News from Edwards AFB

Edwards AFB Composite Squadron 84 Celebrates New Commander and Recognizes Members’ Service

Capt. Kevin Finster (center) accepts the squadron guidon from the Group 6 Commander of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) California Wing, Lt. Col. Steve Asche, during the squadron’s change of command ceremony on May 29th. Capt. Finster also serves the Air Force as an F-35 Operational Test Engineer in the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron. Capt. Finster assumed command from Maj. Brian J. Bauer, as he departed to accept his new military duty station in Germany. He will be joined by his wife, Capt. Mary Bauer, who also served in the squadron as the Finance Officer.

The squadron also took time to recognize members for their outstanding service. Maj. Bauer earned the Exceptional Service Award for his service as Squadron Commander. Capt. Finster and 1st Lt. Seth Martin received Meritorious Service Awards for their roles as Deputy Commander for Cadets and Emergency Services Officer, respectively. Capt. Gailmary Harper was presented the CAP Achievement Award in her position as the Public Affairs Officer.

Those interested in finding out more about Civil Air Patrol and the Edwards AFB Composite Squadron are encouraged to check out the squadron website at http://www.sq84.cawgcap.org or email the squadron at [email protected].

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 58,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs about 85 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 70 lives annually. Its unpaid professionals also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. Performing missions for America for the past 73 years, CAP received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor, and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit http://www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.