12/08/2019
Congratulations!
Maryland Wing recognizes its outstanding members
for 2019 at awards event
December 7, 2019 – MIDDLE RIVER, Md. –More than 230 Civil Air Patrol members and supporters from around the state recently gathered together to recognize the outstanding members of Maryland Wing. This year’s awards dinner was held at Warfield Air National Guard Base in Middle River, Md., on December 7, 2019.
Col. Joe Winter, Maryland Wing commander, led the event which included dinner catered by Mission BBQ. The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron color guard, winners of the 2019 Maryland Wing Color Guard Competition, posted the colors. Cadet Col. Wyatt Hartman of the Glenn L. Martin Composite Squadron and Lt. Col. Brenda Reed, Maryland Wing chief of staff, served as masters of ceremonies.
Special guests included Col. Bruce Heinlein and Col. Eugene Egry, Mid-Atlantic Region commander and vice commander-south respectively. Former Maryland Wing commanders Col. John Knowles and Col. Larry Trick were also in attendance.
Maryland Wing command staff recognized the accomplishments of the many members that have excelled throughout the year.
Col. Joe Winter acknowledged the hard work and dedication of a number of members for their service to the wing with Wing Commander’s Commendations:
1st Lt. Brett Cole, commander of the Cumberland Composite Squadron, was awarded a Commander’s Commendation for his work during the highly visible premier of a film about a Medal of Honor awardee.
Cadet Lt. Col. Jordan Regalado from the Col. Mary S. Feik Composite Squadron was presented Commander’s Commendation for distinguishing himself at the Pennsylvania Wing encampment during the summer.
1st Lt. Michelle Travers of the Harford Composite Squadron was awarded a Commander’s Commendation for outstanding efforts in support of her unit, the wing, region, and national headquarters in the public affairs arena, including photography and recruitment.
A Lifesaving Award was presented to 2nd Lt. Lee Travers III of the Harford Composite Squadron for his heroic actions and quick thinking resulting saving the lives of a woman and her unborn child.
Fifteen Maryland Wing squadrons were recognized for their success in earning the Quality Cadet Unit Award: Arundel Composite, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite, Calvert Cadet, Carroll Composite, College Park Composite, Cumberland Composite, Col. Mary S. Feik Composite, Fort McHenry Composite, Glenn L. Martin Composite, Hagerstown Composite, Harford Composite, Mt. Airy Composite, Parkland Cadet, St. Mary’s Composite, and Towson Composite Squadron.
The Arundel Composite Squadron was recognized as the 2019 Squadron of Merit with a certificate and guidon streamer.
The Paul Garber Award, CAP’s Level IV award in the professional development program, was awarded to 1st Lt. Steve Lang of the Esperanza Middle School Flight.
A number of members were recognized for longevity awards, including 20- and 30-year milestones. Lt. Col. Michael McEleney of the Parkland Cadet Squadron was recognized for 50 years of membership of Civil Air Patrol service.
Col. Heinlein assisted Col. Winter in presenting three Amelia Earhart awards to three cadets from the Cumberland Composite Squadron, all from one family: Cadet Captains Heston Hersch, Moriah Hersch, and Nevin Hersch.
Heinlein presented two Meritorious Service Awards to Maryland Wing members: Chief Master Sgt. Tom Reed and Lt. Col. John Mariakis, both from Maryland Wing Headquarters Squadron. Reed was recognized for leading the two-year region hosting of International Air Cadet Exchange cadets and Mariakis was recognized for his 14 years of service as part of the wing inspector general team.
A number of members were recognized for their outstanding work during the 2019 Civil Air Patrol national conference hosted by Maryland Wing in Baltimore. Members were recognized with Achievement Awards and Wing Commander’s Commendations. Additionally, four members were recognized with Meritorious Service Awards for their outstanding contributions to the success of the conference: 2nd Lt. Bambi Midkiff, 1st Lt. Brett Cole, Lt. Col. Bob Midkiff, and Lt. Col. Brenda Reed.
Members who participated in Maryland Adjutant General change of command ceremony were recognized with Achievement Awards and Maj. John Strong was awarded a Wing Commander’s Commendation for leading the team at this event.
Master Sgt. Luke Then, a U.S. Air Force member of the 34th Intelligence Squadron at Fort Meade, was presented the “Friend of Maryland Wing” award for his volunteer efforts in support of the Nike missile site restoration efforts.
Winter then presented the annual ‘of the year’ awards, recognizing the members that excelled during the past year in their duty assignments.
Administrative Officer of the Year – 1st Crystal Joy, Cumberland Composite Squadron
Aerospace Education Officer of the Year – 1st Lt. Adrian Wright, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron
Character Development Officer of the Year – 1st Lt. Cassie Artes, Towson Composite Squadron
Chaplain of the Year: Maj. Sung Kwon, Howard Composite Squadron
Communications Officer of the Year – Maj. John Pak, College Park Composite Squadron
Deputy Commander for Seniors of the Year – Lt. Col. Thomas Curran, Harford Composite Squadron
Deputy Commander for Cadets of the Year – Maj. Samuel Thomas, Harford Composite Squadron
Emergency Services Officer of the Year – Capt. Christophe Marchand, College Park Composite Squadron
Finance Officer of the Year – Capt. Janis Tucker, Charles Composite Squadron
Ground Team of the Year – College Park Composite Squadron
Historian of the Year – 1st Lt. Vanessa Muniz-Medina, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron
Incident Command Staff Officer of the Year – Lt. Col. Wes LaPre, Calvert Cadet Squadron
Information Technology Officer of the Year – 2nd Lt. James Whitehead, Apollo 1 Senior Squadron
Property Manager of the Year – 1st Lt. William Miner, Glenn L. Martin Composite Squadron
Maintenance Officer – Lt. Col. Laurence Baker, Montgomery Senior Squadron
Operations Officer of the Year – 1st Lt. Dustin Winter, Apollo 1 Senior Squadron
Personnel Officer of the Year – 1st Lt. Kimberly Mueller, Calvert Cadet Squadron
Professional Development Officer of the Year – Maj. Kristen Santos, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron
Public Affairs Officer of the Year – 2nd Lt. Michelle Travers, Harford Composite Squadron
Recruiting & Retention Program – Frederick Composite Squadron
Safety Officer of the Year – 2nd Lt. David Mulhern, Mt. Airy Composite Squadron
Transportation Officer of the Year – 2nd Lt. Olivia Higgins, Harford Composite Squadron
Webmaster of the Year – Cadet Maj. Andrew Rioux, St. Mary’s Composite Squadron
Cadet Programs Advocate of the Year – Maj. David Trick, St. Mary’s Composite Squadron
Cadet NCO of the Year – Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Ian Montgomery, Frederick Composite Squadron
Cadet Junior Officer of the Year – Cadet Capt. Brooke Mengistu, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron
“Ace of the Base” for most pilot hours flown overall – Maj. Bob Nelson, Apollo 1 Senior Squadron
“A-Mission Ace” for most pilot hours flown in support of US Air Force assigned missions – 1st Lt. Richard Marko, Montgomery Senior Squadron
Maj. Bob Thompson, commander of the College Park Composite Squadron, was named Squadron Commander of the Year.
1st Lt. Richard Malament was named Maryland Wing Staff Officer of the Year for his outstanding work as the wing director of finance.
Lt. Col. Bob Midkiff of the Maryland Wing Headquarters Squadron was named Senior Member of the Year. Midkiff is currently the wing’s director of emergency services.
Cadet Lt. Col. Jordan Regalado, of the Col. Mary S. Feik Composite Squadron, was named Cadet of the Year. Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol
