Group III, Texas Wing - SWR-TX-030
 Civil Air Patrol     U.S. Air Force Auxiliary 

Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond

Newsletter - August, 2008

Identity

Most people I know hang on to their identity with an iron fist, and rightly so. The safety of their money depends on it. But there's another kind of identity -- that knowledge of ourselves that we carry around with us, day in and day out, than intimate conviction that describes us to ourselves. From earliest youth, most of us have sculpted who we are, one way or another, arriving at the sum total of experiences that have gone into forming our opinion of intimate self, including worth. This process takes time, of course, and is the result of many variables. In broad terms, and focusing only on the main influences, we could say that some people have been subjected to powerful outside direction, others have been driven by their own inner goals and tendencies, yet others seem to just coast along, content with remaining anonymous faces in the crowd, oblivious to any external or internal influence. Such is human nature. So it would seem that using a single word to describe the idea of identity isn't all that smart, because it doesn't seem capable of fitting everyone. So now I feel the need to dig a little deeper.

I've already disclosed my predilection for etymology, so that's the path we'll follow in this quest for clarification. Let's take a careful look at this one, given that it is a word taken seriously by nearly all. It arrived from the the Middle French identité, having entered English in the 14th century, as the Great Vowel Shift was in full swing. In turn, it had traveled into French from the Late Latin (5th century) identitatem, which is a declension of identitas, which in turn means "sameness." This in turn derived from the earlier Classical Latin idem, "the same," and actually identitatem is abstracted from identidem, meaning "over and over," itself coined by contraction of the phrase idem et idem.

Well, I declare! That isn't quite what I had expected! But, folks, that's all we have. Besides, it might make sense after all. Let's clear the slate and think about this for a moment. "Something unique," whispers my ego in my mind's ear, "such as my identity, surely ought to be named and described by an exclusive etymological ancestry, deriving from some clearly distinguishing term and resultant brilliant verbal expression. Now, shouldn't it?" The thought has now blossomed and entered my consciousness in full dress uniform, militant and ready for battle. I am now indignant. "What do you mean, taken from over and over? That couldn't be!"

Time out... Let's take a deep breath... Let's look around... To tell you the truth, I've known some people who besides exhibiting a strong identity are also given to waxing poetic, at great length, concerning their exalted opinion of themselves. Which, of course, is seldom shared by others. Small wonder that people not stricken by this tendency generally avoid them.

What are we to make of this revelation? Obviously, the Romans coined it on their own, so that it was able to pass into French as neatly served by the Latin lexicon, fully baked in its modern sense. Come to think of it, it is also well-known that Romans were keen observers of human nature. Celebrated, too, were they for their great sense of humor (if at times it ran to slapstick). Was this their idea of using the proverbial pin on the boaster's balloon of an ego? ("Ego," by the way, is Latin for "I," the personal pronoun in first person singular.)

I couldn't find any reference to the Romans' hidden attitude towards identidem. But I must confess that I didn't look very hard, once I'd found a reference to Gaius Valerius Catullus (Roman poet who lived from about 84 BC to about 54 BC), in a poem where obviously he uses it in earnest, no discernible double meaning that I can see. Then again, that was fully 400 years before Attila the Hun hopelessly dislocated the Roman Empire, dealing it a mortal blow that was not immediately apparent. However, soon after that, the Visigoths sacked Rome, an event that precipitated its fall. Indeed, many things can happen in 400 years.

Coincidentally, nearly 400 years after Attila, the Roman Empire was "reborn" thanks to Charlemagne, the 1st Holy Roman Emperor, generally credited with having consolidated the power of Rome in the West as he united Western Europe under his own rule. By the sword, of course. The Middle Ages didn't leave much room for other methods.

You might think about this, next time someone asks you for your ID.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Group Staff Messages
Group Commander

What it's all about...

As always, I’m sitting down to write this editorial with thousands of thoughts swirling in my mind. I’m going to do my best to connect these thoughts for you.

I’ll start with telling you why July has been a great month. It began with a visit to the Crusader Composite Squadron to present a Commander’s Commendation to Frank Stalling. Awards are always a great start. That was followed by July 4th, a Mitchell Award in Waxahachie, four Mitchell Awards in Tyler, the Group III face-to-face Commander’s Call & Staff meeting (which itself had a bunch of awards), the Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadron reunion (which as an alum I was invited to attend), Hurricane Dolly at Category 2, an SLS & CLC in Tyler (extremely well attended, I might add), and the IACE cadets in Dallas. It was a very busy month. It makes me tired just thinking about it!

Yet, even as I look back on July in appreciation of my CAP experience, I’m confronted with a hurricane. Shortly after it became apparent that Dolly would reach the South Texas coast at hurricane strength, I was asked by Texas Wing to serve as the IC for any missions that might develop. A hurricane mission is one of those conflicting moments for me. On the one hand I want to be able to show what Texas Wing can do. There is nothing broken about this wing, and I want to prove that we have the right stuff. On the other hand, having lived through hurricanes  as a young person in the Houston suburbs, I know and understand the havoc that such a force of nature can cause in the lives of thousands… or hundreds of thousands… and I feel a deep empathy with those who will be affected.

