The Kona Composite Squadron of the Hawaii Wing Civil Air Patrol was recently named this year’s Squadron of Distinction for the largest region in the nation. The Kona Composite Squadron of the Hawaii Wing Civil Air Patrol was recently named
The Kona Composite Squadron of the Hawaii Wing Civil Air Patrol was recently named this year’s Squadron of Distinction for the largest region in the nation.
This is the first time a squadron from the state has achieved such a feat for the Pacific Region, which consists of nearly 150 CAP units from California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Nevada and Hawaii, said Paul Rollman, Kona Composite Squadron commander.
“It’s thrilling,” he said. “This wasn’t a specific goal of ours. We have mostly been focused on becoming the No. 1 squadron for Hawaii. It’s a testament to how hard we’ve worked throughout the year. It also recognizes our 53 outstanding cadets participating and the dedicated senior members and parents who support them.”
The award is based upon the squadron strength and its growth rate, as well as cadet achievement, encampment attendance and orientation flight participation. It’s part of an annual program of CAP, an official civilian auxiliary of the Air Force and nonprofit with more than 57,000 volunteer members. Every year, the top CAP composite or cadet squadron is recognized regionally and nationally for distinctive accomplishments.
Kona Composite Squadron has already distinguished itself by earning multiple awards, including Hawaii Squadron of the Year, Aerospace Education Excellence Award, Aerospace Officer of the Year, Communications Officer of the Year, Cadet Communications Officer Of the Year, and Quality Cadet Unit Award.
Additionally, Jonathan Lomberg, a 2012 Kealakehe High School graduate, was named Pacific Region Cadet Officer of the Year. Lomberg is now attending the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
Since at least the 1950s, the Kona Composite Squadron has been a place for cadets, ages 12 to 20, to learn leadership, character development, technical skills, physical fitness, aviation and space education through a 16-step program, which they do at their own pace. They can compete for academic scholarships to further their studies in fields such as engineering, science, aircraft mechanics, aerospace medicine, meteorology, radio communications, computer programming and more. They also have opportunity to attend leadership encampments, career academies and international exchanges during the summer.
“At first, a lot of parents and potential cadets don’t really understand how CAP shapes lives. But once they get fully involved, they recognize the invaluable services,” Rollman said. “CAP teaches responsibility, leadership, goal setting and how to accomplish them. We’re helping create leaders, enabling youth to be leaders and preparing them for the future.”
The Kona Composite Squadron has the largest cadet membership of any Hawaii unit and cadets are key in the recruitment effort. Membership grew from 24 cadets in 2011 to more than 50 this year. The group meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuedsays at Kona International Airport.
The cadets are mentored by volunteer senior members, some of whom are pilots who help ensure each young participant does at least one orientation flight. Senior members also spend hours training to be prepared for disasters and emergencies. They help with search and rescue operations, assess disaster areas from the air, perform drug enforcement and homeland securing missions and assist the Coast Guard. They did two missions in July, Rollman said.
The group has roughly 40 senior members, but not all are active and more are welcome, Rollman said.
For more information about the Kona Composite Squadron, call Judy Ann Williams, deputy commander for cadets, at 269-2408 or email Ron Baird, public relations officer, at ronb@hawaiiantel.net.
