Tag Archives: Alan & Melissa Fisher

LAS CRUCES NM CAP SQUADRON 24 MAKES STATE HISTORY

Leave a reply

Under the leadership of Colonel John Orton, (L) long-time FASF Trustee and Advisor, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Composite Squadron 24 was just awarded a Unit Citation by the National CAP Headquarters.  This achievement is a first for the state of New Mexico’s 17 CAP squadrons.

Additionally, under Col. Orton’s leadership, the Squadron, just during the past year, has increased its overall strength by 35 percent and its cadet strength by 78.57 percent. In addition, as an exceptionally smooth-running team, the squadron has earned a Quality Cadet Unit Award, an Aerospace Education Achievement Award, and an Aerospace Education Excellence Award.  With such a stellar record, the unit had every logical expectation it would be cited for its outstanding performance.  John shared the national HQ Award at the Squadron’s annual Christmas Party at Captain Shannon Salome‘s home in Las Cruces, NM.  Here are some photos and an 8 minute video taken at the event:

[To see any photo in full resolution, simply click on it.  It will open full-size in a new tab]

                  Group shot of CAP Squadron 24 members taken at their 2024 Christmas Party                                         L to R above:   John Querry, Rick Marshall, Jay Vantandingham, Ruth & William Benziger, Michelle Phillips, Brian Williams (partially hidden), Barry Leff, Melissa Levi, Tammy & Val Bigger, LouAnn & Jim McConnell, Peter & Lenice Bogardus, Shannin Salome, Donna & Mark Vieth (separated by Andrea), Andrea Camunez, Ric Lambart, Melissa (mostly hidden) & Alan Fisher, Victoria & John Orton, and Michelle & Matt Rittenhouse.                              (NOTE: All names of those pictured have resulted from Col Alan Fisher’s indispensable help!
                                                           L to R: Brian Williams and John Querry  
                                       L to R: Gabriela & Tammy Bigger  with Heather Johnson at the rear doorway                                                                                               
                 L to R: Rick Marshall, Heather Johnson, Mark &  Donna Vieth, Peter and Lenice Bogadus

 

L to R: William & Ruth Benziger, Alan Fisher, John Powell L to R: Val & Tammie Bigger, Melissa Fisher, Gabriela Bigger,  Rona Powell
 L to R:  Mark Dieth, Jim & LouAnn McConnell, Donna Vieth, Barry Leff & Melissa Levi L to R: Caleb Johnson, Matt and Michelle RittenhouseL to R: Brian Williams, Heather Johnson, Victoria & John Orton L to R: Gabriela, Tammy & Ameliia Bigger, Mark Dieth, Jim & LouAnn McConnell , Donna Vieth ,  Melissa Levy, & Rona Powell
 L to R: Caleb Johnson, Brian Williams, Heather Johnson, Victoria & Jonn Orton
L to R: William & Ruth Benziger, Peter & Lenice Bogardus, Rick Marshall & John QuerryChristina Wingfield, Margarita & Jay Vanlandingham, Shannon Salome
L to R: Matt Rittenhouse, and Caleb Johnson R to L: Victoria & John Orton, Michelle Rittenhouse
 L to R:  Michelle Phillips and son, William Benziger
L to R: Tammy & Val Bigger, Jim McConnell, Mark Vieth, LouAnn McConnel, Melissa Levy, John Powell, and Brian Williams to R: Michelle Phillips, Christina Wingfield, Heather Johnson, Margarita Vanlandingham, Shannon Salome, Tammy & Val Bigger, Melissa Levy, Donna Vieth, Melissa Fisher, Williams, Melissa Levi, Donna Vieth, Mark Vieth, Melissa Fisher, Mark Dieth, LouAnn McConnel
 L – R: Melissa Levy, Jim McConnell, Mark Dieth, Melissa & Alan Fisher, Andrea Comunez
L – R: Caleb & Heather Johnson, Barry Leff, Tammy & Val Bigger, Melissa Levy, Gabriella Bigger, Donna & Mark Dieth, Melissa Fisher L – R: Michelle Rittenhouse, John Orton, Michelle Phillips, Margarita & Jay Vanlandingham, Christina Wingfield, Brian Williams, Heather & Caleb Johnson, Melissa Levy, Melissa Fisher, Tammy & Val Bigger, Donna Dieth, Donna Dieth, Shannon Salome, and Jim McConnel

