|
More on the Group
III Emblem: The meaning of its design elements |

The focal point of
the patch is the State of Texas, which acknowledges Group III as a part
of Texas Wing and that its volunteer members support the great State of
Texas.
As with the flags of the
United States and the State of Texas, the blue stands for loyalty, the
white represents purity, and the red is for bravery. All of these are
traits exhibited by our volunteer members on a regular basis.
The five points of the
Lone Star represent the characteristics of a good citizen, which are
fortitude, loyalty, righteousness, prudence, and broadmindedness. The
Roman numeral three is the official Group designation, and is positioned
in North Texas near the location of the Group headquarters.
The black background
represents the night sky, a time when our volunteers often work while
providing support. Within
the black background are the symbols of the United States Air Force and
the Civil Air Patrol, showing the partnership that exists between them,
both by congressional order and by virtue of their harmonious working
relationship. The entire patch is surrounded by a gold border,
representing the purity of its members' intent to serve their fellow man
through volunteerism.
Finally, the motto
Tertia semper primoris is a Latin phrase that means, literally,
“Third Always First.” However, given that Latin is a very flexible
language, its implied meaning is "Third [Group] Always First." This
motto emphasizes the Group III ideal, in the sense that its members will
always strive for excellence in all that they do. In this context, being
first is not intended to denote winning but rather leading the way as
part of a larger body.
Maj
Patrick L. Benoit, CAP |
|
Group Commander
 |
Are We a Good Example?
Throughout life we encounter many examples
of both good and bad behavior. We pick and
choose from those examples and thus build
the framework of our character. Sometimes we
pick an example that turns out to have been
poorly chosen, and we pay for that
choice. Hopefully, we also learn to make
better choices in the future. Since ancient
times, this is how we've learned to be
better members of our family, community, and
society.
As we search for positive examples that we
can follow ourselves, we need to consider
the example that we provide for those around
us. This is a significant aspect of
leadership in all that we do. If we have
children, we are certain to see many of our
characteristics, good and bad, reflected in
their own behavior, especially when they are
young. As they move into middle school and
the teen years, their friends become more
influential as do pop music figures and TV
personalities. Despite that shift, we must
remain examples of what is appropriate. “Do
as I say, not as I do,” is not an acceptable
argument, since even the young can recognize
a cop-out when they hear one. And it
certainly doesn't do much for your own
self-image.
What works in the family works also within
CAP. There are many leadership styles, but
all great leaders share one common trait
–
they lead by example. Leadership and setting
the standard is not reserved for commanders
and others in positions of delegated
authority. Leadership is something that
reaches all of us, because each member leads
at least one person: one's own self. Every
member is duty-bound to show the world the
"excellence in all we do" as a
representative of the Civil Air Patrol. If
you are in a position of authority, then so
much greater is your responsibility and
obligation to lead by example. Don’t confuse
this with being perfect. We all make
mistakes. But it is in those times when we
make mistakes that we are the truest example
in how we handle them. Shifting blame or
avoiding responsibility sets a tone that
rings clearly to all around us. It
diminishes your character, erodes your
stature, and casts suspicion over all you
say and do.
Another “bad example” is using a position of
authority for your own advantage at the
expense of others. In any leadership
position, make sure that you keep those that
report to you foremost in your mind within
the context of accomplishing the
mission. The true leader is always last. It
may be as simple as being last in the chow
line or as dramatic as leaving no one behind
as you step off the sinking ship, but in all
cases it sends a clear message to everyone
regarding your character, your outlook
towards the welfare of those you lead, and
the example that you set.
We need to demand of ourselves constant and
never-ending improvement in all that we do,
both personally and professionally. If you
are a commander, are you doing what you
should to progress individually in the
professional development and Emergency
Services arena? If you expect others to
make the effort, take the training and
qualify, then you are honor-bound to be
first in getting there yourself. We all
improve if we seek out good examples to
adopt and provide good examples for others
through our own actions. If you lead by
example, success will be the natural
outcome. If you set a poor example, you'll
live to regret it. Either way, reap what you
sow.
Maj
Patrick L. Benoit, CAP
|
| Aerospace
Education |
The
AEX Program
Civil Air Patrol
offers AEOs a hands-on, inquiry-based learning tool known as the
Aerospace Education Excellence Award Program (AEX). This is an exciting
project that both Cadets and Seniors enjoy. The program is
“teacher-friendly,” uses low-cost materials, and is easy to incorporate
into the unit AE program. Below are the steps to follow:
-
Download the AEX
brochure from the CAP Web site.
-
Order the free
AEX book from CAP.