So here’s the thread that ties July together for me: my CAP experience puts me face-to-face with the very best and very worst of human experiences. On the one hand I get to work with the finest people anywhere. You. All of you. And that is an amazing privilege. On the other hand I am sometimes called on confront the worst disasters that nature can throw at us. And yet in confronting those disasters I am not alone, because all of you are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with me.

July has been a perfect example of why I’m in CAP: good people doing good work for their community, state, and nation; cadets who pave the way as our future leaders; fellowship with some of the best human beings I’ve ever met; the opportunity to answer the call in times of need.

And that’s what it's all about.

Thank you for the work that you do. Thank you for getting the training done. Thank you for helping our cadets grow as leaders. Thank you for making all of the administratively essential but not-fun-of-all things that support this organization and make it happen. Most of all, thank you for being there when your community, state, and nation call on you.

Thank you for being the very best Group in Texas Wing.

Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Commander

Tertia semper primoris
Wing Commander

National Communications Plan, 29 July

Below is an important message from National HQ, concerning the National Communications Plan.

Col. Joe R. Smith, Texas Wing Commander

From: Salvador, John
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 2:52 PM
Subject: 2008 National Communications Plan

Here is a message from the National Communications Team Leader, Lt Col Mike Marek.

To Wing and Region CCs, DCs, and OPS Officers:

Here you will find the Civil Air Patrol National Communications Plan for 2008, as coordinated at National Headquarters and approved by Brigadier General Courter.

Although CAPR 100-1 requires this annual plan, this is the first produced in several years. It is written to reflect the "network design" of our overall HF and VHF communications network, addressing both (1) operation during missions and (2) in the routine mode of training and confidence checks.

It is my hope that this plan will help explain the context of network operations, and will also be the basis for the 2009 round of wing and region Communications Plans.

Lt. CoL. Mike Marek, Communications Team Leader

Wing Commander

 

Southwest Region Conference, 5-6 September

Below is an important message from the Southwest Region Commander, concerning the SWR Conference, 5-6 September 2008.

Col. Joe R. Smith, Texas Wing Commander

From: Jensen Joseph Col CAP SWR/CC
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 2:01 AM
Subject: [SWR Wing Command] 2008 SWR conference

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Attached is the Announcement and Registration Form for the Southwest Region Conference to be held in Oklahoma City on September 5 & 6, 2008. A couple of things of note:

1.  While we will have both an excellent awards banquet and great fellowship, we plan for this to be a working conference characterized by valuable training opportunities. These include an ICS 300 course by Lt. Col. Paul Spencer on Thursday and Friday, Garmin G1000 ground school refresher training, logistics and information technology training during the conference, and aerial intercept support training by Col. John Varljen on Sunday morning, 7 September.

2.  The hotel is located immediately across the interstate from Tinker AFB. We will have activities for cadets, including a tour of the Air Refueling Wing at Tinker on the Saturday of the conference.

3.  Our guest speaker is Lt. Col. C. David Ruvola, NYANG (Ret).  Lt. Col. Ruvola served as a pilot of the USAF HH-60 rescue helicopter in Operation Iraqi Freedom and during the famed “Perfect Storm” rescue. I expect that his presentation will be nothing less than outstanding.

It will be a great weekend. We would be delighted to have officers and cadets from throughout Southwest Region. Please make every attempt to attend if you can. Please note that hotel rooms may be limited soon, so we suggest you make your reservations as soon as you can.

Col. Joseph Jensen, SWR Commander
Aerospace Education

2008 Texas Wing Powered Flight Academy Scholarship Awardees

DALLAS, Texas – The Executive Council of Seidel Chapter - Air Force Association (AFA) Dallas 232 is pleased to announce the scholarship awardees for the 2008 Texas Wing Powered Flight Academy. 

The Seidel Chapter will place with the project officer a $600.00 scholarship in the name of each of the awardees listed below. Scholarship funds will be dispersed only to those awardees that attend the encampment. Scholarships, which are not used during this academy, will be returned to the Seidel Chapter.

Each of the awardees will be invited to attend a Seidel Chapter membership meeting in the fall of 2008. At that meeting, the awardees will be encouraged to detail their encampment experience to those AFA members in attendance.

Each of the 1,000 Seidel Chapter members extends to the awardees our sincere best wishes for a great encampment. Remember – U.S. Air Force … no one comes close.

The squadrons and names are as follows:

TX390 – Addison CS TX354 – Lakeshore CS
Nathan Carey Craig Bennett
Parth Patel  

Ric Hamer, VP Education
Seidel Chapter – AFA Dallas 232
Cadet Programs

From the Interim National Commander

Please read the CAP CC Memo on Professional Conduct at Cadet Activities letter.

Please read the Clarification of CAPM 39-1, Cadet Grooming Standards

Brigadier General Amy S. Courter, Interim National Commander

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 the Memo from National. 

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

Silver and Gold

This past weekend SM Roger Courtney and I went to Tyler for the Squadron Leadership School/Corporate Learning Course classes. SM Courtney was a student and I was an instructor. We were made welcome in the home of 1st Lt. Paul Paulson. 

We arrived Saturday morning for the instruction and, when we went in, a wonderful feeling came over me. Here were people I have known for many, many years. Also, here were people whom I had never met before, but were sharing the same love of CAP service that I have experienced for over 20 years. A growing and extended family.

