Final Landing: Esperanza Civil Air Patrol Squadron Closes After 15 Years

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — Along the flight line at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum on May 21, surrounded by retired aircraft and decades of aviation history, a small group of cadets in uniform listened intently as stories of military service and flight unfolded around them. It was fitting that the final field trip for Esperanza Middle School’s Civil Air Patrol squadron unfolded among aircraft exhibits and memories of aviation past.

For the cadets of Esperanza Middle School Flight (MD-890), however, the day marked more than a museum visit. It was one of the last official gatherings for a program that has spent 15 years shaping young leaders in Southern Maryland.

The squadron is closing after what leaders describe as a “15-year history of excellence,” ending a chapter that helped hundreds of middle school students explore aerospace, leadership, physical fitness and service through the Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.

Yet leaders say the mission is far from over. In an interview with The BayNet, Lt. Col. David Trick explained the next steps forward for the cadets.

“These cadets will be moving to St. Mary’s Composite Squadron, where St. Mary’s recently celebrated their 50th year of charter,” said Lt. Col. David Trick, commander of Esperanza Middle School Flight and assistant deputy for cadets with the St. Mary’s Composite Squadron. “I am more than happy to watch these cadets continue their careers over at that unit.”

The transition means current cadets can continue participating through the St. Mary’s Composite Squadron, preserving opportunities for advancement despite the closure.

A Legacy Built Over 15 Years

Trick said he learned around mid-March that the Esperanza squadron would be closing. He emphasized the decision was not due to a lack of support.

“We have received excellent support from the school system, from the county,” Trick said. “They have been excellent supporters of this program.”

His reaction was simple.

“I was disappointed,” he said. “That is probably the best phrase. I was disappointed.”

Over the years, Trick said he watched quiet students transform into confident leaders.

“I see students go from barely speaking above a whisper, looking at their feet when spoken to, to confident young people who can give presentations to even large auditoriums of people,” Trick said. “I watch kids go from shy and reserved to outgoing and just truly spectacular presenters.”

The cadet program follows a structured progression requiring leadership exams, aerospace testing and physical training.

“They learn the academic side of leadership, and then they put it into practice,” Trick said.

According to Trick, those lessons extended far beyond aviation.

The program built confidence, public speaking skills, discipline and leadership. These qualities are what alumni carried into military service, academics and professional careers.

“I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved in this program,” Trick said. “I have watched alumni of this program go on to attain great things … in the Air Force, in aviation and really all across life in general.”

More Than Meetings — Memories

For cadets, Civil Air Patrol wasn’t only uniforms and promotions —

It was friendships, traditions, pizza shared during milestone celebrations, museum trips and learning alongside siblings and parents who once wore the same insignia.

Cadet James Ciarcia reflected on his favorite memories and struggled to pick just one.

“There’s so many good memories,” Ciarcia said. “Probably last year doing this field trip … it was really amazing to get together, look at the museum.”

Another favorite memory involved the squadron’s 14th anniversary celebration.

“One of my favorite memories was definitely the 14th anniversary when Lieutenant D’Agostini brought homemade Italian pizza,” Cadet Milo Abrahamson recalled. “That was also one of my favorite times.”

Many cadets joined because family members participated before them.

Cadet Ciarcia said an older brother inspired him to enroll after watching his experience years earlier.

“As soon as I got into middle school, I joined,” Ciarcia said. “And I’ve loved it ever since.”

Cadet Abrahamson said his interest began after seeing his father leave early for Civil Air Patrol meetings.

“When I learned there was a CAP squadron at this school I was going to, I couldn’t wait,” Abrahamson said.

One Final Promotion

Before the day concluded, another milestone unfolded.

Cadet Abrahamson received a promotion to Cadet Senior Master Sergeant, earning recognition among peers and leaders during one of the squadron’s final official events.

The advancement served as a reminder of what Esperanza’s program has represented over the years: growth, perseverance and achievement.

Even as the squadron closes, cadets continue progressing through ranks and preparing for future opportunities.

Continuing The Mission

The closure may mark the end of Esperanza Middle School Flight (MD-890), but Civil Air Patrol remains active locally.

Current cadets are expected to continue with the St. Mary’s Composite Squadron, which recently celebrated 50 years of service.

Leaders say the transition ensures students will still have access to aerospace education, emergency services training, leadership experiences and activities like summer encampments and air shows.

Trick said events such as the upcoming June air show remain some of the best experiences for cadets.

“It is an opportunity to see up close the aviation and engineering that these guys study each week,” he said. “It’s a fantastic camaraderie-building opportunity. It’s a fantastic educational opportunity.”

As the final Esperanza squadron members step forward into new units and new chapters, the legacy left behind may be measured less by uniforms or ranks and more by confidence gained, friendships built and futures changed.

After 15 years, the squadron’s final landing may not be an ending at all — only another takeoff.

---