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:

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                  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“