I am reminded of the Biblical words for this feeling: Yedid Nefesh. This term is found in many places throughout the Bible and the Talmud. It means "a friend unto one’s soul." This explains the joyous feeling of the heart that the visitor experiences upon seeing friends or family members.

When I was young and in grade school, I remember sitting in the auditorium and singing. The song that comes most readily to mind went, "Make new friends and keep the old. One is silver, the other gold."  To all my gold friends, "Hi, I was glad to see you." To my new silver friends, "I am happy to have met you." 

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Marc Ben-Meir

"Chaplain Marc"
Emergency Services - Training Opportunity

 

Special Training Opportunity for Texas CAP Members

It is a fact that NIMS training is mandatory, but the ICS 300 and ICS 400 courses cannot be taken online. They must be taken in person at an approved location, taught by certified instructors. Many TXWG members who would otherwise be able to take these courses, at times cannot because of the cost, since they are taught in few places, mostly the large cities in Texas.

This is a Great Deal!

ICS training is available through the Governor's Division of Emergency Management. This program will reimburse CAP members for travel and living expenses incurred to attend mission-related training.

If in doubt, or if you have any other questions, please contact the Group III Emergency Services Officer.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor
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
Information Technology

Most Common Mistakes that Beginning Webmasters Make - The Chain of Command

There seems to be some confusion about how the chain of command ought to be stated on a website, largely caused by CAPR 110-1, 6. Identification, that says, "CAP operations involving web pages must set forth the name 'Civil Air Patrol' and immediately thereafter identify the name of the sponsoring unit on the main page of the site." This document is over 8 years old, and gives no other guidelines, nor specifies the size typeface to be used, or the relationship between the posting unit's type size and the National HQ name. The occasional webmaster has followed the letter of the law, creating a website that, on the main (and also every) page, shows "Civil Air Patrol" in very large letters, followed by the unit's name in fairly small lettering.

Such practice tends to give the appearance that the website in question is the main Civil Air Patrol site, with an afterthought expressed in the name of the owner unit. In years past, the U.S. Air Force made this requirement of all units, that in turn had (and still have) a unique name/charter number. The Civil Air Patrol, on the other hand, has many squadrons with the same name that are members of different wings (but do have a unique charter number). There are also many "Group 2" or "Group II" units in CAP, with their own wing affiliation, and again with their unique charter number. Surprise! CAPR 110-1 does not require that the unit's charter number be shown.

So what happens when, following the current rules, "Civil Air Patrol - Group 2" is the only designator appearing on a website's masthead? Which wing owns it? Where is it located? To see what the Air Force does today, let's visit a USAF website. We'll pick: http://www.1af.acc.af.mil/ "1st Air force," in large letters at the left of the masthead, is followed by "America's Air Force" in smaller letters to the right (on every page, not just the opening page). For the USAF, that is all that is needed, because there is only one 1st Air Force in all of the Air Force. And the "naming direction," as read, is from lower (1st Air Force) to higher (U.S. Air  Force).

Now here comes CAP. In the case of Eagle Composite Squadron (Ohio Wing, CAP), Eagle Composite Squadron (Group 1, Pennsylvania Wing, CAP), and Eagle Composite Squadron (New Mexico Wing, CAP), if the rules are followed, would it be OK to have a website headed by, "Civil Air Patrol - Eagle Composite Squadron"? The question now is, who owns that website? Is it in Ohio, Pennsylvania, or New Mexico Wing?

To solve this quandary, we can draw an analogy from signature blocks. Let's look at my own, which clearly describes my unit of assignment. Over the past four years, I have been:

  • 1st Lt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Public Affairs Officer, Tex Hill Composite Squadron, Group 8, Texas Wing, Southwest Region, Civil Air Patrol,

  • 1st Lt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Texas Wing, Southwest Region, Civil Air Patrol,

  • Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Public Affairs Officer, Group III, Texas Wing, Southwest Region, Civil Air Patrol, and now

  • Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Director of Public Affairs, Southwest Region, Civil Air Patrol.

In all except the last one, I could still have described my unit of assignment without error had I omitted the region designator. But on the last one I need to show it, since now I'm assigned to region itself. It's as simple as that.

Therefore, as I describe myself, so should I describe a CAP website.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, ITO

Information Technology - Guest Tip

 

How to add a favicon to your website

If you've ever wondered how website designers get a little graphic icon (called a favicon) into the address bar in your browser, I have just the site for you. Please visit http://tools.dynamicdrive.com/favicon/

The site has a "favicon generator" that lets you upload and convert a .jpg or .gif file of your wing, group or squadron emblem (a high-resolution image is best - a scan of your unit patch is not as good.) Now click again, download the favicon version of the emblem, and read the instructions on getting it into the address line of your website. This is another free way to make your website stand out with visitors. Seems to work OK with various browsers. (Just make sure you add the correct /[path]/[icon-name] to the single line of code needed - Editor)

Send video clips with your news release

We all send photos and press releases to the print media, with varying success. Getting the broadcast media out to a CAP event is hit-or-miss, too. A Philadelphia TV station (WPVI; visit http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/feature?section=resources&id=5791800) now appears to accept short video clips, so we're thinking about doing this. Maybe a video clip with a press release that they can turn into a voiceover. NJ Wing bought our PA directorate a pretty nice camcorder this year (Sanyo HD1000, I love this thing) which creates crystal-clear video, so we're thinking about doing this with our upcoming encampment graduation. Anyone have any experience with this?

