My Fellow Group III Comrades:

           

As many of you know, Capt Wynn Watson has served as the Deputy Group III Commander since January 2006 leaving his post as Polk County Composite Squadron’s commander. Since about late spring/early summer Capt Watson has been intertwined in the CAP School Program in Polk County and had successfully chartered a new squadron in Bartow named Summerlin Academy Cadet Sqdn. Through his tireless efforts he has formed a bonding relationship with Polk County School System which will yield many future endeavors for CAP. Regrettably, his new roles a the liaison for CAP to Polk County School Board, the Group 800 Deputy Commander, and commander of Summerlin have left his time well accounted for, and the time has come, as he and I have discussed, for him to step down as the Deputy Group III Commander so that Capt Watson may continue in his adventure of the school program initiatives in Polk County. I thank him for his service to Group III and wish him the best of luck.

 

            I will be accepting resumes from those members wishing to be considered as the next Deputy Group III Commander through the week’s end. I hope to announce your new Deputy Commander by early next week.

 

Other staff updates:

            1st Lt Dave Leach has assumed an additional duty assignment at group. Secondary to his assignment as the Group Cadet Programs Officer, he will be heading Plans and Programs (XP). Though technically Plans and Programs is a lateral position, it aides the commander by overseeing the overall coordination of Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education, Professional Development, and DDR. You can think of Plans and Programs as the “staff liaison” to ensure all of our activities are well planned and executed. 1st Lt Leach had actually assumed this role approximately a month prior.

 

We are IG-less once more, but with good cause. Capt Jack Knowles has decided to step down as the IG so that he may once again interact with his true love in CAP – the Cadet Program. Like myself, Capt Knowles is a former CAP cadet, and regardless how old we get (sorry Jack) we will never stop being cadets in the inside. He plans on joining the 89th Macdill Aviation Cadet Squadron, but will continue to serve Group III as our Professional Development Officer. As the Grp3/ETS he will be mentoring the Group staff and Squadron commanders through the senior program, help with ensuring all members get the training they need, and be a point of contact for squadron PDOs in questions pertaining to the senior program.

 

Lastly, but by no means last, is the welcoming of our new Drug Demand Reduction Officer. C/2d Lt Deborah Leach will be making contacts with several agencies to help fight drug and alcohol use. She has already came up with several ideas to include skit shows, presentations during all activities, and visits to public schools and family clubs like the Y. Who better to help fight drug use in our youth than a peer? Peer pressure is an incredible persuasion, but our peer pressure will be for the guys in the white hats.

 

 Maj Dave Watkins, the current Grp3/DC, is such a tremendous person that I must regret to announce his needing to step down. Maj Watkins has been a true professional in perhaps one of the most difficult taskings since Group III was turned over. Maj Watkins personally went to nearly every unit to conduct an audit of all communications equipment and helped recover nearly $30,000 worth of equipment. He has helped streamline the equipment assignment issues and expedited ACUT/BCUT card approvals to an average of less than 7-10 days. He taught many, many communication classes to help our general membership become radio operators in CAP and has also served as Net Control of the Suncoast VHF nets on Group 3’s night – Fridays. Unfortunately, something called work has placed a time crunch on him. Dave, I am sorrowed with the fact that you must step down. I will miss your dedication and pursuit of excellence, but relieved to know that you will continue to help out whenever needed (and time permitting). Thank you for all of your hard work.

 

Stepping up as our Communications Officer will be 2d Lt Joe Tomasone. Currently, he is the assistant Grp3/DC. He’s got some big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt that he will be able to fill them. He brings past CAP communications experience with him along with amateur comm. experience as well. He’s already began to look at how we can further improve our communications functions and has helped out by providing wireless access to our past Commander’s Call meeting. Maj Watkins, Lt Tomasome, and I will be meeting within the next couple of weeks to ensure continuity when the change over takes place.

 

Congratulations all.

 

BILLY WESTCOTT, Major, CAP

Commander

Group III HQ, Florida Wing

 

"For once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward; For there you have been, and there you long to return."

                                     --Leonardo da Vinci