|
Group Commander
 |
Feedback and Trust
Have you ever
noticed that CAP is an organization that draws a pretty diverse
crowd? People from all walks of life join our ranks for all kinds of
reasons. People with different life experiences, people with
different ideas about what’s important in life, people with
different interests in CAP, people with different kinds of day jobs,
people from all over America and all over the world; personalities
of all kinds are represented here. I’ve always believed that CAP
lives up to our nation’s motto, E Pluribus Unum: One out of Many
[literally Of Many, One]. That’s appropriate to describe us, isn’t
it? Out of Many individuals, we have one CAP. We hear all the time
about diversity, and in CAP we live it.
So here’s another
rhetorical question for you: have you ever noticed that of all these
diverse personalities we have in our organization, occasionally
there are a couple that have a hard time getting along with each
other? What I’m about to say may shock you, so you might want to be
seated when you read this: sometimes, in CAP, we run into
personality conflicts between members. I know you’re incredulous. I
couldn’t believe it either, but it's true! Who knew?
The honest truth
is that it happens all the time.
I’d like to share
with you my philosophy on volunteers and the Civil Air Patrol. In
CAP I find myself surrounded by people who care deeply for their
community state and nation. Everywhere around me are people who have
chosen to exceed the expectations on otherwise private citizens, and
who raised their hand and said “I’ll do it. I’ll step up to serve my
community state and nation”. Of his (or her) own free will, each CAP
member has willingly set aside some component of his (or her)
personal life in order to be of service. In my world view, that
commitment to service deserves respect. It demands respect. For
those of you who interact with me frequently, you may have heard me
call this acknowledgement of being worthy of respect “square one”.
Anytime I look at a difficult situation I always try to start in
“square one”. When I start there, decisions become easier and
frustrations are reduced. They don’t always go away, but it does
help.
So, have I ever
discovered that I’m I am a party to a personality clash? Yes I have.
Throughout my years in CAP I’ve realized that if I step back and
find my way to “square one”, it becomes a simple matter to move past
the personality and focus on the subject at hand. And usually when
I’m able to do that, I find that I’ve also made a friend.
Next time you’re
mad or frustrated about something in CAP, try starting at square
one.
Enjoy the
springtime and the bluebonnets while they last! And please be safe
during severe weather!
Lt Col
Owen Younger, Commander
Tertia semper primoris |
|
Interim National Commander
 |
Information Officer Training
The newly revised CAPR 190-1 requires a trained and
certified MIO, in accordance with CAPR 60-3, to handle media relations
for every mission and training exercise. The MIO is to provide and
receive critical information, advise the incident commander, protect the
image of the Civil Air Patrol and provide timely information to the
public affairs staff of each higher headquarters.
There is
a critical need to always follow this regulation, especially when
performing Air Force assigned missions (AFAMs), to ensure that media
inquiries are handled properly and interviews are conducted in a
professional manner. CAP MIOs are trained and certified to carry out
such duties, and only they are authorized to do so.
With
this in mind, please ensure that when an AFAM is conducted, all members
in your region and wing follow procedures as outlined in CAPR 190-1.
Also, please remind all your members that all contact with the news
media regarding specific missions and other incidents (especially when
possible fatalities are involved) "must be made by a corporate officer,
Incident Commander, or PAO/MIO ONLY." (Read
PDF version.)
Brig.
Gen. Amy S. Courter, Interim CAP National Commander |
|
Wing Commander
 |
Message to the Texas Wing, 13 March
Please see (below) the e-mail from
Southwest Region Commander Colonel Joe Jensen, asking me to pass on
his thanks for a job very well done on the recent missing aircraft
search near Austin. I am very pleased to do so. Although we
certainly hoped for a save instead of a find, the professionalism
and dedication of the many Texas Wing volunteer members who dropped
everything to participate in this important humanitarian mission,
some coming from as far away as Brownsville, speaks volumes about
the kind of people who are members of our great organization. I
certainly add my thanks and congratulations, as this has reflected
very well upon the Civil Air Patrol, and especially upon the
professional volunteers in the Texas Wing.
Major David Ogden did a great job
in the television interview in the link below. If you have not seen
it, I encourage you to do so.
Thanks again to the
superb volunteers who served as mission staff, ground teams, and
aircrew members on 08-M-0382.
Col Joe R. Smith, Texas Wing Commander
This is a superb media
interview, and a superb job by TX Wing on the mission. The find was made
by a CAP observer riding in a Texas Dep’t of Public Safety
helicopter. TX Wing does a great job with interagency operations.
Here is the link
directly to the story
http://www.keyetv.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=17793@keye.dayport.com&navCatId=5
Joe - please pass my
thanks on to Texas Wing for a job well done on this mission. If you
haven’t already, please be sure NHQ/PA knows about the coverage.
–
JJ
Col Joseph Jensen, Southwest Region Commander
|
|
Wing Chief of Staff
 |
Texas Wing Awards, 28 March
Below is a listing of the awards that will be
distributed at the Wing Conference next month.
| Senior
Member of the Year: |
Lt Col Don R. Fisher |
| Cadet of
the Year: |
C/Lt Col T. Jordan Wright |
| Brewer
Award Cat II: |
1st Lt Janet S. Kristoffersen
|
| Jack
Sorensen Cadet Programs: |
Capt Raymond L. Hicks III
|
|
Communications: |
1st Lt Toby D. Buckalew |
| Public
Affairs: |
Capt Arthur E. Woodgate |
| Safety: |
Capt Frank H. Stalling Jr
|
| Senior
Chaplain: |
Chaplain (Maj) Ronny D. Whitt
|
| Squadron
Chaplain: |
Chaplain (Lt Col) George E. Klett
|
| Moral
Leadership: |
Capt Ronald L. Chastain |
|
Logistician: |
1st Lt Dennis M. Schulin |
| Wing
Staff Officer: |
Lt Col Bill Williams |
| Senior
Squadron: |
Baytown Senior Squadron |
| Squadron
of Merit: |
Addison Composite Squadron
|
| Group: |
I |
Congratulations to all the award winners.
Lt Col Max W. Hays, Chief of Staff
|
|
Aerospace Education
 |
Group III
Member Earns Texas Wing Brewer Award Cat II
1st Lt (Janet) Sue Kristoffersen is no stranger to this
newsletter. A member of the Apollo Composite Squadron, she is a
tireless worker and generous sharer of talent and hard work.
A great photographer, with a sensitive eye to composition and
expression, her favorite photo subjects are people. This paints
her in accurate detail, since she is truly a "people person" who
is happiest when others are having a good time.
She is modest to a fault, at times self-effacing, even downcast
when things don't go as planned (you can't win them all, of
course), but for her the glass is always half full, the day will
always have a tomorrow, and the people will always do better
some other time.
It is no small wonder that she is liked, respected, and loved in
that happy squadron that she helped build.
Congratulations, Sue.
Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor
|
|
Cadet Programs
 |
|
Cadet Protection Program Training
I'd like to remind everyone of how important Cadet Protection
Program Training (CPPT) is. This training is mandatory
for
-
All senior members (it is an element of the senior
member’s Level One professional development);
-
Cadet Sponsor Members (it is an element of the
senior member’s Level One professional development);
and
-
Cadets age 18 and older. “Completion of the Cadet
Protection Program Training (CPPT) is required of
all cadets within 6 months following their 18th
birthday, or if a promotion is due during that
6-month period, prior to the promotion. Cadets will
not participate in CPPT if they are under 18 years
of age.” (CAPR 52-16 1-3d) –
This means that cadets who turns 18 must take CPPT before
they are eligible to promote.
To complete CPPT go to
http://level2.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeID=6476
and simply follow the instructions. Your Squadron
Commander will then go over your paperwork and make sure
that you get the proper credit.
OPSEC Training
While doing a spot check of cadets across Group III, I noticed
that quite a few have not yet completed OPSEC training. It is
very important that cadets do this as soon as possible, and make
sure that they understand and agree to the Non-Disclosure
agreement. All members must complete OPSEC training and agree to
the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) by 1 April 2008, or they will
not be allowed access to e-Services, the Web Mission Information
Reporting System (WMIRS), or any other CAP system that requires
a unique login and password.
Any member who has not completed this training can do so online
at: https://tests.cap.af.mil/opsec
|
Welcoming Maj Richard Hunt
It is a pleasure to welcome Maj Richard Hunt to the Group III
Cadet Programs Staff. He has had experience with cadets as the
Deputy Commander for Cadets at Addison Eagles Composite
Squadron, and prior experience on Group III Cadet Programs
staff. He has also assisted the cadet programs at Mesquite and
Dallas Composite squadrons.
Cadet Promotions Online, 15 March
National has created a new system to upload cadet promotion
information, as an aid to unit commanders and cadets alike. As
an added bonus, National will be able to track a cadet's
progression through the cadet program. Here's is the
Memo from National.
Plan Your Summer Flying Now
Now is the time to plan your summer activities. The Texas Wing
Flight Academies are a couple of great opportunities.
The Texas Wing Powered Flight Academy will take
place on 7-14 June 2008 at Brazoria County Airport (SW of
Houston). Cadet students must be current members, at least age
16 by 13 June 2008, must have attended at least one cadet
encampment, and have their unit commander's recommendation. The
Flight Academies will be limited to 20 cadet students and 12
staff members, so be sure and get your applications in early.
The Texas Wing Glider Academy will be held at the
Bishop Airport 76T (Decatur, TX) 8-16 August 2008.
Ops Plans for both events will be posted on the Texas Wing
Website shortly.
Group III CP Staffing Needs
Group III Cadet Programs needs a few good people with managerial
skill to be project officers for group-wide events over the next
year. Applicants need not be cadet programs officers to apply. If
you or anyone you know would like to help make Group III Cadet
Programs the best in Texas, please
e-mail me.
1st Lt Opal McKinney, CPO
|
| Chaplain
 |
A Change of Duty
Our beloved Chaplain (Maj) Ron Whitt has accepted the position of Texas
Wing Chaplain, which had been briefly vacant as a result of Chaplain (Lt
Col) Nancy Smalley's acceptance of her new post at Southwest Region.
Rather than abandoning Group III, Ch. Whitt has now embraced all of
Texas Wing. A larger flock is his.
So for this month, since a replacement for Ch. Whitt has not been found,
I've selected an article addressing the bringing of spiritual comfort to
our Air Force personnel, written by Chaplain
(Capt.) Robert Johnson, 480th Intelligence Wing
–
Living with Hope.
Some questions take a short time to ask, but a very long time to answer.
Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor
Chaplains from sinking of World War II ship remembered, 2
March
Doris
Rash, from Highlands County, Fla.'s American Legion Auxiliary,
assisted in the "Four Chaplains" ceremony last month by lighting the
candles for each chaplain as his biography was read by Roger
Perkins.
Shown are the four
chairs, each holding a life jacket. Behind each life jacket on the
table were photos of each of the four chaplains and replicas of
relics from the Feb. 3, 1943, sinking of the USAT Dorchester:a
white cross, the Star of David, a Bible, one Tanakh ( the Jewish
holy scriptures) and a pair of gloves.
The bell on the
USAT Dorchester rang twice at 12:30 a.m., on Feb. 3, 1943,
never to be heard again. The former luxury coastal steamship turned
troop ship was torpedoed by an enemy submarine in an area of the
Northern Atlantic Sea then known as "Torpedo Junction," sinking in
under 15 minutes.
Rescue
efforts began over an hour later and lasted more than 12 hours.
Statistics showed that the frigid waters can take the life of an
individual in under 3 minutes.
The ship
–
carrying 902 service men, merchant seamen and civilian workers,
bound for Greenland
–
and
had been used up and down the U.S.' eastern sea coast. It was 368
feet by 52 feet, and only had a 16-foot draft, suitable for the
coast, but not designed for deep open waters. She was being used to
transport soldiers to Greenland during the height of World War II.
The waters were
treacherous
–
not
just due to the weather
–
but
the U-boats known for patrolling those waters. Ice began to build on
the decks, slowing the old ship to just 10 knots.
The Dorchester
was one of three ships in the SG-19 convoy moving across the icy
northern Atlantic waters from Newfoundland toward an American base
in Greenland. The U.S. Coast Guard cutters Tampa, Escanaba
and the Comanche escorted the Dorchester and two
other ships.
Many of the
military personnel and civilians aboard were sea sick from the trip.
The four army chaplains among the troops were doing their best to
soothe the ailing soldiers.
With concern of
enemy submarines reported, the Dorchester's captain, Hans
J. Danielsen, cautiously ordered the men to sleep in their clothing,
with life jackets close at hand as they neared the coast of
Greenland.
The ship was only
150 miles from its destined port, just after midnight, when a German
submarine fired a torpedo, striking the starboard side of the
Dorchester, exploding in the boiler room, destroying the main
electric supply and releasing clouds of suffocating steam and
ammonia gas. Many on board died instantly, while some were trapped
below deck. Others, startled, awakened from their bunks, made their
way to the decks of the already-listing vessel. The ship took on
water rapidly through the massive breach. The added weight of ice on
the decks hastened the ship's sinking.
The horror of the
night continued with overcrowded life boats capsizing. Life rafts
drifted away in the huge waves before anyone could reach them.
Frozen in fear, men clung to the side rails, unable to will
themselves to let go and plunge into the dark, frigid, churning
waters far below.
The USCGC
Comanche saw the flash of an explosion and left the convoy to
return to give aid, rescuing 97 survivors. The USCGC Escanaba
circled the sinking Dorchester, and rescued an additional
132 survivors.
The third cutter,
the USCGC Tampa, continued on to Greenland, providing safe
passage for the two other vessels.
Survivors gave
testimony that the only fragment of hope came from the four army
chaplains who were able to calmly guide men to their lifeboat
stations. They opened a storage locker for life jackets and began to
hand them out.
One soldier tried
to return to his cabin to retrieve his gloves. One of the chaplains
stopped him and told the soldier he could have one of his pair of
gloves. The soldier, a survivor of the sinking, realized later that
the chaplain did not have two pairs of gloves.
The chaplains
coaxed men to go over the side of the ship to the safety of the life
boats. When the supply of life jackets was exhausted, it was
reported by some of the survivors that each chaplain removed his own
life jacket and handed it to the next person in line, essentially
giving away their only means of saving themselves in order to save
the others.
An inter-faith
memorial chapel was dedicated in Feb. 1951, in Philadelphia, Pa., to
the memory of the four chaplains, and is called the "Chapel of the
Four Chaplains." Mounted in the wall is a stained glass depicting
the sinking of the Dorchester. The chapel is currently
located at the old Philadelphia Navy Yard.
First Published on "News of the Force" |
|
Chaplain
 |
Group III Member Earns Texas Wing Senior Chaplain of the Year
Chaplain (Major) Ronny D. Whitt and I share
a common faith. A man of compassion and unsurpassed kindness, I got to
know him better during last year's summer encampment, when he let me
help him in his ministry to the cadets. I would read a short passage
from the Scriptures to start the short devotional that we offered the
cadet basics at the end of the day, and he would give them a message of
love, understanding, kindness and hope. He would also bring some treats
for them to eat, which were always devoured. The little service would
end with a closing prayer that he let me read.
Chaplain (Lt Col) Nancy Smalley, who was
teaching the GSARSS course that summer, was delighted to hear about the
growing participation, that went from a handful on the first evening to
about half the whole encampment at the end. I had not realized how much
we had done for them until Ron and I attended the Winter Encampment, had
a whole new crop of cadet basics to help along, and many of our former
basics were now attending the Advanced Leadership School
–
and they came too. In fact, they encouraged the basics to
attend, and helped spread the word.
Ron was radiant on those winter evenings. He
has a quiet smile that comes from the heart. He is the only person I've
ever known who manages to be intense and passionate with an air of
complete humility. His unsurpassed goodness is contagious, and I could
feel it in the air, the smiles, the handshakes, the hushed voices, the
gentle eyes, the clasping of the Bibles that the cadets had brought
along.
It is with immense pleasure that I
congratulate Ch. (Maj) Ron Whitt for having earned this distinction,
though I can hear him now, "Thank you, but I'm not deserving." And yet,
he is the most deserving of us all.
Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor |
|
Communications
|
Group III Member Earns Texas Wing
Communications Officer of the Year
When this newsletter was in its infancy, and I tried to
get Lt Col Steve Haney, the Wing Communications Officer, to write an
occasional contribution for it, he said to me, "Arthur, have you talked
with Toby Buckalew? That's one smart young man, and he's right there in
your group. I'm sure he'll work with you."