1st Lt. Mark Swanson, NJ Wing PAO
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
Professional Development

Planned Unit Commanders Course

I'm planning a UCC for September or October. If you are interested in either taking this course or instructing, please let me know so I'll have a better idea of how large a facility we'll need.

I'd like to recommend an on-line course that all PDO's should take. The course materials are located at http://www.cap.gov/visitors/members/professional_development/pd_course/

This is designed to be a classroom-taught course, but it can serve you well as a self-paced home-study course just as well. If you take the course, give me some feedback, please. It might be a good addition to the 2009 Group schedule.

Capt. Vanessa Smith, PDO
 tx438pdo@yahoo.com 

Group III's SLS/CLC Course, 26-27 July

TYLER, Tex. – The Project Manager was Capt. Vanessa Smith, Group III PDO. The Program Director was Lt. Col. Dennis Bennett, a member of Tyler Composite Squadron.

Attending the Squadron Leadership School were: FO Todd Courtney,1st Lt. Justin Stringfield, SM Jacquie Ramsay, Capt. Leonard Ellis, SM Brian Peoples, 1st Lt. John Love, SM Kevin Milligan, 1st Lt. Sanford Meyerson, 2d Lt. Hal Ticknor, 1st Lt. Phillip Rains, Capt. Don Robinson, SM Roger Courtney, Capt. William Kapela, SM John Austin, 1st Lt. Dick Gilmore, FO Elisabeth Niedrauer, SM Larry Smith, SM Marcus Moffitt, Capt. Thomas Greene, 1st Lt. Joe Kaplor, 1st Lt. Juston Coffman, SM Rebecca Charrier, 2d Lt. John  McDonald,SM Darrell Smith, 1st Lt. Randy Stafford, and SM Robert Pohlmann.

Attending the Corporate Learning Course were: 1st Lt. Jerrold Barron, 1st Lt. Bruce Folks, 2d Lt. Rod Saucedo, Capt. Robert Smith, 1st Lt. Paul Paulsen, Capt. Bryan SMith, Capt. Vanessa Smith, Capt. Stephen Hundley, Capt. Jerry Jones, Lt. Col. Terry Howlett, Capt. Cheri Fischler, 1st Lt. Janet Kristoffersen, and 1st Lt. Carolyn Morton

The Instructors were – from Group III, Lt. Col. Ned Beiser, Lt. Col. Cynthia Whisennand, Capt. Carolyn Bitner, Lt. Col. Tex Collins, Maj. Mike Cobb, and Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Marc Ben-Meir; from Group II, Maj. Pete Boronkay; and from Group IV, Capt. Bob Beeley.

Afterwards, the students ambushed the Project Manager, Capt. Vanessa Smith, and Lt. Col. Terry Howlett presented her with a card signed by all participants, as well as a beautiful Texas plant. It was a touching moment, and the group was very amused that they had managed to surprise the honoree. "Thank you all," she said, "and thank you for coming and making this the best attended SLS/CLC event in recent memory."

On Saturday, Lt. Col. Owen Younger, the Group III Commander, paid a visit, but – though happy to see him – everyone was too busy to take a photo of him.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Director of Public Affairs, SWR
Public Affairs – Commentary on Service

  

 

A First-Time TAC Officer's Week, 14-21 June

BIG SANDY, Tex. – In all my years of volunteer work, my first Civil Air Patrol encampment was a totally different experience. Boy Scout camps, music camps, Bible camps, and athletic events had all been great opportunities, but totally different from the 2008 Texas Wing Summer Encampment. In fact, none of them had prepared me for what I was to experience here.

When I volunteered without specifying a job, I was given the position of “Floating TAC Officer.” Later I found that “TAC Officer” stood for “Training, Advising, and Counseling Officer,” but at the time I didn’t even know what one was, let alone, what one did. I got a quick and thorough education, and learned that a TAC Officer (or just “TAC”) does many jobs and truly “wears many hats.” 

...Day One

My first “unofficial” job was rounding up early arrivals as I worked under the threat of a tornado approaching the area. After a quick look-see, under the stairwell seemed like the best place, so many introductions were made there as cadet basics got acquainted with one another in very crowded conditions. After the weather threat had passed and lunches were eaten, my first “official” job was helping check in cadet basics, going through bags and securing contraband – all the while welcoming cadets who were sometimes nervous, sometimes excited, sometimes both. First-timers were always nervous, and even though I didn’t have a clue as to what was going to happen, I tried to allay their fears by telling them that a great week lay ahead.

Drills and marching were next, all very strenuous. By the end of the day, there were homesick cadets already. I could see that one of my biggest roles as a TAC Officer would be that of “encourager.” I was there to assist other senior members wherever needed. I was soon called upon to help at the medical office, counseling a cadet from our flight that was ill and did not want to return home. She had no choice in the matter, and would be sent back home due to illness – my job was to convince her that she was not a “failure” just because she wouldn’t be able to complete encampment at this time. A fellow TAC Officer offered to talk with her parents, and in the end she left determined to graduate at the next encampment. The evening followed with more counseling as I assisted the Chaplain after the evening devotional, overwhelmed with homesick cadets who already didn’t think they could complete encampment. My job as “encourager” was getting plenty of practice. 

