History of the Fort Wayne Composite Squadron

The following history is of the Allen County Cadet Squadron before combining with the Fort Wayne Senior Squadron to form the Fort Wayne Composite Squadron GLR-IN-201 in October, 2003. The Allen County Cadet Squadron was chartered October, 1973 as #12186 in Fort Wayne, IN. It grew out of the former Smith Field cadet squadron, which in turn developed in 1965 from the former Fort Wayne Composite Squadron. The first commander was Robert Kennedy, followed by Richard Beckman, Fred Latchaw, Sam Conte, Gary Bard, Richard Farlee, Harold West and currently as the Fort Wayne Composite Squadron, Troy Unsicker.

According to available squadron records, plaques and trophies, the following is a short history of the squadron. We do not, however, have complete records. The following is what is accountable:

1973-1979

Winners of the Indiana Wing Cadet Competition at least 3 times.
Participated in GLR Region Cadet Competition twice.
Winners of at least one SAR Competition.

1977

Spaatz Cadet (squadron first)-Cadet Nathan Leper, and is appointed to the USAF Academy, also our first!

1979

Squadron ranks decimated by poor quarters and uncertainty of having them for the future. Active membership sinks to 4 seniors and 4 cadets.

1980

Squadron is forced out of Northern Skyways hangar quarters, but warmly received by the 122TFW, Indiana Air National Guard. Squadron immediately rebuilds under the leadership of LTC Latchaw.
Cadet membership climbs to 12 active cadets.
Two Mitchell cadets.

1981

Squadron growth doubles every 4 to 6 months. We are operating with 3 senior members and 3 parent volunteers working logistics. Field trips are initiated to "fill out" classroom study. Cadets are motivated to test on a regular schedule as the Contes' organize a formal testing requirement and program.
Winners, Indiana Wing Cadet Competition
Revive color guard, with first female color guard commander
Earhart award-1
Mitchell awards-5

1982

Squadron Unit Citation-National Squadron of Distinction, ranked 3rd in the U.S.
Squadron of the Year 1982, Indiana Wing
USAFROTC scholarship-C/COL Peter Conte
IACE cadets-C/COL Peter Conte (France) C/LTC John Furge (West Germany) C/LTC Dave McIntire (England?)
Wing Unit Citation as initiating squadron for Fort Wayne flood of '82
Winners, Indiana Cadet Competition
Represent Indiana Wing in GLR Region Cadet Competition
Earhart awards-3
Mitchell awards-5
Spaatz award-1 C/COL Peter Conte

1983

Public Affairs Officer of the year, Indiana Wing-1LT Wayne Burkett
Runner-up, Squadron of the Year, Indiana Wing
C/LTC Chris Conte appointed to the USAF Academy
IACE cadet-C/LTC Chris Conte (refused due to USAF Academy entrance date)
Mitchell awards-7

1984

Winners, Indiana Wing Cadet Competition, and placed 3rd of 6 teams at GLR Cadet Competition.
Top Cadet Scholar of GLR Competition-C/COL Peter Conte
AFA Chap 143-CAP Cadet of the Year-C/CPT Jerry Wayne Andrews AFA Chap 143-CAP
Man of the Year-CPT Sam Conte Tied for Indiana Squadron of the Year
Earhart awards-3
Mitchell awards-9 (an Indiana record)
Spaatz award-Chris Conte, awarded at USAF Academy

1985

CAP Cadet of the Year, AFA Chap 143
Four senior officers publish an unofficial CAP Scholarships Book, 55 entries
Cadet Scott Ormsby appointed to USAF Academy
Earhart award-1
Mitchell awards-6

1986

Mitchell awards-5

1987

Squadron of the Year, Indiana Wing
Winners, Indiana Cadet Competition
Communications Squadron of the Year
Cadet Scott Sullivan appointed to USAF Academy
Cadet Sam White appointed to USAF Academy prep school

1988

Cadet of the Year, Indiana Wing
Earhart Awards-5
Mitchell Awards-9 (tied our own Indiana record!)
Cadet Lee Solt appointed to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
2 cadets qualify for IACE-C/CPT Jerry Wayne Andrews, C/CPT Eric Kaltenmark

1989

2nd place, Indiana Wing Cadet Competition
All 11 cadets/graduating HS cadets, earn scholarships through our program, for a total of $314,640
Cadet Chris Ball appointed to USAF Academy prep school (midyear transfer to Dallas, TX CAP)
Three AFROTC "free ride" tuition scholarships
Earhart awards-2
Mitchell awards-5