And so he did. I got to know Toby in a hurry, and so did
others. He wrote some great sections, readily accessible to the
non-communicator, yet ever so useful and informative. They were so good,
in fact, that some of them were picked up by another wing for their own
magazine.
Indeed, as predicted, he turned out to be young, and
smart too. That's how he got a better job and his time became
increasingly scanty. He had to choose and, of course, the winner of his
energy was the job itself. Thanks to him, Group III has become far
better trained in the "black arts" of radio waves, interference, sun
spots, procedure and hardware compatibility. It comes as no surprise to
me that he has been chosen this year's top communicator in Texas Wing.
Congratulations, Toby.
Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor
|
|
Emergency Services - Wing Announcement 1
 |
Mark your calendar!
–
21-28 June 2008 -
Important Update
The
Lone Star Emergency Services Academy will be held
June 21-28 in Big Sandy, Texas, at the
ALERT Academy. We've made a great arrangement with a
facility designed for indoor-outdoor training, offering us suitable
billeting, small and large classrooms, conference hall, and generous
grounds. It will definitely be more comfortable than the National
Guard facility we've been using up to now. To obtain the great rate
we've negotiated, students must bring their own sheets, blankets,
and towels. Also, participants will be expected to clean their own
space and classroom.
The curriculum for each LESA School will be geared to senior member
career track requirements. Cadet participation will be allowed,
provided they can keep up with senior members.
We
know Big Sandy is a long trip for many of you. However, an inbound or
outbound sortie to cover the cost of fuel should help make the drive
easier.
This new facility is a great place, and at a very reasonable
cost. Each school fee will be priced according to the cost of
classroom and field training aids required, but they will all be
bargains. The course fee will cover three meals a day, lodging,
classrooms, and wireless Internet access. It even has its own
air field.
We're trying to develop a long-term relationship with the ALERT
Academy, and you can help: be neat, watch your manners, and behave
as you would in the best of company.
Mission Air Crew flight and fuel costs are funded for Texas Wing
members. CAP members from other wings, unless they are supported by
their home wing's AF budget, will be charged the standard CAP flight
fee.
We'll be offering a host of exciting schools
–
some that you know already, plus new ones.
-
GSARSS A and B
will be back offering great training
–
-
Comm School
–
Love radios?
-
Mission Staff School
– Have you always wanted to
work at the ICP? Be at the heart of the event?
Then...
-
Mission Aircrew School
–
Forget the ground below. Think of it:
-
Flight Line Management School
–
Keep those planes moving, without mishaps.
-
PAO/IO School
– Tell the complete story, and
make the reader experience it!
-
Mission Chaplain School
– A 4-day course for chaplains,
taught by chaplains.
-
Comfort family and survivors,
-
Help the rescuers deal with their
feelings,
-
Work through real-life situations as
others have experienced them.
-
CISM
– A 4-day course on Critical
Incident Stress Management
-
Fundamental techniques, principles, and
practice,
-
Counseling and acceptance,
-
Work with the experts and learn coping
strategies.
Although by now we have selected many of the key senior instructors
who will put together these schools, we still need additional staff.
Please contact me if you're interested in managing
the following –
-
Admin/Finance
-
Kitchen Support
-
Chaplain Services
-
Cadet Support Staff
-
Computer/IT services.
If
you're interested in taking on any of these positions (openings for
cadets and seniors) or if you would like to be an instructor (for a
block of instruction, a couple of days, or for the week) in one of
the schools, please e-mail me.
We're working on a website that will let us do electronic
enrollment. By the end of February, we should be ready to announce
this site's URL and release both the Ops Plans and packing lists.
Mark you
calendars and watch your e-mail InBox for more information
–
slots will fill up fast!
Lt Col Brooks Cima, DOS |
|
Emergency Services - Wing Announcement 2
 |
PAO/IO
Training
As announced
above by the Interim National Commander, Brig Gen Amy S. Courter,
"The newly revised CAPR 190-1 requires a trained and certified MIO, in
accordance with CAPR 60-3, to handle media relations for every mission
and training exercise."
This impacts deeply into the life of every unit. There
used to be a time when anyone could take on the job of the Public
Affairs Officer, with little or no formal training, provided the
commander certified that person for the job. This worked reasonably well
in a small unit at a time when communications were slow and only the
most noteworthy events were reported beyond the immediate community.
Today, what happens in your own back yard can quickly become known
across the globe. In a case like this, the non-IO qualified PAO dealing
with media relations may well suffer a very rude awakening.
That awakening, unfortunately, can have repercussions all
the way up the chain of command. Therefore, it is imperative that PAOs
take their formal training seriously. In short, every PAO needs to get
qualified as an Information Officer (or Mission Information Officer).
Gen Courter specifically singles out "every mission and training
exercise" as requiring an MIO. Think of it. What else do we do that
doesn't involve "missions and training exercises"?
Bottom line, a PAO that is not an IO/MIO is not up to the
job. The trouble is that there might not be an IO around, and the PAO
might have to "wing it." The lucky PAO might manage to survive the
experience, but not knowing what's involved and how to do it can produce
highly negative results.
Please read the item above this one, and notice that PAO/IO
training will be offered this summer. I encourage every PAO in Texas
Wing to take advantage of this opportunity. In one information-packed
week, you can get the training that you need. If you're serious about
being a PAO, and you are not IO/MIO qualified, I hope to see you there.
Lt Col Brooks Cima, DOS |
|
Emergency Services - A
Different ELT Search
 |
When a Toy is Not a Toy, 29 March
HOUSTON, TX
–
On Saturday, 29 March, AFRCC
reported a 406/121.5 signal and initiated a SAR mission.
Capt Bob Beeley and Lt John Clarke, Delta Composite
Squadron, were en route to search for it within two hours of
being tasked. With the help of a Harris County Deputy
Sheriff, they searched until sunset, unable to locate the
source. Undeterred, Sunday morning they set out again.
After again searching the area where
the hit had been reported, and having seen no boats or
downed aircraft, they hit upon asking a neighbor if he knew
of anyone nearby who had a large craft. While saying that he
did not, he suddenly remembered that his wife (please see
photo), had been to Galveston to get some nautical
"decorations" for their yard.
He thought that a couple of the funny
items she brought home might be of interest. And so they
were. She had bought two live Electronic Positioning
Emergency Radio Beacons (EPERBs), and had turned one of them
on to see the cute light on top blink when she threw it in
her pool. The light didn't work, but after 11 years the
transmitter did.
Both were disarmed.
Moral of the story? There
won't always be a debris field or boat. Sometimes it might
just be a swimming pool decoration...
(Sent in by) Lt Col Brooks Cima, DOS
|
|
Finance
 |
|
Group III Patch Available
|
Are you on Group III Staff? Wear the Group III Staff patch
proudly. At $5.00 each, they are a bargain and show your
commitment to Group III and the CAP program. (Click on the image
for a larger view.) |
|
|
Group III Coins Available
 
Our mint
has delivered a batch of new
Group III Commemorative Coins, and you may own as many as you wish,
for $10.00 each. They make wonderful gifts for your loved
ones ... or even yourself. (Click on the images for larger
views of the obverse and reverse.)
To purchase either
Group III Patches or Group III Coins, please contact Maj Laurie
Lancaster -
laurielancaster@yahoo.com |
Maj Laurie Lancaster, FO |
|
Honor Guard
 |
Practice,
16 March
On March
16, the Group III Honor Guard met for a practice session at
the Mesquite Airport, home of the Mesquite Blacksheep
Composite Squadron. Cadet Tim Kleinmeier led the group,
developing a rifle routine to be used for recruiting new
members to the Honor Guard.
During the weekend of 4-6 April,
C/SSgt
Tim Kleinmeier, C/MSgt Matthew Garcia, C/CMSgt Andrew Smith,
C/SAmn Andrew Papson and C/CMSgt Sarah Heitzmann will
perform the routine at the Group III Orientation Flight &
Bivouac in Waxahachie.
National
Honor Guard Academy acceptance
The Group
III Honor Guard has a strong history of cadets attending the
National Honor Guard Academy. We’re proud to announce that
C/MSgt Matthew Garcia has been accepted to the Honor Guard
Academy this summer. Cadets Kleinmeier, Cohen and Heitzmann
have attended in the past.
Practice Schedule
| Date |
Time |
Place |
|
6
April |
1300-1700 |
Waxahachie Composite Squadron |
| 20 April |
1300-1700 |
Addison
Composite Squadron |
| 4 May |
1300-1700 |
Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadron |
| 18 May |
1300-1700 |
Addison
Composite Squadron |
| 1 June |
1300-1700 |
Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadron |
Join the Honor Guard
For more information on joining the Group III Honor Guard please contact
TFO McKinney or
1st Lt Don Gulliksen.
1st
Lt Don Gulliksen, HGO |
|
Inspector
General
 |
Inspection Status
Due to Capt Manley's slow recovery,
there are no inspections scheduled at this time. He
is expected to be back among the movers and shakers
soon, and he'll put together a new schedule at that
time.
Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor
Inspection Schedule
| Charter # |
Unit Name |
Date |
Comment |
| TX-352 |
Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron |
21 April, 2007 |
|
| TX-030 |
Group III |
5 May, 2007 |
|
| TX-376 |
Waxahachie Composite Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
| TX-390 |
Addison Composite Squadron & TCA Flight |
9-10 June, 2007 |
|
| TX-148 |
Waco Composite Squadron |
14 July, 2007 |
|
| TX-391 |
Dallas Composite Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
| TX-351 |
Pegasus Composite Squadron
|
Date TBD |
|
| TX-133 |
Irving Composite Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
| TX-803 |
Red Oak Oaks Cadet Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
| TX-076 |
Crusader Composite Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
Capt Steve Manley, IG
Civil Air Patrol Ethics Policy
On 25 August 2005, the National
Commander issued this
policy letter
as a guide for all CAP members. Please make sure that you understand
it, implement it, and remain vigilant concerning any violations.
Inspection Schedules
Unit inspection schedules are
now posted on the Group III
website's Squadron Support / Inspector General page.
Capt Steve Manley, IG
|
|
Information Technology
 |
How to Organize a Website
Building a small website is quite easy. Just create an
opening page, put some links on that page, and hang pages off those
links. Use some images here and there, and you have a working little
website. This arrangement might be quite attractive (or not), and might
do the job for your average small site consisting of 6 to 12 pages (or
fall short). But there's a big catch to this approach. Many websites
start small, then begin to grow, one or two pages at a time. As you
stack more and more pages into it, organizing the information becomes
harder, to the point that some visitors
– especially first-time callers
– often lose interest and
move on.
Ease of navigation is essential to a successful website design.
Take this Group III website, for instance. Not counting the newsletters,
at this time it contains 174 HTML pages. There are also 23 issues of the
newsletter posted online, from the first one (June, 2006) to the one
you're reading right now (April, 2008). On top of that, there are
additional pages with restricted access, grouped in the "Members Only"
section. This Group III website, by the way, was a Balsem Award winner
at last year's PAO Academy, an event that ran concurrently with the
National Conference in Atlanta, GA. The judge's comment was, "It does
the job."
Look at how information is presented here. An opening
screen at the root (the "splash") proclaims ownership, no holds barred.
The visitor has the choice of bypassing the splash at any time, or wait.
If no action has been taken, after a pause, the visitor is passed
through automatically to the first inside page, where a relatively
narrow (but legible) top banner establishes ownership of each page.
-
Under
the banner, each of six buttons in a row opens a major section
within the website. Think of the buttons as a row of so many filing
cabinets.
-
Each
open button has its own left sidebar with links. Think of these
links as drawers in the cabinet.
-
Some of
the links, in turn, lead to pages full of links. Think of these
grouped links as folders within that drawer.
The Group III site was designed to grow, be informative,
stamp ownership clearly, and also state the chain of command from the
unit that owns the website all the way to National HQ
– and the USAF.
The images are discreet, often just thumbnails linked to
larger images, a stratagem that doesn't force the visitor to wait a long
time for the page to display. A page full of large images can take a
very long time to load, even with broadband access. Worse yet, with a
telephone connection, a slow-loading page can be sheer torture.
Unit symbols on the banner are linked to those unit's websites, for ease
of moving from one site to the other. Links to external websites open in
separate windows or tabs, so the user can close that window or tab and
be right back on the page from which that site was called.
What are some of the mistakes that beginning webmasters make? That's a
subject for next month.
Capt Arthur E.
Woodgate, ITO
|
|
Professional Development
 |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Once I have
met the knowledge and performance requirements for a particular
technician rating, what needs to be signed to get that processed and
recorded at National Headquarters?
A: Specialty
Tracks Online: Professional development officers, personnel
officers, administrative officers, vice commanders and commanders
may request updates to specialty track assignments and ratings
through e-Services. Unit commanders must approve these requests and
the member’s record will be automatically updated.
Q: For the
purpose of meeting the requirements of Level III, what
documentation/evidence is required to prove attendance at a
wing/region/national conference?
A: For
conference attendance and other requirements, the unit professional
development officer enters the data and the unit commander certifies
completion of the requirements for Levels II-V on CAP Form 45B,
Senior Member Professional Development Record. Credit for attendance
at a conference might be verified by a registration form or other
proof such as a conference schedule which shows the member made a
presentation, received an award in person (picture) or otherwise
showed proof of attendance. For former cadets, CAPF 66 Cadet Master
Record might be used to certify credit for attendance at
conferences.
Upon return from a
conference, CAP members should notify the professional development
officer or personnel officer so that attendance can be credited on
their CAP Form 45B.
You must Attend two
conferences (wing, region, or national - any mix) for level III.
Q: Are there any
new specialty tracks available?
A: Yes. Last
year, two new tracks were added:
Career Track 227
- Information Technology Officer (ITO)
http://level2.cap.gov/documents/P227.pdf
The Information
Technology Officer (ITO) should be familiar with CAPR 110-1 -
Internet Operations as well as any current policies regarding
operational security (OPSEC) awareness training, and Information
Security (INFOSEC). The ITO needs to work through the requirements
specified in CAPP 227 - Information Technology Officer Specialty
Track, and be familiar with all related publications for National
e-Services applications. For the Technician rating, the candidate
must also pass an online test (open book).
Career Track 228
- Drug Demand Officer
http://level2.cap.gov/documents/P228.pdf
Individuals must
use CAPP 228 - The Drug Demand Reduction Officer Specialty Track
Study Guide for progressing to the entry level of Technician to the
intermediate level of Senior and the highest rating of Master. The
technician level certifies the individual as knowing basic
information to use in performing duty as a Drug Demand Reduction
Officer at the squadron level.
Q: Will my
previous military training (I attended the NCO Leadership school) be
a substitute for the AFIADL (ECI) 0013 course?
A: The NCO
Leadership School does not qualify as equivalent to the AFIADL Senior
Officer Course. You would need to have attended the NCO Academy or
higher PME to receive credit for AFIADL 13, CAP Senior Officer
Course. To receive credit, submit a copy of your diploma or
completion certificate to the professional development registrar at
CAP. *Note that equivalencies must be no older than 20 years from
the time of initial application.
|
Be sure
to attend the Wing Conference 18 – 20 April
PDO
training is scheduled for Saturday afternoon
|
Senior Member
Training Opportunities this Month
|
Date |
School |
Sponsor |
Where |
Contact |
|
11-13 Apr |
ES Training School |
TXWG |
Austin-Bergstrom |
Lt Col Brooks Cima |
|
12-13 Apr |
Corporate Learning Course |
Grp V |
Kerrville |
Lt Col Ed Billman |
| 27-28 Apr |
Corporate Learning Course
-
OPLAN |
Grp I |
San Angelo |
Dave Augustine |
1st
Lt Vanessa Smith, PDO
tx438pdo@yahoo.com
|
|
Public Affairs – Helping Military Families
 |
Free SAT, ACT software for military families, 6 March
For the second year, a group of NFL, NFL Europe, AFL and CFL
football players have sponsored several million dollars
worth of $199 SAT and ACT test prep programs to every family
in the U.S. military (all branches
– active or retired). Specifically, the sponsorship
allows any military person (active or retired) to request as
many programs as they need for the students in their lives.
The Department of Defense has created a secure Web site to
quickly confirm a person's military status. Personnel can
access the confirmation and request pages through several
military-related associations and organizations, including
Military Home Front's Web site for families, which offers
access to the forms to confirm military status and process
the order.
Programs ship to domestic U.S. addresses and APO addresses.
The sponsorship covers the regular purchase price of $199
and the family pays only the S&H.
