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Clinton Township

February 20, 2013

Clinton Township teen earns squadron award

By Nico Rubello
C & G Staff Writer

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Clinton Township teen earns squadron award

Lt. Col. Chad Rauls, commander of the 339th Air Force Recruiting Squadron, presents Cadet Master Sgt. Jonathan Forester with an award. Rauls and Forester are members of the Selfridge-based Civil Air Patrol squadron.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Selfridge-based Civil Air Patrol Squadron has honored one of its own, a Clinton Township teen, with an award recognizing his involvement.

Cadet Master Sgt. Jonathan Forester, 17, was awarded the 2012 Veterans of Foreign Wars Outstanding Cadet Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Award. He was chosen from among the 38 cadets in the 176th Selfridge Composite Squadron, according to a statement from the squadron.

Civil Air Patrol units, which meet in locations nationwide, act as the official auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force.

Forester, a high school senior, got involved with Civil Air Patrol in September 2011, after a friend invited him. Since then, he has participated in the squadron color guard, competed in the Michigan Wing Cadet Competition, marshaled in aircraft at the Romeo Fly-In and participated in various training opportunities.

Forester said notable experiences as part of the squadron have included flying single-engine Cessna airplanes and earning his ground team certification, which permits him to search for a downed airplane as part of a team.

He hopes to join an ROTC program next year and eventually become an officer in the U.S. Army, he said.

The 176th squadron meets from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. For more information, email Lt. Col. Michael Fultz at michael.fultz@comcast.net or Capt. Jeff Schelske at jschelske62@gmail. com.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Nico Rubello at nrubello@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1118.