Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron (DC060) in VA

Location: Alexandria City High School 3330 King St, Alexandria, VA 22302 Meetings: Wednesdays 7-9 p.m. Squadron Commander: Capt. Justin Strait Contact Email: dc060@natcapwg.cap.gov

As a cadet squadron, the primary membership focus is on cadets along with cadet sponsor and active senior members to support the CAP Cadet Program. Weekly meetings are aimed at advancing cadets through the program.

Charter Number: MAR-DC-060
Office Symbol: DC060

The standard weekly meeting schedule is as follows. Please check the Activities Calendar for updates. Squadron events have DC060 in the title.

Note: Due to COVID restrictions, all meetings may be joined virtually. Check the Activities Calendar for updates.

Note: The last Tuesday of the month is reserved as a planning meeting for the senior member staff.

Squadron Photos

Here's an inside look at the squadron:

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Cadets show off their homemade rockets prior to launch.

A cadet explores an Army "Mike Boat" during a tour.

Cadets pose with an Air Force general at the Pentagon.

Two cadets prepare for their first free airplane orientation ride.

Cadets prepare to assist in the national Memorial Day parade.

Teaching robotics with a homemade R2-Q5 droid.

Cadets and active members run in front of the Lincoln Memorial to prepare for the Army 10-miler.

A cadet talks with Congresswomen Eleanor Holmes Norton about CAP.

A father and son work on robotics together during an activity.

Cadets enjoying the wait for a mission tasking.

Squadron Awards

• Unit Citation (inclusive dates from 2015 to 2018)
• Squadron of Merit (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020)
• Quality Cadet Unit Award (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
• Aerospace Education Excellence Award (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-18, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20)
• National Cadet Competition (combined team with DC026 for 1st place quiz bowl and 6th place overall in 2018) (1st place robotics and 4th place overall in 2019)
• Wing Ground Team of the Year Award (2015, 2016, 2017)
• Region Ground Team of the Year Award (2015)
• Squadron Aerospace Education Achievement Awards (2017, 2019, 2020)

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Squadron Commander's Bio

Capt. Justin Strait is the commander of Civil Air Patrol’s Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron, which is in the National Capital Wing. He joined CAP in 2016. Capt. Strait’s first duty assignment was as a cadet programs officer in the Arlington Composite Squadron. There he promoted cadet leadership, model rocketry, robotics, and color guard.

Capt. Strait assumed command of the Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron in September 2018. He specializes in cadet programs and aerospace/STEM education. Capt. Strait has trained and escorted two National Cadet Competition teams; mentored six CyberPatriot teams; staffed two cadet encampments; served as a staff member for CAP’s Squadron Leadership School, a director for CAP’s Training Leaders of Cadets course; and uses his personally built R2-D2 droid to teach an introduction to robotics and make children’s hospital visits.

Capt. Strait holds a CAP mission observer rating and is an FAA Part 107 certificated remote pilot.

Prior to joining CAP, Capt. Strait served as a computer systems operator in the U.S. Air Force from 2000-2007. He is a graduate of the Community College of the Air Force and holds a bachelor's degree from Thomas Edison State University.