People, Purpose and Passion: The Pathway to Success

HUMACAO, P.R. ― On December 14, 2019, the Civil Air Patrol’s Puerto Rico Wing celebrated its 70th Anniversary of History during the Annual Conference and Awards Banquet in Wyndham Candelero Beach Resort at Palmas del Mar, Humacao, Puerto Rico.

“The members of Puerto Rico Wing put on a fantastic conference this weekend in Humacao. Success was celebrated, information exchanged, and friendships made. Thanks Col [Edgardo] Torres and Col [Andrea] Van Buren for being such generous hosts,” said Brig Gen Edward D. Phelka, CAP National Vice Commander.

At the event, attended over 200 members, friends and families, commemorating the wing’s historical commitment of its people.

At the General Assembly, members from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were recognized for their extraordinary and outstanding service during the year with Col Andrea Van Buren, new Southeast Region Commander attending the event for the first time.

Award were presented by the Puerto Rico Wing Commander to those members that tremendously participated in the Puerto Rico Power Line Imaging Mission (Waldo Mission 2019). This mission was held from the period of time 22 July 2019 to 20 September 2019. Volunteers meticulously worked in assigned areas covering all duties including but not limited to Mission Staff Assistant, Mission Radio Officer, Mission Scanner, Mission Observer and Mission Pilot. All volunteer members contributed extreme well; some member drove as much as 5 hours a day to work 8 or more hours. As highlights of this great mission a total of 67,000 aerial photographs and 150 mission sorties.

Also, this year for the second time, took place the Cadet Science Fair, obtaining the 1st place C/1st Lt Stephanie Concepción, C/SrA Dylan Lugo and C/A1C Pablo López from Cabo Rojo Cadet Squadron, SER-PR-066, with their project The Molecular Signature of the West Nile Virus Strain in Puerto Rico.

 

Having four teams from different units with projects topics from Biology all the way to Aerodynamics. Judges for the event were Mr. Rene Garcia Del Valle, undergraduate student of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras Campus; Lt Col Eveneida Rodriguez, PRWG External Aerospace Education Officer; and Mrs. Diana Wootan, Physics teacher at Montgomery Catholic High School from Alabama.

A variety of seminars were offered during the afternoon section of the conference: Diversity & Inclusion by Lt Col Elizabeth Sydow, NHQ; CyberPatriot Program by Maj Shanon Brumfield, SER; Cadet Wing and Aviation Scholarships by Mrs. Margarita Mesones, NHQ; and Operations Management by Mr. John Desmaris, NHQ Director of Operations.

Brig Phelka, a former Cadet Spaatz, welcomed and led the Spaatzen Meet and Greet which was open to all cadets and former Spaatz cadets to attend.

For the first time, the United States Air Force Academy provided briefings for admission into the USAF Academy, including requirements and the process of application.

At the Awards Banquet, a History Gallery was exhibited in the hall dedicated and titled Successful Women in Puerto Rico Wing's History honoring Clara Livingston: Aviation Pioneer; Spaatz Female Recipients; and Outstanding Female in the Wing.

The Honor Guest Speaker of the night, CAP-USAF Colonel Mark Wootan, recognized resilience and the importance of people to accomplish the mission.

For the first time during the this 21st century, the Secretary of Puerto Rico’s Department of Public Safety, Mr. Elmer Román, presented the Proclamation from the Governor of Puerto Rico declaring the 22nd of November 2019 as the Civil Air Patrol Day in Puerto Rico recognizing the 70th years of history, dedication, and selfless service of Puerto Rico Wing’s volunteers members to Puerto Rico and the community.

Col Edgardo Torres, Puerto Rico Wing Commander, closed the night with the presentation of the most outstanding awards for members and units.

