Westover Composite Squadron (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary- Civil Air Patrol)

Today we celebrate Civil Air Patrol becoming a part of the U.S. Air Force Total Force in 2015. CAP members are part of the Total Force along with the regular Air Force, Guard, and Reserve.

During our most recent Cadet fly day, our newest cadet members in the Squadron held Orientation Flights, better known as "O-flights" at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport.

Part of CAP's Cadet Programs is to get our youth members (ages 12-18) up into the air to provide cadets a peek into the world of aviation and allow them to combine their understanding of science, physics, and aeronautical safety with a healthy dose of fun!

These flights are more important than ever before with the growing need for pilots to fill shortages in both Military & Civilian career fields!

On Saturday, July 13th, the Westover Composite Squadron was among many that helped honor the 78th Anniversary ceremony for 25 fallen service members who perished when their B-17 crashed into Mt. Tom. The plane and her passengers crashed on July 9th, 1946 while returning home to Westover Field from European tours of duty after World War Two.

Squadron Color Guard assisted the ceremony by presenting our nation's flag with precision & grace in front of a crowd of onlookers. Other personnel helped usher crowds, hauled equipment to the memorial site, and provided public affairs/ photography support during the ceremony. Airmen were honored to attend & support this remembrance ceremony held at the crash site to pay tribute to these men whose lives were cut short, as well as their descendants who were never able to meet them.

Our Squadron represented our nation & Westover Air Reserve Base in support of the remembrance ceremony for these fallen heroes. Seeing an entire community come together to honor them year after year is humbling and inspiring.

For more information regarding the memorial site please visit: http://www.mttommemorial.org/

Special thanks to our partners at the 103rd Composite Squadron in Connecticut for these great photos during one of their recent flights!

This Independence Day, our Squadron once again kicked off the holiday by marching in the annual East Longmeadow 4th of July Parade. Our Airmen & Cadets enjoyed the excellent July weather and celebrated our nation's birthday with the enthusiastic crowds in attendance! We are proud to have represented Civil Air Patrol in yet another Western Mass community with a rich tradition of honoring our great country!

Celebrating freedom, fireworks, and all things red, white, and blue. Happy 4th of July!

Fun Fact- Civil Air Patrol has an official hymn- “The CAP is on the Go”. This was certainly the case on Saturday, June 8th!

Lt. Col. Claire Belden & Maj. Jerry Rodgers; along with Maj. Stephen Edelman representing his full-time job, participated in the 2024 Massachusetts Cruiser Convoy to support Special Olympics!

Massachusetts Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, a non-profit group organizes this annual event, specifically raising awareness and money for Special Olympic Athletes. The Cruiser Convoy, the only one in the United States, meets at all points on the Mass Pike and different locations across the state in 4 convoys converging at Boston College. From there, 4 separate convoys join as 1 and make their way through Boston to Harvard University where the MA Special Olympics Summer Games are held each year in June. The awaiting athletes are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the convoy.

This event is always a sight to be seen (and heard)! Our Airmen involved stated what an honor & privilege it was to represent Civil Air Patrol & Westover Air Reserve Base during this year’s Cruiser Convoy!

In case you were wondering about that official hymn, dated back to our WWII founding, it can be found here- https://youtu.be/u1a3BYqlTvo?si=Nb8JV8QX-XwsJlSp

Westover Composite Squadron started the unofficial summer season by spending some time in the field!

Cadet personnel used last weekend's great weather to train on several key aspects of CAP’s Emergency Services missions at Westover Air Reserve Base’s “Dog Patch” Field Expeditionary Training Area. With the guidance of Civil Air Patrol Officers, Cadets were instructed on various ground search & rescue techniques while getting some orientation on the “tools of the trade” used to accomplish those missions.

Instructed by a special guest, Massachusetts Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Efrain Quinones, Cadets learned basic Wilderness First Aid. During this interactive lesson cadets had the opportunity to demonstrate to each other certain life-saving measures that could be needed while in the field.