-
Complete six of
the national standards-based aerospace hands-on activities.
-
Conduct one
two-hour field experience activity.
Upon completion of
the program, a unit receives a beautiful 11x14 wooden plaque plus
attractive color certificates for the students.CAP units may participate
in the AEX program from 1 Oct to 30 Sept.
Last year, eight
Group III squadrons participated in this exciting learning
opportunity. As we strive to make Group III the leading Group in Texas
Wing, let’s go for 100% participation in the AEX program!
Chaplain (Maj) Ron Whitt, CAP |
| Chaplain |
Respect
–
The
Role of Military Customs and Courtesies
In the previous two
articles I discussed the importance of Civil Air Patrol’s core value of
Respect.
Respect
means that we show honor and appreciation for the worth of someone or
something. CAP brings together people from all walks of life and various
religious, cultural, and economic backgrounds. Yet, to fulfill the CAP
mission, there must be a sense of unity and oneness of purpose. To help
accomplish this great task, CAP has adopted many of the Air Force’s
customs and courtesies.
Air Force
customs and courtesies are acts or expressions that show respect for
certain things or individuals. They are proven traditions that provide
the framework for deciding what should and should not be done in various
situations. They are based on the principles of justice, integrity,
dignity, and respect. To earn respect and show proper respect within
CAP, it is important to know and understand the customs and courtesies
of the service, as they have developed over the years.
Below are a
few questions that I’ve found helpful when doing a self-assessment with
regard to my knowledge and practice of Air Force customs and courtesies:
-
Do I
know how to show proper respect to the American Flag?
-
Do I
respect the uniform by wearing it correctly?
-
Do I
know how and when to salute?
-
Do I
use titles correctly in formal and informal communication?
-
Do I
always show respect for my senior’s position?
-
Do I treat those
junior to me with the same respect I expect to receive?
-
Do I
make my appointments and meetings on time?
-
Do I
gossip and encourage others to gossip?
-
Do I
include words such as “please” and “thank you” in my conversations?
As we work
in concert and harmony, and strive together to make Group III the
leading group in Texas Wing, it is important that we observe Air Force
military customs and courtesies. There is no greater way to express
CAP's core value of Respect.
May we
always remember the Word of the Master, “And as ye would that men
should do to you, do ye to them likewise.” Luke 6:31.
Chaplain (Maj) Ron Whitt, CAP |
|
Communications |
ACUT (AROA) Class - 11 November
Group
III (South) is offering an ACUT (AROA) class on Saturday,
November 11, 2006 hosted by Pegasus CS at Camp Mabry,
Building 30, Austin, TX. (An air conditioned facility!) Any CAP member with
an ROA card is welcome (both Senior Members
and Cadets).
Check in: 0830. Class: 0900-1500. Cost: $15 for
catered lunch, soft drinks, and class materials.
Any
CAP uniform authorized. Please submit
CAPF 17A to Capt. Steve
Barclay ASAP. We must know how many people will attend.
Capt Steve Barclay, DCA
-
512-459-4745
Communications
–
doesn't apply to me!
CAP relies heavily on our communications
infrastructure, called a network. We use it for
mission base, staging area, ground team, air-to-air,
air-to-ground, and point-to-point
communications. With all these avenues of
communication, who should do the communicating? The
answer is everyone! We're all part of
the communication network, and this month we'll take
a closer look at why.
Everyone in CAP communicates, though not necessarily
on the radio. Some of us use the radio more than
others. This could be required by of our specialty,
duties, or simply because it is what we want to do.
However, all CAP members should use the radios, and
I don't mean just the aircraft radios. Pilots and
aircrews in particular should spend some time on the
radios when not in the air. After all, aircrews are
a crucial part of the communications network.
This season is SAREX time. We have birds up all over
the state, performing various missions. We have
ground teams out performing their training
tasks. And I hope some of those aircrews are working
with the ground teams, too. If you are not working
on one of those teams at the moment, do get some
comm time. Not only might the person in there need a
break, but an unused skill is a useless skill
– because it soon vanishes. By
communicating with various CAP assets from the comm
room, you'll gain a better understanding of how each
of these assets work and interact, and you'll learn
how to coordinate with them. You will also brush up
on CAP regulations regarding communications and
channel selection, something that should be briefed
to all crews before they depart. There are several
basic channels for a reason
–
so
let's use the proper ones. This usually means that
if you stick to a single channel, you're probably
missing out on something ... and tying up the
network for everyone else.
