Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol

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Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol
Pennsylvania Wing of Civil Air Patrol
Associated branches
United States Air Force
Command staff
Commander Col William A. Schlosser
Vice Commander
Chief of Staff Maj Ciara Williams
Current statistics
Squadrons55
Cadets724
Seniors877
Total Membership1601
AwardsUnit Citation Award
Websitepawg.cap.gov
Statistics as of May 13, 2023

The Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of CAP in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Wing headquarters is located at Fort Indiantown Gap, an Army National Guard installation near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Wing is abbreviated as "PAWG", and is often referred to by its members as "PA Wing". A Pennsylvania keystone is a symbol commonly used in patches and designs of PAWG.

History[edit]

See also: History of the Civil Air Patrol

Pennsylvania Wing is one of the original 48 wings in Civil Air Patrol.

In the spring of 1942, the Pennsylvania Wing conducted a 30-day experiment with the intention of convincing the Army Air Forces that they were capable of flying cargo missions for the nation. PA Wing transported Army cargo as far as Georgia, and top Army officials were impressed. After the 30 day trial period, the War Department gave CAP permission to conduct courier and cargo service for the military, often flying mail, light cargo, and important military officials between USAAF bases.[citation needed]

One of the Civil Air Patrol's very first "Aviation Cadet Programs" was established at the Pittsburgh Army Air Field in the spring of 1943. Accepting young men as "Aviation Cadets" in a delayed enlistment program for the Army Air Forces, the Pittsburgh Squadron trained these boys (as young as 15) in Aerospace and Military subjects and vetted them for service as Army Air Force Pilots. Graduating a total of 16 Aviation Cadets for the Army in less than ten months, the Pittsburgh Squadron model was copied by units in Philadelphia, New York City and as far south as Florida. Today, the current Squadron with direct lineage to that Aviation Cadet Unit is the CAP's second longest, continually operated unit on a Military Installation.

On December 31, 1999, PA Wing units were put on stand-by in case of any problems arising from the Y2K bug.[citation needed]

During the September 11 attacks, Pennsylvania Wing was ordered to a stand-by state. Although not officially tasked with any missions in direct support, PAWG radio communications centers were operational and prepared to offer assistance.

In 2006, PA Wing was activated to fly reconnaissance missions during the 2006 flood. PAWG aircraft flew over major waterways to provide detailed photographs of flood-affected areas and to monitor floodwaters as they moved downstream.

31 Members from Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol traveled 28 hours to Pascagoula, Mississippi to aid in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. PAWG Ground Teams went door-to-door ensuring that local residents had adequate food, water, and medical care.[1]

In August and September 2011, all CAP emergency service teams in Pennsylvania Wing and CAP members from Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, and Indiana Wings were activated to assist communities affected by Hurricane Irene (2011) and Tropical Storm Lee (2011).

During the time between September 1, 2010 to December 1, 2011, the Pennsylvania Wing saved eleven lives,[citation needed] provided emergency response in Pennsylvania during the 2011 flooding and severe winter storms.

In November 2012, CAP Pennsylvania Wing emergency services air crews and ground teams were activated to assist communities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware during flooding and high wind of Hurricane Sandy.

During Late December 2017 and early January 2018, CAP Pennsylvania Wing emergency services ground teams were sent to help dig out Erie Pennsylvania.

In March 2021, as a part of Civil Air Patrol's response in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, members of Pennsylvania Wing provided support at a vaccine point of distribution.[2]

Pennsylvania Wing Commanders[edit]

CAP volunteers collect uniforms donated to Delaware and Pennsylvania CAP units by the Delaware National Guard.
Lt. Cmdr. Tim Murphy, psychologist with the Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda, sprays fake blood on the bandages of a Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol Cadet as part of preparation for a National Disaster Medical System Exercise.
Cadet Tech. Sgt. Jessica Bower, with the Civil Air Patrol Harrisburg International Composite Squadron 306, listens on how to adjust a parachute harness.
From left to right: Civil Air Patrol members Lt. Col. Jerry Patterson, Capt. Bob Thorn, and Capt. Frank Sattler, who are holding battle dress uniforms donated from the 512th Airlift Wing to Delaware and Pennsylvania CAP units at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware in January 2012
Staff Sgt. Joseph Tremblay shows how to rig the combat equipment onto a parachute jumper with assistance from Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Dempsey, Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol.
Members of the Civil Air Patrol Squadron 801 Honor Guard in Allentown, Pennsylvania, listen to instruction given by retired Tech. Sgt. Anthony Kearse.
  1. Lt. Col. William L. Anderson — December 1, 1941 to August 18, 1945
  2. Lt. Col. Philip F. Neuweiler — August 18, 1945 to March 26, 1946[3]
  3. Lt. Col. Carl A. Reber — March 26, 1946 to August 15, 1947[3]
  4. Col. Philip F. Neuweiler — August 15, 1947[3] to March 21, 1970
  5. Col. Angelo A. Milano — March 22, 1970 to November 5, 1977
  6. Temp. Col. Andrew E. Skiba — November 5, 1977 to June 28, 1978
  7. Lt. Col. Edward T. Kelly (Int.) — June 28, 1978 to January 1, 1979
  8. Col. Angelo A. Milano — January 1, 1979 to December 7, 1987
  9. Col. Raymond F. Schuler — December 7, 1987 to February 16, 1990
  10. Col. M. Allen Applebaum — February 16, 1990 to November 14, 1990
  11. Col. Larry Kauffman — November 14, 1990 to November 20, 1993
  12. Col. Joseph A. Guimond, Jr. — November 20, 1993 to August 19, 1995
  13. Col. Jean-Pierre J. Habets — August 19, 1995 to August 15, 1999
  14. Col. Fredric K. Weiss — August 15, 1999 to June 14, 2003
  15. Col. M. Allen Applebaum — June 14, 2003 to September 29, 2007
  16. Col. Mark A. Lee — September 29, 2007 to November 12, 2011
  17. Col. Sandra E. Brandon — November 12, 2011 to May 16, 2015
  18. Col. Gary Fleming — May 16, 2015 to May 18, 2019
  19. Col. Kevin Berry — May 18, 2019 to May 1, 2023
  20. Col William A. Schlosser — May 1, 2023 to Present [4]

Pennsylvania Spaatz Awards[edit]