...Day Two

Early morning PT and late night staff meetings left very little time for sleeping. Charge of Quarters (CQ) duty at 0330 (that’s 3:30 AM) shared with other officers left even less time. Cadets were tired, too, as days were long, drill was demanding, and the weather was very hot. Full schedules kept things moving at a quick step.

As a temporary TAC Officer for one flight, we did the ropes course obstacle on Monday. My job there was to oversee safety and encourage the flight to work together as a team. The challenge called for teamwork, not individual effort, and they had to learn to “think outside of the box.” I wanted more than anything to give them some ideas for a solution to their challenge, but then they wouldn’t have learned – and have the satisfaction of having figured it out for themselves. So now my additional roles included “guidance counselor, teacher, and safety officer.” 

...Day Three

The next day I had the chance to practice more encouragement, as I replaced three TAC Officers who had been called away for other duties. Being a “Floating TAC” had an advantage – I had a chance to get to know and work with more cadets, which I enjoyed. Early Tuesday evening, the notorious “bee incident” took place, giving me more opportunities to expand my role and wear yet another hat: helping out the medics.

They weren’t actually bees but ground hornets, the most aggressive type. With the “line search” training barely under way, a cadet temporarily on crutches unknowingly stuck his crutch into a nest underground. At once, a swarm of mad hornets attacked everything that moved. Flights of screaming cadet basics scattered, a flight officer grabbed the cadet on crutches and ran, and many sought shelter in a nearby building. But to no avail – the hornets came through the open doors, got inside their BDUs, and kept attacking. Over 40 cadets were stung, many multiple times, and they were brought into a room for treatment.

My first-aid kit had “Sting Eze,” and the medics were busy elsewhere with two cadets who were allergic to stings. That’s when I assumed the role of “medic assistant” and began treating stings. Not only was I giving first aid, but I was again encouraging cadets, trying to help them see some “good” in the seemingly “bad” situation. That was a tough job, too. With each application of “Sting Eze” I asked if they were all right; some were shaken and needed more attention than others. Some were very brave and didn’t show pain, even with red welts swelling up on their faces. I joked with them, trying to make them laugh, remembering that, “laughter doeth good like a medicine.” Soon they began to lighten up and calm down.

Seeking to use the incident as a learning tool, I gave them a “pep talk” about being persistent like the hornets – never give up, keep on attacking your goals, and go through the open doors of opportunity.  When you have to be assertive, give it all you’ve got. Don’t run away from your challenges, but keep working on them. Some of the cadets liked the analogy, and decided to nickname themselves “the hornets.”

1. 2. 3. 4.

[1] One of my temporary stints took me to Bravo Flight, where I met some wonderful cadets. [2] Charlie Flight, with 1st Lt. James Douglas, of Delta Composite Squadron, in the background, were another one of my temporary charges. [3] A Charlie Flight cadet, with a sprained ankle. [4] On graduation day, 1st Lt. Nancy Spanial, Texas Wing Commander Col. Joe R. Smith, and Maj. Gerry Davis, the Gregg County Deputy Commander for Cadets.

...Day Four

Wednesday morning I took over for yet another TAC Officer who had been called away, this time for a different flight. More ropes course training, more marching and drills, more hot weather, more “looking after” cadets with health issues or minor injuries. Inevitably, more staff meetings to discuss the problems that cadets were having, and how to best deal with them followed. As I got to know my fellow TAC Officers, I realized what a wonderful group they were. These professionals had given a week of their time to devote to this encampment – what a privilege to be counted among them!

Not only did we counsel and encourage the cadet basics, but the cadets that had been appointed as flight officers also needed help. They had a difficult job, and were faced with challenges from their flights that no one else had to deal with. They shouldered great responsibilities, and needed adult wisdom to help them through leadership struggles, not only with the cadet basics, but also with each other as staff members. Learning to work together as a team was not just for the cadet basics!

...Days Five and Six

After a seemingly endless Thursday, full of the same little triumphs and minor tragedies as the preceding days, it dawned upon us that we were “getting short” and would soon be done here. By Friday, everyone had developed a camaraderie that can only come from sharing the hardships and hopes of such an encampment experience. As a result, no one was looking forward to going home the next day and leaving their new friends and leaders behind.

The best was yet to come, with the traditional “grog” and awards ceremony and “dining in” celebration that night. At least that was the plan, but a sudden thunderstorm took out the electricity and left the entire banquet in the dark. During this storm, one of “my” cadets was found in the restroom, crying in pain. Was it an injury from the soccer game that afternoon? Perhaps, but it surely needed to be checked out, so the medics and I drove her to the closest hospital emergency room, with another cadet along for the company.

I stayed by her side while we discussed diagnostic procedures, and phoned her mother every step of the way, keeping her informed. Together, her mother and I made the best choices for the cadet’s diagnosis and procedures. In the hours spent waiting by her side, we played silly games until we laughed the time away, and then I knew that she was going to be fine. By midnight, our fears having been unfounded, we were on our way back to the dorm.

