Maryland Wing Civil Air Patrol Explained

Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol (abbreviated MDWG) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the U.S. state of Maryland. Its headquarters (HQ) is located in Granite, Maryland on the site of a former Nike Missile Base (BA-79). Granite is a tiny unincorporated community just northwest of Woodstock; the missile base and HQ have a listed mailing address of 3085 Hernwood Road Woodstock, MD. The Maryland Wing oversees 26 primary subordinate squadrons located throughout the state, including four school enrichment programs. The wing currently has a fleet of 11 aircraft made up of Cessna 172s, 182s, 206 and a Gippsland GA-8 Airvan. More than 1,400 members serve in Civil Air Patrol’s Maryland Wing.

Mission

The Maryland Wing performs the three missions of Civil Air Patrol: providing emergency services; offering cadet programs for youth; and providing aerospace education for both CAP members and the general public.[1]

Emergency services

Civil Air Patrol provides emergency services, which includes performing search and rescue and disaster relief missions; as well as assisting in humanitarian aid assignments. CAP also provides Air Force support through conducting light transport, communications support, and low-altitude route surveys. Civil Air Patrol can also offer support to counter-drug missions.[1]

Cadet programs

Civil Air Patrol offers a cadet program for youth aged 12 to 20, which includes aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership.[1]

Aerospace education

Civil Air Patrol offers aerospace education for CAP members and the general public, including providing training to the members of CAP, and offering workshops for youth throughout the nation through schools and public aviation events.[1]

History

Two Maryland Wing aircrew members die in search of military jet

On 6 April 1954, at 1:05 p.m., Capt. Anthony J. Synodinos, CAP, and Chaplain (1st Lt.) Edward G. Conrad, CAP, died when their open-cockpit Ryan PT-22 airplane crashed into the water near Havre de Grace, MD. The two men, both members of the East Baltimore Squadron, were conducting a search and rescue mission for a missing T-33 military jet that was reported as missing and was never found. The search area was long, stretching from Long Island, N.Y., to Langley Field (now Joint Base Langley-Eustis), VA. Synodinos, serving as mission pilot, and Conrad, mission observer, had been searching the upper Chesapeake Bay in heavy fog.[2]

In 1960, Maryland Wing dedicated a plaque in Havre de Grace, MD; to memorialize these two Civil Air Patrol members who died in service to their country.

On 3 April 2004, the Harford Composite Squadron relocated the marker and established a new plaque which commemorated the 50th anniversary of their deaths. Commanded by Lt. Col. Gerard W. Weiss, the Harford squadron held a ceremony installing the new plaque at the War Memorial in Millard Tydings Memorial Park near Commerce Street at S. Washington Street in Havre de Grace, MD. (39° 32.308′ N, 76° 5.372′ W).

The plaque reads:

In memory of Capt. Anthony J. Synodinos, CAP Chaplain (1 Lt.) Edward G. Conrad, CAPThey died April 6, 1954, in an airplane crash off this point while performing a search and rescue mission. Service like theirs with thoughts more for others than themselves will lead to a far better world to live in.

Original plaque dedicated by the Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol, 1960

New plaque dedicated by Harford Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary.[3]

Buzz One Four - B-52 Bomber Crash – 13 January 1964

A B-52D Stratofortress, from the 484th Bomb Wing, carrying nuclear weapons with its five-man crew crashed near Lonaconing, Md., near the Appalachian Mountains of Western Maryland. The aircraft left Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts on its way to Turner Air Force base in Albany, Georgia, but disappeared from contact. It was determined the B-52 crashed due to a blizzard resulting from two storm fronts converging while flying over Maryland. During the turbulence created by the fronts, the aircraft’s vertical tail fin snapped off the plane, hitting the left horizontal stabilizer and tail gunner’s pod. This resulted in the aircraft rolling onto its back and descending into a spin.[4]

