Detachment 159
"Home of the Flying Knights"
Spring 2024 Newsletter
Embedded Files
Developing leaders of character for the Air and Space Force at the University of Central Florida.
Soar the Knight: Spring Highlights From the Flying Knights
Soar the Knight: Spring Highlights From the Flying Knights
Welcome to Detachment 159's Spring 2024 Newsletter, where we showcase the exceptional talent hosted at our detachment and highlight a few outstanding alumni who have paved the way for us.
The Flying Knights continue its mission to develop Air and Space Force leaders of character by instilling integrity, service before self, and excellence while preparing them to serve their country and succeed in 21st-century careers.
This semester, the Flying Knights' cadet leadership shook things up by adopting a leadership structure that mirrors the A-Staff orientation of the active duty Air Force. This promises to be a thrilling opportunity for the cadets to elevate their leadership skills and experience the Air Force's way of doing things first-hand.
Read about the latest Flying Knight news:
CADET NEWS
CADET NEWS
Change of Command
Change of Command
A Change of Command Ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 16th, to relieve the current Wing Commander of his duties and hand them over to the next commander. Cadet Daniel Blazek relinquished his duties as the Spring 2024 Wing Commander and handed over the wing guidon to Colonel Williams, the detachment commander. After receiving the guidon, the new Wing Commander stepped forward and took on the responsibilities of the Fall 2024 Wing Commander.
Congratulations to Cadet Juan Mejia on becoming the new Fall 2024 Wing Commander, and to his deputy, Cadet William Hidalgo. We are confident that both of them will lead the detachment to new heights.
Field Training Exercise
Field Training Exercise
Field Training Exercise, also known as FTX, is a vital event organized by the Field Training Preparation Instructors and Cadre to evaluate and test critical components of Field Training such as marching, physical training, mission scenarios, and more. It helps prepare FTP cadets for their upcoming days at Field Training. This semester, FTX was hosted at the University of Central Florida and involved detachments from several universities across the Southeast Region, including the University of South Florida, Florida State University, Embry Riddle, and the University of Miami. Over 180 personnel participated in the event, including 138 FTP cadets, 36 Cadet Training Assistants, and 10 cadre. FTX also promotes interaction between GMC, POC cadets, and Cadre across the region. It provides an opportunity for leadership growth in various capacities, making it a beneficial experience for all participants.
Officer Development Training
Officer Development Training
Officer development training, or ODTs, consist of specialized classes and opportunities in various Air Force and Space Force fields. They are designed to educate cadets on the wide range of activities and missions that the Air Force and Space Forces accomplish. Air Force ROTC cadets compete for slots in ODTs, which typically occur during summer breaks when school is not in session.
Congratulations to the cadets who successfully received an ODT for this summer!
Cadets Mya McAfee and Maria Vargas-Castro received the Project GO ODT.
Project GO is a nationwide program offering fully funded opportunities in critical language education, overseas study, and cross-cultural experience. Through Project GO, future military officers develop the linguistic and cross-cultural communication skills required for effective leadership for all Services in the 21st-century operational environment.
Cadets Andrew Lechuga, Roland Rothe, and David Sanchez-Valencia received the Defense Threat Reduction Agency Summer Internship.
The Defense Threat Reductions Agency (DTRA) is a multidisciplinary internship program designed to enhance the Department of Defense (DoD) capabilities, provide the next generation of military officers with Counterweapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) experience, and better prepare future military officers to lead, fight, and win on a battlefield involving weapons of mass destruction.
Cadet Juan Mejia received the Fly NATO ODT.
Fly NATO is a two-week PDT program that includes NATO pilot training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, followed by visits to NATO locations in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Cadets also experience coalition training with NATO members, visit NATO Headquarters in Brussels, and participate in the airborne warning and control system (AWACS) mission at a German base.
Cadet Joshua O'Reilly received the Air Force Global Strike ODT.
The Air Force Global Strike Command Summer Program is an opportunity for selected cadets to spend several weeks at one of the Air Force's major commands. Through this program cadets will gain a better understanding of the AFGSC mission through a three-week immersion into the command while experiencing a basic knowledge of AF base operations (support, operations and maintenance). Provide a basic understanding of why US nuclear capabilities are necessary for American, our allies, and partner's security.
Field Training Selects
Field Training Selects
On Monday, April 1st, our Field Training Preparation cadets received news on their Enrollment Allocation slots! Of the 32 cadets competing for an EA slot, 27 received an EA in the Air Force or Space Force and will attend Field Training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama in the Summer of 2024. Although 5 cadets did not receive an EA, they have the opportunity to return to ROTC as a 500, which all 5 plan to do.
