Change of Command
Saturday, 23 September 2006 - Nashua, NH — At the annual NH wing conference, Maj. Charlie Freeman stepped down as squadron commander after 8 years in the position. Taking his place is Capt. Rangi Keen, the former deputy commander for seniors.
Smith Receives PAO of the Year
Saturday, 23 September 2006 - Nashua, NH — 2Lt. Jessica Smith received the PAO of the year award at today's wing conference. She receives this honor for her dedication on the job in getting articles in many local newspapers and local television stations. She has also been key in helping organize and publicize events such as our open houses and the recent airport awareness day. The squadron has gained a number of new members as a direct result of this increased visibility in the community. We very much appreciate the work she has done and continues to do for the squadron and congratulate her upon her receipt of this award.
Cadets Awarded Feik from Feik
Saturday, 23 September 2006 - Nashua, NH — Three cadets from the Lebanon Composite Squadron today received the Feik award from the woman after whom the award is named. Col. Mary Feik of the Maryland wing presented the Feik award to cadets Devall, Sorenson, and Cohen. The award carries with it promotion to c/SrA. Congratulations to these three cadets.
Airport Awareness Day
Saturday, 12 August 2006 - Lebanon, NH — The Lebanon Airport today sponsored the annual Airport Awareness Day. Members of the Experimental Aircraft Association gave free flights to youth. The Lebanon squadron had two aircraft on display along with information for anyone interested in joining. Members also assisted at the event directing traffic and providing assistance to visitors.
According to airport officials, over 3000 visitors showed up. Thanks to everyone who was able to help make the day a success.
In addition to the static aircraft displays there were flybys of military aircraft including a KC-135 aerial refueling tanker and an A-10 Thunderbolt II (more commonly referred to as the "Warthog"). See below for a video of a KC-135 refueling flight the squadron participated in earlier this year.
A KC-135 making a low pass
Norwich Memorial Day Parade
Sunday, 28 May 2006 - Norwich, VT — Congratulations to the Lebanon Squadron color guard on an excellent performance at the Memorial Day parade in Norwich. Our color guard had the honor of leading the parade and presenting the colors at each memorial stop along the parade route. Both the parade marshall (a Marine Lt. Col.) and the American Legion personnel extend their thanks, appreciation and congratulations to the color guard for its efforts and professionalism.
- Rifle Guards: c/A1C Garcia, c/Amn Orfanidis
- CAP Flag Bearer: c/SrA Cohen
- National Colors Bearer: c/A1C Sorenson
Squadron Rocket Flies Highest
Saturday, 6 May 2006 - Concord, NH — Members of the Lebanon squadron joined others from around the wing on the grounds of the NH Technical Institute in Concord NH for the annual rocket competition. Despite it's somewhat shabby appearance after having been stored for a year (the event was cancelled last year due to high winds), one of our cadet rockets beat out the competition in the altitude contest. There were two other cadet rockets and one senior rocket entered in the competition.
For more information on the event, look for an upcoming article on the wing's PAO section.
KC-135 Refueling Flight
Thursday, 20 April 2006 - Pease ANG Base, Pease, NH — 12 cadets and two senior members from the Lebanon squadron today accompanied members of the 157th Air Refueling Wing on a training flight refueling C-5 Galaxy aircraft. The 157th uses KC-135 stratotanker aircraft.
View the video (5.2 MB)The KC-135 flight was a great experience. We had the opportunity to travel to an Air Force base. We had a chance to put our customs and courtesies to the test. We got to experience a refueling mission from the boom deck and not just in our seats. We got a complete hands-on tour of the plane and we were free to tour the cockpit. Two of the cadets got to work in the cockpit on the ascent and descent. Every cadet that wanted was able to visit the boom deck. If there were any questions, they were answered and the pilots were very knowledgeable about the plane.
This was an excellent experience and each cadet was privileged to go on the flight. It was also a great bonding experience with all the cadets. I’m happy I embraced this opportunity and if this is presented again I encourage everyone to participate. Thanks to everyone from the Civil Air Patrol and everyone at the Pease Air National Guard Base for making this possible.
— C/A1C Garcia
April Newsletter
1 April 2006 - Lebanon, NH — Congratulations go to Bravo flight graduates and other promotions. Read a letter from the cadet commander and a review of our 25 March search and rescue exercise.
Read the newsletter (128 KB)Spectator Leads with SAREX Story
Wednesday, 22 February 2006 - Lebanon, NH — The Connecticut Valley Spectator today ran the story of Saturday's SAREX on the front page.
Lebanon SAREX a Success
Saturday, 18 February 2006 - Lebanon, NH — The Lebanon Composite Squadron hosted what many felt was the best search and rescue exercise (SAREX) they had ever attended. Although we were not able to fly because of the high winds, we had a great turnout with over 30 ground team members from as far away as Nashua and Keene.
In addition to our own members, this SAREX involved cooperation with a number of other agencies in the Grafton, NH area where the simulated crash site was located. The day began in Lebanon with a briefing of the scenario and an introduction of the participating agencies. The ground teams deployed from Lebanon to the staging area at the Grafton Fire Department where they were sent afield to track the signal from an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) from the aircraft.
Traveling with the ground teams were members of the Southern Grafton Amateur Radio Emergency Services (SGARES). With a system of cross band repeaters and handheld radios, the HAMs were to provide backup communication facilities for CAP. As it turned out, the CAP repeater on Ascutney was out of service and we were unable to launch the airborne repeater due to the weather. In addition to that, our usual backup of cell phone communication was not available as there is no coverage in the Grafton area. As a result, the SGARES system became our primary method of communication and it worked extremely well.
As a prearranged part of the exercise, CAP members called 911 to report the simulated crashed aircraft and to request assistance from the Grafton K9 Search and Rescue teams and later to activate the Grafton Ambulance. The dog teams were sent in to the woods first to search the area accompanied by a CAP member and HAM for communications. The CAP ground teams worked with direction finding radios from the road to narrow down the search area.
The dog teams were so good that they actually found the antenna from the ELT before locating the crash scene. At that point, the ground teams and the Grafton Ambulance crew made their way to the scene to carry out the survivor with a broken leg (simulated, of course).
The medical crew strapped the patient into a stokes litter for extrication from the scene. For many, this was the first time they had carried a patient from the woods and it was an eye opening experience. It takes a lot of people to carry one patient out of the woods.
To finish out the day, we all returned to the staging area for the debriefing. Although there was some confusion as to who was in charge, it was a great experience to work with other agencies as we would in a real search. Overall, everyone felt it was an excellent day and went home having learned a lot.
Thanks to Maj. Charlie Freeman and other members of the Lebanon Squadron for organizing such a successful exercise.
March Newsletter
1 March 2006 - Lebanon, NH — We welcome the new Bravo flight and announce promotions and an upcoming article in Girls' Life magazine on c/Amn Kristin Garcia.
January Newsletter
1 January 2006 - Lebanon, NH — We announce new family additions, the update to our squadron web site, and upcoming events in the next few months.