Fox Cities Composite Squadron - Civil Air Patrol

1st Place winners - Fox Cities Composite Squadron Color Guard. L to R - C/SSgt Jacob Reuter, C/SSgt Michael Lang (color guard commander), C/MSgt David Ama, and C/TSgt Evan Thomsen.

The annual Civil Air Patrol Cadet Competition for Wisconsin was held March 19 with Fox Cities Composite Squadron, located at the Outagamie County Airport in Appleton, winning first place overall for Color Guard. The team will advance to the 2011 Great Lakes Region Competition held at the Illinois Military Academy in Camp Lincoln, Illinois National Guard, Springfield, IL on May 6-8 where they will compete against teams from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio.

Teams are judged in this one day event in Indoor and Outdoor Practical Drill, Standard Drill, In-Rank Inspection, Written Exam and Quiz Bowl. Fox Cities won first place in In-Ranks Inspection and Standard Drill. Cadet Master Sergeant David Ama, also of Fox Cities Composite Squadron, won first place for highest score in the written exam.

“As the competition neared completion, there was clearly no team ahead as the scores were so close, making for a very exciting conclusion,” said Major Robert Koehler. “As the Fox Cities Composite Squadron Commander, I was proud to see the skill and knowledge demonstrated by my team and excited to see them moving onto the Great Lakes Region Cadet Competition in May.”

Major Joseph Hackett, director of cadet programs said “This year’s competition really brought out the best in Wisconsin Wing cadets and how they value and implement the Core Values of Civil Air Patrol; especially when they are asked to be flexible when things don't go according to plans.”

The Fox Cities Composite Squadron’s Color Guard team is:  Cadet Master Sergeant David Ama, Cadet Tech Sergeant Evan Thomsen, and Cadet Staff Sergeants Michael Lang (color guard commander) and Jacob Reuter. Team escorts are Majors Terrance Schmitt and Jacqueline Miller, and 1st Lieutenant Monica Bertram.

Winning second place overall was Milwaukee Composite Squadron #5, located at the National Guard Armory in Oak Creek, Wis. Third place overall winner was won by Racine Composite Squadron, located at the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s Battery C, 1st Battalion in Racine, Wis.

Article written and photos taken by:

JERI GONWA, 1st Lt, CAP
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Wisconsin Wing