Recent News
Warthogs at Warfield
October 2, 2021 – Baltimore, Md. — Who's ready to serve our National Guard? (And see cool AE stuff [That's not why we do it {But the A-10s are cool.}.].) We are!
First steps
September 29, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Congrats to the new Cadet Senior Airmen Tiger, Cadet Airmen 1st Class C. Fijn, Cadet Airmen 1st Class M. Fijn, and Cadet Airmen 1st Class Huguenin! Keep up the great work!
Showing the colors
September 25, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Looking good while standing still and in motion is a piece of strudel for us at the Mt Airy Oktoberfest (I hear that can get surprisingly hard for some people at Oktoberfests.)! 😎
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The weather out there
September 15, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. —We know the sun is responsible for driving the weather we interact with here on the surface, but did you know it also drives the weather going on well above our heads? Join us Wednesday evenings to learn more about our world, the rocketry we do on it, and beyond!
Can do wherever whenever!
September 15, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — We generally focus on our cadets and their achievements (it's hard not to notice! Look at them go!) but let's not forget the senior members! Our Commander took time out of a family visit to respond to a vehicle accident. Our member are always willing to lend a hand!
Looking at history around us
September 11, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Sometimes national events stay at the national level without much thought to the local. We were honored today to serve our community in remembering how a day twenty years changed lives right next to us.
Remeberance
September 11, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Today is a day that changed lives across the world. Those changes still echo around us today though no current cadet has memories of September 11, 2001. Here are a few memories shared.
From the Wing
September 1, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. —Cadet Aurora Albertson earns Spaatz Award Cadet Colonel Albertson with Colonel Wes LaPre and CMSgt Parsons (photo credit: SM Peter Foiles, Mt Airy) September 1, 2021–– Granite, MD—— On Saturday, August 21 at Watkins Park, Mt. Airy, Cadet Colonel Aurora Albertson was presented the highest award a Civil Air Patrol cadet can achieve, the General Carl A. Spaatz Award, #2307. Captain Daniel Flanick, also a Spaatz awardee, served as the Master of Ceremonies. The presiding officer and award presenter was Colonel Wes LaPre, Commander, Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol. Cadet Colonel Albertson also received a Governo’’s citation from Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. The citation reads in part: Greetings: Be it known: that on behalf of the citizens of this state, in recognition of a well deserved tribute to applaud your selection as recipient of the General Carl A. Spaatz award – Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet hono…… with congratulations on your demonstration of excellence in leadership, character, fitness, and aerospace education; and as our citizens join in expressing our great respect, admiration and best wishes for continued success and achievement in the field of aviation and technology.
Colonel LaPre also presented Cadet Colonel Albertson with his personal challenge coin in recognition of her achievement and in addition, authorized her to present his coin to her mentor and fellow Spaatz awardee, Captain Daniel Flanick.
Cadets qualify for the prestigious Spaatz award after devoting an average of five years to progress through sixteen achievements in the CAP cadet program. Less than 0.5% of cadets achieve the Spaatz award. Cadet Colonel Aurora Albertson achieved the Spaatz award in three and a half years, at the age of 15. The final step a cadet must complete to earn the Spaatz award is a rigorous four-part exam consisting of a challenging physical fitness test, an essay exam testing their moral reasoning, a comprehensive written exam on leadership, and a comprehensive written exam on aerospace education. Upon passing the Spaatz award exams, the cadet is promoted to the grade of Cadet Colonel.
Aurora Albertson has been a cadet in Civil Air Patrol (CAP) for the past four and a half years. She is currently 16 years old, entering her senior year at South Carroll High School and is part of the National Honors Society (NHS). Aurora Albertson plans to apply to the United States Air Force Academy’s class of 2026. In addition to her current AP course schedule, she is studying for her private pilots certificate in gliders through Eastern Soaring Center, as well as pursuing a blackbelt in Budo Taijutsu, practicing for her audition to the Academy of Saint Cecelia’s youth orchestra, taking tennis and golf lessons, and studying for the SATs. Additionally, she is the Cadet Commander of Mount Airy Composite Squadron.