The following awards were presented:

 

QUALITY CADET UNIT AWARD
▪ Muñiz Air National Guard Base Cadet Squadron, PR 126; 7th consecutive award
▪ Dr. Cesáreo Rosa Nieves Cadet Squadron, PR 123; 6th consecutive award
▪ Lt Col Elsa M. Soto Cadet Squadron, PR 094; 5th consecutive award
▪ Arecibo Cadet Squadron, PR 034
▪ Cabo Rojo Cadet Squadron, PR 066
▪ Guanica High School Cadet Squadron, PR 104
▪ Lajas Cadet Squadron, PR 068
▪ Kingdom Cadet Squadron, PR 801

 

CAP AEROSPACE EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
▪ Muñiz Air National Guard Base Cadet Squadron, PR 126
▪ Capt P.F. Guisti Piazza Cadet Squadron, PR 110
▪ Humacao Cadet Squadron, PR 138
▪ Maj William Biaggi Cadet Squadron, PR 051
▪ Capt Saulo Solis-Molina Cadet Squadron, PR 161
▪ Lajas Cadet Squadron, PR 068
▪ Moca High School Cadet Squadron, PR 079
▪ Lt Col Elsa M. Soto Cadet Squadron, PR 094
▪ Aguadilla Cadet Squadron, PR 035
▪ San German Cadet Squadron, PR 138
▪ Kingdom Cadet Squadron, PR 801

COMMANDERS COMMENDATION AWARD (2019 WALDO MISSION):
▪ Lt Col Reynaldo Negron
▪ Lt Col Carlos Quiñones
▪ Lt Col Juan Rodriguez
▪ Lt Col Raul Jimenez
▪ Maj Miguel Vazquez
▪ Capt Luis A. Herrera
▪ Capt Pablo Velez
▪ Capt Miguel A. Rivera
▪ 1st Lt Rolando Adorno
▪ 1st Lt Freddy Del Toro
▪ 2d Lt Adrian Concepcion
▪ C/Lt Col Edgar Cancel
▪ C/CMSgt Javier A. Adorno

CAP ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (2019 WALDO MISSION):
▪ Lt Col Rafael Guindin
▪ Capt Elias Roman
▪ Capt Jose Perez
▪ 1st Lt Julio D. Irizarry
▪ 2d Lt Greselic Suarez
▪ 2d Lt Maria Acosta
▪ 2d Lt Maranjely Mercado
▪ C/SMSgt Victor Garcia
▪ C/TSgt Alexer L. Rivera

 

20 YEARS OF SERVICE CERTIFICATE:
▪ 1st Lt José J. Rosado, PR 602
▪ Lt Col Wigberto Del Valle
▪ Lt Col Ivelisse Peña

30 YEARS OF SERVICE CERTIFICATE:
▪ Capt Luis Lebron
▪ 1st Lt Julio D. Irizarry, PR 068

40 YEARS OF SERVICE CERTIFICATE:
▪ Lt Col Juan Rodriguez, PR 123

50 YEARS OF SERVICE CERTIFICATE:
▪ Col Milton Tomassini

BENJAMIN O. DAVIS AWARD:
▪ Capt Angelymar Sanchez, PR126
▪ 1st Lt Luis D. Irizarry, PR 068
▪ 1st Lt Edgar Rivera, PR 051

JACK V. SORENSON CADET PROGRAM OF THE YEAR AWARD
▪ 1st Lt Rolando Adorno

COL ROBERT BUD V. PAYTON PAO OF THE YEAR AWARD

▪ 2d Lt Maranjely Mercado

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD
▪ Maj Miguel Vazquez

 

AIR FORCE SERGEANTS’s ASSOCIATION OUTSTANDING CADET NCO OF THE YEAR:
▪ C/CMSgt Valeria S. Pacheco, PR 161

CADET PHASES OF THE YEAR AWARDS:
▪ Cadet Phase I – Learning Phase – C/SSgt Kamila Miranda, PR 126
▪ Cadet Phase II – Leadership Phase – C/CMSgt André Burgos, PR 126
▪ Cadet Phase III – Command Phase – C/2d Lt Bryant Y. Peña, PR 126

STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR:
▪ Lt Col Ismael J Rodriguez

UNIT OF THE YEAR:
▪ Muñiz ANG Base Cadet Squadron

CADET OF THE YEAR:
▪ C/Lt Col Carlos Muñoz, PR 126

SENIOR OF THE YEAR:
▪ 1st Lt Julie Rivera, PR 066

 

Photos: https://photos.cap.gov/SoutheastRegion/Puerto-Rico-Wing/Wing-Conference/2019

For More Information:

Headquarters Puerto Rico Wing
Public Affairs
publicaffairs@prwg.cap.gov
787.604.2863