During a busy SAREX, an aircrew's or ground team's
search may take them out of range of their staging
area. Weather or terrain could affect their radios'
range and render them only partially effective. A
CAP network requires communications checks for all
deployed teams and aircrews on a regular basis to
ensure their safety and improve mission
coordination. However, when a team or aircrew cannot
communicate with its staging area, it is the
responsibility of that team or aircrew to coordinate
with other staging areas, ground teams, or aircrews
in order to get their information back to the
staging area. Just because you can't speak with your
staging area doesn't mean that these checks don't
apply to you. Worse yet, if Mission Base cannot
contact you, then you become the object of the
search. What does this mean for everyone else? It is
your responsibility to listen for those ground teams
and aircrews that you can hear, and be ready to
relay their information on their behalf, aircrews
especially in this scenario. At altitude, you cover
a much greater range than a ground team or staging
area. Any CAP asset with a radio is part of the
network, and if your are not participating in the
network, the network is not working.
CAP operates a communications network that can
function only as well as each of its parts. It is a
chain, if you wish, and it is only as strong as its
weakest link. We are all part of that communications
network and therefore are responsible for our part
of the network
– making sure that it's working
properly. If one part of the network fails, then
that entire portion of the state becomes a
communications black hole.
To avoid this problem,
during a SAREX, everyone should get a shot at
working the radios. That includes every aircrew
member, ground team member, and every member that is
participating. Ideally, there will be more people
than radio time. It doesn't take much
–
just 15 to 30 minutes of practice
–
to bring your skills up to standard. This maintains
your readiness and at the same time lets that comm.
person take a break. It should never be the case
that someone must be in that room for an entire duty
day, all alone. Also, when you are out on a mission,
be attentive to other radio traffic that can't get
through that you can pick up. Jump in and offer
assistance if needed, especially if the two stations
are having difficulty communicating with each other,
while you can hear them perfectly.
Our communications infrastructure is what we use to
tie CAP together. Strong ties create the basis of a
successful actual or training mission. Use your
training time to improve your communications skills
so that when we called for a live mission, you'll be
mission-ready.
|
|
Emergency
Services |
Training FTX / Bivouac, 17-19 November
Where: This fall, Group III is holding its
semi-annual training FTX / Bivouac at Waxahachie Midway airport.
When: FTX starts at 1800 Friday, 17 November; ends
at 1500 Sunday, 19 November.
What: Lots of events, ranging from beginning UDF,
ROA and first aid to more advanced MRO, GT1 and GTL training. Some
mission staff training will be available as well.
Bring: Those interested in GT2, GT1 or GTL
training need to bring along a complete 72-hour pack that they can carry
and be prepared to spend the nights away from the airport. Everyone else
needs to come prepared to bivouac on the airport grounds.
Cost: $15.
Reserve your spot and put this on your calendar now.
Watch for further announcements concerning this great training
opportunity.
1st Lt Opal McKinney, HGO |
|
Honor Guard |
Recruiting
Meeting, Dallas, 15 October

Four members of the Group III Honor Guard
– C/Capt McKinney, C/Lt Graham, C/Sgt Cohen and C/Sr
Amn Kleinmeier, all from Black Sheep Composite Squadron
– assisted the Oakcliff Redbird Composite Squadron at
a recruiting meeting. The Honor Guard presented the colors at the
beginning of the meeting. After a short presentation by Redbird
squadron members, the gathering went outside where the Honor Guard
demonstrated rifle drill and regular drill for the prospective
cadets and their parents. Afterwards, the Honor Guard members worked
one-on-one each with a prospective cadet, teaching them some basic
drill moves that they later performed for their parents. At the end
of the meeting the Honor Guard retrieved the colors and then visited
with members of the squadron and the public.
Fall Training Bivouac, 20-23 October

Beautiful Lake Whitney State Park was the site chosen for our Fall
Training Bivouac, with nine cadets from Addison Eagles, Anderson
County, Mesquite Black Sheep and Waxahachie Talon Squadrons in
attendance. Also present were senior members from Addison, Anderson
County, and Mesquite.

The bivouac started at 1800, 20 October, with a safety briefing and
an evening of drill and rifle drill, ending with a night-time hike
through the woods. Reveille at 0630 Saturday led to PT and
breakfast. Four of the cadets then left for Waco, where they
presented the colors at the Group III Quarterly Meeting (see below),
and also attended the Group CAC meeting.

Rifle drill filled the rest of the day, with an extended break at
mid-afternoon, when most cadets chose to cool off in the lake. The
senior members relaxed and watched them from a distance. At 0730
Sunday, breakfast was followed by tent cleaning-out. While the
cadets proceeded to continue with their rifle drill as well as
composing and perfecting a routine they wanted to perform for their
parents, the senior members broke camp. The bivouac ended at 1500 on
Sunday, with the cadets performing their newly-learned rifle
routine.
