner and C/SSgt Liam Watson.

Earning the award for 5 years of service are C/Maj Matthew Gray, 1st Lt Monica Holiday Orellana, C/2d Lt Kendall Jarret, Capt. Joseph Morales, C/CMSgt Willis Morales, Capt Joseph Toskes, C/Maj Blaidd Wilt and Maj Agatha Vogelgesang.

Earning the award for 10 years of service are Capt Andrew John, Capt Nadine Hartman and Lt Col Walter Thilly.

One member of our squadron has earned a very special anniversary. Lt Col. Gus Gostomski joined the Civil Air Patrol on July 23, 1951 and celebrated his 70^th year as an active member last summer.

Aerospace Education is one of CAPs main missions. The Aerospace Education Excellence Program was started in 2010 and gives squadrons a full workbook of fun and educational activities. The squadron has earned the award every year since 2009. Cadets that participate in the majority of the activities and events earn an individual award. For 2020-2021, those cadets are C/SrA Jason Bransby, C/SSgt John Bransby, C/MSgt Sean Bransby, C/Amn Aaron Brown, C/A1C Simon Goldman, C/Amn Mikayla Johnson, C/CMSgt Jonathan Ku, C/Amn Zaria Mayo, C/CMSgt Isabel Morales, C/CMSgt Samantha Sparks, C/CMSgt Patrick Sparks and C/A1C Alyssa Thanner.

Pilots serve a major role in our missions, from search and rescues, transportation and disaster recovery. Maj. Chales Kendzierski and SM Douglas Hannum recently completed a CAP flight review and earned their CAP Pilot Wings.

As cadets progress through the program, they climb higher in the CAP cadet ranks. At each rank, cadets take on more responsibility and leadership roles. Earning his first promotion and the Gen. John F. Curry Award is Cadet Daniel Bondyra.

Cadets that complete phase 2 of the CAP Cadet Program earn the General Billy Mitchel Award and promotion to Cadet Second Lieutenant. Cadets must pass 2 50 question written tests on leadership and aerospace education, pass a physical fitness test attend a basic encampment as a student. Cadet Justin Rolf earned Mitchell award 73554 on 07 April 2022.

Cadets that complete phase 3 of the CAP Cadet Program earn the Amelia Earhart Award and promotion to Cadet Captain. Similar to the Mitchell award, cadets pass an inclusive 50 question written test on leadership and aerospace education and pass a physical fitness test. Cadet Nathanael Rohm earned Earhart award 19962 on 08 April 2022.

The General Carl A. Spaatz Award is CAPs highest cadet award. Since the inception of the award in 1964, only 2391 cadets have earned this prestigious award. Five of those awards were earned by members of Martin squadron, dating back to 1987. The two most recent award recipients, Captain Robert Miner and Senior Officer Greggor Hines were presented their award by Colonel Drew E. Dougherty, Director of Operations, Maryland Air National Guard. They were greeted by former Spaatz recipients Brian Coats, Lt. Col. Mark Kukucka and Captain Wyatt Hartman. Colonel Wes LaPre, Maryland Wing Commander, presented each cadet with a wing commanders coin.

Hines and Miner were presented several proclamations to honor the accomplishments they have made. Mr. Paul Blitz, Chief of Staff to Delegate Ric Metzger and Jon Royer, Rosedale Post 180 Commander, were in attendance to present them in person. Additional proclamations were sent in by Larry Hogan - Governor, Maryland, Barry Glassman - County Executive, Harford County Maryland, Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger - Maryland District 2, Brian Frosh - Attorney General, Maryland, Steve Biscotti - Owner, Baltimore Ravens, Delegate Johnny Ray Salling - Baltimore County District 6, President George W. Bush, President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Christophe Pierre - Apostolic Nunciature, United States, Carroll County Board of County Commissioners, Anne Arundel County Council and Veterans of Foreign Wars Non-Commissioned Officer Award.

The squadron has outstanding cadets and senior officers. Each year, members select those that went above and beyond in their respective roles for individual “Of The Year” awards. Captain Joe Morales, Squadron Commander, presented the senior awards and Cadet Major Matthew Gray presented the cadet awards.