L to R: John Orton, Michelle Phillips, Margarita & Jay Vanlandingham, Christina Wingfield, Heather & Caleb Johnson, Brian Williams, Melissa Fisher, Melissa Levy, Tammy Bigger, Donna Vieth, Shannin Salome, Val Bigger, Alan Fisher, Jim & LouAnn McConnell

To see this video in Full-Screen, 1st start the video, then right-click on it and choose “Full-Screen“

Daedalian-FASF Members Get Scoop From New WEAM CEO

2 Replies

Mike Epp, WEAM CEO

Mike Epp, at left, is the new Director of the War Eagles Air Museum (WEAM) at nearby Santa Teresa International Jet-Port.  When long-time FASF member Robert “Bob” Dockendorf retired last year we all wondered who would fill his large shoes as Director of the museum.  The mystery is now over: It is Mike Epp.  Mike was the guest presenter at last week’s monthly meeting of Daedalian Flight 24 in El Paso, Texas.

Still showing a less than average turnout as the result of the long shut-down from the pandemic, Mike still had a good sized Daedalian group assembled to witness his show, as the following photos reveal (click on any photo to see in full resolution):

L to R: Larry Spradlin and Mike Epp pose for our photographer as the Daedalians and guests arrive.

L to R above: Charlie and Mayre Sue Overstreet, Col. Bob Pitt (back to camera), Larry Spradlin, Julie Pitt. guest Mary Barnes, and Colonel Melissa Fisher.

L to R: Mike Epp in discussion with an old friend, Flight Treasurer, Virg Hemphill

L to R: Colonels Mario Campos, previous Flight Captain, and Melissa Fisher.

L to R: Jerry Dixon, Col. Mario Campos, Larry Spradlin, Virg Hemphill (his back) Mike Epp, Ulla Rice and Pete Brandon.  Flight Captain, Col. Alan Fisher is at podium getting ready to call the meeting to order.

L to R: Col. Fisher, Roger Springstead, Col. Fisher, Mary Barnes, Charlie Overstreet, Julie Pitt with Col. Pitt giving his Flight Adjutant’s report.

Colonel Alan Fisher asks Charlie Overstreet, a long-time Docent at the WEAM, to introduce Mike Epp.

                                Charlie Overstreet introducing the meeting’s speaker, Mike Epp.

                                                              Charlie describing Mike’s background.

Presenter Mike Epp starts his show.

            Mike proceeds to describe the WEAM and its plans for the future, with F-51 Fighter of WWII fame on screen.

L to R: Mike, Alan Fisher, Charlie Overstreet, Melissa Fisher, Mayre Sue Overstreet, Col. Bob and Julie Pitt, and Roger Springstead.

  L to R: Mike explains the antique car collection, also a feature of his WEAM as Fishers listen.

L to R: Mike Epp, Julie Pitt (back to camera) Melissa and Alan Fisher, Col. Bob Pitt, Charlie and Mayre Sue Overstreet.  On screen is one of the WEAM displays, a Cessna T-37 jet trainer.

 Mike describes some of the museum’s most unique aircraft, such as the Russian MIG fighter depicted on the screen.

Mike tells the audience of his career in aviation, and how it began at an early age.  After High School he joined the Army and served as an Avionics Technician in Germany.  After four years service in the Army, he used the GI Bill to earn his degree to become licensed as an Aircraft and Powerplant (A&P) specialist, a skill he used in his much loved General Aviation and in its Corporate Aviation world.  In 1989 he took a position with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as an A&P mechanic and as an Avionics Technician, where he was stationed in South America.  After five years in that capacity, he left the Agency to join the Border Patrol as an Officer in San Diego, CA.  After three years with the Border Patrol, he switched back to the DEA again, but his time as an Agent in his much beloved El Paso, Texas.  In 2014 he retired from the Agency and became a volunteer Docent at the WEAM, and ultimately, after seven years, its Director.

L to R: Flight Captain, Col. Fisher listens to questions asked of the Director by Charlie Overstreet as his wife, Mayre Sue listens.

The Daedalians and guests listen intently as Mike brings his presentation to a close.

A very pleased Mike Epp gratefully accepts Colonel Fisher’s Daedalian gift as token of appreciation for his time and effort.

After the successful and informative presentation, Mike and Col. Fisher pose for our Photographer.