A very big thanks to senior members Melissa Rathbun,
Don Guliksen and Terri Kleinmeier for helping with all the work, and
making the weekend possible and a success.
Group III
Meeting, Waco, 21 October
Four
members of the Honor Guard reluctantly left their training bivouac
so they could present the colors for the Group III Quarterly Meeting in
Waco. Concurrently, Group III held its first-ever PAO Seminar. As a
result, all PAO assets were at the TXWG HQ some 2 miles away, and no
one was present to document the Honor Guard's good efforts. To all
accounts, they did themselves proud. Your editor regrets that there
are no pictures to show for it, and promises to plan this coverage
better during the forthcoming January Group III Quarterly Meeting.
Errare humanum est.
Southwest Region
Conference, Dallas, 28 October
The
Honor Guard presented the colors twice at the Southwest Region
Conference on 28 October, in the presence of CAP's National
Commander Major General Antonio Pineda, SWR Commander Col Tom Todd,
and the Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and
Texas Wing Commanders.
1
2
3
4
Photos 1-4, the Group III Honor Guard presents the
colors at the opening of the Southwest Region Conference. At the
head table [4] (left to right) are Lt Col James Lasche,
USAF Liaison Officer to SWR, Col Russell Hodkins Jr, USAF
Liaison Officer to National HQ, Col Tom Todd, SWR Commander, Lt
Col Ron Fory, MC, MG Antonio Pineda, National Commander, and Mr.
(Lt Col) Don Rowland, CAP's Executive Director.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Photos 5-11, the Group
III Honor Guard retires the colors at the end of the Southwest
Region Banquet. MG Pineda is at left [5], and at right
[7-11] by the table.
The attendance included cadets as young as 12, and senior members of
long standing, some of whom received their 50 Years of Service
awards to sustained applause. The Honor Guard, determined to do
well, met its own high standards and represented Group III and Texas
Wing very well.
This is the first time that the Group III Honor Guard had posted the
colors in the presence of CAP's national commander, so they were a
bit nervous. Nevertheless, they executed the ceremony with elegance,
dignity, and precision, showing one and all that Group III takes
Tertia semper primoris to heart. (Photos: Capt Arthur
Woodgate)
Anyone interested in joining the Group III Honor Guard or who would like the
Honor Guard to perform at a function, please contact C/Capt McKinney or
1st Lt McKinney via e-mail.
1st Lt Opal McKinney, HGO |
|
Inspector
General |
Unit Self-Assessments
Thank you one and all
for submitting your Unit Self-Assessment
reports. Thanks to your response, Group will submit
its report to Wing with every unit responding. Better
yet, the information in your USA will be very useful
to you when you get your Subordinate Unit
Inspection.
CCs and staff members
–
please take a hard look at
your USAs for FY06, then take a look at the new SUI
Guide (May 2006 version). Compare the
two and notice what's missing. If you answered yes
or no to a question that would seem to require that
sort of answer, take a closer look and ask yourself
some questions:
- What is being
done in that area?
- Why is it being
done that way?
- Is it being done IAW
regs?
- What could be done
to make the function or program better?
As we do more
inspections, we're noticing some common areas of
deficiencies, mostly paperwork deficiencies. There
appears to be some confusion about what can be done
online vs. what requires hard copies on file at the
unit. Take some time and carefully read the
regulations cited in the guide. If something is not
clear, please give one of us a call and we'll gladly
assist you.
Some of the more serious
deficiencies involve the finance, professional
development, admin, supply/logistics and safety
areas. Some examples:
- If the Safety
section is rated as Unsatisfactory, regulations
require a re-inspection within 30 to 60
days. Depending on the severity of a finding, Group
can suspend the unit until the deficiency is
corrected.
- Depending on the
severity of a finding in finance, it can trigger a
Wing or higher audit.
- Depending on the
severity of a finding concerning testing, Group or
Wing can suspend the unit from testing until the
deficiency is corrected.
Some units used the old
2004 Unit Self-Assessment guide, and some used the
newest Sept 2006 version. NOTE: All
remaining SUIs in Group III will be conducted using
the May 2006 version of the
Subordinate Unit Inspection guide. I hope this is
not too confusing
–
all guides are listed on the
Wing website's Inspector General webpage, and the
links are working. If you have any problem in this
area, please let us know.
The new guides have been
updated with questions more applicable to the
squadron than Wing. The references to regulations
are clearer and more focused to the specific section
within the regulations. Some areas still need
improvement, but this takes time, especially
with revised regulations such as the recently
published CAPR 52-16 update.
