Keene Composite Squadron News
Keene Composite Squadron Community Service & News
AF Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training 2026 - OK
June, 2026
39 Cadets and 2 Cadet Staff from 25 different states and Japan attended the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course at Vance AFB in Oklahoma in early June.
New Hampshire's own Col. William Moran and Lt Col. Robert Shaw, were the Activity and Deputy Activity Director, respectively, led this NCSA. Other NH Senior members included Lt Col Loyd West, L Col Samuel Herr and Captain Brian Ruede.
Cadets received instruction and rigorous testing on how to fly the Texan T6A (the Air Force's primary training aircraft) and what it would be like to be selected to attend and experience the Air Force's Pilot Training program at Vance. Several cadets were able to fly with an instructor on the Texan T6A and the T38 Talon.
Several photos of Col. Bill Moran and the rest of the NH Team at Vance and other photos posted here: AF Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training 2026 - OK - Civil Air Patrol
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Aerospace Education
April 29, 2026
Monadnock Squadron conducted Aerospace Education with Capt Joseph Callahan instructing on the basics of flight and aircraft flight controls. The squadron had a nice surprise visit by a local veteran and former CAP cadet and SM that brought his yellow Ercoupe plane, that is based at KEEN, to our meeting to show the cadet his 1947 plane that has various CAP insignia on it. This plane was used during WW II.
Cadets got a chance to see the plane up close and learn about its dihedral angle on low mounted wings of this fabulous historic plane. Pilot Sgt (retired) Kevin McCormick (Mac) has restored this plane and it still flies today. He will return at a future meeting to discuss the plane in more detail and its history.
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Civil Air Patrol Achievement Awards
February 25, 2026
Several Civil Air Patrol Achievement Awards were presented to members who went above and beyond. 4 senior members were presented with these awards for spearheading recent fundraising efforts. The Squadron’s color guard commander was honored for his efforts in ensuring an outstanding color guard.
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Support Monadnock Composite Squadron – First Aid Kit Fundraiser
The Monadnock Composite Squadron is offering compact First Aid Kits designed specifically to fit Civil Air Patrol 24-hour packs. These kits are a great addition for any member participating in Emergency Services activities. The kits will be available for purchase at upcoming Wing-level Emergency Services training events across New Hampshire, including SAREXs, Wing SAREX Exercises (WSS), and other Wing ES activities our squadron attends.
The cost is $20 per kit. Payment is accepted by cash or check only. Checks should be made payable to New Hampshire Wing – Civil Air Patrol.
If you are interested in purchasing a kit, please reach out via email to SSgt Christopher Way at cway@nhwg.cap.gov
All proceeds support squadron activities and help us continue providing valuable training and resources for our members.
Thank you for supporting the Monadnock Composite Squadron and helping keep our teams mission-ready.
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Col W. Moran presenting information to cadets on National Cadet Special Activities that he has been involved in and leading encouraging cadets to apply.
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Presentation by Susan Rolke, teacher at Conant HS in Jaffrey on ALMA and the Vera Rubin Observatories in Chile, South America
Date 7 January 2026
Ms Rolke led an engaging slide deck of her work with NASA as a teacher/science at the Vera Rubin Observatory and ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Observatory, currently the most powerful radio telescope on Earth) Observatory in Chile.
https://www.almaobservatory.org/en/about-alma/
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Cadets Take Part in Holiday Wreath Decorating
November 15, 2025
Cadets from the Monadnock Composite Squadron gathered over the weekend to prepare for the unit’s first annual holiday wreath fundraiser. Working together, the cadets spent the evening decorating festive wreaths that will be sold to support upcoming squadron activities and community programs.
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Monadnock Composite Squadron’s Color Guard
November 16, 2025
Monadnock Composite Squadron’s Color Guard had the honor of presenting the colors at the Airmen of Note performance at the Colonial Theater in Keene on 11/16/2025. It was a great opportunity to represent NH’s Civil Air Patrol and show our respect for the Air Force’s premier jazz ensemble.
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Monadnock Composite Squadron Cadets Strengthen Leadership and Teamwork in Laser Tag Challenge
October 2025
Goshen, NH - Cadets from Monadnock Composite Squadron got the opportunity to put their leadership and teamwork skills to work in a friendly game of laser tag. 19 cadets and senior members journeyed to The Strategy Zone in Goshen, NH for a friendly game of laser tag with the Peterborough Chapter of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets. Unfortunately, the sea cadets were unable to make it, so the squadron broke off into 2 teams for a number of different scenarios. The 2 teams exercised teamwork, leadership and safety skills in the hilly terrain of the arena. After the 4 games, the squadroned journeyed home with a vow to return next year with renewed zeal and strategy.
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The Wall That Heals - Keene NH-053 Community Service
June 2025
Claremont, NH - Recently, members from the Monadnock Composite Squadron participated in the Wall that Heals. This event is a scale replica of the National Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. The event started with a tour of the wall and exhibits with one of the hosting organization's knowledgeable staff. Cadets and seniors got to learn about the impact of the families, friends and service members. Before assisting with a brief ceremony cadets got a tour of the living history exhibits to see what life was like in that place called Vietnam.
The time came for the evening’s ceremony and cadets were eager to help out. Cadets handed out programs of the event to the public and welcomed everyone to the ceremony. 2 contingents of Cadets were selected to provide a form of honor guard to the side of the podiums. After the festivities of the evening, members were awarded a special challenge coin. These challenge coins were normally given to Air Force veterans in attendance to the event.
The Wall That Heals® - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
