On Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 Commander and Major Donna Umstead relinquished her authority as Commander to Lt. Col. Lewis P. Craddock who will serve the next four years as Commander of the Calhoun Composite Squadron.
This will be Lt. Col. Craddock’s third term serving as Commander. He and Major Umstead wrote the charter to start a new squadron in March of 2014. Col. Craddock was a member in California in the 70’s and the two wanted to provide a quality program for the youth in Calhoun County. Over the years the squadron has been very successful at introducing Cadets to the valuable training and education opportunities of the Civil Air Patrol, meeting Tuesday’s at 6 p.m. at the Squadron house located on High Street in Grantsville.
Major Jason A. Hudak attended this past Tuesday’s event to administer the change of command.
“Major Doctor” Jason A. Hudak first joined CAP in 1992 as a cadet in the Jon A. McBride Composite Squadron, now known as the Beckley Composite Squadron, and re-joined as an adult member in 2019. Since that time, he has served in multiple capacities including Commander of the Mid-Valley Composite Squadron and WV Wing Medical Officer, Character Development Instructor, and Director of Administration and Personnel, as well as in multiple squadron staff positions.
Membership in the Civil Air Patrol consists of cadets ranging from 12 to just under 21 years of age, and senior members 18 years of age and up. These two groups each have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of pursuits; the cadet program contributes to the development of youth with a a structured program based upon United States Air Force ranks, while the older members serve as instructors, supervisors, and operators. In addition there is a category of Aerospace Education for Cadets and available to educators.
Nationwide, CAP is a major operator of single-engine general aviation aircraft used in the execution of its various missions, including orientation flights for cadets and the provision of significant emergency services capabilities. Because of these extensive flying opportunities, many CAP members become licensed pilots.
Calhoun youth are encouraged to attend Tuesday’s squadron events at 6 p.m. and see what the Civil Air Patrol has to offer.