Civil Air Patrol was alerted and Maryland Wing aircrews spotted the B-52's co-pilot, who had ejected, Capt. Parker Peedin, about two miles from Grantsville, MD; and directed ground teams to rescue. The pilot, Maj. Tom McCormick, also ejected and, after walking nearly two miles, was located and transported to Cumberland for medical treatment. Sgt. Mel Wooten, tail gunner, who was riding up front; not in the tail, ejected, but was injured by parts of the aircraft and landed near the Casselman River near Salisbury, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately he did not survive. Maj. Robert Payne, navigator, parachuted from the aircraft but fell into a partially frozen stream where his body was found by rescuers. The fifth crew member, Bombardier Robert Townley, died in the plane.[4]

Maryland State Police took command of the area due to the two, 24-megaton nuclear bombs the aircraft was carrying. The bombs were recovered and taken to Cumberland Municipal Airport for transport.[4]

Memorials have been erected in memory of the crew members. A large memorial can be seen along U.S. Route 40, about a mile east of Grantsville, MD. The Grantsville Community Museum has artifacts on display from the crash.[5]

Squadrons

Squadrons of the Maryland Wing[6]
GroupDesignation Squadron nameLocationAwards
-MD-001Maryland Wing Headquarters SquadronGranite
-MD-999Maryland Legislative SquadronAnnapolis
1MD-071Bethesda - Chevy Chase Composite SquadronGaithersburg2012 CAP Squadron of Distinction Award[7]
Group 1 Squadron of the Year 2015, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
MDWG Squadron of the Year 2015, 2011, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2000
MDWG Squadron of Merit 2010, 2007
MER Squadron of Distinction 2007, 2012
1MD-065Cumberland Composite SquadronWiley Ford, WVUnit Citation Award
Group 1 Squadron of the Year 2019, 2017, 2018
MDWG Squadron of the Year 2017, 2018
MDWG Squadron of Merit 2018
MER Squadron of Distinction 2018
1MD-003Frederick Composite SquadronFrederickUnit Citation Award Group 1 Squadron of the Year 2016, 2014, 2013
1MD-879Granite Cadet SquadronGraniteMDWG Squadron of Merit 2023
MDWG Squadron of the Year 2023
Group 1 Squadron of the Year 2023
1MD-004Hagerstown Composite SquadronHagerstownMDWG Squadron of Merit 2004, 2002
1MD-038Howard Composite SquadronLaurel
1MD-073Montgomery Senior SquadronGaithersburgUnit Citation Award
1MD-091Mount Airy Composite SquadronMount AiryUnit Citation Award [8]
MDWG Squadron of Merit 2008, 1998Group 1 Squadron of the Year 2020, 2021, 2022
1MD-801Parkland Middle School Cadet SquadronRockville
1MD-332Upper Montgomery Composite SquadronGermantown
2MD-039Carroll Composite SquadronWestminsterUnit Citation Award [9]
Group 2 Squadron of the Year 2013, 2010, 2008, 2004
MDWG Squadron of the Year 2010, 2004
MDWG Squadron of Merit 2006
MER Squadron of Distinction 2006
2MD-079Easton Composite SquadronEastonMDWG Squadron of Merit 2017
2MD-031Glenn L. Martin Composite SquadronMiddle RiverUnit Citation Award [10]
Group 2 Squadron of the Year 2018, 2015, 2011
2MD-008Harford Composite SquadronBel AirGroup 2 Squadron of the Year 2019, 2016, 2007
MDWG Squadron of the Year 2019
2MD-022Osprey Composite SquadronDundalkGroup 2 Squadron of the Year 2017
MDWG Squadron of the Year 2017
2MD-013Towson Composite SquadronTowson
2MD-086Wicomico Composite SquadronSalisburyGroup 2 Squadron of the Year 2014
MDWG Squadron of the Year 2005
MDWG Squadron of Merit 2013, 2006
MER Squadron of Distinction 2013
3MD-028Col. Mary S. Feik Composite Squadron
(formerly Annapolis Composite Squadron)
EdgewaterGroup 3 Squadron of the Year 2016, 2015
MDWG Squadron of the Year 2016, 2015
MDWG Squadron of Merit 2016
MER Squadron of Distinction 2016
3MD-085Apollo 1 Senior SquadronFort Meade
3MD-023Arundel Composite SquadronGlen Burnie1994 CAP Squadron of Distinction Award[11]
Group 3 Squadron of the Year 2018, 2017
MDWG Squadron of Merit 2019
3MD-052Bowie Composite SquadronBowieGroup 3 Squadron of the Year 2009, 2008
MDWG Squadron of the Year 2009
MDWG Squadron of Merit 2009
3MD-007Calvert Cadet SquadronPrince FrederickGroup 3 Squadron of the Year 2022, 2014, 2010
MDWG Squadron of the Year 2014, 2022
MDWG Squadron of Merit 2015
3MD-019Charles Composite SquadronIndian Head
3MD-011College Park Composite SquadronCollege ParkUnit Citation Award
Group 3 Squadron of the Year 2007
3MD-890Esperanza Middle School Flight
3MD-089St. Mary's Composite SquadronCaliforniaUnit Citation Award
Group 3 Squadron of the Year 2020, 2019, 2013, 2011, 2006
MDWG Squadron of the Year 1982, 1984, 1989, 1995, 1996, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2020
MDWG Squadron of Merit 2001, 2003, 2005