(Published today on News of the Force)
|
|
Public Affairs – A Tradition Lives On

|
The Newest "Gold Spurs" Recipient, 8 March
In common with many armed services in the world, the U.S. Army
derives its traditions from ancient times. In the Cavalry, the
tradition of the spurs has its roots in knighthood, where the
awarding of the gilt spurs symbolized entry into the ranks of
mounted warriors. Usually, the squire aspiring to knighthood had to
perform some task or deed on the battlefield or tournament field,
and thus earn the right to be awarded this sought-after mark of
prestige, courage, and wartime accomplishment. The spurs themselves
– rather than his sword, horse, or armor
– symbolized that a man was a knight.
While we don't know the exact date when the U.S. Cavalry adopted
that tradition of awarding spurs to its soldiers, this tradition
encompasses the same honor and pride symbolic of their
professionalism and fighting spirit. Soldiers who had proved their
ability to gallantly perform with horse and saber and truly embraced
the essence of the Cavalry were no longer considered amateurs and
therefore were inducted into the ranks with the presentation of
their first set of spurs.
Today, spurs are a highly visual symbol that represents the
demonstrated qualities of professional excellence which all
cavalrymen hold in common: esprit-de-corps, technical and tactical
competence, and common-sense judgment. Every soldier who is
presented with his spurs has proven his worthiness to proudly
display a symbol of his contribution and dedication to all that is
to be Cavalry.
On
the evening of 8 March 2008, at a ceremony conducted at Fort Hood,
TX, Sergeant Thomas Adams was awarded his "Gold Spurs" for having
distinguished himself in combat duty while assigned to the
1st Cavalry Division. The photo at top left was taken when SGT Adams
was getting ready to roll out to perform Force Protection duties for
his Forward Operating Base in Iraq. SGT Adams
– my friend – is known in the Civil Air Patrol as Capt Thomas
Adams. He is the Apollo Composite Squadron's PAO.
Capt
Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor
|
|
Public Affairs – Mission
08-M-0382 - The Public View

|
Mission 08-M-9382 - The Search for Mark Ritter, 9-11 March
GIDDINGS MISSION
BASE, TX
– On
Sunday, 9 March, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center issued a
search alert concerning a missing aircraft last tracked to the
Giddings, TX area. At approximately 12:30 pm Sunday, 9 March, Mr.
Mark Ritter, age 71, departed from Brenham, TX airport in an
experimental Van’s Aircraft RV-10, tail number N410MR, headed
towards Lockhart, TX. His whereabouts are unknown at this time. The
AFRCC tracked his transponder to about 10 miles east of Giddings, 2
miles south of US 290, then lost the signal.
The aircraft's Emergency Locator Transmitter failed to go off, which
could have indicated that the pilot had made an emergency landing.
However, before taking off, Mr. Ritter had said that he wasn't
feeling well and wanted to go home. Although his plane might not
have crashed, it was immediately recognized that Mr. Ritter might be
in need of assistance.
On Monday, 10
March, the Civil Air Patrol sent a ground team from Pegasus
Composite Squadron, in Austin, to search the area, but was unable to
fly the planned search patterns over the area because of adverse
weather. The AFRCC and the Civil Air Patrol urged residents in the
Giddings area to look in their back fields and notify CAP and local
authorities immediately if any signs of the aircraft were detected.
The missing
aircraft, a Van's Aircraft RV-10, is a popular single-engine,
4-seat, low-wing airplane. This is a touring aircraft, without the
aerobatic capabilities of the previous models in the RV series. The
Model 10 is capable of a maximum speed of 206 mph, and has a ceiling
of 20,000 ft.
Civil Air Patrol
contacted local law-enforcement authorities and alerted them to
their activities. Local authorities immediately offered their
support and cooperation. TV and radio stations, also alerted, spread
the news and asked that local residents cooperate in the search as
requested. As a consequence, many residents reported having seen or
heard low-flying aircraft in the area, though none appear to have
been Mr. Ritter's.
By early afternoon
Monday, as the weather improved, three Civil Air Patrol aircraft
were launched to search the area. The ground team continued
searching for the missing aircraft, a task made harder because there
was no electronic signal on which they could zero in.
By Monday evening,
as the search was expected to resume in the morning, Texas Wing,
Civil Air Patrol, began to set up a permanent Incident Command Post
at the Colorado County Composite Squadron, Columbus, TX, in order to
direct and control the search for missing pilot Mark Ritter.
By Monday
afternoon, an additional three Civil Air Patrol ground teams were on
their way towards the search area. By Monday evening, two more
ground teams had set off towards Giddings. Upon the new-comers’
arrival, the Austin team was sent home. The Incident Commander, Maj.
John Ureke, said, “Other flights will be launched in the coming
days, as many as needed to accomplish the mission.”
Before daybreak on
Tuesday, 11 March, the Texas Wing Incident Command Post moved from
Columbus, TX to the Giddings/Lee County Airport, where all
operations were to be directed and conducted, including aircraft and
ground team assignments in a coordinated effort to locate the
missing aircraft.
Calling upon
assets at Texas Wing's disposal, five aircraft and aircrews were
available at first light on Tuesday, and five ground teams were also
ready to renew the search. Again, marginal weather prevented
launching aircraft, though ground teams were sent out as planned.
Texas Wing has 29 aircraft permanently deployed throughout Texas,
including one highly specialized GA-8 which might be used in this
search.
Each aircrew was
assigned a search area within which they would fly an
established search pattern. As soon as a likely target was located,
the spotting aircrew was to coordinate with the nearest ground team
to guide them towards the physical location for hands-on
verification. Until there a confirmed find, all search assets were
to continue with the mission as planned.
In the interest of
safety, the Civil Air Patrol requested that all other aircraft
refrain from entering the search area. At first light on Tuesday
morning, Lt Col Brooks Cima, the relieving Incident Commander, said,
“If other aircraft are present when CAP is attempting to fly its
search patterns, the CAP aircrew won't be able to do its job and it
could create an unsafe situation for all concerned. By the same
token, although CAP ground team members are trained to work with
other agencies and do so as a matter of course, harmoniously thanks
to their common background, well-meaning but untrained persons
trying to help can be a hindrance.”
. . .
As the helicopter
hovered over the tree-tops, at a much lower altitude than an
airplane is allowed to fly, the wooded terrain looked uniformly
green and untouched. A half-seen flash of white hinted at the
wreckage. Circling the area, more of the broken aircraft became
visible, so the helicopter landed in an adjacent field. (Photos:
CAP observers.)
Shortly before
noon on Tuesday, what seemed to be an airplane wreckage was seen
from the air, near the spot where Mr. Ritter's transponder had last
been heard of. The find belonged to the Department of Public Safety
helicopter, in which two CAP observers were acting as spotters.
Immediately, a ground team was directed to the suspected wreckage in
order to establish whether this was the aircraft being searched for,
and whether any medical assistance would be needed. Upon arrival, a
partial tail number match was made, and documents found inside the
cockpit confirmed Mr. Ritter's identity.
Mr. Mark C. Ritter, Jr., the victim’s son, was at the Incident
Command Post when the missing aircraft was found, and expressed his
thanks for the manner in which the search had been conducted and the
family spared from the public eye. The Civil Air Patrol extends its
regrets to the family, and will put forth its best effort in
protecting their privacy at this time of sorrow. Furthermore, the
dignity of the family will be preserved, consistent with the
necessary investigation that must ensue by FAA regulations.
The Civil Air Patrol is grateful for the generous cooperation of
local official, especially the Department of Public Safety and other
law enforcement agencies in the Giddings area. The Giddings/Lee
County Airport authorities extended the use of their facilities,
making is possible to optimize the available assets and shorten the
time to discovery.
Civil Air Patrol was the lead agency in this search, augmented by
personnel and equipment from local safety, law-enforcement, and
aviation organization. Many civilians offered their help --
including helicopter pilots, equine teams, and search and rescue
groups -- and they were placed on a resource list, in case their
help was needed. Since the search was resolved within 48 hours using
the resources available, CAP did not call on these additional
volunteers, although it recognizes that their gesture spoke very
highly for the community and its level of commitment to help in time
of need.
Capt
Arthur E. Woodgate, Information Officer |
|
Public Affairs – Mission
08-M-0382 - The Inside View

|
Mission 08-M-9382 - The Search for Mark Ritter, 9-11 March
GIDDINGS MISSION
BASE, TX
– In the late afternoon of a quiet Sunday, the phone rang. "Arthur!
It's John Ureke!" I hadn't spoken to him in almost two years (simply,
our paths hadn't crossed), so I knew immediately that this was not a
courtesy call.
He was looking for an Information Officer for a Redcap mission.
Would I do it? Of course I would. He gave me the few, sketchy details we
had, and the race was on. At this early stage, still within the first 24
hours of the mission, we didn't have a formal Incident Command Post (ICP),
so we established a virtual ICP dependent on cell phones. Maj John Ureke
and Lt Col Brooks Cima in the Houston area would field calls from CAP
members, local authorities and law enforcement, while I, just west of
Austin, would answer calls from both the media and the public.
A plane was missing between Brenham (about 90 miles east of Austin)
and Lockhart (28 miles south of Austin). It was believed to have been
last in flight near Giddings (60 miles east of Austin). Since the
departure point had been in the Group IV area, the call had gone there
first, and Maj Ureke had taken on the duty. The point at which radar
contact had been lost, however, was within Group III, so John had called
me, since I was a local asset.
"Don't worry, John," I said to Maj Ureke,
"I'll get cracking. Please give me a minute." I jotted down the info,
prepared and read to him a bare-bones news release, and asked for his
comments. "Let it fly," he said. "Good enough, John. You do your part,
I'll do mine." "Thanks, Arthur," he said. "I need to put the rest of the
staff together," he mused; then, as if to himself, he added, "It's a
little harder on a Sunday afternoon."
Right away I called the TV and radio
stations in Austin, since Giddings is within their viewing and listening
area, verifying e-mail addresses for that first news release. By now it
was about 1630. Since it was a Sunday, I had probably hit skeleton crews
everywhere. But at least now they knew that a hot tip was coming in, so
they'd be checking their InBox. Within the hour, programming managers
began calling me for details. "Do you have any people searching the
area?" they all wanted to know. "There is a ground search team going to
the area as we speak, sir," I told them all, "We're calling other
volunteers to the mission. We expect to have a full-blown search going
first thing in the morning."
1.
2.
3.
4.
[1]-[2] Cadets wait for their ground
sortie to be released. [3] Mission Pilot Capt Leonard Laws
documents his sortie. [4] More paperwork needs completing.
Sunday had been a radiant day, one of those
Texas occasions where the sky goes on for ever in all directions and you
can see as far as your eyes will let you. Then the weather changed
abruptly – another Texas trait – and the cloud cover moved in. It rained
heavily that night, as it would also, on and off, on the following day.
Monday's weather was so bad that the air sorties couldn't be launched.
The Pegasus Composite Squadron ground team, from Austin, had searched
some on Sunday, and they would get an early morning start on Monday. 1st
Lt Jim Wreyford, the Ground Team Leader, had a cell phone on him. By
Sunday evening, the ICP had received firm commitment from two aircrews,
but hopes of launching them would die in Monday's poor visibility.
As soon as Monday dawned, I started fielding
phone calls from the TV van crews as they got on the road. The reporters
wanted directions to the site, when in fact we only had a general area,
placing the aircraft either on the ground on an emergency landing or in
a field or wooded area if it had crashed. The spot wasn't likely to be
within view of any road. Neighbors in that area tend to have one or two
miles of back yard.
I called Jim and asked him if he could talk
on camera. "Sure," he said. I briefed him carefully, asked him not to
speculate, and instructed him to give only the details I had supplied.
"You can talk in generalities as to what we do, but please don't give
any specifics about this mission, other than what I've told you." He
understood, and reassured me that he would do as asked. And so he did.
After the first TV crew called me, the
others starting calling as well. There must be a very effective
grapevine network in the trade, because I got calls from TV stations I
hadn't contacted, thinking that they were too far from the viewing area.
Soon, all the network affiliates were involved, and all demanded to see,
tape, and speak with 1st Lt Jim Wreyford. I would give each one's cell
number to Jim, and asked him to call each one when he was able to, with
directions as to where he could be found, in the order in which I had
received the calls. This worked out well.
5.
6.
[5] The mission map, with the missing
aircraft's approximate flight path plotted. [6] Local authorities
cooperated closely with the Civil Air Patrol.
On Monday, air sorties were finally launched
by late afternoon, when the cloud cover had lifted. This was a great
relief to us, especially the three ground teams that had arrived Monday.
The Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) hadn't gone off, and this made
the search harder. Initially, the ICP was to be set up at the Robert R.
Wells Airport, in Columbus, TX, but it soon became apparent that it
would be far better to establish it nearer the search area.
That afternoon, starved for news and with
not enough footage to show, the CBS affiliate asked me for an interview.
I agreed to it, so in the setting afternoon I gave an on-camera summary
of the events, a possible interpretation of the known facts, and the
role that the Civil Air Patrol plays in any search for a missing
aircraft. That afternoon, Lt Col Brooks Cima had taken over the ICP, so
as to give Maj John Ureke a rest. She would run the mission through the
night and into Tuesday, until the mission had been completed.
At first light on Tuesday, the ICP was up
and running at the Giddings/Lee County Airport, fully staffed. There were five ground teams searching the
fields, and five aircrews had been launched. Thanks to computer analysis
of existing radar readings, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center had
plotted the exact path followed by the missing plane, but from the air
the CAP aircrews couldn't detect any signs of an aircraft or wreckage.
7.
8.
9.
10.
[7]-[8] The Department of Public
Safety helicopter, its pilot, and CAP members. [9] The aircrew
plans the helicopter's sortie. [10] After the find, CAP Observer
Major Ogden (right) filling out details of the sortie.
The Department of Public Safety had a
helicopter on site, and the pilot agreed to take two CAP observers to
search the suspected area. Within minutes, flying at an altitude far
below that allowed to CAP planes, the wreckage was located. The
helicopter landed on a field adjacent to the wooded area where the plane
had come down, and the DPS pilot made a positive identification from a
partial tail number and a driver's license found inside the cockpit.
The find had been so quick that the local
police hadn't yet sent any cars to the airport yet. Since the crash
scene was now a protected area that needed to be kept "as found," the
arriving CAP ground team (it got to the crash site within minutes)
became the custodians of the crash site. They posted themselves at the
gate of a path leading to the field, where they were soon facing
microphone-brandishing, intense reporters backed by ominously rolling
cameras. The media, unable to get access to the crash site, tried to
convince the self-appointed CAP guardians to let them through, but to no
avail. Soon, the patrol cars arrived and local law enforcement took
over. As far as the search was concerned, CAP's work was now done.
11.
12.
[11] C/2d Lt Brandii Re'Ann Davis
rests as the mission comes to an end. [12] An aircrew finishes
filling out the sortie's reports. (All photos: 1st Lt Sue
Kristoffersen, Apollo Composite Squadron)
Throughout the event, I had been contacted
by representatives and friends of the family, asking me for information.
I added their e-mail addresses to my news release list. One person
emerged as the leader in this group, and I extended the courtesy of
periodic phone calls when I had something material to report. The search
area itself had been narrowed to a fairly small patch of land, thanks to
reports from neighbors, who had called me at all hours to tell me their
stories. Many concerned other flights, but a few pointed to a site very
close to the actual crash. Later, the Incident Commander called these
reports "invaluable intelligence" that had served to greatly narrow the
search effort.
During these 48 hours, I received many calls
from local authorities, some of which I could take care of myself,
others I referred to the Incident Commander. At times, I felt almost
guilty for not having the information people wanted and almost demanded.
I kept a tight grip on my emotions and strove for a calm and reassuring
tone of voice. Most people responded well to it, but the work took its
toll on my peace of mind. The cold numbers and statistics were easy to
handle, the human dimension I tried to postpone for later.
The work is almost chaotic. At times, I had
a call on the landline and a second one waiting. And the cell would ring
with more calls. In the stress and urgency of the moment, it is fairly
easy to avoid thinking about the consequences and ramifications of the
event. The media want a story and crave images and quotes. Behind these,
though, there are family, friends, acquaintances, a life lived, many
lives touched.
The victim turned out to be a well-known
Austin businessman, active in charity work, well-liked. Reported to be
70 or 71, he had led a full life. His eldest son called me. He was a
pilot himself and knew that there was little hope of finding anything
but a crash. Yet he went to the ICP and was there when the find was
confirmed. Many CAP members shared their sorrow with him.
Throughout the event, as the Information
Officer, I tried to maintain the lines of communication open, the public
informed, and the victim's family protected from loss of dignity and
thoughtless harassment from outsiders. Mostly, I spoke to voices on the
phone, yet I got a picture of the kind of man that Mr. Mark Ritter must
have been. I wish I'd known him.