Overcoming her temporary trouble, “my” cadet would be able to march in Saturday’s Pass In Review, as her mother would proudly watch from the bleachers. Perhaps it had been at the hospital’s waiting room that I had found my most important role as a TAC Officer. “My” cadet’s mother hadn’t been there for her, but I had. In the uncertainty of that impersonal and sterile environment, I had been once again an encourager, counselor, advisor, prayer partner, and trusted friend – with only “my” cadet’s best care and comfort as my concern.

...Day Seven

On Saturday morning, excitement filled the air as cadets dressed in their Blues, shined their shoes, and made themselves nearly perfect. It was then that I asked about the awards ceremony on the previous evening. I wanted to know which cadets had received honors, which flight had been selected as the honor flight, and who received the honorary “grog.”  As they excitedly went down the list of those who had received coveted prizes, one of the cadets said, “Oh, and you got something, too… you got Honor TAC Officer!” I just stood there, stunned, since I hadn’t even known such a thing existed. Then it dawned on me: I hadn’t been there for the awards ceremony because I’d been doing my job…taking care of one of “my” cadets.

It had been a long, challenging, tiring, and very rewarding week. I learned that TAC Officers “wear many hats” and spend the entire week giving of themselves to others, expecting nothing in return. The job description for applicants seeking a TAC Officer position should include: patience, discernment, kindness, compassion, self-discipline, ability to endure sleep deprivation and work long hours, and strength to walk many miles in the hot sun or rain. Add the talent to be able to counsel, console, guide, lead, follow, direct, and move from job to job quickly and efficiently. Wait. I’m not done yet. They also need to be able to look after the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of cadets – and be effective in each job with only a moment’s notice, with no compensation expected and none received.

My greatest reward was the gratitude of both cadets and staff members at the end of the week, but perhaps the most rewarding moment of all came as I was spending some one-on-one time with a young cadet. He was in one of the flights I’d looked after as a temporary TAC Officer for one afternoon, when their regularly assigned TAC had been called for duty elsewhere. I asked him a few questions, trying to find out what he had learned at encampment, and whether he planned to return for the Advanced Training Squadron on the following year; then I asked him what he planned to do when he grew up, after he graduated from school. 

He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “I don’t know what I want to do for a living, but I know I want to come here and be a TAC Officer for a CAP encampment!” If he had seen that much value in what we had done, I knew it had been worthwhile. That one statement took my breath away, as I said a silent prayer of gratitude for having been allowed the privilege of serving others for one very short week in the summer of 2008.

2nd Lt. Nancy Spanial, Gregg County Composite Squadron
Public Affairs – In Memoriam

  

Tuskegee Airman Dies, 24 June

Retired Lt. Col. Charles Dryden, 87, one of the famed "Tuskegee Airmen" who broke the military's color barrier by becoming a World War II fighter pilot, died on June 24 in Atlanta, Ga.

Col. Dryden was born Sept. 16, 1920, in New York City to Jamaican parents. He graduated from Peter Stuyvesant High School and earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Hofstra University and a master's in public law and government from Columbia University. 

In August 1941, he was selected for Army Air Corps aviation cadet training, and was commissioned on April 29, 1942, one of three graduates in the second all-black class to graduate from the Tuskegee Army Flying School in Alabama. He was a member of the 99th Pursuit Squadron and later the 332nd Fighter Group, which served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. 

Known as "A-Train," he remained in the military after World War II and served in additional combat during the Korean War. He retired in 1962.

After his military service, Col. Dryden traveled throughout the world to share his story with both airmen and civilians through a variety of appearances. In 2007, he flew with nearly 200 Aviation Career Education students from Atlanta to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Ohio to present the museum with a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal for a ceremony.

He also wrote his autobiography, A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman, which was published in 1997 by the University of Alabama Press. 

"Many of us feel we have an obligation to inform as many people as possible," said Col. Dryden during a visit to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in February. "They need to know about this very important part of American history from our own experiences." 

His visits made an impression on many airmen. "I was so excited to see him because my grandfather was his crew chief during World War II," said Master Sgt. Jonathan Curl, of the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Kadena AB. "It was a way to touch my grandfather again." 

His message of challenge and change resonated with those in his audience. "I believe the experiences that [he] faced during his career set the path for all who came and will come behind him," said Master Sgt. Michelle Rozier, the 116th Air Control Wing's protocol superintendent at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., where Col. Dryden gave a speech.

(From News of the Force, 1 July 2008)
Public Affairs – Lone Star Emergency Services Academy - PAO/IO School

 

 

You never saw such a bunch, 21-28 June

BIG SANDY, Tex. - We were some bunch. Exactly. We gathered from CAP units across two states, coming together to learn, to share what we knew, to see the task of creating newsworthy articles through new eyes. Five senior members and three cadets. Eagerly, expectantly, we came to the classroom, a sanctum of knowledge, and began spreading out our computers, notebooks, pencils and cameras all over the desks, enjoying the big cool room. Cadets and seniors and this very senior senior, with several levels of talent and abilities, bent on learning even more from Capt. Arthur Woodgate, the newly appointed Southwest Region Director Of Public Affairs, master of interacting with the public. How would he interact with us? We were soon to learn that, and much more.

