Welcome Letter

I would like to welcome you to the Buffalo Creek Cadet Squadron website! Here cadets, senior members, and families can find information about our squadron meetings, cadet promotion updates, and all other squadron activities.

I am proud to be the Squadron Commander of the Buffalo Creek Cadet Squadron. It is truly my honor to serve as Buffalo Creek Cadet Squadron’s founder and Squadron Commander.

Capt Christopher R. Manning, CAP

Squadron Commander

Short Bio

Captain Christopher Manning is originally from Pasadena, California. He grew up in Claremont, California and Phoenix, Arizona. He donned the Air Force blues for the first time in 1999 as an AFJROTC cadet at Mesa High School in Arizona. He went on to enlist in the USAF in 2002. His journey with the Civil Air Patrol began in 2004 when he joined as a senior member and was the Color Guard Officer within the Malmstrom Composite Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. He went on to serve as the Leadership Officer within the Tuskegee Composite Squadron at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.

He served on Active Duty for 8.5 years and then as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) Reservist for 4.5 years. His career immediately following his time in uniform was as a Defense Contractor for Northrop Grumman Corporation managing USAF programs. Serving as a member of the AFJROTC, USAF, USAFR, Northrop Grumman, and CAP, Capt Manning’s Air Force time has encompassed many years. Here is a snapshot of his AF journey:

  • Arizona 1999, Mesa High School (AFJROTC)

    • Cadet, AZ-931, Mesa High School, Mesa, Arizona

  • Montana 2003, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls, Montana (USAF/CAP)

    • Nuclear Convoy Response Force Member

    • Vice President of the Malmstrom AFB Airman’s Council

    • Head Trainer of the Malmstrom Base Honor Guard

    • 2004 - Color Guard Officer, Malmstrom Composite Squadron (CAP)

  • Washington D.C. 2004, Bolling Air Force Base (USAF/CAP)

    • Ceremonial Guardsman & USAF Drill Team Member, USAF Honor Guard

    • President of the Air Force District of Washington Airmen of Distinction Council

    • Leadership Officer, Tuskegee Composite Squadron (CAP)

  • South Korea 2007, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea (USAF)

    • Personnel Security Program Manager

    • President of the Kunsan 5/6 Council

    • Head Trainer of the Kunsan Base Honor Guard

  • Germany 2008, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany (USAF)

    • Physical and Electronic Security Program Manager

    • President of the Spangdahlem 5/6 Council

    • Head Trainer of the Spangdahlem Base Honor Guard

  • Kuwait 2009, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait (USAF)

    • Security Escort Team Section Leader & Convoy Commander

    • President of the 386 AEW 5/6 Council

  • Kyrgyzstan 2011, Manas Air Base (USAF Civilian Contractor)

    • Training Manager, USAF Defense Contractor, Northrop Grumman Corporation

  • Japan 2011-12, Misawa Air Base, Japan (USAFR)

    • Flight Chief, Misawa Air Base, Japan

  • New York 2022, Buffalo, NY (CAP)

    • Squadron Commander, Buffalo Creek Academy Cadet Squadron

    • NY-824 School Squadron (2022-2025)

    • NY-614 Traditional Squadron