Capt
Arthur E. Woodgate, Information Officer |
|
Public Affairs – Mission
08-M-0382 - Setting up
Communications

|
Mission 08-M-9382 -
The Search for Mark Ritter, 9-11 March
GIDDINGS MISSION
BASE, TX
– “Wake
up, we have to
go do a vehicle
inspection,” I
said to myself,
as I slumbered
out of my own
sleep. An hour
and a half
later, having
traveled from
Georgetown to
Giddings, we
would be setting
up our
squadron's
mobile
communications
center for my
first real
mission as a
communicator.
1.
2.
[5] C/CMSgt Michael Moody sets up the mobile communications
center. [6] C/MSgt Jason Messmer takes an antenna pole from the
squadron's van, as the communications center takes shape at Mission
Base. (Photos: 1st Lt Sue Kristoffersen)
Sunday night, when we called to offer our help in finding the missing
aicraft, we were told that our help might be needed, but to sit tight
for the time being. Then on Monday night we were asked to provide radio
communications at Mission Base, to be established at Giddings/Lee County
Airport, about 80 miles from Georgetown. That's when we got moving.
C/MSgt Jason Messmer, a Mission Radio Operator, agreed to join the
team. 1st Lt Sue Kristoffersen, Cdt Jason Messmer and I would be going
to Mission Base, where she would work as a Mission Staff Assistant, and
Cdt Messmer and I would handle communications for the mission. As we
waited for 1st Lt Kristoffersen to return from her aircrew mission with
Mission Pilot Capt Leonard Laws, 1st Lt Cheri Fischler, Apollo CS
Commander, helped me prepare the communications trailer and pack the
squadron van.
When Lt Kristoffersen returned, we left Georgetown around 1130 Monday
night. We arrived at Giddings at 0145, got a couple of hours of
shut-eye, then got up and went to work.
Cdt Messmer and I set up three VHF antennas and two radios to talk to
aircrew and ground teams. That Tuesday early in the morning, there
wasn’t a whole lot of radio traffic. But later that day we had four
ground teams out, three Civil Air Patrol aircraft in the air, and a
Department of Public Safety helicopter flying in and out.
The helicopter represented the greatest test of our communications
skills. We did not have to change anything about the radios, and the
helicopter crew didn’t have to take an extra radio. It all came down to
just using the radio frequencies that had been allocated for this type
of mission. As it turned out, working with the helicopter was as easy as
communicating with one of our own corporate planes.
See video clip
from CBS Affiliate Ch. 42
We took all the normal traffic (off ground, check in, in grid, out of
grid, on ground, and so on), then we got the call that the helicopter
had possibly found the missing aircraft. That’s when the communications
center got real busy, as we were told to call back all aircrew, and
instruct the ground teams where to go to. On top of that, we had to deal
with the media, and try to ignore having their cameras in our face at
all times.
When the day ended, the aircraft had been found and Communications had
done what we had been called to do. The mission was a success, though we
couldn’t have done it as quickly without the DPS helicopter. Also,
communications wouldn’t have run nearly as well, hadn’t it been for Cdt
Messmer's help.
The only sad part was that we couldn't rescue Mr. Ritter.
EDITOR'S NOTE: C/CMSgt Michael Moody, a qualified
Communications Unit Leader, was the Communications Officer for the
mission.
C/CMSgt Michael Moody, Apollo Composite Squadron |
|
Public Affairs – Mission
08-M-0382 - A Cadet's Perspective

|
Civil Air Patrol Finds Missing Pilot, 11 March
GIDDINGS
MISSION BASE, TX
– On the
morning of Monday, 10 March, I got a call from Captain Chastain,
Mission Commander, Colorado County Composite Squadron, Group IV,
Texas Wing, who seemed very serious, not his usual happy self.
Right away, he said, “An airplane has gone down northeast of
Giddings. How many in your family are available for emergency
service duty?” I asked for five minutes, so I could make a few
phone calls. “I’ll call you right back, Sir,” I assured him.
(At right, C/2d Lt
Brandii Re'Ann
Davis and C/2d Lt Kayla Renee' Davis, with their mission packs
at the ready.
Photo: Linda Davis.)
I got the Cadet
Commander, C/2d Lt Kayla-Renee' Davis, who was stunned that this
was a real mission, not an exercise. I heard her as she
nervously, anxiously asked her boss for time off. “No way!” was
the answer. Frustrated, she said to me "No, I can't until after
5:00 p.m. Don't these people realize that this is a matter of
life and death?" I told her not to worry, knowing that we would
have a long night ahead of us, and quite possibly days.
My father, Captain Davis,
would not be available either, as he was co-piloting a flight
out of town. Strike two. Only two out of four would be available
at once. I returned Captain Chastain’s call and gave him the
news. He said that he was in charge of setting up the staging
area at Robert R. Wells Airport, and would like us to meet him
there.
We rushed around
the house, looking for the overnight packs, which should have
been by the door and finally we found in the closet by the door.
It seemed that this was taking for ever, and energy was building
up inside me, just wanting to burst out. It was almost like a
pent-up waterfall, waiting to be let go. Thoughts ran through my
mind. “How many people? Are they OK? Will we arrive in time or
be too late?”
Then another
thought cut in, burning brightly, “The weather! Oh, my God, the
weather!” It was raining, cold, damp and, after a quick look on
the computer, the forecast was the same. “The planes won’t be
able to fly!” I said to no one in particular. Looking on the map
at the area northeast of Giddings, and a satellite view of the
terrain, I felt overwhelmed. “It will be like finding a contact
lens in a swimming pool,” I thought. I took a deep breath and
said a prayer, “God, help the survivors. Please, sustain us, and
give us strength for this mission.”
In a few
minutes, we were on our way to Robert R. Wells Airport. The
staging area promised to be the home of the CCCS- TX 448, Civil
Air Patrol until we found the missing airplane. When we arrived,
we found Captain Chastain checking equipment to be used for the
mission. This quiet country airport would soon receive and
influx of people from all over Texas, and would resemble a
beehive at the height of pollen-gathering season.
Then, the wait
set in. Waiting is enough to drive a person mad. At last, our
flight crew arrived – Maj. Troy Millican, Lt. Charles Fuller,
Lt. John Love, and Lt. Sandy Meyerson. (Captains Greene and
Davis were out of town.) The pilots were briefed on their
mission, over-flying the area northeast of Giddings, where the
radar had last tracked the airplane.
Later in the
evening, more news arrived in a hurry. The staging area was to
be moved closer to the suspected crash-site – the Lee County
Airport in Giddings, Texas. It would be at the same location as
the Incident Command Post. We were on our way without delay.
Through the
night and into the wee hours before dawn, ground teams of Civil
Air Patrol cadet and adult members from Columbus, Houston,
Brownsville, Dallas, and San Antonio arrived at the Giddings/Lee
County Airport. The night obscured everything as we shivered,
miserable in the dampness. An eerie feeling of despair, anxiety
and hopelessness started creeping up inside me, but fortunately
there was too much to do, and so little time. Finally, daybreak!
With youthful
impatience and riotous passion, the cadets eagerly awaited
instructions to vacate the small, suffocating, intense
atmosphere in which they felt confined. Frustrated, tired and
anxious from waiting all night, all they wanted was to get
started! “Let’s go find the plane! If we hurry, everything might
turn out OK!”
Finally, the
search was launched. Some cadets stayed and worked on Mission
Base, while others – ground mission qualified – formed three
ground teams of between 8 to 20 searchers each. With specific
instructions, they set out as their feelings of frustration
subsided, now replaced by anticipation and hope. Their energy
level rose as Old Faithful, the geyser in Yellowstone National
Park. "Let’s go!" The cadets, at last, were excited – that’s how
it goes, when they finally have something to do!
These cadet
volunteers from all over Texas had been ready to serve and be
part of a vital force, looking for a missing aircraft and its
occupant. They now had the imagined face of “Mark Ritter, 71,”
who had left Brenham Airport in a Van’s Aircraft RV-10, going to
Lockhart. The cadets, with supreme confidence, set off in
different directions, as they started their search. With new
arrivals coming hourly, many cadets came through the glass doors
of the Giddings/Lee County Airport.
Later, the first
teams started to come back from the field, muddy, wet,
exhausted, all still ready to return to the search. They grabbed
a change of clothes, some food, a quick freshening up, all the
while speaking in hushed tones, intent on their mission. These
ground team members rushed back out to the heavily wooded areas,
in the hope of success, and the wonderful feeling of a rescue.
By Tuesday
afternoon, experts at the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center
had used radar-based computer technology to trace Mark Ritter’s
exact flight path, and that was relayed to us. Shortly
thereafter, a Department of Public Safety search helicopter,
with two Civil Air Patrol observers on board, found the crash
site of the experimental Van’s Aircraft RV-10, in Fayette County
near Giddings. Sadly, well-known Austin accountant Mark Ritter,
age 71 – who had been missing for two days – was found dead in
the wreckage.
Now called to a
different duty, solemn, with a heavy heart, the cadets guarded
the gate to the path like sentries at Buckingham Palace. They
had been told to block entrance to that road. It was the
entrance that led to Mr. Ritter and the wreckage. Respectfully,
they did as told and awaited further instructions.
Then the local
authorities arrived and took over security, relieving the
cadets. Their hope of a successful rescue had been dashed, but
they accepted reality. Devastated by the outcome, and drained
from their long hours of service, the cadets filed through the
all-too-familiar doors of the airport terminal building, group
by saddened group. Some would leave right away, others would
stay and continue working with the authorities, in the mission’s
aftermath.
Under the
circumstances, these cadet volunteers had worked extremely well,
and their training in emergency services had paid off
handsomely. Some cadets expressed their feelings of sympathy to
the family members, with whom they shared tears. Our deepest
regrets go out to the family members and all who knew Mark
Ritter. May God bless them and give them strength in their time
of loss.
C/2d Lt Brandii-Re'Ann Davis, Colorado County Composite Squadron |
|
Public Affairs – Mission
08-M-0382 In the News

|
Mission 08-M-9382 In the News, 10-12 March
GIDDINGS
MISSION BASE, TX
– Media coverage is an ephemeral thing.
Radio is so fleeting that by the time it's happened, it's also gone. I
heard many reports of, "I've heard your voice on the radio," but no one
taped the broadcast. Television coverage is somewhat more permanent, and
the links are still active at the time this issue is published. The
stations agreed to let us have a copy of some of the many items they
aired, and they're offered below the online links.
The printed media are more permanent, but even they don't
keep their text articles online for ever. This is why to the right of
the description there is a "Local Link" that accesses locally saved
copies of the articles. No doubt to save online storage space, the
papers tend to create a link to a story and continually over-write it
with the latest version of what's happened, so it's very difficult to
re-create the "paper trail" so it can be viewed from the beginning of
the event, as it was actually reported.
The Information Officer is too busy to worry much about
these details, since the job demands attention to what's happening, the
media who want "in," the callers who want to be heard, the friends and
family who want updates, the mission itself, and the many details that
are always different, from one mission to the next. Therefore, when the
mission is closed and the normal routine reigns once again, many links
once-seen are no longer available. That is the nature of the job.
Thanks to Maj John Ureke, the Incident Commander for the
first half of the mission, I've been able to post videos made available
by the network affiliates, with their permission. Maj Eureke, in
Houston, posted them online so I could download them in Dripping
Springs, near Austin. Thanks, John...
Television
|
The following Internet links may no longer be
available - They open in a separate window/tab |
|
ABC-10 March |
KVUE -TV -Private aircraft
missing near Giddings, 10 March, 2008 - 06:36 pm CDT |
|
CBS-10
March |
KEYE-TV - Missing Austin Pilot, 10 March, 2008 |
|
CBS-10
March |
KEYE-TV - Search for
Central Texas Pilot, 10 March, 2008 |
|
FOX-10 March |
FOX-7 - Missing Plane, 10
March, 2008 |
|
CBS-11
March |
KEYE-TV - Missing Pilot Found Dead, 10 March,
2008 |
|
CBS-11
March |
KEYE-TV - Man Who Found Pilot Talks to CBS 42 |
| The
following video files will always be available
- They open in a separate window/tab |
|
CBS, 10
March Daytime |
KEYE-TV, Ch42, Initial report that a plane is
missing, 10 March 2008. |
|
CBS, 10
March Late Evening |
KEYE-TV, Ch42, Follow-up report
on the missing plane, 10 March 2008. |
|
FOX, 10 March
Morning |
FOX-7 - Initial report on the
missing aircraft, 10 March 2008. |
|
FOX, 10 March
Evening |
FOX-7 - On-site reporting, 10
March 2008. |
| ABC, 10 March
Morning |
KVUE -TV - Initial report on
the missing aircraft, 10 March 2008. |
|
CBS, 11 March Evening |
KEYE-TV, Ch42, Missing plane
found. Mark Ritter confirmed dead, 11 March 2008. |
|
CBS, 11
March Late Evening |
KEYE-TV, Ch42, Interview with
Maj Ogden, observer that found the wreckage, 11 March 2008. |
|
ABC, From
Lockhart |
KVUE -TV - Reporting from
Lockhart, the missing plane's destination, 10 March 2008. |
|
ABC, 11 March Evening |
KVUE -TV - The wreckage is
found and the pilot confirmed dead, 11 March 2008. |
Print
| Left column
links open Internet sites. Right column are local links. All
open in separate window/tab |
|
Man Missing After Plane Disappears |
(NBC) KXAN, 10 March 08, 10:15
am, updated 10:31 pm |
Local Link |
|
Private aircraft missing near Giddings |
(ABC) KVUE, 10 March 08, 6:36
pm |
Local Link |
|
Officials search for missing pilot near Giddings |
Austin American-Statesman, 10
March |
Local Link |
|
Austin pilot, plane missing |
Austin American-Statesman, 11
March |
Local Link |
|
71-Year-Old Pilot Missing Near Giddings |
MSNBC, 11 March, 8:16 am |
Local Link |
|
Search effort continues |
Dallas News,
11 March, 12:01 pm |
Local Link |
|
RV-10 found (was missing in Texas): sad news |
Van's Air Force,
11 March |
Local
Link |
|
Body of Austin pilot found at wreckage of his plane near Giddings |
Austin American-Statesman, 12
March |
Local Link |
|
Officials find body of Austin pilot found near Giddings |
News8Austin, 11 March
|
Local Link |
|
Maxwell Locke & Ritter partner dies in plane crash |
Bizjournals,
11 March
|
Local
Link |
|
Missing pilot, plane found in Lee County |
Brenham Banner,
12 March |
Local
Link |
|
Austin pilot found dead in wreckage of airplane |
(CBS) KEYE-TV,
12 |
Local Link |
|
Search resumes near Giddings for missing pilot |
(ABC) KVUE-TV,
12 March |
Local Link |
|
Local pilot dies in plane crash |
Lockhart Post-Register,
14 March |
Local Link |
Capt Arthur Woodgate, Information Officer |
Public Affairs
–
March DSAREX
 |
DSAREX, 14-16 March
SAN ANTONIO, TX – On the
weekend of 14-16 March,
Texas Wing, Civil Air Patrol
conducted a state-wide
Distributed Search and
Rescue Exercise. Mission
Base was located at Brooks
City Base in San Antonio,
under the command of Major
Randy Russell, Texas Wing
Director of Operations.
Fresh from their recent
mission searching for Austin
businessman Mark Ritter’s
downed airplane, an activity
that stretched over three
days ending on 11 March when
the wreckage was found and
Mr. Ritter’s death
confirmed, CAP members now
trained for a wider event.
Typically, each summer, from
1 to 6 hurricanes threaten
the Texas coast, and some of
them make landfall. This can
result in considerable
damage and disruption.
Mission Base was tasked with
providing command, control
and coordination functions
for participating Texas Wing
members across the state,
who were concentrated on 16
staging areas – from Baytown
to Amarillo, and from
Brownsville to Tyler,
blanketing the full extent
of the State of Texas. They
were to train on specialized
skills that would be
required in case of an
emergency. Although there
was an overall training
plan, each staging area was
allowed to request a
particular set of mission
depending on its members'
task qualification needs.
The staff at Mission Base, based on the
requests issued by each staging area,
started laying out Saturday's activities on
Friday, 14 March. As of noon Saturday, 41
air sorties had been planned, and 16 ground
sorties specified. As the Staging Areas
prepared the necessary documentation and
transmitted these to Mission Base, Mission
Base began to release the sorties. This
process needs to take place in a real
emergency in which a Distributed Mission is
adopted as the best operational solution.