Group III has two major
goals: [1] Help the units become better at what we
do. [2] Improve upon our strengths and strengthen
our weaknesses. –
We're here to help you accomplish them.
I'm grateful for the
entire Group III IG staff's performance, as well as
everyone's cooperation and assistance as this
program moves forward.
Capt Steve Manley, IG
|
|
Professional Development |
OPSEC Training
This training is mandatory for all CAP
senior members. It is an on-line course which
members can access at https://tests.cap.af.mil/opsec. This is a secure website and the
initial screen will ask some questions to verify your identity.
Starting this month, this training is part of the new
Level 1 training course.
If you
haven't taken the online OPSEC test, please do so now.
Training Opportunities
|
Date |
Course |
Place |
Comments |
|
11-12 Nov 06 |
SLS |
Addison |
Ops Plan
- Please register
by 3 Nov |
| 6-7
Jan 07 |
PCT |
Addison |
|
|
20-21 Jan 07 |
CLC |
Addison |
|
|
17-18 Mar 07 |
ECI-13 Workshop |
Addison |
|
|
19-20 Apr 07 |
SLS |
Addison |
Course
Directors / Staff Members needed. (Level IV & V req.) |
| 21
Apr 07 |
Level I, CPPT, GES, ROA |
Addison |
|
|
18-19 Aug 07 |
CLC |
Addison |
Course
Directors / Staff Members needed. (Level IV & V req.) |
Course
Directors and Staff Members are needed for the 2007 SLS and
CLC
courses. Participation as a Staff member or Director of an SLS or
CLC is a requirement to complete the Level IV and V Leadership part
of the Professional Development Program. You will find this activity
a fun and rewarding experience. Interested persons, please contact
the Group III PDO.
Maj Alan O'Martin, PDO |
|
Public
Affairs |
In Memoriam, September 11, 2001
It has been said that at the bottom of every
conflict lies the pursuit of gain or at least the possibility of gain.
Wealth of any kind is a powerful magnet that attracts others who want it
but are unwilling to earn it. Nations are formed around wealth, and
protect it, and strive to increase it, because wealth leads to power,
and power confers the ultimate status. Conflicts over wealth ought to be
resolved through fair trade practices, but at times they lead to war, an
activity that seldom spares that very wealth that the aggressor feels
makes it all worth-while. Peace would seem easy to achieve: all it takes
is for two nations to respect each other and work together in harmony.
Yet, throughout history, man has lived in a near permanent state of war.
Europe's history is full of armed conflicts, some of them lasting a
century. As a result, war and the justification for war are subjects
well studied and written about.
In ancient China, Sun Tzu
(544-496 BC), author of "The Art of War," emphasized
diplomacy over military intervention; deception and
overwhelming threat over meeting the enemy in open battle;
surprise and tactical flexibility over saber-rattling and showing
one's battle plan. His aim was to turn the enemy's own strength
against him and thereby avoid war altogether. And his goal
was the annexation of the enemy in its totality.
In Prussia, 2,300 years later, Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831), author of
"On War," influenced military thinking far beyond the
confines of his country and century. He stated that, "War is nothing but
a wrestling match on a larger scale." He also defined
it as follows, "War is a continuation of 'policy'—or of
'politics'—by other means." (a difficult sentence to translate,
because the German "Politik" means both "policy" and
"politics"). He proposed resolution through "destruction of the enemy's will
to resist," rather than, "destruction of the enemy."
His aim was to strike the enemy with overwhelming and
irresistible force so as to show him that resistance would
be futile. And his goal was the annexation of the enemy in
its totality.
During World War II, Germany
rested assured that its Enigma machine was unassailable, and
that the messages encrypted with it were wrapped in total,
permanent secrecy. Britain broke the code, and as the
messages poured in, and the Battle of Britain was drawing to
a close, they learned of terrible news
– in a massive show of force, the Luftwaffe was about to
carpet-bomb Coventry, a bucolic English place, because they
wanted to destroy the camouflaged airplane engine factory
that was there... but didn't know its exact location. What
was the English Government to do? Alert the population and
let the enemy know that the Enigma machine had lost all
value? Or say nothing and let the innocent die, in the
interest of national safety? English 17th century ethics
won, and "the good of the many" was chosen...