  2. Michael F. S. Hanford — February 14, 1966
  4. Kenneth B. Hibbert — September 12, 1967
  6. Ramon L. Bennedetto — May 16, 1968
  8. Michael A. Allen — November 22, 1968
  10. Richard B. Smith — January 7, 1969
  12. James I. Heald — May 15, 1969
  14. Paul S. Draper — January 14, 1970
  16. Harry Z. Mertz — January 14, 1970
  18. Gary J. Kirkpatrick — May 14, 1970
  20. Roy K. Salomon — April 11, 1972
  22. Marie E. Stutz — June 28, 1972
  24. Donald P. Flinn — July 24, 1972
  26. Mark L. Sweeney — March 15, 1973
  28. George S. Rose — June 18, 1973
  30. Robert P. Pelligrini — August 2, 1973
  32. Gary P. Standorf — November 7, 1974
  34. Keith D. Kries — March 7, 1975
  36. Konrad J. Trautman — February 14, 1977
  38. Robert Mattes — October 2, 1977
  40. Lawrence L. Trick — November 22, 1977
  42. Jerrold Warthman — March 1, 1978
  44. Richard Magners — July 3, 1978
  46. Richard Graves — August 22, 1978
  48. James Kraftchak — January 2, 1979
  50. William Snee — May 1, 1979
  52. Bryan Watson — November 13, 1979
  54. Robert Atwell — November 16, 1979
  56. Terry Hawes — November 19, 1979
  58. Jeff Riley — August 8, 1980
  60. Terry Friend — September 3, 1980
  62. Tim Hawes — October 27, 1980
  64. Richard Yingling — May 6, 1981
  66. R. Steven Rickert — October 7, 1981
  68. Edward Czeck — June 25, 1982
  70. Sean Neal — December 13, 1982
  72. Anthony Sodano — December 17, 1982
  74. Walter Garnett — April 1, 1984
  76. Kurt Hack — February 28, 1985
  78. Robert Lutz — January 22, 1986
  80. Daniel Weston — May 8, 1986
  82. David Mertes — September 5, 1986
  84. Paul Andrew — April 6, 1988
  86. John Angeny — July 1, 1988
  88. Lawrence L. Stouffer — April 18, 1989
  90. John Talaber — August 8, 1989
  92. Henry Lutz — August 29, 1989
  94. William Davis — June 12, 1990
  96. Kerim Yasar — January 16, 1991
  98. Joseph Shirer — August 27, 1991
  100. Randy Lentz — August 27, 1991
  102. Isaac Zortman — November 21, 1991
  104. Richard Gray — December 9, 1991
  106. Nathaniel Szewczyk — February 25, 1992
  108. Kara Grimaldi — January 18, 1993
  110. Timothy Cheslock — June 29, 1993
  112. Sarah Ferdinand — June 29, 1993
  114. Julian Rivera — January 12, 1995
  116. Julius Armstrong — December 22, 1995
  118. Joel A. Martin — December 3, 1995
  120. Broderick A. Jones — December 3, 1995
  122. Michael T. Bauer — July 19, 1998
  124. Jason Secrest — July 16, 1999
  126. Sean T. Conroy — June 9, 2000
  128. Joshua Plocinski — December 21, 2002
  130. Shawn M. Cressman — March 13, 2003
  132. Erin M. Nelson — February 21, 2006
  134. David J. Spillane — April 21, 2007
  136. Robert A. Nolt — July 26, 2007
  138. Matthew J. Postupack — August 28, 2007
  140. Thomas P. Carr — December 22, 2007
  142. Courtney Gallagher — December 23, 2009
  144. Dane V. Carroll — August 19, 2010
  146. Noah D. Bendele — April 21, 2011
  148. Abigail R. Hawkins — August 9, 2013
  150. Ethan J. Dunlap — May 20, 2014
  152. Nicholas A Cavacini — June 19, 2015
  154. Nicholas G Basile — September 28, 2015
  156. Jared K. Przelomski — January 19, 2016
  158. Adam I. Parker — May 17, 2016
  160. Josiah L. Acosta — August 1, 2017
  162. Matthew J. Chirik — November 6, 2017
  164. Brandon M. Webber — January 21, 2018
  166. Matthew D. Robinson — June 15, 2018
  168. Mallory Fichera — July 26, 2018
  170. Nolan E. Hulick — January 9, 2019
  172. Andrew G. Myers — February 9, 2019
  174. Andrew S. Wieder — August 10, 2019
  176. Colin T. Phipps — January 6, 2021

Source: [1]

Structure[edit]

Pennsylvania Wing is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in Pennsylvania. PA Wing reports to Northeast Region CAP, who reports to CAP National Headquarters.

Pennsylvania Wing Headquarters is located in a renovated former World War Two Post Exchange (PX) and Non Commissioned Officers Club (NCO Club) complex at Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville, Pennsylvania. Offices, classrooms, a communications center and an emergency operations center are located inside the Headquarters. Additionally, the headquarters building is located approximately one mile from Muir Army Airfield.

Reporting to the Wing level, Pennsylvania is divided into six geographic groups. Each group conducts training, activities, classroom learning and programs, with actual missions assigned to a group from the Wing. Originally, the state was divided into three groups (western, central, and eastern); but with an increasing number of squadrons, PAWG divided split each group into northern and southern sections, creating six groups in 2007.[5]

Reporting to each group are 60 squadrons. Squadrons are the local level of organization and serve the local community, and squadrons meet weekly to conduct conducts training, activities, classroom learning and programs to carry out the three missions of Civil Air Patrol - Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education.

There are three types of Civil Air Patrol squadrons.

  1. A cadet squadron focus primarily on providing for cadets (ages 12 to 21).
  2. A senior squadron is a unit dedicated to allowing senior members to focus on CAP's missions.
  3. Composite squadrons have both cadets and senior members working together.

As of December 1, 2014, the PA Wing operates 60 squadrons, in six groups, 15 aircraft, 34 ground vehicles and a state-wide radio communications network that is operational 24/7 and is part of a national network.