The difference between the current
arrangement and a real mission is subtle.
For the real mission, the Staging Area
Manager has no direct input on what the
mission will be, since tasking would be
decided at Mission Base, based on mission
goals, priorities, and directives from
higher headquarters.
As the air sorties were launched, completed
their mission, and returned to base, the
Launch/Active/Complete cycle was reflected
on the changing contents of the Mission
Board. Maintained on a different board, the
ground sorties are being tracked in like
manner.
Not all 29 planes in Texas Wing were active
for this exercise, since some of our members
were flying them on a real mission –
firewatch. Two years ago, the Civil Air
Patrol spent over 5 months flying firewatch
missions. Nearing the end of the devastating
Texas "fire season," the Civil Air Patrol
was credited with having prevented a
disaster of "catastrophic proportions." Even
so, about 3% of Texas' land mass suffered
fire damage – an area greater than the size
of New Jersey , and not quite that of
Massachusetts'.
On Sunday, it was apparent that the exercise had been a
success. "I'm very pleased with the training this
weekend," said Major Randy Russell, the Incident
Commander at Mission Base. "A lot of good training has
happened across Texas. Also, we've had a large number of
new mission staff assistants train with us, and this has
been very productive," he added.
As of 1100 Sunday, a total of 63 air and 24 ground
missions had been planned. Of these, 42 air and 17
ground missions had been completed, while others were in
progress or about to be launched. In all, 16 aircraft
had been involved in this exercise, out of the 29 planes
in Texas Wing. These airplanes have been crewed by
different personnel, to accomplish the needed training.
Having other airplanes available made it possible to
continue concurrent participation in the firewatch
missions requested by the Texas State Operations Center.
Two years ago, the Civil Air Patrol spent over 5 months
flying similar missions, successfully detecting many
small fires that wouldn't otherwise be extinguished at
that early stage, potentially causing much damage.
Later, the Civil Air Patrol's contribution was
recognized as an "essential part" of the overall Texas
Emergency Plan.
During an exercise, it is not unusual to have real-world
missions assigned to some of the crews, in order to
satisfy the requests of a client agency. This time,
however, the firewatch missions were the only kind
activated, and these were handled by a different command
center.
Throughout the weekend, reports of success in
specialized training kept coming in from the 16 staging
areas. These included ground team tasks, aircrew
qualification, and air-to-ground coordination exercises.
Using a reserved training frequency, the Civil Air
Patrol created over a hundred "downed aircraft" signals
across the State by setting off training Emergency
Locator Transmitters (ELTs) under all terrain
conditions.
For the searchers, flat grassland with little or no
high-tension electrical wires present makes for ideal
conditions and a very quick find. Adding wooded areas,
the search becomes harder. When high-tension lines are
in the proximity, the signal becomes increasingly less
reliable. Add many metal buildings and the electronic
static begins to overwhelm the ELT's familiar beeping.
Wait. There's more. The hill country has been known to
overlay its own dash of complication by having one or
more hills hide the ELT, and surrounding hills provide
an echo as the signal bounces off the side of the other
hills.
In most "difficult" cases, the aircrew are first to find
the location and get a GPS coordinate reading. They
relay this information to the ground team and, if
necessary, circle over the target so the ground team can
use the aircraft as a visual guide to the spot. In this
process, ground teams are key members of the search,
because the aircrew will seldom be able to land and
render aid, while the ground teams are nearby and on
foot already.
When a natural or man-made disaster strikes, CAP members
are ready to provide damage-assessment,
search-and-rescue, evacuee assistance, and any number of
ancillary tasks as requested by the Texas State
Operations Center.
Since at this time firewatch missions dwere not as
numerous as they had been in the past, Texas Wing was
able to use a good many of its assets for training
purposes. Should the firewatch missions require more
than the air assets at Texas Wing's disposal, other
neighboring CAP wings would be called for help, as has
been done in the past.
Emergency services missions are typically tasked by the
Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Missions in
support of other federal agencies – some of which might
be initiated by the Department of Homeland Security –
will be tasked by the Civil Air Patrol’s National
Headquarters.
Capt
Arthur Woodgate, Information Officer |
Public Affairs
–
March DSAREX In the News - 1
 |
DSAREX at Austin Staging Area
in the News, 15 March
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TX – On a
clear and sunny Saturday morning, cadets from the Pegasus and Apollo
Composite Squadrons headed out to work on their UDF skills at the DSAREX
Austin Staging Area. This was routine work for them, but some were a bit
timid because of the KEYE Channel 42 News camera that stared right at
them.
KEYE Channel 42 had gladly agreed to attend the DSAREX at
the TXDOT building on Austin-Bergstrom Airport. While there, after
taking some very good shots of the cadets at work, the TV "team of one"
waited by the tarmac until Lt Col Gordie L. White, commander of the
Legislative Squadron, returned from his mission. As he stepped off the
CAP plane, the TV camera was all set for an interview about the Civil
Air Patrol and its missions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
[1] The TV camera is rolling as the L-Per is being set up.
[2]-[3] The constant beeping of a captured ELT signal is the
background that accompanied the cadet activity scenes. [4] Lt Col
Gordie L. White returns from his mission. [5] Lt Col White
explains what the Civil Air Patrol does. (Photos: C/2d Lt Raphael
Erie)
Although nothing significant had happened during the
DSAREX, the local CBS affiliate wanted to give the public a closer look
at CAP, after Texas Wing's Redcap mission in search for Mr. Mark Ritter,
earlier in the week. This will definitely help spread the word about CAP
and what it’s all about.
No longer will the Civil Air Patrol be a “best-kept
little secret.”
C/2d Lt
Raphael Erie, C/XO, Pegasus Composite Squadron |
Public Affairs
–
March DSAREX In the News - 2
 |
Getting the News Out, 15 March
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TX –
The average CAP member called to a Redcap mission has is relatively
easy, from a time-management point of view. Those who accept the call
gear up, arrive at the appointed place, and when it's over they go home.
Basically, they're left with some laundry work and their memories. Don't
misunderstand me, though. The memories can be a very heavy burden, but
we all share in that.
For an exercise, staff members have time to
do some planning, set things neatly aside, and prepare for their absence
from family and work. But a Redcap, by the very nature of the call, is
always an emergency. When it's over, some staff members have a heavier
administrative burden than others. One of them is the Incident
Commander, who needs to write an After Action Review and fill out,
review, and approve a seemingly interminable amount of forms and routine
reports. The Information Officer, too, usually has much work to do –
putting together all that happened and preparing one or more articles
that, hopefully, will serve two purposes: inform the public and provide
some closure for those affected by the event. The IO's duties can easily
take two or three days past the Redcap's end, if the IO is thorough
about it.
A Redcap is always an emergency, and
emergencies don't ask for permission to pop up. Scheduled training is on
the board, and when it hasn't been canceled, it needs to be planned for
and executed at the appointed time. And here comes the crunch. When the
IO has been on a Redcap that ended late on a Tuesday, and has the
additional duty of being the IO for an exercise starting on that Friday,
the work piles up, since pre-event news releases need to be written,
disseminated, and chased, yet the Redcap work has to be wound down.
During the Redcap, the media had been on a
feeding frenzy, especially the TV channels. As usual, I sent out a
pre-event news release to all media, including the local TV channels. To
my surprise, the CBS affiliate expressed interest in covering the DSAREX.
1.
2.
3.
[1] The author watches from a distance as the
network camera captures the cadets at work. [2] Lt Col Gordie L.
White finally makes it back from his mission, as the camera rolls.
[3] The interview went off very well. (Photos: C/2d Lt
Raphael Erie)
For an
exercise, the IO doesn't really need to be on-site. Under normal
circumstances, the job can be handled well enough using normal
communications channels, so I'd chosen to work the exercise from the
Austin area. If something dramatic happened, I could easily get over to
Mission Base in San Antonio and take care of it. Therefore, when the
Austin CBS affiliate said that they would cover the event if "something
is going to be happening in the Austin area" I was quick to offer them
the Austin Staging Area, at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
The host
unit at the ABIA, Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron, has a competent PAO,
but he would be out of town on business. "Cadet Erie," I asked on the
phone, "What are you doing this Saturday?" When he heard what I had in
mind for him, Cdt Erie jumped at the chance, and his parents readily
gave their permission. This would be a great experience for a young man
who has already done nice work in the Public Affairs area, and has been
published on the Texas press and CAP National News Online. I then got Lt
Col Gordie L. White's schedule for that day, and called the station to
coordinate a time that would get the most coverage with the least
waiting for their TV crew.
Cdt
Erie's article is just above this one.
Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, Information Officer |
|
Public Affairs
–
Hurricane Relief
 |
|
2005 Hurricane Relief Patch
Available Now
|
|
|
The 2005 Hurricane Relief Mission Patch is in. The production sample is at left. If
you want any patches, please send the following info: Name, Full
address, Telephone #, E-mail address (if you want a mailing notice),
Number of patches desired @ $5.00 each, plus a mailing cost of $1.00 per
order (check or money order made out to Irving Composite Squadron) to:
Irving CS
P.O. Box 710068
Dallas, TX 75371-0068 |
|
Orders will be mailed promptly. Project Officer: Lt Col Dietrich P. Whisennand. |
|
| Safety
 |
Some perils of Spring - A reminder
I would
like to remind all that Spring brings more than bluebonnets and nice
temperatures. It also brings thunderstorms and flash flooding, which
often lead to fatalities. Every year, someone attempts to drive through
water rushing over the road, only to be swept off into the maelstrom
–
and
frequently drowned. These fatalities can be so easily avoided...
The
second frequent but avoidable fatalities are usually cadet-aged
adolescents playing in flooded creeks, storm drains, and the like. Just
two weeks ago, a 14 year old and his friend fell into a flooded creek in
Mesquite. One was able to swim to safety, the other one drowned
–
his
body found two days later, after the water had receded.
Beyond
the truncated life were the heartbreak, the irreplaceable loss, and the
wasted resources spent searching on the ground, water and air for two
days. A little safety consciousness can easily prevent such tragedies.
Wm. (Bert) Wilson, SO
Runway Incursions
To help address the problem of runway incursions the FAA co-produced a
DVD in conjunction with the Airline Pilots Association and United
Airlines.
This video focuses on runway safety best practices for commercial
operations at towered and non-towered airports.
Monthly Safety Briefing
Each Squadron is required to provide both a flight safety briefing and a
ground safety briefing each month.
The Sentinel, the national CAP Safety newsletter, should be briefed
as a minimum. Be sure to log it in WMU, too.
Maj Jeff Yevcak, formerly the Randolph AFB safety officer
who was also the Randolph AFB liaison officer to CAP, kindly offered
the following for the month of March, should you want to use them at your
own squadron.
April Flight
Safety Briefing (MS Word document)
April Ground
Safety Briefing (MS Word document) |
| Safety
 |
Group III Member Earns Texas Wing
Safety Officer of the Year
Capt Frank H. Stalling Jr. was the Crusader
Composite Squadron's Deputy Commander for Cadets for a number of years,
and at the same time he had a strong interest in Safety. As the squadron
grew, and positions were rotated among the members, he became the
primary Safety Officer and let me steal the cadets from under him. Now,
this isn't easy, telling all the wonderful things that the cadets think
of Capt Stalling, after I took his place and became the beneficiary of
all the training he'd given them. But I am grateful for his gift.
In the squadron, his generosity is well
known. I know it first-hand, because he really loved working with the
cadets, so I know how difficult it must have been for him to let me take
his place. But that's the way he is. When the cadets, at times, needed
something they could not afford, he would quietly fill their need.
He has always been there to help anyone who
needed to tap into his vast experience. This was the result of 12 years
in the Civil Air Patrol, and he always liked to hit the books,
researching a subject with devotion. He actually put passion into the
job, and he transferred that same enthusiasm to Safety, where his role
as a trainer and advisor is indispensable for all members of the
squadron. He somehow manages to make safety interesting, using straight
language and reaching a very broad audience, from pre-teens on up.
Congratulations, Capt Stalling, on your
recognition. It is well deserved.
Capt Robert Severance III, PAO, Crusader CS |
|
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 |
|
1 March |
S3 and Real Property Reports Due |
Editor |
|
Guest News - Legislative Squadron - TX999

(Unit Emblem Under Development)
(Unit Website Under Development) |
Texas Wing Goes to Washington, 27
February-2 March
WASHINGTON, DC – The Wing Commander, Col Joe R. Smith, and
the Legislative Squadron Commander, Lt Col Gordie L. White,
accompanied by Maj Harriet Smith, visited Washington, D.C.
to attend the Civil Air Patrol's Winter Board of Directors
meeting. One day had been set aside to visit Congressional
members, though it wasn't that simple. Setting up the
meetings with the legislators had taken about a week prior
to that. Legislators' Day aimed at bringing senators and
members of Congress up to date on each wing's contribution
to the State, its citizens, and the Nation.
Congress is a very busy place, and many crucial matters are
planned, discussed, and even settled as the members walk the
long corridors of power. When this is going on, no
photographers are welcome, and the legislators cannot devote
the time to visitors, no matter how important they might be.
If the Civil Air Patrol is in a state of constant readiness,
it could be said that legislators are in a state of constant
time readjustment.
1.
2.
3.
[1] Lt Col Gordie L. White, C/2d Lt Moorman, Col
Joe R. Smith, C/Sgt Ruiz, Maj Harriet Smith, Legislative
Fellow, Michael T. McCaul. [2] Col Joe R. Smith,
Congressman Henry Cuellar, PhD (28th District) [3]
C/2d Lt Moorman, C/Sgt Ruiz, Maj Harriet Smith, Col Joe
R. Smith, Congressman Henry Cuellar, PhD (28th
District), Lt Col Gordie L. White
The Texas delegation was augmented by two CAP cadets they
met there, who welcomed the chance of visiting with high
elected officials – even as spectators. As the Texas Wing
delegates matched the hurried pace of the law-makers, they
did much hand-shaking that resulted in dates for a later
time, some kept, some apologetically broken under the
pressure of the job. Telephones rang constantly, everyone
seemed to walk cell-phone at the ready, lest it rang out of
hearing range in the echoing chambers, the stream of busy
persons working its way back and forth in a ceaseless tide
of footsteps and hushed voices. A sort of neatly ordered
chaos.
4.
5.
6.
7.
[4] Col Joe R. Smith, Congressman John R. Carter
(31st District) [5] C/Sgt Ruiz, Col Joe R. Smith,
Congressman John R. Carter (31st District), C/2d Lt
Moorman, Maj Harriet Smith [6] Col Joe R. Smith,
Congressman Louie Gohmert (1st District) [7]
C/Sgt Ruiz, Maj Harriet Smith, Col Joe R. Smith, C/2d Lt
Moorman, Congressman Louie Gohmert (1st District), Lt
Col Gordie L. White
The week was profitable, much information was exchanged with
great economy of time, accompanied by requests for written
follow-ups, and on occasion a quiet moment was available for
a formal visit at the legislator's office. Mindful of the
value of time, the Texas visitors were brief in their
approach, inviting questions rather than burdening the
listener with endless statistics and facts.
Texas Wing's participation in the assessment and recovery
after Katrina and Rita were well received. As were some of
the details of the current firewatch missions flown for
early detection of wildfires, with mention of the lengthy
firewatch missions of two years ago. Cadet Programs was
always a big hit, and the legislators asked the cadets to
give their impressions and point of view.
Overall, the week flew by and was soon over. Many
friendships were rekindled, new acquaintances made, and
promises of future cooperation extended. In short, many
seeds were sown, hopefully on fertile ground.
Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, PAO, TX-999 |
|
A USAF Chaplain's Guest Commentary

|
Living
with hope
4/17/2006 - LANGLEY AFB, VA -- Living with
hope and confidence is the only way to really live. Everything else is
just “operative,” as we say. Here are three very important questions
that I’m sure you’ve asked yourself many times throughout life:
Who am I? This questions
our identity.
Do I matter? This
questions our importance.
What is my place in life?
This deals with our impact among others.
Do you have a statement of hope and
confidence for your life? A statement of hope and confidence will
summarize a few things for you:
First, it will let you know that your life
does have meaning, and it’s not just a listing of goals. Goals are
temporary, and we should be fixed on what’s eternal.
Second, it will point out that your life
does have direction. Where are you headed in life?
Third, it will define what you believe is
important. It will clarify your values.
Fourth, it will help clarify your role
regarding where you currently are in life. Roles change as our stage in
life changes, but your statement will not change.
Finally, your statement expresses your
unique character, how you have been made in the image of God.
Your statement of hope and confidence
should ask these questions:
What’s the essence of my life?
What is the character of my life?