When Coventry was bombed on
November 15, 1940, the cathedral (that luckily was not
holding services) was totally destroyed, so this loss only involved
an irreplaceable and beautiful national treasure that
happened to be 600 years old. With the cathedral, extremely
valuable property beyond price was lost, but not lives
– however, many lives were lost
elsewhere in the city on that awful night. The rain of
destruction went on for nine hours until dawn. On the
following day, the German High Command announced that
Coventry had been bombed in reprisal for the British attack
on Munich. In those days, the loss of non-combatant lives
still mattered, so an explanation was not only expected but
a matter of honor.
Today's new morality, on the
other hand, is free of any such constraints. Since World War
II, Western civilization has survived The Cold War, but a
permanent peace remains a dream. Worse yet, a radical group
of individuals, offering religious reasons not universally
accepted, is now waging what history might well end up
calling "The Terror War" against America. Its most visible
effect has been the destruction of New York City's Twin
Towers, with considerable loss of life and property. A link
to the images below was sent to me by my friend
Muldoon Elder.

On September 13, 2001, "Ed" took these photos
at Ground Zero, where New York's World Trade Center's Twin
Towers used to stand. He managed to gain entrance to the
area when all civilians, including the press, were denied
access. These are believed to be the first images of the
disaster after the attack.
Collectively, they constitute a record of great loss,
immense suffering, and untold cruelty wreaked upon ordinary
citizens. They move this viewer deeply, and serve as a
reminder of how fragile our society is
– it is built on laws,
and its permanence is dependent on its inhabitants' willingness
to follow those laws.
The gauntlet has been thrown,
and we cannot afford to bury our head in the sand. Instead,
we must have the grit to stand up to the challenge.
Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, PAO |
|
Public
Affairs - Group III Meeting |
PAO
Seminar , 21 October
Nine
PA attendees, representing seven units, gathered in the Texas Wing HQ's
Conference room for an all-day PAO Seminar that covered the following
subjects:
-
Writing
Fundamentals
-
Basic
duties of the PAO
-
Establishing and nurturing relations
-
Planning
and covering a known event
-
The
PAO's place within the unit's staff
-
The
PAO's importance to unit life
-
Impact
of PA work on recruiting and retention
Run in seminar fashion, participants shared their experience, asked
questions, and helped shape the information given to satisfy their
needs. The exchange of information was dynamic, at times humorous, and
by the participant's comments right on target. As a service to our
squadrons, Group III will make this a quarterly event, so mark your
calendar for the Group III January meeting & PAO Seminar!
By unanimous request, better directions to the location will be
published, as well as a cell phone # to get someone to open the locked
door for late arrivals. Photos: C/MSgt Michael Moody
Co-Author of the New Group III Emblem Recognized, 21 October

At the Group III Meeting held at the Waco Regional Airport's Harbour
Restaurant, during the lunch break, the Group Commander, Maj Patrick L.
Benoit, gave the "first" Group III patch to Capt Arthur E. Woodgate in
recognition of his contribution to the emblem's design.
When Capt Woodgate asked Maj Benoit why he hadn't taken
the first patch for himself, Maj Benoit smiled broadly and displayed his
flight suit's right shoulder
– where the patch was already sewn on.
Then he added a second item
– a "coin" commemorating a Global War
on Terrorism "Joint mission in the pursuit of freedom," with Army, Navy,
Marine Corps and Air Force participants.
It is an American armed services tradition to mark an
important event by having a coin or medal struck, and in this case the
commander chose to share his own memories with his PAO. The coin is in
good hands. (Above left, Maj Randy Russell DCS, Maj Pat Benoit CC, and
Capt Arthur Woodgate.) Photos: Capt Robert Benton
Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, PAO |
|
Public
Affairs - SWRC Overview |
South West Region Conference, 27-29 October
National Commander Maj Gen Antonio Pineda and SWR Commander Col Tom Todd
presided over this important yearly gathering. The program was well
organized and covered corporate business in some detail, a subject that
escapes the limitations placed by space constraints here.
In his opening statement, Gen Pineda said,
"We're a team, all together, one team ready and able to perform missions
for America." He praised the region for its outstanding response during
hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as its performance during the wild
fires. He then turned to Col Todd and said, "By the way, Tom, what have
you been doing this last year?" "Watching them," Col Todd replied, with
a grin. "They were so good at doing it all that I didn't want to get in
their way."
Gen Pineda said that CAP could not prosper
relying only on government funding, and that partnering with businesses
would be a real possibility and a matter of emphasis very soon.
"Volunteer magazine is part of our effort to brand CAP, and more
activities will follow along these lines. We do essential work, at the
lowest cost, and with the best cost/benefit ratio. How can we lose?"
In an effort to relieve CAP wings'
administrative burden, maintenance will be taken over by National
gradually. "North East Region, Florida and Georgia are there already,"
he said, "Texas is next." In addition, to facilitate operations, only
20% of the fleet will be 5 years old or older by December 2007.