During this period, Aurora Albertson also advanced through the phases of leadership along with the staff positions in the Mount Airy Composite Squadron. Aurora held every rank from a Flight Sergeant to the cadet executive officer, under the leadership of Cadet Colonel Flanick, before eventually assuming the role of Cadet Commander.
Outside of the squadron, Cadet Colonel Albertson participated in many national cadet special activities to gain the most experience from the cadet program. She attended Pennsylvania wing encampment as a Senior Airman in 2017 and regional cadet leadership school in South Dakota later that same year as a Master Sergeant. She attended Hawk Mountain ranger school consecutively in 2018 and 2019, earning her ground team member 3 and 2 along with her ranger 3 and 2 qualifications. The second year she attended the school as a staff member in training and became skills evaluator training (set) qualified a year later. In 2018, cadet Albertson also attended model aircraft and remote-control flight academy in Missouri, soloing in RC aircraft. In 2019 she staffed as flight commander at Wyoming Wing encampment at the age of 14. Additionally, Cadet Colonel Albertson has a student pilots license and over 100 flights in a glider including her solo flight.
Aurora has achieved many awards in Civil Air Patrol including non-commissioned officer of the year in 2017 and officer of the year in 2019 presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). She has also obtained her solo wings, ground team badge, rocketry badge, advisory council ribbon, and the squadron academic award.
The Spaatz award is named in honor of Carl “Tooe” Spaatz, the first chief of staff of the United States Air Force. One of the giants in the history of airpower, in 1929 Spaatz, together with another pilot, set an important flight endurance record of 150 hours and 40 minutes in the early days of aviation. During world war II, he commanded the allied air campaign against the nazis. In the pacific theater, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took place under his command. After retiring from the Air Force, General Spaatz served as the first chairman of the Civil Air Patrol national board. Since 1964, only 2306 other cadets have earned the Spaatz award nation-wide. Cadet Colonel Aurora Albertson is Spaatz award number 2307.
Nearly 1,500 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 mdwg.cap.gov or follow the wing on Facebook.
Mount Airy Composite Squadron is a composite of both senior and youth programs whose members are drawn from Carroll, Frederick, Howard and Montgomery counties. The Squadron meets Wednesday nights, 7:00 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Izaak Walton League of America, 6642 Woodville Road, Mt Airy Maryland. Have a passion for aviation, dream of flight, cyber defense, are considering a career in the military? Want to serve your community and enhance your leadership skills? Join us. Youths, ages 12 to 18, parents and adults interested in the cadet or senior program are always welcome to drop in. For more information, contact our commanding officer, Captain Laura Smith-Velazquez at LSmith@cap.gov Follow Mt Airy squadron on Facebook or visit the squadron webpage.
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SM Peter Foiles, Mount Airy Composite Squadron
Spaatz in the flesh
August 24, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Spaatz spectacular! We are very happy to celebrate C/Col Albertson and (celebrate in person finally) Capt Flanick on reaching the highest cadet achievement award in Civil Air Patrol. Thank you to everyone who joined us and a special thank you to Col LaPre and CMSgt Parsons!
In memorium
August 17, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Last year we performed an honor guard for the funeral of Judith McLellan, a long standing Commander of Mount Airy Composite Squadron. We are sad to hear that almost a year later, her husband Tom McLellan also a past Commander, has recently passed. Our hearts go out to their family! We are eternally grateful for their long standing service to the community of Mount Airy and Civil Air Patrol.
For those who are available to attend and celebrate the life of Lt Col McLellan and what he contributed to his Unit, our Wing, and the organization as a whole. He was involved in many facets of the program and always had a special place for the cadet program. As a previous Commander of Frederick Composite Squadron he helped establish and commanded the Mount Airy Composite Squadron in 1995.
Memorial Service Details:
Location: Pine Grove Cemetery, Mount Airy, Maryland
Date: 21 August 2021
Time: 1500 hours
CAP Members: Service Dress or appropriate corporate uniform
The family has requested facial masks to be worn due to vulnerability of several family members who will be in attendance.