Disbanded squadrons

Former squadrons of the Maryland Wing
Charter number Squadron nameLocation
18002Naval Academy Senior SquadronAnnapolis
18002Hyde Field Senior SquadronClinton
18006Chesapeake Bay Cadet Squadron
18007Foxwell Composite SquadronPikesville
18010Fred V. Cherry Composite SquadronBaltimore
18012Great Falls Cadet SqTysons Corner, VA
18014Harford
18014White Marsh Composite Squadron Perry Hall
18018Catonsville Composite SquadronCatonsville
18021Middle River Composite SquadronEssex
18021Chesapeake
18023Phoenix Composite SquadronJacksonville
18023Glen Burnie Composite SquadronGlen Burnie
18025Eastern Baltimore Squadron
18026Gunpowder Composite SquadronFork
18030 Gray Manor Composite SqDundalk
18031Group I
18044Gwynn Oak
18044Northwest Composite SquadronRandallstown
18045Odenton Cadet SquadronOdenton
18049Lanham Composite SquadronLanham
18053Deale Senior SquadronDeale
18054Suburban
18066Westside
18069Linthicum Cadet SquadronLinthicum
18072Rosedale Composite SquadronRosedale
18075Peninsular Composite SquadronSeverna Park
18077Reisterstown Composite SquadronReisterstown
18078Queen Anne's County SquadronCentreville
18084Calvert County
18086General Foulois
18087223rd Cadet Sq
18088Salisbury Composite SquadronSalisbury
18088Wicomico County
18090Star-Trac
18090Indian Head Composite SquadronIndian Head
18091Tolchester Composite SquadronChestertown
18092Blackhawk
18092Francis M. Wood Cadet SquadronBaltimore
18092Southwestern
18093Patterson Park
18094Group 5
18095Emmitsburg-Liberty Composite SqEmmitsburg
18105Group V
18141Chesapeake Bay Senior Squadron
MD-092Southwestern
MD-096Chesapeake Bay Senior SquadronBethesda
MD-140Fort McHenry Composite SquadronCatonsville
MD-800Southwestern
MD-802Spring RidgeLexington Park
MD-808The SEED School of Maryland Cadet SquadronBaltimore
Chesapeake Composite SquadronBaltimore
Peoria Cadet Squadron
WaldorfWaldorf

Past Wing commanders

Commanders of the Maryland Wing[12]
Commander's namePeriod of service
Lt Col Arthur C. Hyde1941–1945
Lt Col Edward R. Fenimore1945–1948
Col Allan U. Bevier1948–1951
Col Bennett Crain1951–1954
Col A. Paul Fonda1954–1958
Col William D. Turner1958–1959
Col Willard D. Gilbert1959 (Acting) 1968–1971 (Official)
Col Eugene S. Bibb1959–1960 (Acting)
Col William M. Patterson*1960–1969
Col Stanley F. Moyer1971–1976
Col Frank A. Kunkowski1976–1980
Col Daniel J. Hill1980–1984
Col Kenneth R. Welk1984–1988
Col Clifford A. Parks1988–1992
Col Eugene L. Przybylowicz1992–1996
Col Ralph A. Vogt1996–2000
Col Lawrence L. Trick2000–2004
Col Kay Joslin Walling2004–2006
Lt Col John C. Kilgallon2006 (Acting)
Col Gerard W. Weiss2006–2010
Col John M. Knowles2010–2014
Col William Parris (deceased)[13] 2014-2016
Col Joe Winter2016-2020
Col Wes LaPre2020-2024
  • Patterson was later promoted to Brigadier General when he became chairman of the National Board in 1973. In 1975, Patterson became the first CAP member to hold the title of "National Commander".

