Interesting at our local squadron commander's call it was announced that MA Wing is forming a new senior squadron in Bridgewater, MA. Our commander mentioned that it would have 20+ pilots in the unit. I would assume that this unit has something to do with the University of Massachusetts, Bridgewater State University which has an Aviation Science Program see: http://www.bridgew.edu/Aviation/
Anyone have more information on this squadron OR any experience with these type of squadrons in college aviation locations ??? I thought they mentioned that once the program really go going 40+ new CAP pilots would be trained each year.
RM
I would have thought the Squadron would be in Taunton, because Bridgewater doesn't have an airport. There used to be a squadron in Taunton that was strictly a flying organization and was very big on ES.
I think the primary problem would be retaining enough staff to keep the unit functioning as you can assume that most of the students would leave after getting their degree. I would probably take the 20+ pilots prediction with a grain of salt. Once they get more familiar with our requirements, I bet quite a few would lose interest.
The intention of these units are good but there is a lot of difficulty in keeping them going. What they really need is a faculty member or someone in the local area who plans on staying for a while to assume a command role. Having it operate like a college club where a new senior student takes a command role every year has little consistency. As far as getting pilots, I relate it to any other pilot coming to a CAP unit. Some will enjoy CAP and decide it is worth their time but a overwhelming majority don't feel the hurdles are manageable. If the unit gets going and there is a process of getting new pilots through the new member process and Form 5'd then it will likely retain more pilots. Those who may enter as current or former cadets will easily notice a difference in the atmosphere and many may be deterred. I'm not sure how this unit is going to be set up, who's in command, or where the unit will be based, but there are many obstacles to be faced which are somewhat different than forming any other CAP squadron.
Quote from: MSG Mac on June 20, 2011, 03:28:45 PM
I would have thought the Squadron would be in Taunton, because Bridgewater doesn't have an airport. There used to be a squadron in Taunton that was strictly a flying organization and was very big on ES.
That was the Brockton Composite Squadron, I was a member of that unit from January 2001 till I moved back to Texas n December 2001. It was a great unit then, Commanded by Col. Anita Raymond, former Mass Wing CC and past National Senior member of the year, I very much enjoyed my time there. One of our members (I think he was Dep. Commander for Seniors, but I'm not sure if I'm remembering that correctly) was Lt. Col. Dick Enright. He is a professor at Bridgewater State, and if he is involved, would make a great CC for a squadron there.