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The 111th Search and Rescue Composite Squadron Puts Teamwork into Action

Cadet Justin Weinberg sands the paneling to prepare it for painting.
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Cadet Justin Weinberg sands the paneling to prepare it for painting. Photo credit: Capt Sherry Haskell, PAO, MER-NC-111 (click image to view full size)
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Snow Tubing Turns into a Squadron Work Day

1/13/2015–Cadets and senior members from the 111th Search and Rescue Composite Squadron were planning on spending the weekend of January 3, 2015, snow tubing in West Virginia, but Mother Nature had other plans. Due to weather conditions, the trip was rescheduled for February with less than 24 hours’ notice.  Rather than let a plan free weekend go to waste, snow tubing was replaced by a squadron work day followed by an evening of pizza and laser tag for members and their families.

The 111th meets in a building dating from the 1940s. In fact, it was the original North Carolina Wing Headquarters. The Mission Command Center (MCC) room where general meetings and weekly training take place, was covered in old dark paneling and was in need of much repair.

Over twenty cadets, seniors and family members came together with short notice, united by a common goal: to take a dated room, brighten it up, and make it their own. Teamwork was put into action as cadets cleaned, sanded, painted, measured, cut wood, patched holes and mopped. There was not one complaint of the postponed tubing trip.  Instead, they worked cheerfully to get the job done. A plan was made to achieve the goal in a timely manner. Those with experience used their knowledge to the advantage of the team, and others worked together learning new skills. In the words of 1st Lt Scott McDonald, “The MCC room doesn’t look new, but it looks a hundred times better.”