Tag Archives: Michelle Phillips

LAS CRUCES NM CAP SQUADRON 24 MAKES STATE HISTORY

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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“

MEMBERS PHOTOGRAPHED AT VARIOUS HOLIDAY EVENTS

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The following photos were taken at the annual Christmas Luncheon for Daedalian Flight 24 at the El Paso Club,  All members of the Flight are active members of the FASF.  The guest of honor and presenter at the event was Army Aviator, General Laura Yeager (no relation to the famous American Test Pilot, Chuck Yeager!), who briefed the members on her mission at Fort Bliss as Commander of the JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH.  All of the below photos are in high-resolution and can be more fully appreciated by simply clicking on them.

FASF members, Col. Bob Pitt (L) chats with (at center) Aviation Hall of Famer, Bob Dockendorf, at Daedallian holiday event.  AT the podium, at right, in the background is Flight Captain Roger Nichols.

Daedalians and guests prepare for General Yeager’s presentation . . . Her staff is at left: Aide de Camp, Capt. Sperry, and USAF Sergeant Oliver.  The General’s Command is a Joint Command, composed of all the military services.

L to R: Julie and Col. Bob Pitt, Roger Nichols and Bob Dockendorf

L to R at wall: Alma Villezcas, Virg and Jenine Hemphill, Lt. Pfluger, David Ginn, Alan and Melissa Fisher, and forefront, Julie Pitt, District Court Judge Angie Juarez Barilland her husband, Patrick Barill

L to R: Loading up their buffet lunch, Bob Dockendorf, Judy Campos, Alan and Melissa Fisher

Brig. General Laura L Yeager opens her presentation

       General Yeager explains how her Command coordinates with many other Federal Agencies in its mission.

                                                          Col. Bob Pitt and General Yeager

L to R: Outgoing Flight Captain, Roger Nichols, Gen. Yeager, Sgt. Oliver, Capt. Sperry and Col. Pitt

L to R: Gen. Yeager chatting with Cadet Ammber Valverde, the youngest FASF member and UTEP student.

                                              Col. Alan Fisher speaking with Cadet Ammber Valverde

L to R: Ammber Valverde, Gen. Yeager, and Alma Villezcas, FASF Treasurer

The following photos and the video are of the Civil Air Patrol Squadron 24 Christmas party in Las Cruces, NM.

L to R: Michelle Phillips, William Benziger Juanita and Robert Macklin, Alan Fisher, and Walter Dutton, at whose home the event was held.

In front row kneeling or sitting are, L to R:  Alan and Melissa Fisher, Ric Lambart, Walter and Barbara Dutton,  and in the rear: Alma Villezcas, Travis McKenzie, Jim and Luann McConnell, Damien and Carol Blaschka, Robert and Juanita Macklin, William Benziger, Michelle Phillips, and Michael LeGendre.