Information below provided by Captain Rick Block, Public Affairs Officer – Nacogdoches Composite Squadron
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS – Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin Valdez became Cadet Commander of the Nacogdoches Composite Squadron in a recent change of command ceremony at Texas Wing Headquarters. Valdez assumed command from Cadet Capt. Abel Ketchen who had been cadet commander since 2022.
Squadron Commander 1st. Lt. Dustin Newquist hands over the squadron colors to new Cadet Commander Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin Valdez. Outgoing Cadet Commander Cadet Capt. Abel Ketchen is on the right.
Squadron Commander 1st Lt. Dustin Newquist and the Squadron Color Guard conducted the formal military change of command ceremony at the squadron meeting.
Valdez will be a senior at Nacogdoches High School and is a member of the Squadron Color Guard. He is deciding on where to go to college and has plans to become a pilot.
Ketchen attends Stephen F. Austin University studying business, law, economics and politics.
The Nacogdoches Composite Squadron meets on Monday nights at 6:15 p.m. at the former National Guard Armory at A. L. Mangham Airport which is now the headquarters of the Texas Wing CAP. Youth can start the cadet program at age twelve. For more information about Civil Air Patrol, see www.gocivilairpatrol.com. Prospective members are welcome to attend any meeting.
About Civil Air Patrol
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.
Visit CAP.news or GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.