First, the cadets. Bright young minds, already impressive with their accomplishments.

Two of them have been accepted as Cadet Public Affairs Officers at the Air Force Space Command Familiarization Course in Florida, a National Cadet Special Activity to be held by the end of July. This is a great accomplishment for two 16-year-olds. A third one, only 15, has his sights set on becoming a Major General. He certainly has the potential.

The senior members came from several squadrons in Texas and one is the new Oklahoma Wing PAO. One has no experience, others have from some to a lot. None is really expert at being a Public Affairs Officer, let alone the new skill of Mission Information Officer. That is why we’re here. Capt. Woodgate will teach us how to be that.

“Who were the first to occupy England?”, he asks at the beginning of the first session. What a strange way to begin teaching public affairs. No one but he knows; guesses or raised eyebrows are all he gets for answers. After a long set of challenges and more guessing we get the answer, soon forgotten by the time we learn of the invasion of Anglo-Saxons fleeing Attila the Hun. History, old history, to explain the beginnings of European languages.

1. 2. 3.

[1] 1st Lt DeeAnna Adams-Gorman, the Oklahoma Wing PAO, and C/1st Lt Raphael Erie, Pegasus Composite Squadron. [2] Capt. Arthur Woodgate deep in dissertation. [3] C/TSgt Christian Nelson, Apollo Composite Squadron, Capt Arthur Woodgate, and C/1st Lt Brandii Re'Ann Davis trying to unravel a linguisting puzzle.

More and more he reveals the effect of one occupant or another on the local language until we see, more or less, why German sounds one way, Italian another, and English is the way it is. “American English is a mess,” he says, with reasons now understood. (Not that British English is in much better shape, either.) He must be a professor of history, at least. We go to bed with sounds of other languages to intrude upon our dreams.

We get to know each other by responding to his assignments. The knowledge is disturbing to some but definitely heart-warming. We see each other much clearer now, and the immediate effect is that we see ourselves, too.

Capt. Woodgate compliments each entry and we are lifted. Maybe we’re better than we think. Then he launches into stories and reminders and there is ease and laughter around.

We strain to understand his charming Argentine accent and unique humor, as we learn more about the business of informing the public about our favorite outfit, the Civil Air Patrol. Capt. Woodgate continues to impress us with the depth of his knowledge, which he gives to us freely. We are drawn together into a working team. Oh, this is good.

More and more, a demonstration, a story, an opened magazine, something else to learn about. The subject is more involved than one ever thought. Now doubts creep in. Four days and evenings into it and the end is not in sight. In a day or two we’re to be exposed to the real world, with real-time assignments and things to do to deliver the Civil Air Patrol in its best possible light to the public eye. Will we succeed? Yes, we will. He can inspire us in five languages, maybe more.

Days pass. We feel smarter. Assignments are met, and discussed, and critiqued with constructive humor and kindness. Capt. Woodgate demonstrates good and poor magazine page design and publishing practices, and warns us about pushy media methods aimed at “getting the story” that might end up making the Civil Air Patrol look bad. He tells how to deal with the media, the public, and on occasion the relatives of the missing or lost.

There is a lot to being a Public Affairs Officer, and even more to being a Mission Information Officer. He even shows us how to build a simple website. Not easy for some.

Tomorrow is review day. I’m sure we’ll learn how well we have done. I’ll get a good grade, I think, but not the best. One of those terrific cadets will get that.

Tomorrow night there is a big barbeque over by the lake, where we’ll get to eat and talk, compare notes and cower or brag about what we’ve learned. Saturday is our grand graduation day. Are we going to be all dressed up in our finest uniforms, as we process before the school commandant and receive our due reward? Maybe not. I heard we won't pass in review.

But, oh, that will be some day. Our day.

Maj. Robert Brecount, PAO, Victoria Composite Squadron
Public Affairs – Commentary

 

 

On the Declaration of Independence, 4 July

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

PFLUGERVILLE, Tex. – As my wife and I sat in our backyard on a warm Texas 4th of July, fireworks burst over Pflugerville Lake (yes, the Austin suburb is named after the original settlers, the Pfluger family, and it is pronounced Flugerville). We, along with millions of Americans, took time away from our barbeques and gatherings with family and friends to watch the simulation of the “bombs bursting in air.” (Photo: C/Capt Tiffany Hamm)

Until the age of about fifteen, I had taken that celebration and the words from the Declaration of Independence for granted. Of course I deserved life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – which for me involved a 1963 Rambler I had rebuilt with my dad. In the early 1970s, when the opportunity arose to go to Romania for a high school choir tour, I jumped at the chance for adventure. This trip, of course, happened  before the tearing down of the Iron Curtain and the dissolution of  communist governments in Romania and many other Soviet Union satellite nations. In Bucharest, when military security armed with automatic weapons stood watch as we disembarked from the aircraft to begin our ten-day choral tour, I knew I had stepped into a very different world from the one I had always known.

