L-R: Team Escort SM Rob Gwynn, C/Eades, C/Gwynn, C/Tuttle, C/Willis, C/Dowell and Team Escort 2d Lt Donnie Tuttle

by SM Rob Gwynn, 

On October 24th, 2009 Gainesville cadets competed in the Florida Wing Color Guard Competition at Patrick AFB, earning the second Wing title in the squadron's four years of competition. The squadron has placed first or second in the Wing every year since beginning competition in 2007. This marks the third year in a row that a Group 2 team has won the Wing Color Guard Competition.

In this year's competition, twelve teams from around Florida Wing competed in seven events, which included In-Ranks Inspection, Standard Drill, Indoor Practical Drill, Outdoor Practical Drill, Panel Quiz, a written test and a mile run. The Gainesville team took first place in In-Ranks Inspection, first place in Standard Drill, first place in Indoor Practical Drill, third place in Outdoor Practical Drill, second place in the Panel Quiz, second place in the written test and first place in the mile run, to win first place overall for the competition. Gainesville cadet Caleb Eades took the individual award for having the highest written test score out of all cadets at the competition.

The team is commanded by C/CMSgt Tyler Gwynn, and includes C/SMSgt Caleb Eades, C/MSgt Justin Tuttle, C/SrA Dillon Willis and alternate C/MSgt MaryElizabeth Dowell. They now move on to represent Florida Wing in the Southeast Region Cadet Competition at Maxwell AFB, AL in March.