Mary Feik Achievement

The Mary Feik Achievement is awarded for successfully completing the requirements associated with Achievement 3 in Phase I of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program; it includes promotion to the grade of Cadet Senior Airman. Mary Feik, who was an active member of the Annapolis Composite Squadron, resided in Annapolis, Maryland, until her death in June 2016.[14] Col. Feik was known for giving an aerospace education related presentation at the annual Tri-Wing Encampment sponsored by Maryland Wing, Delaware Wing, and the National Capital Wing.

Spaatz Award Achievement

The General Carl A. Spaatz Award is the highest award in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. The award honors General Carl A. Spaatz, who was the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and the second National Commander of Civil Air Patrol.

First awarded in 1964, only 0.5% of CAP cadets ever earn the Spaatz award. Maryland ranks 9th among the 50 U.S. states in the number of Spaatz awards earned (1st - Florida; 2nd - California; 3rd - New York; 4th - Texas; 5th - Illinois; 6th - Pennsylvania; 7th - North Carolina; 8th - Virginia). Award recipients from Maryland include:

Spaatz Awardees of the Maryland Wing[15]
Award #RecipientAward dateUnit
85Linda L. Osterhoudt18-Feb-69Lanham Composite Squadron (18049)
95Lloyd Moroughan21-Oct-69Lanham Composite Squadron (18049)
172Raymond T. Hawkins11-Jul-72Frederick Composite Squadron (18003)
206James F. Babbitt15-Mar-73Prince George's Comp. Sq. (18011)
207Anne M. Skebirdis21-Mar-73Catonsville Composite Sq. (18018)
209Ronald P. Ward3-Mar-73Catonsville Composite Sq. (18018)
231Howard F. Eisingor2-Aug-73Bethesda-Chevy Chase Cadet Sq. (18071)
281Kevin A. Parks29-Jul-74Towson Composite Sq. (18013)
337Randy W. Hosselrode22-Aug-75Cumberland Composite Sq. (18065)
352Michael L. Smith17-Sep-75Middle River Composite Sq. (18021)
355Mark P. Hetterly2-Oct-75Bethesda-Chevy Chase Cadet Sq. (18071)
411William Trail16-Nov-76Apollo I Composite Sq. (18085)
569Mark A. Kukucka6-Apr-81Gunpowder Composite Squadron (18026)
646Cindy T. Shanabrook3-Jun-83Linthcum Composite Sq. (18069)
721John C. Kilgallon2-Nov-84Howard Composite Sq. (18038)
722Kevin Redman2-Nov-84Howard Composite Sq. (18038)
730Martin Strittmatter11-Jan-85Linthcum Composite Sq. (18069)
739Francis W. Moran13-Mar-85Prince Georges Composite Sq. (18011)
858Todd Shelton3-Sep-87Glenn L. Martin Composite Sq. (18031)
861Curt A. Klun3-Oct-87Bethesda-Chevy Chase Comp. Sq. (18071)
968Kevin B. Cooley8-Dec-89St. Mary's Composite Sq. (18089)
1021Tina Lumley16-Aug-90Whitemarsh Composite Sq. (18014)
1023Michael Britten21-Aug-90Apollo I Composite Sq. (18085)
1025Wesley Comerer27-Aug-90Howard Composite Sq. (18038)
1031Richard Benet2-Sep-90Frederick Composite Sq. (18003)
1040Thomas Single1-Jan-91Harford Composite Squadron (18008)
1155Charles R. Midkiff III26-Feb-93Prince George Composite Squadron (18011)
1204Shawn Fry18-Mar-94Wicomico Composite Sq. (18086)
1221Roxanne N. Landesman3-Aug-94Prince George Composite Squadron (18011)
1271Tori K. Steinmeier5-Sep-95Towson Composite Sq. (18013)
1291James A. Iacarino5-Mar-96White Marsh Composite Sq. (18014)
1292Brian S. Coats23-Mar-96Glenn L. Martin Composite Sq. (18031)
1293Matthew R. Heusser23-Mar-96Wicomico Composite Sq. (18086)
1298Gabrielle E. Lutz28-Jun-96St. Mary's Composite Sq. (18089)