Col Russell Hodgkins, Jr, the Air Force Liaison officer to National HQ,
chose his words well and effectively. "I have an in-box," he said, "and
I measure each regions' success by the number of messages in that
in-box." He explained that the fewer the messages, the better things
were run, because they generated the fewest problems and complaints. "SWR
has the smallest list of messages," he added, as he looked at Col Todd
with a friendly nod.
There were three change-of-command ceremonies -- the region commander's
and Arizona and Arkansas wing commanders. Numerous awards were
presented, and Texas wing was distinguished as one of the three
contributing major commands that had assured the success of Exercise
Falcon Virgo. Col R. Frank Eldridge accepted the award for Texas Wing.
As a parting gift for Col Todd's four years in command, Col Eldridge
then presented him with a large and colorful CAP-oriented, signed
lithograph.

The banquet's keynote speaker was Lt Col Judge Robert Albert Decatur,
one of the Tuskegee Airmen of WW II fame, who also also in the Korean
conflict. Between WW II and Korea, Col Decatur earned a law degree and
passed the Illinois bar exam, but soon after was recalled to active duty
so he had to delay practicing law until his tour of duty ended in 1951.
A charismatic and urgently ethical man, Judge Decatur is the most moving
orator this writer has ever heard. He spoke with humility, tenderness,
patriotic fervor, and great generosity of spirit. Had he been the only
participant in this event, his address alone would have reassured all
listeners that their time had been well spent. The photo at right
depicts the new SWR Commander, Col Reggie Chitwood, Judge Robert A.
Decatur, and Maj Gen Antonio Pineda, after presenting Judge Decatur with
a carefully chosen framed lithograph.
Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, PAO |
| Safety |
Squadron Safety Officer Contact
Information
To all squadron commanders in Group III
–
Please send me your safety
officer's contact information at
melaniecapehart@ev1.net.
Seasonal Advice
As the cooler weather moves in, and the
Holiday Season approaches, we all want to spend time with family and
friends. If traveling is required, keep safety in mind. Allow plenty
of time so you're not rushed flying or on the ground, and a
pre-check of your car or aircraft will avoid many problems. Use your
aircraft's check list, and remember that CAP's vehicle list works
for your car too. For your car, remember to check:
-
All engines fluids (oil, water,
brake fluid, and steering pump fluid).
-
Adequate air tire pressure, tread,
and valve stems free of damage -- on all tires.
-
Windshield wiper damage and
operation.
-
Seat
belts for proper operation and free from damage.
-
For small children, car seats must
be working properly and children strapped in correctly.
-
All vehicle running, signal and
emergency lights must function properly.
-
Your first aid kit must be present,
intact, and up to date. Don't forget your emergency flares.
-
Cell phones must be fully charged
and on your person.
-
Tell someone where you are going to
and estimated time of arrival. Get emergency contacts and have
them ready. Someone must know your contact information too.
Teach your kids how to call 911.
-
Enjoy yourself and travel safely.
If flying, use the CAP checklist and
file a flight plan .Remember to be thankful for all your blessings,
and share with others. I wish everyone a wonderful fun time, a safe
Thanksgiving, and a happy return to the normal routine.
|
Group III Safety Officer
Vacancy Announcement
Starting in September, I became the new Texas Wing
Director of Safety. I will continue to serve as the
Group III Safety Officer until 1 January 2007, or a new
Safety Officer is appointed. Persons interested in
serving as Group III Safety Officer please contact Maj
Pat Benoit, Group III Commander. |
Lt Col Melanie Capehart, SO
Monthly Safety Briefing
Presenting both a flight safety briefing and a ground
safety briefing is a mandatory monthly requirement. This need not be a
lengthy presentation — a 10 to 20 minute talk (and optional group discussion)
is enough.
Maj Jeff Yevcak, the Randolph AFB safety officer
who is also the Randolph AFB liaison officer to CAP, has kindly offered
the following for the month of November, should you want to use them at your
own squadron.