Blue Skies and Tailwinds sir!
Memories of the year
August 13, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Balsem awards are an exciting time to see what PAOs have been up to and a thrill in competition to see who has done the best in capturing their squadron's experiences. This time there is a certain bittersweetness in celebrating the moments we captured. But it's not a deterrent! It's just part of the fullness of service that we give with gladness. Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol
All the sessions
August 13, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — In the thick of things at the online National Conference! Thanks to technology you can go to ALL the sessions! Just be sure to get up, stretch, and look out the window every now and then!
Moving Up
August 10, 2021 – Colorado Springs, Co. — Continuing to represent Mount Airy's "Can Do" Motto and the core value of excellence, Jim Buchheit, former Cadet AEO & Cadet Commander of Mount Airy receives his boards after completing the USAF Academy basic training. We are so proud of you!!! You are a great role model for our cadets!
Upgrading
August 2, 2021 – Woodstock, Md. —Maryland Wing's Pathfinder School 2021 is happening now! Mount Airy's very own SM Foiles is getting his Mission Scanner and Aerial Photography qualifications this week. He is the 4th in from left and one of our newest members. He has taken on the Public Affairs Officer position and is in the Emergency Services Specialty Track.
SM Foiles is joined by nearly 100 Civil Air Patrol members from Maryland, Delaware, and National Capital wings along with Congressional Squadron who are upgrading their emergency services air and ground qualifications at the school.
Looking up
July 21, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. —Take a moment to to enjoy the world around you. Better yet, join us every Wednesday evening to take that moment with us! Engage with us!
::fireworks::
July 4, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. —Happy birthday, America! Thank for all you've given us! It is an honor to serve! Celebrate with us!
Opening a door
June 28, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. —Thank you to everyone who came out for our open house! You made our day a success! Couldn't make it to the open house? Don't worry! We're open to having visitors every Wednesday evening!
Open air promotions
June 23, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md.— Wow! We had so much catching up to do with promotions and awards. We’re so proud of our cadets for keeping on track! Want to get on the path to achievement? Join us every Wednesday evening to learn how!
Learning on the move
June 19, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Weekend fun to apply our familiarization and preparation for missions! But don’t worry if you couldn’t make it, you can practice your pace count and wildlife identification wherever you go!
Sharpening that look
June 16, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Getting squared away. Dress right dress!
::Enthusiastic applause::
June 9, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Let's hear it for longtime cadet, now senior member, Flanick on graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering! Celebrate with us!
Back in the saddle
June 3, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Woohoo! We're back in the field! Join us Wednesday evenings for some fresh air and fun! Get out there with us!
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Memorialized
May 31, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — We remember and strive to live every day in such a way as to honor those who gave so much for us. Engage with us!
Fly on the wall
May 26, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Awesome time hearing from AOPA Associate Editor Web/ePilot David Tulis on the exciting life of being an aerial photographer! We also got to recognize the achievements of both our senior and cadet members. Join us every Wednesday evening to get in on the excitement all around! Engage with us!
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Getting mission ready
May 22, 2021 – Frederick, Md. — Had a great time working with Frederick Composite Squadron, CAP practicing our search and rescue skills. We're working on expanding integration of sUAS in our missions. Can you spot the sUAS that helped us find our missing person? Engage with us!
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Familiarization for the future
May 12, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Woo! Get ready to get after it on mission training! Be sure to do your familiarization and prep so you can join in on the fun! Engage with us!
Look both ways
May 5, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Tonight we learned that focus is not only necessary for character development, but also for the daily comings and goings. Whatever you do, give it your full attention! Engage with us!
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Hangartrip
May 1, 2021 – Mount Airy, Md. — Brothers Steve and Malcolm Van Kirk were kind enough to give our squadron a personal tour of their hangar museum at Frederick Municipal Airport. The museum has a wide variety of displays including one for their great-uncle Theodore Van Kirk, navigator of the Enola Gay. Engage with us!
