The Broome/Tioga Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) held a promotional and awards ceremony for its members recently at the Vestal Library's meeting room. Both cadets and senior members were honored for their dedication and service in training by squadron commander Lt. Col. Robert Cole.

CAP, an aviation-oriented volunteer organization, is an auxiliary of the United States Air Force. CAP specializes in emergency services, primarily search and rescue and disaster

relief. Moral leadership and military customs and courtesies are stressed. The cadet program is designed to build

character, teach good citizenship and inspire youth leadership through an interest in the military and aviation.

Senior members provide aviation orientation, including aerospace education, guidance and supervision. Members with a military background are ideal candidates to help lead the cadet program, but any individual who enjoys young people can make a valuable contribution. Training is conducted for those who wish to participate in search and rescue as mission pilots, observers or ground teams. Communications instruction is also available.

Cadet Major Dan Ciesla was selected as Broome/Tioga Composite Squadron's Cadet of the Year for his leadership skills in a variety of areas. He facilitated the NY Wing Mission Coordinator Seminar and did an outstanding job with organization and food service. Ciesla received the Commander's Spirit Award for that activity.

Drill Sergeant, Cadet Tech. Sergeant Matt McCrossen received the Leadership Excellence Award. He and Cadet Staff Sergeant Kyle Schmidt, one of the squadron's Flight Sergeants, received promotions and Academic Excellence Awards for their high test scores. Additional promotions to cadet

staff sergeant went to Drew Dorans, the First Sergeant and David Yarwood, another Flight Sergeant. Promoted to cadet sergeant: Joe Dringo, Jason McMicken and Mike Whalon.

Promoted to cadet airman 1st class: Adam Henry, Matt Groff, John Ramsay and Jennifer Euchenhofer. Promoted to cadet airman: Kent Ellsworth. Additional cadet members are: Cadet Commander C/1Lt. Cassie Johnson, Deputy Cadet Commander Major Dan Ciesla, C/TSgt. Matt McCrossen, C/A1C Tim Bunzey, C/A1C Jennifer Euchenhofer, C/A1C Andrew Treiman, C/A1C Adam Henry, C/Amn. Joe Bunzey, C/Amn. Larissa Perlmuter, and C/Basic Paul Hoffman. Broome/Tioga Squadron's Senior Member of the Year was awarded to Lt. Col. Ed Whalon. The Emergency Services Excellence Award was given to 2 Lt. Charles Perlmuter.

Senior members promoted were Lt. Col. Bud Dozier, Capt. Brent Bryson, Capt. Mary Jean Perlmuter, 1Lt. Greg

Darling, 2Lt. Charles Perlmuter, 2Lt. Stephen Baumes.

Additional senior members of the squadron are: Major Scott Atkinson, Major Galen Richmond, Capt. Mary Jean Perlmuter, 2Lt. Charles Perlmuter, 2Lt. Stephen Baumes, 2Lt. John Girton, 2Lt. John Thompson, 2Lt. Patti Thompson, and Senior Member Hank Niman.

Greg Darling, a nine-year member and the squadron's former cadet commander, encouraged the young cadets "to take advantage of the all the great opportunities CAP has to offer." In addition to helping others through emergency services skills and search and rescue training missions, he said CAP can help launch one's profession. With his sights on a military career, CAP training afforded Darling a leading

edge in Army-ROTC at Campbell University in North Carolina. He also received three scholarships thus far through CAP.

Darling attained the rank of lieutenant colonel in theCAP cadet program, receiving the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award, Amelia Earhart Award and the Gen. Ira C. Eaker Award. The

ceremony marked his transition to senior member status of first lieutenant, since turning twenty-one recently. While attending college in North Carolina, Darling has been active in the Central Composite Squadron in Erwin, formerly serving as its cadet commander.

The Broome/Tioga Composite Squadron meets at the Tri-Cities Airport in Endicott every Thursday evening from 6:30 - 9:00 pm. For more information about the program call squadron commander Lt. Col. Robert Cole at 754-8735.