Gainesville cadets pose at NCSA Selection Boards

Gainesville’s cadets, once again, have shown themselves to be the cream of the crop of Florida Wing. On January 19-20, along with 96 other cadets in the Wing, our own cadets C/SMSgt Daniel Cook, C/MSgt Tiffany Jakowczuk and C/SMSgt Timothy Lhota attended National Cadet Special Activities Selection Boards at Patrick AFB. Each one of them did an outstanding job. Here are their achievements:

Cadet Cook: #12 cadet overall in the Wing 

Cadet Jakowczuk: #2 cadet overall in the Wing, Female Fleet Foot (fastest mile in the competition), Phase II - Highest Written Exam Score, Overall Highest Written Exam Score, Phase II – Highest Inspection Score 

Cadet Lhota: #7 cadet overall in the Wing, Florida Wing Phase II Cadet of the Year

Congratulations, cadets! 

Click here to see more pictures of the event. 

Tuskegee Airman Stephen Lawrence addresses the squadron

In addition to squadron members and their families, attendees included Lt Col Fred Swearingen, Group II Deputy Commander. A special address was given by Mr. Stephen Lawrence, who served as a Tuskegee Airman in World War II. Following the presentation, the squadron inducted a new Cadet Commander, as C/Major John Samonas passed the responsibility of command to C/2d Lt Trixie Stengle.

Several officers were recognized for achievements during 2007, including numerous professional development and emergency services awards. Captain Christian Campbell and Captain Leslie Ballard were recognized for earning the Paul E. Garber Award, certifying completion of Level 4 of the CAP Professional Development program. Captain Ballard’s award ribbon bore a device denoting completion of the USAF Squadron Officer School.