REPEATER!
New York Wing SARTAC Training Summer of 2011
The first NYW SARTAC for ground team members happened
this summer from 11 Aug to 16 Aug 2011. 2LT David Cotto
and I were able to attend this event as Basic trainees. We earned
our GTM 3 and UDF qualifications. We were the only senior
members to attend as trainees.
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1
NOVEMBER 2011
Mid-Eastern Group
130 Sicker Road
Latham, NY 12110
Phone: 518-456-4582
Maj. Falco has fund
raising entertainment
books for 2012 for
sale.
I had such a great time! It was the kind of fun that I remember
having as a cadet. The staff at the academy were extremely
knowledgeable and very professional. It was a great learning
experience! The first couple of days we did all classroom training. It was hot and sunny weather for that. Then the next four
days we moved into the operational phase of the training. Putting all the book work into practical use. It poured rain those
four days and couldn't have been a better way to train.
2LT Jason Somers and 2LT David Cotto
Check our webpage:
www.mideasterngroup.
org
Please submit articles
to
2LT Jason Somers
Tom Hoey
Inside this edition
MEG Helps Air National Guard 2
Schenectady Composite award 2
MEG Mitchell awards
3
SARTAC photos
4
I learned what equipment worked best and how I could improve on my 24 hour pack. You know the saying " it ain't training, unless it's raining!" this is so true. I made a lot of new
friends and plan on going back in 2012. 2LT David Cotto earned
the Honor Trainee award and I earned the Directors Commendation award. I think we both brought honor to our squadron
and group! We set the bar high for MEG! My goal is to become
an instructor at the academy by 2013. I hope to see more people
from MEG and the rest of NYWing there in 2012!
Vedder Composite Squadron NER-NY-392
My experience in the summer SARTAC ( AUGUST 20011 ) was one I would not exchange for anything.
There could not be a better setting than the one we had. Very nice weather for the class portion of the training, then rain for the practical portion. Of course record breaking rain fall. At First I was a little worried
about being up to speed with the young Cadets, me being 46 years old but, I was determined and motivated
by my fellow Squadron member 2nd LT Somers. In no way shape or form I wanted to fail myself, my Family
who I drove crazy talking about Sartac, My Squadron or Lt Somers. I am a former member of the Puerto Rico
wing and have been on many training exercises but, never have I been to a training academy. I was hungry
for knowledge and that is what I got from the most professional CAP staff I had ever worked with. The Staff
was incredible. Very knowledgeable and helpful in all ways. I would work with that staff anytime. Again It
was an incredible experience and I think we made history. First SARTAC, Record breaking rainfall, LT Somers got the number one Highest award numbered 001, we both made it and I also got awarded Honor trainee.
What more could I ask for. I am looking forward to going back to advance my training to maybe one day be
one of the instructors.
2nd LT David Cotto
Vedder Composite Squadron NER-NY-392
Photo Below: Cadets and senior members from Mid Eastern Group Squadrons turn out to support the 109th Airlift Wing's Fall
Festival, giving family members of active duty service personnel a day of fun and fright! With games, face painting, pumpkin
decorating, music, bouncy houses, barbeque, and a haunted hay ride, the families of those attached to the base were able to enjoy a day of fun in great weather. All cadets and senior members enjoyed this successful show of support to those attached to
Stratton ANG Base who serve this great nation. CAP photo by 2nd Lt. Kevin R Irish, Schenectady Composite Squadron
C/Amn Michael E Chader and Maj. Fred Feurer,
Schenectady Composite Squadron, are awarded the
Disaster Relief Ribbon by Lt. Col. Sean Neal, Mid
Eastern Group Commander, for their hard work
with the American Red Cross during relief efforts
helping those effected by hurricane Irene. Not pictured, is Maj. Marvin Weiss, Schenectady Composite Squadron, who also received this distinctive
honor.
CAP photo by 2nd Lt. Kevin R Irish, Schenectady
Composite Squadron
2
Cadets receive Billy Mitchell Award
By 2nd Lt. Kevin R. Irish
C/2dLt Nathan T Hayden and C/2dLt David A Panzera, Schenectady Composite Squadron, receive the honorable Billy Mitchell Award on
October 12, 2011 for their exemplary performance in ascending through the cadet program. This significant achievement affords these two
young men the opportunity to enter the armed forces as E-3 enlisted ranks and opens doors to many other leadership roles in both military
and civilian pursuits. With approximately 15 percent of all CAP cadets reaching this milestone, C/2nd Lt Hayden and C/2nd Lt Panzera
stand out, giving their fellow, less senior cadets, an excellent example to follow. Col. Timothy J. LaBarge, Commander, 109th Airlift
Wing, Stratton Air National Guard Base, Lt. Col. Sean Neal, Mid Eastern Group Commander, and Maj. Fred Feurer, Unit Commander,
Schenectady Composite Squadron were honored guests at the ceremony, with Maj. David A Panzera, Deputy Commander of Cadets, Schenectady Composite Squadron, as the Master of Ceremonies honoring these two cadets.
Pictured from left: Timothy Hayden, Father of C/2ndLT Nathan T Hayden, Col. Timothy J. LaBarge, Commander, 109th Airlift Wing, Stratton
Air National Guard Base, C/2ndLT Nathan T Hayden, Schenectady Composite Squadron, C/2dLt David A Panzera, Schenectady Composite
Squadron, Maj. Frederick Feurer, Unit Commander, Schenectady Composite Squadron, Lt. Col. Sean Neal, Mid Eastern Group Commander, C/
Capt. Aaron C Whitney, Schenectady Composite Squadron, Maj. David A Panzera, Deputy Commander for Cadets, Schenectady Composite
Squadron.
CAP photo: 2nd Lt. Kevin R. Irish, Asst. Public Affairs Officer, Schenectady Composite Squadron
3
More photos from SARTAC Training August 2011 for New York
Wing.
Photos supplied by 2LT Jason Somers