Captain Brent Hippert earned the Lt Col T. Keith Riddle Aircrew Member of the Year for 2021 from Maryland Wing in 2021. The award was presented by Colonel Wes LaPre, Maryland Wing Commander. Hippert was also presented the Senior Member Constant Contributor Award for his dedication and support for all the squadron’s events, activities, and meetings.

Maj. Charles Kendzierski was presented the Lt. Col. Earl ‘Roc’ Williams Spirit Award. The award was created to recognize the senior officer that welcomes all new members, guests and members and give words of encouragement all our members.

1^st. Lt. Robert Miner was presented the Hospitality Award for his support of logistics and supply before, during and after Covid restrictions limited our ability to attend meetings in person.

2^nd. Lt. Patrick Sparks was presented the Lt. Col. Chris Roche ‘Jack of All Trades’ Award. The award was created to recognize the senior officer that was able to complete and support any task given.

Senior Officer Beverly Smith was presented the Unsung Hero Award for her support of everything behind the scenes.

Cadet Programs Officer of the Year and Most Supportive Parent of the Year presented to 2^nd. Lt. Aaron Hartlove.

1^st. Lt. Walter Leiser was presented the Maintenance and Aircraft Officer of the Year.

Captain Joe Toskas was presented the Dreamer Award for his support of our cadet airplane engine teardown and rebuild project. Cadets had the ability to learn how each component works and how engines are assembled.

The Cadet Hospitality Award was presented to Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Jonathan Ku. Ku was the training flight Sargent and commander in 2020 and 2021. Ku was also presented the Cadet NCO of the Year Award.

The Earl Roc Williams Spirit Award for cadets was presented to Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Tyler Mandel.

Most Improved Cadet was presented to Cadet Master Sergeant Isabel Morales.

Up and coming cadet was presented to Cadet Staff Sergeant Natalia Gonzales.

Cadet Airman of the Year presented to Cadet Staff Sergeant Liam Watson.

Cadet Staff Member of the Year presented to Cadet Master Sergeant Samantha Sparks. Sparks is the Cadet Public Information Officer, is responsible for the squadrons Instagram account and supported the banquet as a photographer.

Newly promoted Cadet Captain Nathaniel Rohm was presented the Cadet Officer of the Year Award. Rohm is the Cadet Deputy Commander for Staff.

Senior Officer of the Year Award is presented to 1^st. Lt. Amy Sparks. Sparks joined the squadron in 2019 with her husband and 2 kids. She works every meeting with the cadets and attends all activities both inside and outside the squadron. She demonstrates all of CAP’s core values and is an excellent role model for our future cadet leaders.

Cadet of the Year is presented to Cadet Commander, Cadet Major Matthew Gray. Gray joined the squadron in August 2019 and moved into several cadet duty assignments. Gray accepted the role of Cadet Commander as Covid disrupted in person meeting and caused a major shutdown of activities. During Covid, Gray joined every online meeting. His support allowed the squadron to keep moving despite restrictions to in person meetings. When meetings resumed, he continued in his leadership role and helped get the squadron back to normal. His leadership skills showed high as he mentored and lead the new cadet leadership team.

Open Bible Academy in Kingsville, MD hosted the banquet and Mission BBQ in Joppa, MD catered the event, attended by 95 members, family members and special guests.

Glenn L. Martin Composite Squadron meets every Thursday from 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Martin State Airport. For information on the squadron, including meeting address and contact information, visit www.glmcscap.org. Follow the squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/glmcscap and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/glmcscap.

More than 1,200 members serve in Civil Air Patrol’s Maryland Wing. Last year, wing members flew 13 actual search and rescue missions. Overall, the Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland, flying 2,245 hours in all mission categories, and was credited with four finds. Volunteers contributed services estimated at $4.6 million. For information, contact the Maryland Wing at mdwg.cap.gov or follow the wing on Facebook.

Established in 1941, Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 single-engine Cessna aircraft and more than 2,000 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and performs about 90% of all search and rescue operations within the contiguous United States as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Often using innovative cellphone forensics and radar analysis software, CAP was credited by the AFRCC with saving 130 lives during the past fiscal year. CAP’s 54,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state, and local agencies. As a nonprofit organization, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education using national academic standards-based STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. Members also serve as mentors to over 20,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit http://www.CAP.News or http://www.GoCivilAirPatrol.comfor more information.

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