(above) The Captain “Bud” Jackson Composite Squadron continues in their volunteer efforts during the pandemic.
Serving the Community During Global Pandemic
Submitted by C/2d Lt Niyati Shah
Even when all weekly meetings are virtual and contact among members is limited, Captain “Bud” Jackson Composite Squadron (NJ-102), a local Civil Air Patrol (C.A.P.) squadron, continues to fulfill one of the organization’s main Core Values: Volunteer Service. Many Cadets and Senior members from across New Jersey Wing Civil Air Patrol have been active in C.A.P.’s COVID-19 disaster relief efforts following appropriate social distancing procedures and precautions. They are working tirelessly to package food at the local food banks, make PPE (hospital gowns) from Tyvek material, sew masks and collect medical supply donations for hospitals, veteran homes, first responders and others in need. Meanwhile, the NJ-102 squadron continues its highly engaged operations online, moving forward with a change in both Squadron Commander and Cadet Commander.
Scotch Plains residents, C/1st Lt Manali Shah (Senior at UCVTS), C/2nd Lt Niyati Shah (Freshman at SPFHS) and 2nd Lt Suman Dahiya-Shah are actively engaged in Operation TOGA (Tyvek Operational Gown Assembly), at Scotch Plains Rescue Squad and River Road Rescue Squad (Piscataway) to help create disposable, impervious gowns for healthcare personnel. Several members of the “Bud” Jackson squadron spend their weekend mornings cutting out Tyvek material (donated by Home Depot Foundation) and assembling 60-100 plus protective gowns in 3 hour shifts. Since April 1, 1,646 disposable protective gowns have been assembled for front line workers in NJ. The “Bud” Jackson squadron is proud to be leading this effort at the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad with 2nd Lt Joseline Pinto as Officer In Charge and Incident Commander Major Mathew Hooper, NJ Wing Group 223 Commander. Thank you to the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad for opening up your facility and supporting our mission!
Since April 1, the start of these missions, C.A.P members have volunteered for a total of 1,083 days. The Hillside Food Bank and Egg Harbor Food Bank have enlisted the assistance of C.A.P. in packaging food, now totaling over 806,560 meals packaged. New Jersey C.A.P. has helped feed one per ten people in the state of NJ and package about 30% of all food packaged by C.A.P. across the country. Cadets and Senior members are sewing cloth masks at home to donate to hospitals in need across the state in partnership with the NYC Mask Initiative. As of May 18, a total of 3,310 reusable masks have been created.
The Captain “Bud” Jackson squadron shines in its inspiring involvement in volunteer service, while balancing as-normal-as-possible virtual operations. On 27 April 2020, Captain Jose Vergara, from Scotch Plains, NJ, became the new Squadron Commander, succeeding Captain Sachin Adbe and taking leadership at the most tumultuous time in this squadron’s history. Captain Vergara has been an integral part of the squadron for 4 plus years serving as Deputy Commander of the Squadron and Aerospace Officer. He has spearheaded excellence among the cadets engaged in STEM and Aerospace, helping Squadron earn the Aerospace Education Excellence Award and Quality Cadet Unit Award.
Additionally, on May 7, 2020, Cadet 1st Lt Manali Shah, also from Scotch Plains, became the new Cadet Commander of the squadron leading 119 cadets. C/1st Lt M. Shah has served in a multitude of leadership positions before rising to the position of Cadet Executive Officer in September 2019 and now Cadet Commander. She is a member of the NJ Wing Cadet Advisory Council. She is certified in different aspects of emergency services, including Ground Team and Mission Base Staff. C/1st Lt Shah is actively volunteering with Operation TOGA located at the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad, where she also serves as a NJ certified EMT cadet volunteer. In February 2020, she was part of the cadet delegation selected to travel to Washington D.C. for C.A.P.’s annual Legislative Day, to meet and speak with the Congressional leaders. Cadet 1st Lt Shah was awarded the prestigious 2019 New Jersey Wing Cadet of the Year Phase 3 award in March 2020. As a graduating senior in high school, Shah attends the UCVTS-Academy for Allied Health Sciences.
The Civil Air Patrol (C.A.P.) Cadet Program is open to all Middle School and High School students from ages 12 to 18. For more information about the C.A.P., please contact Captain Jose Vergara at jose.vergara@njwg.cap.gov. Visit the CAP webpage at gocivilairpatrol.com or the NJ-102 squadron website at nj102.cap.gov. Also be sure to check out the NJ-102 Squadron’s Facebook page at facebook.com/NJ102/.
(above) Members of the “Bud” Jackson Squadron volunteered with the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad and River Road Rescue Squad (Piscataway) to help create disposable, impervious gowns for healthcare personnel.
(above) C.A.P members have volunteered with the Hillside Food Bank and Egg Harbor Food Bank, packaging food for people in need.
(above) Cadet 1st Lt Manali Shah, from Scotch Plains, became the new Cadet Commander of the squadron leading 119 cadets.