Groups and Squadrons[edit]

Staff Sgt. Joseph Tremblay tells Civil Air Patrol cadets that they need to yell “AIRBORNE!,” June 29 during training at the 193rd Special Operations Wing Pennsylvania Air National Guard Base.
Cadet Senior Airman Jeremy Shaver, Pennsylvania Wing CAP, folds the free running end on the harness’ chest strap.
Col. Gary Fleming, wing commander of the Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol Wing, takes a turn on a mobile zip line.
Brig. Gen. David Wood, Pennsylvania National Guard, and Col. Gary Fleming, wing commander of the Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol Wing, present Cadet Col. Josiah Acosta with the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award.
Shawn (left) and Kevin Utermohlen, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, conducted an inspection of a flight of Civil Air Patrol cadets.

Group 1[edit]

Group 1 is responsible for operations in and around the Pittsburgh area.

Squadron Number Name/Location/Type Notes
Group 1 Headquarters Allegheny County Airport
Squadron 601 Washington Composite
Squadron 602 Allegheny County Composite
Squadron 603 Golden Triangle Composite
Squadron 606 Greene County Composite
Squadron 704 Beaver County Composite
Squadron 712 Butler Composite
Squadron 1502 Somerset Composite

Group 2[edit]

Group 2 operates around Harrisburg.

Squadron Number Name/Location/Type Notes
Group 2 Headquarters Fort Indiantown Gap
Squadron 301 York Composite
Squadron 302 Capital City Composite
Squadron 304 Jesse Jones Composite
Squadron 306 Harrisburg International Composite
Squadron 307 Lebanon Composite Squadron 307
Squadron 308 Gettysburg Composite
Squadron 811 Reading Composite

Group 3[edit]

Group 3 operates in the greater Philadelphia area.

Squadron Number Name/Location/Type Notes
Group 3 Headquarters Willow Grove JRB
Squadron 102 Philadelphia Composite Unit Citation Award
Squadron 103 Philadelphia Composite Unit Citation Award
Squadron 104 Northeast Philadelphia Composite
Squadron 812 General Carl A. Spaatz Composite
Squadron 902 Willow Grove JRB Composite Unit Citation Award
Squadron 1006 West Philadelphia Composite Unit Citation Award
Squadron 1007 Delco Composite
Squadron 1008 Chester County Composite

Group 4[edit]

Group 4 conducts operations in the 14 county area of Eastern Pennsylvania from Lower Bucks County to the PA/NY State Border.

Squadron Number Name/Location/Type Notes
Group 4 Headquarters Quakertown Airport
Squadron 101 Lower Bucks Squadron
Squadron 201 Scranton Composite
Squadron 203 Luzerne County Composite
Squadron 207 Mt Pocono Composite
Squadron 251 Hilltown Senior
Squadron 805 Lehigh Valley Composite Squadron
Squadron 807 Bangor Slate Belt Composite
Squadron 904 Quakertown Composite Unit Citation Award
Squadron 907 Doylestown Composite Unit Citation Award

Group 5[edit]

The Group 5 region encompasses much of North Central Pennsylvania, including State College, Altoona, and Williamsport.

Squadron Number Name/Location/Type Notes
Group 5 Headquarters State College
Squadron 065 Williamsport Composite
Squadron 253 Jimmy Stewart Composite
Squadron 258 Cambria County Composite
Squadron 288 Brush Mountain Composite
Squadron 338 Nittany Composite
Squadron 522 Columbia County Composite

Group 6[edit]

Group 6 is responsible for operations near Erie.

Squadron Number Name/Location/Type Notes
Group 6 Headquarters Greenville
Squadron 124 Tri City Composite
Squadron 125 Armstrong County Composite
Squadron 332 Mercer County Composite
Squadron 337 Lawrence County Composite
Squadron 501 Major Don Beatty Composite
Squadron 502 Erie Composite
Squadron 503 Crawford County Composite
Squadron 504 Clarion Composite
Squadron 505 Warren County Composite
Squadron 507 Elk County Composite

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ 1st Lt Elizabeth Hornbach (September 2005). "Pennsylvania Wing Aids in Disaster Relief". Retrieved September 30, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Civil Air Patrol completes full year of COVID-19 support". United States Air Force. March 30, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Neprud, Robert E (1948). Flying Minute Men: The Story of the Civil Air Patrol. Duell, Sloan and Pearce. OCLC 401797.
  4. ^ "Civil Air Patrol eServices Sign In". www.capnhq.gov. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  5. ^ "About the CAP". Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2008.

External links[edit]

Official websites
PA Wing cadet activities
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