November Flight
Safety Briefing (MS Word document)
November Ground
Safety Briefing (MS Word document) |
|
Transportation |
CAP Van
Rollover Dangers
As we enter the fall/winter season and the associated
promise of poor road conditions, let's consider our CAP van
operation. We all know that our 7/15 passenger vans do not handle
like our personal cars. Their "truck like" suspension and high
center of gravity enable them to carry heavy loads, but also make
them susceptible to rollovers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) more than 10,000 people a year are killed in
rollover crashes, which account for over 33% of all passenger
vehicle fatalities. Furthermore, the NHTSA reveals in the year
2002 report that —
"Although they are involved in a proportionate number
of fatal accidents compared to their percentage in the fleet, they
are involved in a higher number of single-vehicle accidents
involving rollovers than are other passenger vehicles. Various
factors have been associated with 15-passenger van rollover,
particularly occupancy level and vehicle speed. Fully loading or
nearly-fully loading a 15-passenger van causes the center of gravity
to move rearward and upward, which increases its rollover propensity
and could increase the potential for driver loss of control in
emergency maneuvers."
All of the inherent dangers of winter driving can be
minimized by the extra care we take in operating our vehicles. NHTSA
advises us to —
(a.) Strictly maintain corrrect tire pressures
(b.) Load vehicles properly according to
manufacturer's recommendations
(c.) Avoid panic-like steering that can lead to
overcorrecting and loss of control
The NHTSA also states that "nearly 75% of all
rollover crashes occur in rural areas" and that the "proper use of
safety belts reduces the risk of death in a rollover by 75%.
1st Lt Bob Mullen, LGT |
|
Upcoming Events |
Recurring Reports
|
5th of the Month |
All subordinate unit and staff
reports to Group III are due |
|
5 January |
Group Chaplain and
Transportation reports due |
November
|
3-5 |
Waco
–
CERT Basic training (Ed Brown, Penny Brady
and local CERT group). More info soon |
|
10-12 |
Alpine
– (rescheduled
from earlier date) |
|
10-12 |
Austin
–
Camp Mabry, CTEP/STEP Leadership School -
applications due soon |
|
11 |
Dallas
–
Veteran's Day Parade - Honor Guard will be
present, good opportunity for recruiting. Look for similar
events in your areas and see how you can get involved |
|
11 |
Austin
–
Camp Mabry, hosted by Pegasus CS to improve
communications program - $15.00 fee includes catered lunch,
soft drinks and class materials. Submit
CAPF17A to Capt
Steve Barclay at
sbarclay@fastmail.fm |
|
11-12 |
Addison
– SLS Course |
|
Canceled |
Dallas
–
In Addison, DSAREX and concurrent bivouac,
may be rescheduled elsewhere in Group III |
December
|
1-3 |
Camp Swift
–
Ground Team Competition (rescheduled) - more
details soon |
|
2 |
Austin
– Camp Mabry - Pegasus
Holiday Party |
|
4 |
Waco
– Holiday Party, Waco CS |
|
15 |
Group III
– Annual award nomination due in at
Group HQ |
|
16 |
Dallas
–
Group III Holiday Party at Crowne Plaza, near
the Galleria in Addison - project officer needed for this
event |
|
26-30 |
Bastrop
– Winter Encampment |
2007
|
6-7 Jan |
Addison
–
Pilot Continuation training - National Check
Pilot training |
|
12-14 Jan |
Odessa
– SAREX |
|
20-21 Jan |
Addison
–
CLC Course |
|
2-4 Mar |
ALS |
|
17-18 Mar |
Addison - ECI -13 course workshop |
|
April |
San Antonio
–
CTEP in San Antonio - hosted by Pegasus |
|
13-15 Apr |
Austin
–
TXWG Conference, Austin-Bergstrom Airport
Hilton. |
|
19-20 Apr |
Addison
– SLS |
|
21 Apr |
Addison
–
Level One, CPPT, GES, ROA |
|
20 May |
Dallas
– Addison Airport, Group
III
Run the Runway - If successful, it can become
an annual event. Needed: CAP personnel in uniform for
road guards, traffic control, static display of aircraft.
Good opportunity for fundraising - concession stand. |
|
18-19 Aug |
Addison
–
CLC Course |
Maj Laurie Lancaster, COS |
|
Useful Links |
Air and Space Power
Journal (Published by Air University, USAF)
Air Combat
Command News Service (Published by USAF ACC)
Air Force Media
Player
–
Daily Radio and TV news from around the Air Force.
Air Force Policy Letter Digest
– Policy news from throughout the Air
Force.
Air
Force Press Releases
Airman Magazine
– A quarterly magazine of in-depth news and features
showcasing America's Air Force.
FAA Safety Website
–
"Safer Skies Through Education"
Global Security
– DHS, military, and general security issues
Intercom
(Published by AFCA/PA)
The
Intelligence & Terrorism Information Center (Part of the Center
for Special Studies)
US Decorations Rack
Builder
–
All military, auxiliary, and civilian decorations
The Sentinel
–
Official Safety Newsletter of Civil Air Patrol
|
|