1990

Winners, Indiana Cadet Competition
Indiana Cadet of the Year
Indiana Cadet NCO of the Year
Indiana Wing Chaplain of the Year, MAJ Wayne Feay
C/CPT Kevin Saatkamp appointed to West Point (1988 transfer to West Moriches, NY Comp Sq
Four cadets earn solo wings, including first female
Earhart awards-2
Mitchell awards-7

1991

C/COL Andy King named Indiana Wing Cadet of the Year, and first Indiana Cadet Chief of Staff, also named AFA Indiana Cadet of the Year, plus local AFA Chap 143 Cadet of the Year
Winners, Indiana Cadet Competition
Senior Officer of the Year-LTC Gene Foster, also named AEO of the Year, shared with SQ 12032 due to mid year trasfer.
3 of our cadet alumni serve in Operation Desert Storm
Squadron adapts USMC Amphibious Assault ship Iwo Jima, carries on pen-pal correspondence, later visited by USMC Capt who personally delivers their thanks.
Earhart awards-5
Mitchell awards-6
Spaatz award-1 (Cadet Andy King)

1992

IACE Cadet-C/MAJ Mike Nofze (Netherlands)
C/LTC Belinda Schroeder becomes first female cadet appointed to AETC/FC national activity from state of Indiana and selected Indiana AFA Cadet of the Year, named Indiana Wing Cadet Chief of Staff
One AFROTC scholarship
C/LTC Eric Norwalt selected Indiana Wing Cadet of the Year

1993

IACE Cadet-C/LTC Belinda Schroeder (Austria) our first female IACE cadet!
C/MSGT Jason McDivitt -Solo wings
C/LTC Eric Norwalt appointed to US Naval Academy
C/LTC Andy Lipina appointed to USAF Academy
C/LTC Belinda Schroeder earns USAROTC scholarship, Ball State U.
C/LT Margaret Bertels earns USAROTC scholarship, Purdue U.
C/FO Steven Young-private pilot wings
C/SSGT Stacia Lewis named Indiana NCO of the Year
Mitchell awards-3
Spaatz award-1 C/COL Mike Nofze

1994

IACE cadet -C/LTC Kathy Hoverman (Sweden)
Indiana Wing Cadet of the Year-C/LTC Kathy Hoverman
C/MSGT Jon Eisberg-private pilot wings
Master Aerospace ratings-LTC's Sam Conte and Gene Foster
Mitchell awards-2

1995

C/LTC Kathy Hoverman nominated to USAF Academy as alternate, option not picked up. Also nominated to West Point and offered 4 university sports scholarships. Attends U of Wisconsin on sports scholarship.
Mitchell awards-2

1996

C/TSGT Sarah Moser nominated to USAF Academy, alternate.
C/MAJ Matt Pinkerton becomes youngest cadet commander at age 14.
LTC Sam Conte wins AFA-AEF scholarship, one of only 28 issued annually.
C/SGT D. Macon and C/A1C N.Schutt are first recipients of Joe Mourey Memorial Scholarships to Blue Beret
Activity MAJ Gary Bard named 5th squadron commander, assumes command from LTC Sam Conte
Mitchell awards-3
Earhart award-1

1997

LTC Jack Schultz, SQ chaplain, is named Indiana Chaplain of the Year, and GLR Chaplain of the Year, Chaplain Schultz also celebrates 20 years of USAF service followed by 20 years in CAP!
MAJ John Furge, a MSGT in the Air Guard, named Indiana Air Guard NCO of the Year.
CPT Richard Farlee becomes 6th squadron commander, assumes command from MAJ Gary Bard
Mitchell awards-2
Earhart award-1
Spaatz award-1-C/COL Kathy Hoverman, first female Spaatz cadet in our squadron!

1998

C/MAJ Noel Schutt, IACE (Canada)
Squadron recieves Outstanding grade on wing inspection
Squadron has the Indiana 4th District Congressional representative, Mark Souder, Inducted into the CAP Congessional Squadron

Possible Indiana CAP Records for a single squadron:

Most CAP Cadets awarded Indiana AFA Cadet of the Year-7
Highest number of Mitchell awards in a single year-9 (twice)
Highest number of Cadet solo pilots in one year-4, 90-91
Highest amount of scholarships in one year, 1989, all 11 graduating seniors, total amount-$314,640
Highest number of Academy appointees in a single year, TWICE, 2 each in 87 and 93
Highest total number of Air Force Academy cadets from a squadron-7 (plus 1 nominated in 95 and 96)
Highest total number of IACE cadets for a single squadron-10 (since 1980)

This list does not include the Civil Air Patrol and Air Force representation to the community by our participation in parades, as color guard and escorts to visiting dignitaries, political and USAF, and other ceremonies. This by our color guard and entire squadron acting as honor guard.