What will be my contribution in life?
What am I communicating in life?
One day history as we know it will come to
a close, but eternity will go on.
Become a purpose-driven Airman, live life
with hope and confidence.
Chaplain (Capt.) Robert Johnson,
480th Intelligence Wing |
|
Useful Links |
Aviation & more
Aircrew &
Flightline Personnel Training Materials (CAP NHQ)
PAO Resources
Federal & State Resources (DHS, USAF,
Terrorism)
Safety
US Decorations Rack
Builder
–
All military, auxiliary, and civilian decorations
|
|
|
Apollo CS
 |
Commemorative
Air Force Outreach,
1-2 March
BURNET, TX – On
Saturday, 1 March,
two senior members
and one cadet from
Apollo CS, Group
III, Texas Wing went
to the Highland
Lakes Squadron of
the Commemorative
Air Force (CAF), in
Burnet, to see what
kind of assistance
we could give them.
We knew they needed
to prepare
themselves and the
planes for the
upcoming Blue Bonnet
Air Show.
We had intended to
spend 2 hours
helping wherever
they needed us. Upon
arrival, we were
greeted with a
resounding, “Glad to
see you! Thanks for
coming!" Then,
sheepishly, "Now
here's some work...”
The 2 hours came and
went, they
graciously provided
us with lunch, and
we kept right on
working. Well, I
need to make
something clear,
though. I'm not so
sure that you could
call it work, since
it's always our
pleasure to help,
especially when
working on their
C47, the
Bluebonnet Belle.
We spent the day
preparing the belly
of the Belle to
receive a new coat
of paint – we used
Scotch-Brite pads to
scuff up the surface
by hand. After
spending 6 hours at
Burnet, we decided
it was time we got
the cadet back to
Georgetown. "Oh,
you're leaving
already?" they
asked, not unkindly.
Then added, "Could
you possibly find a
crew for Sunday
afternoon?"
1.
2.
3.
4.
[1] Cadet
Jonathan Kokel
quickly became an
expert Stotch-Brite
wielder. [2]
Cadet Libertie
Heavener
follows Cadet
Kokel's lead. [3]
Not to be undone,
Cadet Michael Moody,
the cadet commander,
takes care of his
share of the
horizontal
stabilizer. [4]
Replacing the
landing gear is not
a trivial operation,
especially when
other maintenance is
involved.
And so it was that
on Sunday afternoon
we reported back to
Burnet, this time
with 2 senior
members and 4
cadets. For two of
the cadets, this was
their first trip to
the CAF hangar in
Burnet. It is always
amusing to watch
their expression
when it dawns on
them that, "(Wow!)
This is the
plane we're going to
work on...” I have
to admit, it does
look enormous when
you stand right next
to it.
As always, we told
the CAF members that
we had 2 newbies
with us, so they
were quick to do
"their thing."
During the course of
the day, several CAF
members took the
time to give the
cadets history
lessons on the Belle
– as the cadets kept
working, of course.
Volunteering at your
local Commemorative
Air Force Squadron
is a great way to
learn about the
history of aviation.
Better yet, we get
to talk one-on-one
with the very people
who made that
history. The
Highland Lakes
Squadron of the CAF
has been Apollo’s
"sister squadron"
for almost four
years now, and the
experience they have
provided to the
cadets and seniors
alike will be
something precious
that we'll always
carry with us.
Volunteering at the
CAF also helps keep
the old planes in
the air, so future
generations can
enjoy them.
And, during the Air
Shows, whenever they
see a plane they
have worked on fly
by, the cadets just
beam.
(1st Lt Cheri
Fischler, Commander)
Awards
Evening,
4 March
GEORGETOWN, TX
–
Apollo, on the
brink of losing
members called
to duty at both
Texas Wing and
Group III, had
to act quickly
to recognize
those about to
leave the
Squadron. An
impromptu awards
ceremony was in
order, and it
went off with
the same gusto
as everything
else we do at
Apollo. This is
how you, too,
can do it.
First you
rearrange the
hangar – easy,
we do it
weekly. Then you
decorate – not a
problem, we have
seniors that
regularly make
silk purses out
of sows'
ears. The hard
part is
arranging for
the important
persons to be
recognized to
come just a bit
late, and bring
something to eat
or drink. No one
slides at
Apollo. We all
work according
to what we can
do. And we have
many wonderful
guests and
family members,
without whom we
wouldn’t be
Apollo. Cadet
Moody provided
the evening's
commentary and
comedy. The list
of honored ones
started with
those who had
been there the
longest and were
now leaving the
squadron.
1.
[1] Capt
Len Laws with
his Commander's
Commendation
Award, as 1st Lt
Cheri Fischler
reads the
citation.
Capt Len Laws
had been with
the squadron
since before the
commander, 1st
Lt Cheri
Fischler, took
over. He has
held numerous
jobs and has
always been a
great help with
the cadets and
senior
members. Capt
Laws is the very
best example of
what it means to
be
responsible. He
manages to
juggle a
wonderful family
with the
ever-supportive
love of his
wonderful wife
Deborah. His job
is most
demanding, and
at times
intrudes into
his private
life. A family
and a job are
really enough
work for one
human being, yet
Capt Laws has
never once
ignored or let
down any Apollo
Squadron
member.
Whether it
involved the
plane or
teaching the
cadets, Capt
Laws has always
been there for
us. We needed to
thank him for
that devotion,
and the simple
little
Commanders
Commendation
Award didn't
come even close
to what he
deserved. Capt
Laws, the
squadron thanks
you and
particularly
this AEO. Capt
Laws is now
Stan/Eval
officer for
Texas Wing. I
have every
confidence that
Texas will be an
even safer place
because of this
move. Personally,
I regret to see
Capt Laws go,
but kudos to
those who picked
him for the
job. Awesome
choice.
2.
[2]
Capt John
Benavides
receives his
Commander's
Commendation
Award from 1st
Lt Cheri
Fischler.
Capt John
Benavides has
always been our
Rock. Capt
Benavides also
has a wonderful
family, with two
very
up-and-coming
young sons and a
wife that
supports him
completely. Jennifer
Benavides is the
best at garage
sales, pancake
breakfasts, and
fifth Tuesday’s
"let’s eat at
the squadron"
fun
evenings. Halloween? Jennifer
puts Hollywood
to
shame. Jennifer
stops short when
it comes to
community
service, letting
Capt Benavides
don the BDUs and
combat
boots. The Rock.
Every time we
needed a senior
member to help
with parking,
driving, cooking
(sorry about the
eyebrows, John)
or hauling stuff
from here to
there, Capt
Benavides has
been there.
Not once did
Capt Benavides
fail to show
when
expected. These
qualities are
what I, as the
AEO/Special
Activities
officer
appreciate most
about Capt
Benavides. John,
Community
Service
continued
without you last
week, but it
just wasn’t the
same. But these
things I
mentioned were
not his real job
within the
squadron. Capt
Benavides has
been our
Communications
man
extraordinaire. I
am a firm
believer that
without his
efforts, Central
Texas
communications
wouldn't be what
it is today. He
literally
created a mobile
communication
unit that has
traveled and
been used for
training as well
as mission
support. C/CMSgt
Moody owes Capt
Benavides a
great deal of
his reputation
as a CUL. Without
Capt Benavides,
and his teaching
ability, we
would all be in
a quieter
place. Thank
you, John, for a
great job. Capt
Benavides may be
our loss, but
he's the Pegasus
Composite
Squadron's gain
as their new
squadron
commander.
The rest, I’m
pleased to say,
will stay with
Apollo, not
because some
were not asked
to fill other
positions but
because they
chose to stay at
Apollo.
1st Lt Russell
Salisbury
received a
Commander
Commendation
Award for his
work as the
Apollo
Maintenance
Officer. If it's
broken, give it
to Russell. If
it isn't broken,
give it to
Russell. If it
has wheels, give
it to
Russell. Apollo
received the
Bell County
Composite
Squadron van a
year or so
ago. The reason
we got it was
because it was
on its last legs
and no one would
drive it any
more. Lt
Salisbury took
the van under
his care and we
drive it
everywhere. If
it rattled, he
screwed it in.
If it leaked, he
caulked it. Bad
tires? He
replaced them.
Paint? Done.
Decals? Done.
The van is
closest to my
heart only
because it is
important to me,
who would have
suffered
personally if it
ever got
stranded because
it had broken
down. But the
plane is
Apollo's most
important asset,
and it was
entrusted to him
too. I can’t
imagine anyone
taking care of
or overseeing
the maintenance
of 98913 better
than he. Lt
Salisbury is a
dedicated
officer and it
would be
extremely hard
for our squadron
to replaced
him. I hope no
one offers him
another
position. Forget
it. Lt
Salisbury:
Apollo owes you
big time.
3.
[3]
2d Lt Jason
Badder receives
his Commander's
Commendation
Award from 1st
Lt Cheri
Fischler.
2d Lt Jason
Badder received
a Commanders
Commendation
Award for
supporting his
commander and
other senior
members. Lt
Badder is
Apollo’s DCS and
a very good one
at that. He has
style,
character, and
finesse. He may
speak with a
soft voice, but
you'd better be
hopping when the
conversation is
over. Lt Badder
is an exemplary
officer, the
type of man that
men will
follow. Lt
Badder will send
you the nicest
reminder of just
exactly what
your uniform was
supposed to look
like. Lt Badder
is cool under
pressure, and we
sure have lots
of pressure at
Apollo. Apollo's
heart beats ever
so strongly due
to the
leadership Lt
Badder brought
to us. Thanks,
Jason. It's
great working
with you, and we
look forward to
more of the
same.
4.
[4]
2d Lt Monica
Corley receives
her Commander's
Commendation
award from 1st
Lt Cheri
Fischler.
2d Lt Monica
Corley, Finance
Officer from
Heaven. Lt
Corley has
worked in the
banking field
for many years,
and joined
Apollo for the
sole purpose of
taking on our
financial
woes. Hey, we
have money in
the bank,
now. Lt Corley
keeps us
straight, tells
us to use the
501C3 number
when we buy
something. Her
war cry is,
"Stop wasting
our money!" Lt
Corley also
comes in support
of her very cool
son, Cadet
Stephen
Corley. Lt
Corley stomps
through the
thickets like a
kid. She is
always there to
support the
field trips that
the Robotics
Team takes. She
goes to Midland,
Paris, Burnet,
wherever a
second, third or
even fourth
senior member is
needed, she’s
there. You’d
think Lt Corley
works for the
post office,
instead of the
bank. The Apollo
cadets love her,
and really enjoy
her watchful eye
when they're on
training
missions. Thanks,
Monica. We
couldn’t have
done it without
you. What am I
saying? We just
can't do it
without you!
5.
5]
C/CMSgt Michael
Moody receives
his Commander's
Commendation
Award from 1st
Lt Cheri
Fischler.
C/CMSgt Michael
Moody, what can
I say? I'm
speechless. I
guess the reason
you didn’t write
this is because
you also
received a
Commander's
Commendation
Award. Surely
you would never
boast about your
own
accomplishment. Maybe
you got it for
your clean room?
I'm afraid not.
And not because
your mother and
squadron
commander put
you in for one,
but because of
the work you do
as our Cadet PAO. You
continue to have
us published,
yeah!. Capt
Woodgate would
appreciate a bit
more promptness,
but you’re doing
it and you’ve
done a fine
job.
I can rag on
Cadet Moody
because we
happen to be
somewhat related
[she is his
grandmother -
Editor]. Cadet
Moody, you're a
special cadet in
the Apollo
Composite
Squadron. Not
only do you
write for us but
you do so much
much more. You
help me with my
AE duties. You
are so much
better at
speaking in teen
talk than I am.
Cadet Moody has
the personality
and flair that
this AE
lacks. He and
some of his
wonderful ideas
keep us really
on the
move. Cadet
Moody’s bio is
very impressive
for a cadet 16
years of
age. Although he
did not get an
award for his
communications
efforts, I must
say that I and
his mother, 1st
Lt Fischler, are
so very proud of
the work he does
as Apollo’s CUL. Cadet
Moody is an
awesome person,
even if he won’t
clean his
room. Thank you
Michael, for all
your help and
your dedicated
service to the
position of
Cadet PAO, Comm,
AE support, and
C/CC on top of
all that.
6.
[6]
Cadet Camron
Condrey receives
the squadron
Cadet of the
Year Award from the
cadet commander,
C/CMSgt Michael
Moody.
Cadet Cameron
Condrey received
the squadron's
Cadet of the
Year Award for
all he has
accomplished
during the last
year. No cadet
anywhere, at any
time, has come
further, done
more, tried
harder than
Cadet Condrey. He
is the true
spirit of Civil
Air Patrol and
the Cadet
Program. The
recognition was
greatly
deserved. Way to
go Cameron, we
are very proud
of you!
7.
8.
[7] Cadet
Staff. [8]
Capt Thomas
Adams, the
squadron's new
PAO, with his
daughter Cali.
Last but not
least, the
Apollo
daddies. We have
two that have
bent over
backwards to
help, every
chance they've
got. From
helping coach
the Robotics
Team, helping
with the design
of our largest
hovercraft,
bottle rocket
launcher
creator, buying
us a shedder,
renting us a
trailer to tow
and leave in
Paris Texas for
a week. Not to
mention the
cooking,
cleaning,
decorating,
hauling and
cadet
supporting. A
very special
thanks to Mr.
Leon Kokel and
Mr. Jack Matzen.
And that was our
celebration. We
had a wonderful
evening, because
we have some
wonderful
members and
friends.
(1st Lt Sue
Kristoffersen)
Squadron
Honor Guard
Assists in
Honoring
Aviation
Pioneer, 8 March
GEORGETOWN
MUNICIPAL
AIRPORT, TX – On
8 March at the
Georgetown
Municipal
Airport, the
City of
Georgetown,
friends and
family of H.
“Buz” Landry
held a ceremony
recognizing his
contribution to
the aviation
community in
Central Texas.
The Cadet Honor
Guard of Apollo
Composite
Squadron, Group
III, Texas Wing
started the
ceremony by
presenting the
colors to Mr.
Landry, who was
clearly moved by
this
distinction.
After the
presentation of
the colors, the
crowd made its
way into the
terminal
building for the
formal talks and
unveiling of the
plaque.
The Mayor of The
City of
Georgetown, the
Honorable Gary
Nelson,
presented “Buz”
Landry with a
bronze plaque
for his lifetime
of dedication to
aviation and the
preservation of
aviation
history. “Buz”
was also
referred to as
the “Father of
Aviation for
Georgetown” and
dubbed a Pioneer
of Central Texas
Aviation.
1.
2.
3.
4.
[1] The
Apollo Composite
Squadron Honor
Guard, C/CMS
Michael Moody,
C/MSG Jason
Messner, C/CSM
Davita Heavener
and C/AMN
Libertie
Heavener,
present the
colors to Mr.
"Buz" Landry.
[2] The
Mayor of the
City of
Georgetown, the
Honorable Gary
Nelson (left)
praises "Buz"
Landry (right).
[3]
Apollo cadets
during the
"Buz" Landry
presentation.
[4] Mr.
"Buz" Landry
looks at the
plaque honoring
him ("So many
years...")-
(Photos: Capt
Thomas Adams)
Mr. Landry was
born in rural
Texas during the
depression, and
always had his
eyes looking up
at the sky. He
first soloed at
the age of 16,
and has been
flying ever
since. He flew
the first
commercial plane
in Georgetown,
and owned Landry
Flying Service
for many years.
He still flies
out of
Georgetown and
calls the
airport his
home.
(Capt Thomas
Adams)
|
Squadron Commander Under Jail Sentence, 20 March
GEORGETOWN, TX
–
On 17 April I will be jailed for the Muscular Dystrophy
Association. To make me realize how serious this is, they
gave me a taste of it (see picture). It isn't fun. So please visit the below web page and help me
post my bail!
https://www.mdaevent.org/ParticipantInfo.aspx?j=933b89e0-4ea0-4c0a-b1a3-b96a23b4d150
-
-
-
Help send a kid with MD to summer camp.
The MDA
and I
Thank
You!
(1st
Lt Cheri
Fischler,
Commander) |
|
|
Crusader CS
 |
Aerospace Education Fun, 11 March
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX
–
At the
regular meeting on 11 March 2008 the Crusader Composite
Squadron cadets and seniors participated in an aerospace
education activity prepared by Capt Carolyn Bitner and Lt
Col James Warneke.
Lt Col Warneke, a former air
traffic controller and trainer, gave an informative
presentation on the history of the DFW terminal control
area. Next, Capt Bitner, a Frasca FTD instructor
at the Aviation Simulator Lab, Mountain View College,
divided the group into teams and
gave them a list of coordinates to look up on aeronautical
charts.
