Amelia Earhart, Senior Squadron 188, Celebrates Their 30th Anniversary.
By Lt Col Juan Tinnirello. Photos by Lt Col Tinnirello
On Tuesday January 30th, 2018, the fifth Tuesday of the month, many members attended the squadron’s usual gathering for a Tuesday BBQ. However, this was not an ordinary fifth Tuesday. It just happened to be the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Squadron 188’s formation.
 |
| A cake for the occasion. |
All the squadron’s previous commanders were invited, and with the exception of one deceased commander and another one that had moved out of the state, everyone else was present.
Many members attended the event and conversed about their experiences accumulated over their years in the squadron. Our longest serving member (not present) is Lt Col Dennis Matarrese, who has been a CAP member since 28 October 1960, Lt Col Roger Glenn, since 6 November 1989, Lt Col Juan Tinnirello, since 1 January 1991, 1st Lt Al Chavez, since 10 December 1991, 1st Lt Mike Sanchez, since 10 February 1993, and 1st Lt Jim Hipp, since 19 October 1993. No other old-timers, who are still members of Squadron 188, came before the year 2000.
 |
L to R, Maj Ironfield, Maj Michelogiannakis and Capt Hayes
conversing prior to the ceremony. |
All of the attending members contributed to the potluck and, as usual, the squadron provided hamburgers and sausages. The Grill Master for the evening was 1st Lt Kevin Fall, who did a fantastic job of cooking for such a large group. Everybody enjoyed the food and had plenty of time to socialize. Lt Col Glenn set up his video equipment when he came in and proceeded to record many of the faces present at the event.
After everybody finished enjoying the company and the food, our current commander Capt Jordan Hayes proceeded to introduce each one of the former commanders in chronological order.
 |
L to R, Capt Rivas, 1st Lt Chavez, Maj Groff (retired)
and Lt Col Luneau remembering old stories |
The first commander, Maj Paul Groff, retired, (1988-1997), came to help celebrate and commented on the highlights of his term. He mentioned the great group of people and the many accomplishments realized, such as being named the Squadron of the Year for California Wing twice (in 1994 and 1995), participation in the disaster relief efforts for the Northridge earthquake in January 1994 in Los Angeles, and many more Wing and Group 2 awards for individuals that excelled in their specialty track.
Following Maj Paul Groff was Capt John Matula (1997-2002), now deceased. During his term the squadron was also the California Wing Squadron of the Year (1997) and won the Newsletter of the Year award (1998). There were also several Wing awards for individuals in their specialty tracks.
 |
1st Lt Fall, Grill Master for the evening,
making sure everything was cooked properly. |
After Capt Matula came Lt Col Roger Glenn (2002-2007) and he mentioned that during his term the squadron had the capability to set up self-contained radio communication in the middle of nowhere, to help in any SAREX or real mission. We had two 4WD military vehicles (a Blazer and a pickup) that allowed us to take all the equipment wherever it was needed. We even helped the Sheriff’s department to reach the top of Mission Peak one Christmas Eve with our 4WD Blazer, to arrive to an actual plane crash where the two occupants died.
 |
| Another group of members, enjoying each other’s company |
After Lt Col Glenn came Maj Bob Gelinas (2007-2009), who moved out of state some years ago, and was not able to participate.
After Maj Gelinas came Maj Jeff Ironfield (2009-2012). The squadron had pushed for many years to have an aircraft assigned to us. Maj Ironfield was the commander who succeeded in accomplishing this goal. The squadron had enough pilots so that he and Lt Col Noel Luneau went to the Cessna factory and brought back a brand new glass cockpit airplane: a Cessna 182 G1000. The pilots worked hard to keep the plane flying and increase the flying hours so much that we surpassed most other squadrons in the Wing. Also, during Maj Ironfield’s term the squadron received a Wing Award for Senior Squadron of the Year (2011) and two awards from Group 2 for Senior Squadron of the Year (2010 and 2012).
 |
Capt Hayes (L) shaking hands (that included a Squadron 188 coin),
with Maj Groff (retired) |
After Maj Ironfield came Lt Col Luneau (2012-2014). During that time the squadron received from Group 2 two awards for Newsletter of the Year (2012 and 2014), one award for Senior Squadron of the Year, and a Unit Citation Award from National Headquarters (2014) for the period of 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2014.
 |
Maj Groff (retired) talking about the
highlights of his term as commander. |
After Lt Col Luneau came Capt Louie Rivas (2014-2017). During his tenure, the squadron received an award from Group 2 for Senior Squadron of the Year (2014), one award from California Wing for Newsletter of the year (2015). In 2017, the squadron received a second Unit Citation Award from National Headquarters for the period 1 September 2014 to 31 August 2016.
After Capt Rivas came Capt Jordan Hayes (2017- present). Our current commander mentioned that, “I’m very pleased that most of the former commanders are still active members of Squadron 188; they provide me with much needed support and guidance. It was great to see so many members come out for the event; camaraderie and fellowship are the glue that hold us together and help us to become the most capable squadron that we can be. We honored the past, celebrated the present, and stand ready for tomorrow.”
 |
Lt Col Glenn also talking about his
accomplishments as squadron commander. |
Major Ironfield proceeded to cut the cake and everyone had a piece of it. The reunion continued for some time, with everybody conversing and exchanging stories.
It was a fantastic reunion with so much history about the squadron and its fabulous growth to its present membership.