Several scenario search missions were conducted to test some of the skills they had learned earlier in the weekend and put into a practical application; including low-light conditions & rough terrain navigation.

To top it off, all the personnel took part in a good old-fashioned Burger Burn, along with a bonfire and a few rounds of volleyball at the end of the Training Day.

A full photo album of the training event can be found using this link - https://photos.app.goo.gl/PeYP433MsTR7YtJE6

On Memorial Day, Civil Air Patrol honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We are forever grateful for their service and dedication to our nation.

There’s a storm brewing!


On Saturday, May 4th Auxiliary Airmen & Cadets participated in a multiple agency emergency preparedness exercise during May’s UTA weekend at Westover Air Reserve Base.

“Operation Distant Storm” was a medical evacuation and preparedness drill that helped train personnel on how to respond accordingly in the event of a large-scale natural disaster emergency. CAP Cadets roleplayed as victims transported to Westover; which served as the mass casualty triage center. A C-17 Globemaster III from Dover AFB, Delaware served as their transport vehicle. Cadets had the unique opportunity to “hitch a ride” aboard the newest airlifter in the Air Force fleet. Simultaneously; helping to provide critical training for Air Force and civilian medical personnel. While some of our Auxiliary Airmen also roleplayed as victims alongside our Cadets, others provided planning and operational support during this exercise. This is just a small example of the valuable assistance CAP plays as the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary and Total Force partner!

Check out the event's full photo gallery here- https://photos.app.goo.gl/Dp1biZUuFyPQvvy98

Civil Air Patrol is a federally chartered non-profit corporation that is also the Air Force Auxiliary. CAP’s mission is supporting America’s communities with emergency response, diverse aviation and ground services, youth development, and promotion of air, space, and cyber power through aerospace education. CAP flies a wide range of operational missions daily, including search and rescue, disaster response, and supporting counterdrug operations. They also execute aerial target missions to maintain combat readiness of air defense assets, conduct special-use airspace surveys, and fly orientation flights for teachers, Air Force ROTC, and Air Force JROTC cadets.

Recognized by Air Force doctrine as members of Total Force, CAP has more than 38,000 adult members and more than 28,000 cadets in more than 1,500 units with an organizational pattern and rank structure similar to that of the Air Force. CAP has eight geographical regions composed of 52 wings, one for each state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Wings are divided into groups, squadrons, and flights. The CAP national headquarters is co-located with the CAP-USAF headquarters at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

Today wrapped up our latest new cadet Great Start rotation with cadet field day. They did a line search, AE activity, character development and even did a simulated mock promotion board. Tuesday they will receive their first promotion to C/Amn.

Post and photos by Capt Karen Chevalier

On Sunday March 17th members and their families volunteered as banner carries in the 71st running of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s day parade. Each year this parade usually attracts around 40,000 spectators from all over the US.

Photos and post by Capt. Karen Chevalier

Congratulations to our exceptional cadets who recently had the opportunity to embark on their very first orientation flight! Your dedication and hard work have paid off, and we're immensely proud of your accomplishment. We are looking forward to watching you continue to reach new heights in your aviation journey. During these flights, also known as 'O-Flights,' Civil Air Patrol cadets get firsthand experience of flight, including the chance to handle the flight controls and practice basic maneuvers. The cadets pictured below, C/Amn Even Delago, C/Amn Everett Hubach, C/Amn Jude Miller, C/Amn Simon Helenek, and C/Amn Heidi Helenek, deserve a special round of applause for their achievements. Once again, congratulations to our outstanding cadets!

Photos taken by C/A1C Noah Messer

On Tuesday, February 20, we were joined by Col. Everett Hume-Northeast Region Commander, and Col. Tim Nelson- MA Wing Commander for a special ceremony conducted to present several Westover Cadets milestone achievement awards.

Cadets Aiden Guzman, Thomas DeSanto, & Tadgeon Skog were promoted to the grade of Cadet Second Lieutenant (C/2d Lt). This promotion is an accompaniment of the Billy Mitchell Award.
The Mitchell Award marks the completion of Phase II of the CAP Cadet Program, recognizing sustained excellence in all four areas of cadet life: leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character. Further, Mitchell cadets must have passed comprehensive examinations on leadership and aerospace topics and have completed a week-long encampment immersing them in a challenging Core Values and STEM environment. The U.S. Air Force respects Mitchell Award recipients’ accomplishments. Mitchell cadets who enlist in the Air Force enter the service at the advanced grade of E-3, Airman First Class. The service also looks favorably upon Mitchell cadets when evaluating AFROTC and Academy applicants. Once a cadet earns the Mitchell Award, he or she becomes a cadet officer, is promoted to the grade of cadet second lieutenant, and is challenged to lead and serve junior-ranking cadets, while continuing to develop into a “dynamic American and aerospace leader.”

Additionally, Cadet Captain Hillel Kofsky was presented the Amelia Earhart Award, named in honor of the famed aviator. The Earhart Award marks the completion of Phase III of the CAP Cadet Program, recognizing sustained excellence in all four areas of cadet life: leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character. Further, Earhart Award cadets must have passed comprehensive examinations on leadership and aerospace topics. Once a cadet earns the Amelia Earhart Award, he or she is promoted to the grade of cadet captain and is challenged to lead and serve junior-ranking cadets not just in the hometown squadron but around their wing (state) as well. Perhaps the award’s most coveted benefit is that Earhart cadets become eligible to represent the United States in the International Air Cadet Exchange. After earning the Earhart Award, only Phase IV of the Cadet Program, and the prestigious Spaatz Award Examination remains for the young person to conquer as a CAP cadet.

A complete Gallery of the presentation can be viewed here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/LndTmXCa1Tw24fb9A

Tonight’s cadets had the opportunity to step away from our regularly scheduled program and tour and learn about Westovers on base fire department as part of our 5th week fun night.

Post and photos by Capt. Karen Chevalier

Tonight we held our first Great Start Open house of 2024.

Post and photos by Captain Karen Chevalier

Today members from Westover and other units in Mass Wing got together for a day of adult training. TLC, Training Leaders of Cadets is a day long course designed to help Cadets Programs Officers be better leaders.

Post by Capt. Karen chevalier

While some members of our unit were braving the rain and elements to unload and load boxes of Girl Scout cookies in West Springfield, 10 cadets and 2 seniors met with other members from around Mass Wing at the first training/planning meeting for the Mass Wing 2024 encampment at Bridgewater State University.

Post by Captain Karen Chevalier

🍪ITS GIRL SCOUT COOKIE DROP DAY! 🍪

On Saturday, January 13th, Cadets and Senior member Officers assisted with the distribution of cookies and traffic control for the annual Western Massachusetts Council of Girl Scouts of America cookie drop. Together with other volunteers, CAP personnel loaded over 32,000 boxes of the highly desirable Girl Scout Cookies into the awaiting vehicles. This is the 20th year of our Squadron's assistance to the council and is always one of our first community service event of the year. Thank you to everyone who participated.

Post by Captain Karen Chevalier
Photos by SM James Menard

Stay Safe and Stay Warm!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Officers and Cadets of the Westover Composite Squadron!

Posted by Capt. Karen Chevalier

Congratulations C/Capt Kofsky.

Join us in celebrating 82 years of Civil Air Patrol's incredible journey and impact. From supporting wartime efforts in the '40s to empowering future aviators, we are proud to continue serving our nation through our educational programs and operational missions as the U.S. Air Force auxiliary. A special thank you to our amazing volunteers who soar high with us.

Congratulations to the cadets who have promoted last Tuesday. For most this is a massive achievement in their lives!

Photographs By Westover Composite Sq. Public Affairs Team

Come get answers to your financial assistance and scholarship questions. https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/cadetinvest