1301Tammy J. Blevins1-Aug-96St. Mary's Composite Sq. (18089)
1304Alisha M. Cope7-Aug-96Howard Composite Sq. (18038)
1330James R. Logan7-Jul-97Indian Head Composite Sq. (18090)
1460Aaron J. Kleiman22-May-02Wicomico Composite Sq. (MD-086)
1463John F. Reutemann III10-Jul-02Bethesda-Chevy Chase Comp. Sq. (MD-071)
1505Abraham H. Phares2-Jun-03Hagerstown Composite Sq. (MD-004)
1562Emily K. Hudson18-Jun-05Arundel Composite Sq. (MD-023)
1563Rachel L. Gibbs18-Jun-05Carroll Composite Sq. (MD-039)
1586David Wainland31-Jan-06Howard Composite Sq. (MD-038)
1598Jacob A. Reed8-Apr-06Carroll Composite Sq. (MD-039)
1617Carl D. Bevard Jr.24-Oct-06Prince Frederick Composite Sq. (MD-007)
1621Grace M. Stapf18-Dec-06Mount Airy Composite Sq. (MD-091)
1653Joanna S. Weiss9-Jul-07Harford Composite Sq. (MD-008)
1655Syed M. Karim13-Jul-07Bethesda-Chevy Chase Comp. Sq. (MD-071)
1666Elizabeth J. Peters15-Oct-07Harford Composite Sq. (MD-008)
1667Janice A. Watson15-Oct-07Easton Composite Sq. (MD-079)
1711Zachary T. Bowen31-Oct-08Mt. Airy Composite Sq. (MD-091)
1721Wayne S. Mowery Jr.15-Jan-09Osprey Composite Sq. (MD-022)
1737Victor R. Traven25-Jun-09St. Mary's Composite Sq. (MD-089)
1751Anna B. Bladey2-Feb-10Frederick Composite Sq. (MD-003)
1763Alice W. Chan12-Jul-10Howard Composite Sq. (MD-038)
1765John Brennan30-Jul-10Bowie Composite Sq. (MD-052)
1779Shaharazad Purvis13-Jan-11Osprey Composite Sq. (MD-022)
1789Todd P. O'Brien25-Mar-11Bethesda-Chevy Chase Comp. Sq. (MD-071)
1792Sascha R. Maraj20-Apr-11Bethesda-Chevy Chase Comp. Sq. (MD-071)
1806Robbert J. Olson11-Aug-11Calvert Composite Sq. (MD-007)
1807Elizabeth R. Roberts11-Aug-11Harford Composite Sq. (MD-008)
1808Jason O. LaPre11-Aug-11Calvert Composite Sq. (MD-007)
1885Kathleen P. Crockett7-May-13Frederick Composite Sq. (MD-003)
1905Christopher J. La Pointe27-Aug-13Mount Airy Composite Sq. (MD-091)
1915Eashan Samak27-Dec-13St. Mary's Composite Sq. (MD-089)
1923Robert J. Lewis23-Jan-14St. Mary's Composite Sq. (MD-089)
1960John S. Rowan8-Jun-14Bowie Composite Sq. (MD-052)
2052Emmy N. Hoyt1-Jul-16Col Mary S. Feik Composite Sq. (MD-028)
2121Natalie A. Brace7-Aug-17College Park Composite Sq. (MD-011)
2126Jessica G. Strauss25-Aug-17Col Mary S. Feik Composite Sq. (MD-028)
2141Alexei L. Severnyak20-Dec-17Frederick Composite Sq. (MD-003)
2232Matthew R. Fangio19-Jun-19Arundel Composite Sq. (MD-023)
2243Wyatt J. Hartman17-Jul-19Glenn L. Martin Composite Sq. (MD-031)
2301Rachel Rosenzweig7-Sep-20Bethesda-Chevy Chase Comp. Sq. (MD-071)
2302Robert W. Miner19-Sep-20Glenn L. Martin Comp. Sq. (MD-031)
2307Aurora Zoe Albertson26-Oct-20Mount Airy Composite Sq. (MD-091)
2321Daniel M. Flanick20-Nov-20Mount Airy Composite Sq. (MD-091)
2328Xander D. Shoemake6-Mar-21Cumberland Composite Sq. (MD-065)
2352Greggor M. Hines17-Jun-21Glenn L. Martin Comp. Sq. (MD-031)
2389Jordan C. Regalado28-Mar-22 Col Mary S. Feik Composite Sq. (MD-028)
2442Matthew M. Gray5-Feb-23 Glenn L. Martin Composite Sq. (MD-031)
2449Moriah Dawn Hersch12-Mar-23Cumberland Composite Squadron (MD-065)
2451Benjamin E. Mullen17-Mar-23Towson Composite Squadron (MD-013)
2458Vincent A. Martucci Bond 7-May-23Granite Cadet Squadron (MD-879)
2478Akiva Rosenzweig27-Aug-23Bethesda-Chevy Chase Comp Sq (MD-071)
2485Andrew A. Emert-Higgins1-Oct-23Harford Composite Sq. (MD-008)
2491Estelle A. Roche 4-Oct-23College Park Composite Squadron (MD-011)
2515Timothy J. Jumagbas24-Feb-24Bethesda-Chevy Chase Comp Sq (MD-071)

Legal protection

Civil Air Patrol Leave Act of 2010

Employers within the borders of Maryland are required by law to provide at minimum 15 days per calendar year of leave for Civil Air Patrol volunteer members to respond to emergency missions as authorized by the U.S. Air Force, Governor or political subdivision as a part of Civil Air Patrol. The member must provide documentation to the employer if requested. This law was signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley on May 20, 2010.[16]

See also

External links

National HQ

Mid-Atlantic Region HQ

Maryland Wing HQ

Maryland Wing Squadron websites

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Civil Air Patrol . Civil Air Patrol Official Website . 30 November 2015.
  2. Web site: This Day in Civil Air Patrol History.
  3. Web site: Capt. Anthony J. Synodinos & 1st Lt. Edward G. Conrad, Historical Marker.
  4. Web site: A Night to Remember . Whetzel . Dan . 2007 . Mountain Discoveries . 19 April 2020 .
  5. Web site: Buzz One Four Display . . Grantsville Community Museum . 19 April 2020 .
  6. Web site: Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol . Map of Maryland Wing with Groups and Squadrons . January 10, 2020.
  7. Web site: Civil Air Patrol Newsroom.
  8. Web site: Mt. Airy's Civil Air Patrol squadron honored . Jansen . Lisa . 5 July 2002 . . 19 April 2020 .
  9. Web site: Maryland Wing » Maryland Wing supports Anne Arundel County in disaster response operations.
  10. Web site: Martin squadron presented Unit Citation Award . https://web.archive.org/web/20170519021359/http://www.glmcscap.org/news/martin-squadron-presented-unit-citation-award/ . dead . 19 May 2017 . . . 19 April 2020 .
  11. Web site: Local Civil Air Patrol honored as nation's No. 1 squadron . Hedgpath . Dana . 29 July 1994 . . 19 April 2020 .
  12. Web site: Maryland Wing Civil Air Patrol . MDWG Commanders . March 9, 2008.
  13. Web site: Passing of Col Parris - Scholarship established - Civil Air Patrol, Maryland Wing. www.mdcap.org. 2016-04-08.
  14. Web site: Mary S. Feik, retired aviation engineer, dies . . 16 June 2016 . . 19 April 2020 .
  15. Web site: The Spaatz Association . Master List of Spaatz Award Recipients . January 14, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100921024555/http://www.spaatz.org/mbr/list.php . September 21, 2010 .
  16. Web site: Civil Air Patrol Leave Act of 2010 . . 20 May 2010 . . 19 April 2020 .