Gorge Civil Air Patrol Leadership changes, celebrated in Hood River
Caption Pic 37: Col Ham, Oregon Wing Commander, passes the flag to incoming Commander of the Gorge Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol 1st Lt Katie Walker. Capt M Donahue Revier and C/SSgt Walker observe. Photo courtesy of Scott Maguire
By C/SMSgt K Wayda and Capt M Donahue Revier
Hood River, Ore., Nov. 12, 2023 - This fall, the leadership of the Gorge Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, which operates from the Hood River Airport, has changed hands.
On September 19 Capt Mo Donahue Revier stepped down after leading the squadron since June 2020, and 1st Lt Katie Walker took command of the Gorge Composite.
On Oct 3, C/Lt Col Isaac Walker, after over two years of leadership, passed command of the cadets to C/2nd Lt Zachary Luhan.
Both Change of Command ceremonies took place at the Hood River Airport, where the squadron regularly meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Caption: C/Lt Col Isaac Walker, former Cadet Commander and C/1st Lt Zachary Luhan, new Cadet Commander of the Gorge Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. Photo courtesy of John Luhan.
1st Lt Katie Walker has been a member of the Civil Air Patrol since May 2019. She has served in several leadership roles, but her experience as the Deputy Commander of Cadets has prepared her well for this new leadership position. She currently resides in North Bonneville, WA.
C/2nd Lt Zachary Luhan joined the Civil Air Patrol in February 2020 and demonstrated commitment by his active participation throughout Covid and virtual meetings. Upon returning to in-person meetings, Luhan was promoted rapidly, held a variety of leadership positions and was well prepared to be the Cadet Commander, the highest ranking cadet in the Squadron. Luhan attended Mosier Community School and is currently a 10th grade student at Hood River Valley High School.
C/Lt Col Isaac Walker joined the Civil Air Patrol in February 2019. He has held every leadership position in Gorge Composite Squadron as well in Oregon. As a member of the Civil Air Patrol, he has represented Oregon in Washington DC, volunteered at the AirVenture in Wisconsin as a Blue Beret, and earned his private pilot’s license. Walker is planning to continue his education in the field of aviation at Walla Walla University
C/1st Lt Zachary Luhan, new Cadet Commander of the Gorge Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. Luhan was a former student at Mosier Community School, and currently attends Hood River Valley High School. Photo courtesy of John Luhan.
Capt Mo Donahue Revier was one of the founding members of the Gorge Composite Squadron in the fall 2017. Under her leadership, the Squadron was recognized as a Squadron of Merit in 2022, and earned the Quality Cadet Unit Award in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Cadets excelled within the Gorge Composite Squadron and participated in Civil Air Patrol opportunities throughout Oregon and the United States.
The ceremony is a symbol of trust and respect. A flag is passed from the resigning Commander to the leadership. This signifies the Commander passing back the responsibility they were given. Leadership then passes the flag to the new Commander, signifying the acceptance of the new responsibility. The handoff also represents the trust between the two. The ceremony is then concluded, and the flag is returned to its stand. The Gorge Composite Squadron looks forward to its new leadership and celebrates the success of the former commanders.
Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation. In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.
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