The points to be identified included
locations ranging from airports and sewage treatment plants
at one end of the scale, and water towers at the other end. It was
like an Easter egg hunt and all the groups were competing
for bragging rights on who could find the most in the
quickest time.
Photos: visitor (and prospective member) Lauren Hosea.
Capt Bitner said, "There really wasn't a winner. I think
all had fun; best of all, the cadets learned how to read an aviation
map in an entertaining atmosphere instead of a dry class."
In fact, to judge by the results, the cadets' hands-on work
was quite good.
(Capt Robert Severance III)
Promotion Night, 4 March
On the evening of Tuesday, March 4 during the
monthly Awards and Promotions Ceremony, squadron
member Kevin D. Reno was promoted to Captain. This
promotion was a little different from others. After
the squadron commander, Lt Col Roy D. Hill,
presented the updated Membership Card and approved
promotion paperwork, Kevin was surprised and
delighted that two of his first flight students from
1976, currently CAP Members, "pinned" the new rank
insignia on his uniform.
The story spans over 30 years of friendship between
the three CAP members. In the mid 1970's, Kevin was
a new flight instructor and had volunteered as a
leader for a Christian boys' group, the
Royal Rangers. This group, which is very similar
to the Boy Scouts, was founded by the Assemblies of
God Church in 1962, who has supported it since then.
CAP Senior Member Douglas S. Hosea, a new member of
the Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadron, and
Major Russell Miller, Deputy Commander of the
Crusader Composite Squadron, were members of the
Royal Rangers and had joined the newly formed "Air
Ranger" group at "Fort Oak Cliff" Royal Rangers in
1976. Kevin had volunteered to give flight
instruction to the new Air Rangers.
The result was that Doug Hosea, his twin brother
David (a CAP Group Commander in Kansas City, KS),
and Russell Miller all soloed under Kevin's
instruction. David and Russell continued their
flight training and earned FAA Pilot's Licenses,
while Doug joined the Army National Guard. After
several years in the Guard, Doug was selected for
Helicopter School at Ft Rucker, Ala. and received
his wings in the Army National Guard. He later flew
UH-1 "Huey" and CH-47 "Chinook" helicopters. Doug
retired from the Army National Guard about 10 years
ago, after 20 years of service, and has recently
joined CAP to continue service to his country and
community.
This story of friendship and service is unique in
that it spans over 30 years, and it was now the
students' turn to honor their instructor. Kevin
Reno's generous volunteerism over 30 years ago
resulted in three CAP pilots that are now returning
their service to the country and community through
the Civil Air Patrol. Flying cadet orientation
flights, firewatch missions, disaster relief, Redcap
search and rescue missions, and training others. All
of these made possible by Kevin's labors in the
1970's.
Since this ceremony, both Kevin and Doug have been
qualified as Mission Scanner Trainees. We wish them
well with their aircrew member training!
|
|
Dallas CS
 |
A Visit to Sheppard
Air Force Base, 14 March
WICHITA FALLS, TX
–
Awesome. Fabulous. Excellent. Those adjectives apply to the trip
that the Dallas CS cadets took to Sheppard Air Force Base on March
14. Eight cadets and five senior members joined the trek to Sheppard
during Spring Break, and it was well worth it. Arriving just in time for
lunch, the group was greeted by Lt Col Ternell Washington
–
whose call sign is Taz
– who took us
to “Speed Brake”, a café frequented by pilots. From there, we
went into a nearby conference room to see some videos. The first one
gave us an overview of Sheppard, where pilots are trained to fly at up
to 420 knots, 500 ft off the ground. This was followed by two videos
demonstrating the effects of G-force.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
[1]-[2]
In the Altitude
Chamber. [3]
How heavy is that
pack? [4]
C/CMSgt Patrick in the
Bárány chair. [5]
C/Tsgt Kaplor in the
Bárány chair.
Next, the group was taken
to the Aerospace Physiology building. There, all the cadets entered the
altitude chamber and were told how it was used. Then, it was on to the
Bárány chair, where two cadets were used to demonstrate its training
value. Named after Austrian physiologist Robert Bárány, this device is
used to demonstrate spatial disorientation and emphasize the need to
rely on flight instruments at all times. Robert Bárány used this chair
to research the role of the inner ear in our sense of balance,
scientific work that earned him a Nobel prize in 1914.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
[6]
C/A1C Carlson looking
at surroundings in the T38 simulator. [7]
C/SrA Rains flying the
T38 simulator. [8]
C/SSgt Cathcart brings
the T38 in for a landing in the simulator. [9]
Never trust a senior
member at the controls of a T38. This is what it looks like when it
crashes. [10]
All smiles coming out
of the T38 simulators. With 1LT Nick Jurewicz. [11]
C/Amn Expose modeling
the latest in G-suit wear.
Then it was on to the
simulators, where the group stopped by to view an AF pilot training in
the T6A simulator, before going on to the highlight of the day, the T38
simulators. There, each cadet and some of the senior members took off,
flew, and (mostly) landed a T38 in the simulator under the direction of
two December graduates of flight school, 1LT Nick Jurewicz and 2LT John
Ethredge.
12.
13.
14.
15.
[12]
A T38 coming in for a
touch-and-go. [13]
On the flightline
tower steps. [14] The
group stands by a T6. [15] Many
were interested about the T37.
The group then went into a
flight preparation building, where we were shown the pilots’ flight
equipment, an experience that included a cadet donning a G-suit for a
demonstration. Following that, we boarded a bus that went out on the
flight line, where the group disembarked and stood watching newer pilots
engaging in touch-and-go flight at the controls of T38 aircraft. On the
return trip from the flight line, the bus stopped so that the group
could look up close at the planes on the tarmac: T6’s, T37’s, and T38’s.
16.
17.
18.
19.
[16]
C/Amn Lippas by a T38.
[17]
C/AB Brumett by a T38.
[18]
Senior members on the
deck of the flight tower. [19]
The end of the day,
with an abundance of smiles.
The day came to an end with
a tour of the tower, followed by the journey home that was filled with
talk about the day. Everyone was very impressed. All in all, we spent
six hours deep in the world of pilot training at Sheppard Air Force
Base. Taz proved to be an excellent tour guide and source of
knowledge, and the entire group left the installation grateful for his
time, insight and courtesy.
(2d Lt Sue
Cathcart) |
|
Gladewater Corsair CS
 |
The Squadron Takes to the Fields During the DSAREX,
15-16 March
GLADEWATER, TX – The Texas Wing of Civil Air Patrol held a Distributed
Search and Rescue Exercise (DSAREX) on 14-16 March, 2008. With Mission
Base located in San Antonio, the training scenario provided Staging
Areas that would permit CAP member participation all over the State of
Texas. The Tyler Composite Squadron volunteered to be a Staging Area
(SA), and provide training for other local squadrons, including aircrew
, mission base, and ground team training.
The aircrews were assigned several sorties during which they practiced
photo-reconnaissance, locating an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)
and working with a Ground Team.
Ground training included dispatching a Ground Team from the Tyler SA
with instructions to proceed to Chandler and await further instructions.
The Team was led by Cadet Master Sergeant John Shanahan and included
Cadets and Seniors Members (both specialty rated and trainees) from
squadrons headquartered in Tyler and Gladewater. The Team had been on
the road about 15 minutes when we received a recall notice on the
radio. It turned out that records-checking with the CAP National
database were returning inaccurate results. Four of the Team Members’
qualifications were questioned and had to be checked before the Team
could continue on the mission. It took some time, but the Team moved out
again, minus two members whose qualifications could not be verified.
As the Team hadn't gone out until about 1130, arriving in Chandler at
lunchtime, it seemed like a good idea to stand by in the Taco Bell
parking lot for further instructions. As reported to the SA, the Team
was "standing by at Tango Alpha Charlie Oscar Bravo Echo Lima Lima.”
Yum! After sampling the local fare, and three “situation normal” radio
calls to the SA, the Team received a message to stand by for further
instructions from an aircraft. Soon after that, a CAP aircraft searching
an assigned grid location radioed the Team and directed us to proceed to
Martins Mill, Texas. The aircraft had detected an ELT signal and was
attempting to locate it, while the Team was en-route.
Upon our arrival at Martins Mill, the team parked the van and contacted
the aircraft to report our arrival. A few minutes later, we sighted the
aircraft and directed it by radio to the Team’s location. We requested
the aircraft to circle the target location, but were told that an exact
location had not been determined yet. The Team was then instructed to go
out on its own to locate the ELT while the aircraft returned to the
Tyler SA.
1.
2.
[1] Finding the CAP Aircraft. [2] Assembling the L-Per
We assembled the L-Per and immediately detected the ELT signal. The
Ground Team Leader took a bearing on the signal and we moved out in that
general direction. We quickly reached an area where we needed to leave
the road and proceed across a pasture. We were told that permission to
enter the property had been secured, so we crossed the fence and
followed the ELT signal. Some time later, after crossing an additional
fence, we encountered a small stream that we crossed easily. As we
re-assembled to take a new bearing on the signal and move out, we
received a radio call from the van that we were to leave the property
immediately. The field that we had entered was not the one that we had
permission to cross, so we returned to the road.
3.
4.
5.
[3] Moving Out to Search. [4] Looking for a way to cross
the stream. [5] Returning to the road from after having gone to
the wrong field.
After moving further up the road, we confirmed permission to enter
another property and crossed the fence line. Upon taking a new bearing,
we struck out again across a broad, open pasture. As we reached another
fence line, the Team Leader requested a new bearing. The L-Per appeared
less than accurate, but our Team Leader decided to proceed on the
bearing that produced the strongest signal. We went up a hill towards a
house and outbuilding. Once there, we took another L-Per reading and got
what appeared to be a very strong signal. It was so strong that we were
able to use the “no antenna, body block” technique to track it. Although
the signal was strong, it was still a bit confusing as it sent us out
searching in a number of different directions, all without success.
6.
[6] Going up the hill leading to the right field.
We re-attached the antenna and a new bearing sent us behind the house
and down a hill in a “new” direction. Here, the landscape was very
different from the rather pleasant, open fields. We now had to deal with
very heavy brush, briars, trees and swamp. It was so overgrown, that the
Team Leader directed a Team member to start marking our trail. We made
our way through this difficult terrain until reaching a fence line with
a stream and a great deal of swampy area beyond. Our previous L-Per
bearing would have taken us around this area and beyond.
A new L-Per reading suggested we should be moving in a different
direction – back toward the house we had just left behind. The Team
Leader decided to return to the house and start off again. The Team
passed the house and continued down the hill to the field where we got
the first “suspicious” reading on the L-Per. Now, taking a new reading
in the field, it seemed that we had to continue along the fence line on
the edge of the field. Shortly thereafter, we found the target. The
Ground Team leader reported the find to the SA and we were told to
return for debriefing and end-of-mission dismissal.
Tyler personnel participating in the Ground Team included 1st Lt Choya
Shanahan (van driver and communicator), C/MSgt John Shanahan (Ground
Team Leader), C/SrA Gonzalo Fernandez and C/Amn Ephan Koen. From
Gladewater, Capt Harold Parks, C/CMSgt Jarrod Alexander, and C/Amn
Austin Cheatham.
7.
8.
9.
[7] Target located. [8] Reporting the find. [9] The
Ground Team. (L-R) C/CMSgt Alexander, C/MSgt Shanahan, C/SrA Fernandez,
C/Amn Cheatham, C/Amn Koen (kneeling). Not show: Capt Parks, Lt.
Shanahan.
Lessons learned:
| 1. |
Be
absolutely certain that the property you are about to enter
is the one for which permission has been granted.
|
| 2. |
If
possible, bring along more than one L-Per on the sortie
(though only one should ever be used so long as it provides
good readings) in case a back-up is needed. |
| 3. |
The members of the two squadrons
integrated seamlessly for the mission, indicating that
standardized training provided within each squadron served
to get everyone trained for the job. |
(Capt Harold Parks, Commander)
|
|
Kittinger Phantom SS
 |
DSAREX, 14-16 March
AUSTIN STAGING AREA, TX – The
Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron (TX 352) was the host unit for the
Austin Staging Area during the Distributed Search and Rescue Exercise,
14-16 March, functioning from the Austin-Bergstrom Airport, Texas
Department of Transportation's Air Services building. From this Staging
Area, CAP aircrews and ground crews practiced search and rescue
techniques that, among others, included a practice ELT find near the
Smithville Airport. Participating local units included the Pegasus and
Apollo Composite Squadrons, as well as the Legislative Squadron, Texas
Wing with aircraft CAP 4233 and CAP Flt 4221.
The originally planned two aircraft became a single plane, when one of
them was called upon to fly a firewatch mission for the Texas State
Operations Center. After his mission on Saturday, Lt Col Gordie L.
White, Legislative Squadron commander, provided an on-camera interview
for the Austin CBS affiliate, KEYE-TV Channel 42 providing insights into
the benefits of training exercises such as this one. "We train as we
work," he said.
During this event, CAP aircrews flew 5 sorties for approximately 7-1/2
hours flying time, while two ground teams practiced their search and
rescue techniques. 1st Lt Cheri Fischler, Apollo Composite Squadron
commander, provided needed updates in the WMU and IMU, an important
administrative task. These are online applications used to keep track of
all mission details, and the data are available for viewing at all
levels of the Civil Air Patrol.
1st Lt Thomas Fowler, Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron, developed a fax
cover sheet, complete with checklist and a forms package that aircrews
and ground crews could use to document their missions. This
exercise-specific fax cover sheet displayed AUSTIN STAGING AREA across
the top, and the number of pages included in the transmission, as an aid
to recipients when tracking incoming fax information. The forms package
included a CAP Form 104, an ORM worksheet, an air sorties tracking
sheet, and weight and balance calculation sheet, along with key Incident
Command Post phone numbers for ready reference.
The exercise also provided valuable training opportunities for several
candidates working towards mission pilot and mission observer
qualifications. In addition, Capt Steve Barclay, Capt John Benavides
(Pegasus CS commander), and Senior Member David Rogerson provided
training in communications. In addition to normal ground-to-air
communications, in many instances the Austin Staging Area communications
team also provided message relay capabilities.
The exercise concluded with two sorties on Sunday.
(Lt Col George Mihalcik) |
|
Mesquite Blacksheep CS
 |
Group III 2007 Squadron of the Year,
1 March
MESQUITE,
TX – On 1
March 2008, the Mesquite Black Sheep Composite Squadron was
selected the Group III 2007 Squadron of the Year. In
addition, Group III also recognized three senior members for
excellence in their specialty tracks.
The Group III 2007 Communications
Senior Member of the Year was 1st Lt Toby Buckalew, who
conducts regular Basic Communications User Training and
Advanced Communications User Training classes.
Lt Col Mike Eberle, squadron commander, said, "1st Lt
Buckalew has proven proficiency in network wiring and
antenna and cabling installation. In addition, he was chosen
for the initial cadre for the new ARCHER system, or Airborne
Real-Time Cueing Hyperspectral Enhanced Reconnaissance, a
passive sensor system that can look for specific spectral
signatures of objects being sought during airborne search
and rescues."
Group III 2007 Cadet Programs Officer of the Year went to
1st Lt J. M. Coffman, a former Black Sheep cadet from 1986
to 1993. “After September 1st, 2001,” said 1st Lt Coffman,
“after much thought, I decided that dedicating myself to
helping develop our future leaders was one of the most
important things I could do for my country." Of the award,
1st Lt Coffman said, "I am grateful for the honor, but it is
impossible to single out any one person for our programs'
success. It is a team effort, and my staff deserves just as
much credit, if not more.”
Each week, 1st Lt Coffman oversees the squadron's cadet
program and encourages the cadets to find their own
limitations, overcome them, and move on to the next. “He created and
continually updates a comprehensive handbook covering
squadron cadet policies and procedures. It provides detailed
guidance for the conduct of our cadet program,” said Lt Col Eberle.
1.
2.
3.
[1] In June 2007, C/CMSgt Brittany Stelting
participated in the squadron’s annual Flag Day ceremony.
[2] C/CMSgt Andrew Smith interacted with prospective
members at the pre-Fourth of July, 2007 Celebration in Balch
Springs, Texas. [3] November of 2007 saw the squadron
taking part in the Dallas Veteran’s Day Parade.
The prestigious Group III 2007 Senior Member of the Year
award went to 1st Lt Opal McKinney, the squadron’s Cadet
Activities Officer, Transportation Officer, and Assistant
Test Control Officer. She also supervises cadets involved in
Honor Guard activities. “The Black Sheep Composite Squadron
is where my heart is,” said 1st Lt McKinney. “I feel like we
have the best squadron.”