Congratulations and welcome to the Professional Officer Course!
Flight Simulators
Flight Simulators
We are excited to announce the creation of our two full-flight simulators, a project that has been in the making since last Fall 2023. Thanks to the incredible dedication and hard work of our cadets, who raised $10,000 in just one semester.
Each simulator has dedicated PCs, virtual reality capabilities, rudder pedals, throttle, joystick, TV screens, Multi-Function Displays (MFD), and many customizable buttons and switches. These simulators will provide our cadets with an immersive and realistic flight training experience, further enhancing their skills and knowledge in aviation.
Huge thank you to all cadets who have had a hand in this project.
Yearbook
Yearbook
Introducing the one-of-a-kind Spring 2024 Yearbook, a masterpiece created by our Public Affairs Officer, Cadet Rene Grisotto! The Yearbook is a tribute to the accomplishments, activities, and cadets who soared to new heights during the semester. It features inspiring stories of excellence, flight rosters, the A-staff team, Lime Cup, Iron Knight, and more while celebrating the community spirit of Detachment 159!
To pre-order your own yearbook, follow the link here or head to our Flying Knights Shop at the bottom of this page.
CADRE NEWS
CADRE NEWS
Lt Col James E. Cooper's Retirement
Lt Col James E. Cooper's Retirement
On Friday, April 19th, a retirement ceremony was held to honor one of our esteemed cadre members, Lt Col James E. Cooper, who has played an instrumental role in shaping the detachment into what it is today. During his tenure at Detachment 159, Lt Col Cooper has served as a cadre advisor for Arnold Air Society and the newly established i5 Space organization. Thanks to his contributions to jumpstarting a Space Force organization at UCF, i5 Space was recently designated as the UCF i5 Lt Col James E. Cooper Squadron. In addition to this, Lt Col Cooper has participated in the Arnold Air Society National Conclave previously held in Washington and Las Vegas, as well as the Norwegian Footmarch with the cadets held at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL. He has played a vital role in coordinating the detachment's attendance at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), which is the world's largest modeling, simulation and training event held in Orlando, Florida. This event provided an excellent networking opportunity for AFROTC cadets, enabling them to talk with Fortune 500 companies and leading to partnerships and internships for Detachment 159.
Upon his retirement ceremony, Lt Col Cooper will begin working a fellowship with the Walt Disney Company and plans to stay in the Orlando area after the fellowship concludes in October.
Thank you, Lt Col (Ret.) Cooper, for your remarkable leadership and dedication in shaping Detachment 159 into the absolute best it can be! Your contributions have truly set the standard for excellence and inspired us all to reach greater heights.
Marine Corps University
Marine Corps University
Our Director of Operations, Major Leah Brading, was selected to attend Intermediate Developmental Education (IDE) at the Marine Command and Staff College, where she will head to Quantico Marine Base as her next assignment.
The Marine Corps Command and Staff College (MCSC) is a professional military education institution within the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The college provides intermediate-level education for selected officers and international officers, focusing on leadership, warfighting, and operational planning.
A Message to Our Cadets
A Message to Our Cadets
"Knights, It has truly been an honor to serve as the Director of Staff for Detachment 159. The energy and motivation the cadets displayed every day made this assignment the best of my twenty-year career. I wish you all the best in your future careers and I know you will achieve greatness along the way. Charge on!" - Lt. Col Cooper
"As I depart from Detachment 159, you've all changed me from a Flying Gator (my alma mater) to a Flying Knight. I have enjoyed my time with all of you SO much. My favorite part of this assignment has 110% been the cadets that I get to work with every day. From early morning PT sessions, LLABs and the many, many events our planning team has completed this past year, I am so proud to have been part of your team. As my first year as Operations Flight Commander, I was thrown in the deep end and learned a TON. To my first class of AS200s I taught- I just KNEW you all had something that was special and now look at you- leading the whole wing. To my AS400s, I cannot wait to be beside you in the fight. I know each and every one of you are going to take care of your people, make hard decisions and learn about yourselves in the process. I wish I had more time to get to know every cadet one-on-one but as a whole, I am never going to forget this assignment and owe that all to you. To my teammates on the cadre side, PHEW, it has been a ride. We all work so much behind the scenes for the cadets, it's easy to forget they get to do so many things because of how hard we work and have so many opportunities all because of you all. Please don't forget that we have THE best mission in the Air and Space Forces. Thank you again, team, and CHARGE ON!" - Maj Brading
"This AFROTC assignment has been a highlight of my career. As I leave, I am motivated and confident that the future of our nation is in good hands. The cadets of Detachment 159 are well prepared for the challenges ahead." -Capt Julian
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse