Squadron News:
December 2009
Group 5 Dining Out / Awards Banquet
The Group 5 Dining Out / Awards Banquest was held on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at the Park Hills Country club in Altoona. We would like to recognize the following squadron members who received awards.
C/A1C Seth Berger - First Flight Award
C/Amn Tyler Brahosky - First Flight Award
C/2Lt John Knisely - Mitchell Award, Promotion to C/2Lt, AMA Award
Maj Erin Long - Gill Robb Wilson Award for completing Level V
2Lt Alex Pringle -
Completion of Level One Certificate, Promotion to 2Lt, Chuck Yeager Award
1Lt Suzanne McBride - Benjamin
O. Davis, Jr Award for completing Level II, Finance Officer of the Year Award
1Lt Matt Bisgaier - Promotion to 1Lt
2Lt Ken Radzieta - Promotion to 2Lt
Nittany Composite Squadron 338 - Mishap-Free Award for 2009
November 2009
Billy Mitchell Award Presentation:
Cadet Quinton Piper was promoted on the 19th to the grade of C/2dLt. This marks a huge Milestone in the Cadet Program with the Billy Mitchell Award. We would like to Congratulate Cadet Piper on this great achievement. Colonel Steven Drago of the Penn State Air Force ROTC Detachment 720 was present for the presentation of this award to Cadet Piper. Colonel Drago also spoke with Nittany Composite Squadron Cadets about opportunities in the U.S. Military with an emphasis on ROTC and Officer Careers. We would like to thank PSU AFROTC for coming out and taking the time to present to our cadets.
Colorguard/Drill Team Training Weekend:
Squadron 338 hosted its first Colorguard and Drill Team Training Weekend. Cadets from three squadrons worked together to prepare for the Cadet Competition coming up in March to be hosted in State College. Cadets played Volleyball, ran the mile, presented the Colors both indoors and outdoors and practiced the Drill and Ceremonies necessary to compete in the competition.
October 2009
PAWG Conference and Awards Banquet
Our squadron traveled to the 2009 PA Wing Conference in Pittsburgh, PA. The Colorguard did a great job presenting and retiring the Colors on Saturday. Congratulations to all who received awards:
PA Wing Group of the Year: Group 5
Commanders Commendation Award:
C/CMSgt Ben Capozzi
C/CMSgt John Knisely
C/SMSgt Ashley Musser
C/CMSgt Quinton Piper
C/SMSgt Kevin Weaver
1st Lt. Suzanne McBride
Maj Erin Long
Cadet NCO of the Year Award: C/CMSgt John Knisely
July 2009
Spikes Game Color Guards
Our squadron performed two Color Guard appearances during the month of July during the State College Spikes baseball games. This is the second year we have performed for the Spikes games.
On July 11th we marched in the Philipsburg Heritage Day parade. We participated together with others squadrons in a Group effort. Preview our pictures here.
Promotions
Cadet Brahosky received a promotion to C/A1C
Cadet Musser received a promotion to C/SMSgt.
June 2009
Open House
On Thursday, June 4th the Nittany Composite Squadron sponsored an Open House from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. We had various staging areas to display the different aspects of Civil Air Patrol and what our squadron does in participating in each of these aspects.
The cadets were teaching drill movements to many of the kids who came out and explained to them that drilling is important to us because of the Color Guard presentations and competitions we participate in both locally and regionally. Our Emergency Services area displayed several day-packs and their contents that our members keep packed and ready to go in case we get called out for a Search and Rescue.
May 2009
NER Color Guard Competition
We would like to congratulate the following cadets for their hard work, dedication, and participation in the 2009 North East Region Color Guard Compeition held on Saturday, May 23rd & 24th. Each of these cadets (and several senior members as well) have spent many weekends practicing for this competition. This was the first time the Nittany Composite Squadron has participated in this event and this was a great learning experience for all of us. Below is a list of the cadets and the trophies received:
| Cadets | Trophies | |
| C/MSgt Knisely | 1st Place Outdoor Practical Drill | |
| C/CMSgt Piper | 2nd Place on the Written Exam | |
| C/SMSgt Capozzi | 3rd Place Overall in Competition | |
| C/SMSgt Weaver | Sportsmanship Award (voted by other teams) | |
| C/MSgt Musser |
To view our pictures of the competition, please click here.
April 2009
Cadet Wing Conference
Three senior members and a van load of cadets attended the Cadet Wing Conference on April 25th. The cadets attended break-out training sessions throughout the day while the senior members attended the Commander's Call meeting. Our Color Guard posted the colors for the Dining-In held that evening. There was something to be learned by everyone that day.
March 2009
Promotions
Our Squadron Commander, Capt Erin Long was promoted to Major during the PAWG Staff Meeting held this past weekend on Saturday, March 21st. Please take a moment and congratulate her on her achievement.
PAWG Cadet Color Guard Competition
We would like to congratulate the following cadets for their hard work, dedication, and participation in the 2009 PAWG Color Guard Compeition held this past weekend on Saturday, March 21st. Squadron 338 was the winner of this year's PAWG competition.
C/TSgt Knisely - accredited with the top Leadership test score
C/MSgt Musser - beat her personal mile run time by an incredible amount
C/CMSgt Piper - accredited with the top Mile Run time
C/SMSgt Weaver - answered WWI questions that no one else could answer during the Panel quiz
Winning this year's PAWG competition means we are slated to head to Westover AFB in Chicopee, Massachusetts for the NER Color Guard Competition over Memorial Day weekend. This event will be much larger and take 2 full days to complete. This is the first time Squadron 338 has participated in this event and we wish all the cadets the best of luck in Massachusetts.
Click here to see a picture of the Indoor Drill Competition.
February 2009
Promotions
Senior Member Breese was promoted to Flight Officer Breese
Emergency Services Night
2Lt Bisgaier held an Emergency Services night on Thursday, February 12th. The Cadets participated in a uniform inspection to start off the night. The Cadets were to bring their daypacks and inspections were done on them as well. The SQTRs were reviewed to find what each cadet was missing and what needs to be planned into a future SAREX. 2Lt Bisgaier reviewed the requirements for the missing items needed on the SQTRs.1Lt McBride had a computer training lesson on how to use and enter SQTR information in e-services.
January 2009
Promotions
Senior Member Meoli was promoted to Flight Officer Meoli
Cadet Knisely was promoted to TSgt Knisely
Cadet Piper was promoted to A1C Piper
Guest of Honor
Colonel Drago from the Penn State US AFROTC detachment came to our squadron as a guest speaker on Thursday, January 29th. He shared with us his experiences with the Air Force. He spoke of the many aircrafts he has had the opportunity to fly, the various stations he has been to and told us about some of his favorite adventures he has had.
Cadet Interviews
This year we had 5 cadets from our squadron head to Ft. Indiantown Gap for Cadet Interviews. Several of them applied for Glider and/or Powered Flight Encampment and one cadet applied for the National Honor Guard Encampment. I believe most of these cadets are also looking at Cadet Leadership School for the summer as well if it does not interfere with their other electives.