“1st Lt McKinney’s tireless support of Cadet Program
activities at all levels is second to none,” said Lt Col
Eberle. “She has also participated in several Search and
Rescue Exercises both as mission staff and mission scanner.”
Group III has 16 squadrons and approximately 750 members.
Out of these 16 squadrons, the Mesquite Black Sheep
Composite Squadron became officially recognized as the 2007
Squadron of the Year.
Lt Col Owen Younger, Group III Commander, said, "The
squadron was selected for excelling in each of Civil Air
Patrol’s three missions, which are emergency services, cadet
programs, and aerospace education."
“I am exceedingly proud of all our squadron members,” said
Lt Col Eberle. “Being selected Group III 2007 Squadron of
the Year is a testament to our members' hard work. I am
privileged to lead this outstanding group of senior members
and cadets without whom the Mesquite Black Sheep Squadron
wouldn't exist.”
(1st Lt Kelly Castillo)
Squadron Ground Team Reaches Crashed Plane, 9-11 March
GIDDINGS, TX – On 10-11 March
2008, the Mesquite Black Sheep Composite Squadron, Group
III, Texas Wing played an active role in an emergency search
and rescue mission of Mr. Mark Ritter, a prominent Austin
accountant.
Taking part in the search and
rescue efforts were 1st Lt Opal McKinney, TFO Rebecca
McKinney, and C/MSgt Matthew Garcia.
“We had ground teams that came from Houston, Brownsville,
and Georgetown,” said 1st Lt McKinney.
Mark Ritter’s plane had left the
airport in Brenham, Texas, and was headed towards the
Lockhart Municipal Airport, 28 miles south of Austin. His
Van’s Aircraft RV-10 four-seater airplane had been reported
missing on Sunday, 9 March.
“Until Monday mid afternoon,”
said 1st Lt Opal McKinney, “the rainy weather and low
ceiling kept CAP planes on the ground.”
The Department of Defense radar had reported the pilot’s
last known location as east of the town of Giddings, Texas.
When the weather cleared late Monday afternoon, the Civil
Air Patrol flew a few sorties. Five aircraft searched the
area on Tuesday.
About 11 am Tuesday, a
Department of Public Safety helicopter took two CAP
observers to conduct a low-altitude search. Shortly before
noon, the aircrew reported seeing a shiny object in a region
10 miles east of Giddings and relayed the GPS location to
Mission Base. Upon landing on an adjacent field and
inspecting the wreckage, they confirmed the find.
The area covered by the ground
team involved about 50 square miles of heavily wooded
terrain. “It wasn’t easy,” said TFO McKinney, referring to
the role played by the ground teams, “but the more people
you can have on a ground team, the more ground you can
cover.” (At left, 1st Lt Opal McKinney and C/MSgt Garcia.
Photo: TFO Rebecca McKinney.)
After receiving the GPS
coordinates from the helicopter, the ground team’s cadets
were posted at the entry gate to the property and told to
let no one by, as the media and a sheriff’s car arrived.
Then the ground team’s senior members took a sheriff’s
escort onto private property where they verified the
location of the missing aircraft and dead pilot.
“Three Federal Aviation
Administration cars showed up while I was guarding the gate
to the property,” said C/MSgt Garcia, who can be seen
guarding the gate on the CBS affiliate station KEYE TV
Channel 42
newsclip.
(1st Lt Opal McKinney)
Promotions, 17 March
MESQUITE,
TX – On 17 March 2008,
two cadets of the Black Sheep Composite Squadron, Group III,
Texas Wing were promoted.
1.
2.
[1] C/Amn Garrett Porter
[2] C/A1C Matt Phoenix.
Cadet Garrett Porter was
promoted to Cadet Airman, while Cadet Matt Phoenix was
promoted to Cadet Airman First Class.
Lt Col Michael Eberle, the squadron commander, encouraged
all cadets to always continue studying for their next rank.
To paraphrase the immortal words of Sir Winston Churchill,
England's former Prime Minister, “Never, never, never give
up.”
(1st Lt Kelly Castillo)
|
|
Pegasus CS
 |
UT
Explore, 1 March
AUSTIN, TX – On Saturday, March 1st, a sea of eager children, ages 6-12,
crowd around the Civil Air Patrol aerospace booth. All of them are
excited about the prospect of making their own rockets. Some wait thirty
minutes or even longer just to get the chance of making a Goddard rocket
(that they get to keep). It is a joy to watch the children's imagination
blast off just as their rubber-band powered rocket does. Rather than a
small toy, to them, it brings visions of smoke and fire spewing out from
the end of the rocket as it soars ever higher into the sky. They laugh,
giggle, and shout as the rocket takes a short flight that they imagine
to be endless, and they feel themselves dressed in a space suit.
This special occasion was the UT Explore event, hosted by the
University of Texas. Known as “The Biggest open house in Texas”, UT
Explore allows different organizations to set up booths, each
offering fun-filled and educational activities for everyone to enjoy.
Although the event had been scheduled to start at 1100, members from the
Pegasus Composite Squadron arrived around 1000 and started setting up
the booth. Even at that early time, there were many families who
enthusiastically participated in the “Alternative Energy Rocket
Building” activity.
The Pegasus Composite Squadron saw this as an opportunity to not only
provide the community with an entertaining activity, but also as a
valuable recruitment tool. Most of the children there were not old
enough to join CAP, but many of their parents were quite interested in
the program and were willing to consider it for their children's future.
Once Cadet Airman Shannon, the squadron's star recruiter, would finish
explaining about CAP, most of the parents would turn to their children
and remark, “This would be good for you” or, “This looks like a lot of
fun.”
1.
2.
3.
[1] Pegasus cadets assist in making Goddard rockets. [2]
C/2d Lt Ryan Pope and C/Amn Austin Lowry explain how to make the
rockets. [3] C/AiC Shannon mans the CAP recruiting booth.
While the event was scheduled to end at 1700, the squadron's booth ran
out of supplies for rocket making, and this forced early closure. The
squadron had underestimated how popular the activity would turn out to
be, all day long. All in all, the day was an overall success, thanks to
all the cadet volunteers. Special thanks are due to Cadet Capt. Richard
Pope Jr. who got the squadron approved for participation and obtained
all the needed supplies.
After a very successful day, everyone went home pleased in the knowledge
that they had provided an unforgettable memory for many children.
Participating in the event were Maj Richard Pope, 1st Lt Mark Petrosky,
C/MSgt Robbie Petrosky, C/Amn Austin Lowery, C/CMSgt Rand Fowler, C/Amn
Lance Shannon, C/Capt Richard Pope Jr., C/2d Lt Ryan Pope, C/Amn Caleb
Gross, and C/2d Lt Raphael Erie. The group was particularly grateful to
the parents of C/Amn Gross for being there and bringing everyone pizza
(it was delicious!).
(C/2d Lt Raphael Erie)
DSAREX (Synergistic Communications) - 14-16 March
AUSTIN STAGING AREA, TX – The Distributed Search And Rescue Exercise (DSAREX)
at the Austin Staging Area, based at the Texas Department of
Transportation Flight Services facility, home of the Kittinger Phantom
Senior Squadron, during the weekend of 14-16 March, had a familiar look,
but a totally different feel. It crackled with synergy! Was this a new
source of power? No, but it did call for a unique blend of resources and
conditions. Synergism can be defined as the interaction of discrete
agencies (as in squadrons) such that the total effect is greater than
the sum of the individual agency resources. Three CAP squadrons came
together with the single purpose of conducting the search and rescue
exercise mission as a single unit, and making the most out of training
opportunities in the air and on the ground.
First at bat was ground radio communications. The mobile radio
equipment, delivered by Apollo Composite Squadron, was immediately
swarmed by the communication B's – Capt Steve Barclay (Kittinger-Phantom),
Capt John Benavides (Pegasus) and C/SSgt Justin Benavides (Apollo) made
short work of setting up antennas on the roof and a communications
center in the flight services break-room. What made this set-up unique
were the ten 250-lb-pull magnets that Capt Steve Barclay had acquired to
anchor the 90-foot folded-dipole to the facility's metal roof. It
worked, and communications were up!
Next, with planes from Apollo and Kittinger, aircrews took to the air
and reported their status like clock-work. They smoothly adjusted
sorties, even when the Apollo asset was tasked with a firewatch
mission. On the ground, Granbury Staging Area picked up the slack and
became the central relay hub, as atmospheric conditions conspired
against San Antonio Mission Base. It provided some real insight into the
flexibility and teamwork that successful radio communications require.
For the final component, ground teams from Apollo and Pegasus were able
to deploy and do ELT ground searches, both on their own and with
airborne support. It was awesome to be part of the communications,
cooperation, and collaboration that created the synchronization and
unification of what could otherwise have been a collection of separate
events.
After the ground teams returned to the Austin Staging Area, the look on
the face of one of the newest cadets said it all. “Wow, what an
experience!”
(Capt John Benavides, Commander)
CTEP and STEP, 28-30 March
AUSTIN, TX – Pegasus Composite Squadron hosted CTEP and STEP at Camp
Mabry on 28-30 March. Camp Mabry is a nearly-ideal location to host
these training programs, thanks to its central location, ease of access,
and suitable buildings. Once again, Project Officer Lt Col Dawn King, a
Pegasus member, managed preparations and directed the program.
"I've been managing CTEP events for eight years," she said. "It's quite
common for Austin CTEPs to draw cadets from distant states, and this
event is no exception. A cadet flew in from Arizona, while three
attendees drove from Oklahoma to take advantage of the opportunity to
build their skills and connect with like-minded members."
PT was a daily occurrence.
Lt Col King explained that CTEP and STEP build value in the individuals
that attend. She described how the following specialized schools
comprise CTEP:
-
Non-Commissioned Officer’s Academy (NCOA) is the first step towards
responsibility in the Cadet Program.
-
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer’s Academy (SNCOA) prepares the cadet
for greater responsibility as a cadet NCO.
-
Officer Training School (OTS) is designed to teach cadet officer
skills.
-
Cadet
Command Staff College (CCSC) is the highest level of training
available to cadets.
-
Senior Training and Education Program (STEP) complements all of the
above, by training senior members on how to mentor cadets.
The cadet students were particularly eager to get started and do things
right form the moment they arrived for check-in Friday evening. Col King
noted “I knew right away that this would be a good CTEP, because of the
orderliness of the cadets as they filed into registration.” She said
that the 96 registered cadets were an indication of how popular the
Pegasus’ Camp Mabry CTEP events have become. She was also happy about
the 17 Senior Members attending STEP, in addition to the 18 staff
members that worked tirelessly to make every aspect of the program a
success.
Nothing like PT to develop a healthy appetite.
Capt Jerry Rowley, commander of Sam Houston Composite Squadron in
Huntsville, TX, stressed the importance of CTEP, which he used to create
positive change in his squadron. Specifically, “Cadets know that they
will assume more responsibility as they progress through the ranks but
they don’t know how to manage those responsibilities,” he said. “CTEP
teaches them how”.
Drilling outdoors was an important part of training. There was much of
this during the weekend.
Captain Rowley also mentioned how CTEP becomes a very desirable
credential on a cadet's resume. "I place great value on the camaraderie,
as cadets make friends within the state and beyond," he said. “These
cadets will see their new friends again and again at future training
events.”
A visit to the Texas Armed Forces Museum is always a great hit.
C/Lt Col Brad Cilino, the lead instructor of the OTS, supports Captain
Rowley’s views. “These cadets are either in college or preparing for
college,” he said. “OTS is very timely because the training centers on
skills that are particularly applicable to college and professional
life”. As an instructor, he described how he enjoys “paying back into
the program that helped me.” He also highlighted how adaptable the class
has proven to be, mentioning how smoothly some necessary schedule
changes were accomplished.
The more they drilled, the better they got.
Kenneth and Linda Poe of Llano, TX volunteered their understanding of
the value and essence of Civil Air Patrol and its training programs. The
parents of C/TSgt Troy Poe of Kerrville Composite Squadron, they have
seen some very positive changes in their son, both in attitude and
performance. Cadet Poe attended the SNCOA program during this weekend.
Kenneth and Linda describe how CAP dovetails with everything Cadet Poe
is about. They explained how he has become more organized and
disciplined in setting and attaining his goals. For instance, he has
targeted Sam Houston State University and the Coast Guard Academy for
his higher education. He is also on the 4-H rifle team, which enabled
him to attain the highest award for marksmanship at Camp Swift’s Winter
Encampment. Earlier this month, Cadet Poe attended the Cadet Competition
at Camp Mabry as an alternate for the Lackland Color Guard team. In
addition, Cadet Poe volunteers his time at the Llano airport, and often
gets rewarded with free flight time.
To the Poes, Civil Air Patrol and training are synonymous. They have
been to Camp Mabry many times, and plan to continue making the trip for
future training events. Kenneth said, "We drive 35 miles each way to our
squadron meetings. That should tell you the priority we place on
CAP.” He also confided that Cadet Poe feels strongly that, “Civil Air
Patrol should be offered in every high school”.
CTEP graduation is such a relief to all, and a moment of pride for those
singled out for excellence.
After the CTEP graduation ceremony, I met with C/SrA Caleb Gross from
Pegasus. He is relatively new to CAP, but has progressed very
quickly. This time, Cadet Gross earned the NCOA Honor Cadet Award. I
asked Cadet Gross to describe how he managed to earn such an
honor. "Simple," he said. “First, I listened to all instructions very
carefully. Second, I did my very best to follow the instructions
exactly. And third, I helped other cadets in any way that I could.”
Cadet Gross described how the CTEP coursework focuses on leadership
skills and traits. He also validated Captain Rowley’s views by
describing how he is ready to take back to the squadron all that he
learned at CTEP, and put it into practice.
But it wasn't all work for Cadet Gross. He also found CTEP to be a lot
of fun. He enjoyed being Flight Sergeant for the Senior Members in
STEP. “I had some time to watch them drill, so I noticed their mistakes.
I think I helped them a lot,” he said, sheepishly. “Now I’m looking
forward to next week’s O-flights at Bergstrom”.
My interview with C/SrA Gross completed the circle. I had met with CTEP
officers, staffers, parents, and attendees. Their views of CTEP at Camp
Mabry were overwhelmingly positive. All of this was made possible by the
training team:
(1st Lt Mark Petrosky) |
|
Waxahachie Talon CS
 |
Rocketry
Day, 13 March
WAXAHACHIE, TX – Five.
Four. Three. Two. One. Blast off! On 13 March 2008, the Waxahachie
Talon’s cadet staff decided to do things a little bit different for
their aerospace education week.
C/Cpt Ben Josse arrived prepared with his rocket launcher, as well as
supplies needed to make the rockets. While C/CMSgt Phil Lambert filled
the air tank with compressed air, C/CMSgt Sara Heitzmann, a member of
the Red Oak Cadet Squadron, began her class on how to make a rocket
using only a sheet of paper, an empty water bottle, glue, and a cup-full
of water. Once the cadets had finished assembling their rockets,
everyone went outside to launch them, and watch each other's success ...
or failure.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
[1] C/CMSgt Rachel Scarborough demonstrates how it's done. [2]
C/SSgt Myers holds the water. [3] Cadets wait their turn to
launch their rockets. In the foreground is Cadet Andrew Coberly, a
member of the Red Oak Cadet Squadron. [4] C/Capt Josse lends a hand in setting up
a rocket. [5] Cadet Riles searches for his rocket in the dark of
night (it never left the ground; shhh! don't tell). [6] A
successful launch usually produces a good amount of water spray.
To get started, the cadet staff gave a short safety briefing, and then
the fun began. Before launching the rockets, each empty bottle had to be
filled with water half-way. Then, the cadet who would be launching the
rocket stood to one side, while C/CMSgt Lambert stood on the other side,
by the air tank.
When Cadet Lambert had just enough air flowing through the tube that led
to the inside of the bottle, he gave a signal. This was the cue for the
launching cadet to pull on a string, which in turn would release the
rocket. If the cadet pulled the string too early, his rocket wouldn't
have enough internal pressure and wouldn’t become airborne. But if he
pulled exactly at Cadet Lambert’s signal, the rocket would take off
nicely.
Most of the cadets succeeded in getting their rockets airborne, but a
few cadets couldn’t make their rockets leave the ground. (The cheers
were just as loud for the climbers as for the duds.)
Overall, the cadets and senior members both had a wonderful time.
(C/1st Lt Tiffany Hamm) |
|