The tour went well, the concerts were well received, we had loads of fun, and we saw many sites, including several “authentic” Count Dracula castles in Transylvania. As we stepped off the tour bus one last time to enter the airport for our trip home, we stood awkwardly with our tour guide whom we had all grown to love. One of us naively said, “Maybe you can visit us next year.” 

The guide looked at the student, sadness etched across his face, his eyes on the verge of tears, and said, “I would like that very much.” Only afterwards did we learn that he would be unable to get a visa to visit the United States and that, in fact, his travel was generally restricted to where his government would allow him to go. I learned at the entrance to the International Airport in Bucharest that, in many parts of the world, those truths of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were not so self-evident.

As we all enjoy the last month of summer, take time to read the Declaration of Independence again (or for the first time), pause to think about all of those before us who have made it possible for us to go on enjoying those truths, and consider how we might preserve those truths for future generations.

Have a great August, and enjoy those freedoms!

1st Lt. Richard Hacker, Group III PAO
Public Affairs – Commentary

 

 

When Opportunity Knocks, 8 July

LONGVIEW, Tex. – Last night, my son C/SrA Nick Spanial and I had the opportunity of talking with an Air Force officer I'll call Erick, who had just returned from Iraq. He is a PAO at Barksdale AFB and had some great stories to tell. His job in Iraq entailed writing the truth about what is happening there; disseminating information about the rebuilding of schools and hospitals, construction projects, and all the good things that our military are doing there. He said it was very difficult to "sell" the good news; the media only seemed interested in the casualties and negative stories. While in Iraq, he took thousands of photos. In fact, in one instance, he was photographing some of our soldiers opening a trap-door in the sand, knowing that it was an insurgents' hideout.

When a soldier lifted the door, out popped a grenade. It actually hit him as he yelled, "Grenade!", and then it bounced off him and fell back into the hole, where it exploded and killed the three Iraqis who had thrown it out. At the yell of, "Grenade!" everyone had scattered, running away from the danger, but Erick just stood there, snapping photos. The soldiers screamed at him to run, but he just went on taking pictures. "I was too focused on my job, working the camera and getting the story," he explained. Fortunately it turned out well for him, as he got a good story, great images, and no casualties on our side.

Also, earlier this year at a Memorial Day ceremony, we ran into a veteran who used to teach at a military school. He explained to my son Nick how important writing and communications skills are to an applicant seeking entry to any of the service academies. He told Nick that the selection committee looks very favorably on any kind of writing experience, especially published articles or PAO-type experience. It is with great joy that I see how, once again, "the right people at the right time" are coming into our lives, and I feel like these writing opportunities could be more than just blind luck, as I see them opening new doors of opportunity for Nick, leading to a greater future. It couldn't be just "coincidence."

1. 2. 3. 4.

[1] My son Nick last summer in Canada, on a fishing trip, had his first experience at the controls of an aircraft. It was a 1949 DeHavilland Beaver seaplane, and he got the controls between lakes in a remote area of Ontario. [2] Nick at the helm of my uncle's sailboat, last May. [3] This summer, Nick has worked from sunup to sundown. Here he's moving hay bales. [4] At the tractor, his permanent perch for most of this summer.

Nick hadn't realized how many article opportunities would come his way, until he opened his eyes to others, and let the right words and actions into his heart. Now he saw the world as the complex and ever-changing thing that it is, full of individual stories. As he experienced life unfolding, and people dealing with happiness, worry, hope, or adversity, he put himself in their place. There are many heroes, some of whom have never left home but just wait for a loved one to return. Some heroes have died, and now live on in the memory of those who knew them. Every once in a while, a school or post office is named after one of them. But there are others, countless others, who are waiting for their own, unique story to be told. Since Nick works very hard, from sunup to sundown, all day in the fields, and the work is monotonous, he has a lot of time to think. Now, with a new approach to life, events that at the time didn't seem to matter all that much are now relevant to him.

5. 6. 7.

[5] Cdts. William and Nick Spanial with their mother, Nancy Spanial. [6] Nick's scout master congratulates him for having earned merit badges. He is three badges and a service project short of qualification for Eagle Scout. [7] Nick trains at the VFD.

The squadron does some interesting things, but its most important asset is irreplaceable, precious and unique. Without its members, the squadron wouldn't exist, so Nick wants to write about the squadron's members, and the events and people that matter to them and have shaped them, taken care of them, helped them and loved them day in and day out. Yes, there are plenty of things for Nick to write about.

If the weather holds, he'll be riding the tractor and pitching hay all day long for a while. But that's what his body will be doing. His mind, on the other hand, is already planning coverage, feeling, and writing. Although riding the tractor used to bore him, now he enjoys the chance to weigh events and circumstances, considering possibilities and story lines. I am so happy to see Nick find himself, and develop a great aim, worthy of him.

I am truly grateful to all who have helped him find his way, and I'd like to thank them all, collectively and individually.

2nd Lt. Nancy Spanial, Gregg County Composite Squadron
Public Affairs – Group III O-Flights

  

Addison & Dallas Composite Squadrons Stage Group III O'Flights, 16 July

DALLAS, Tex. – Was the event a success? You bet. All you had to do was look at the cadets, as they got into the planes with stars dancing in their eyes. It was the stuff that dreams are made of. In their imagination, they saw themselves getting into a WWII fighter, an F-22, an SR-71, even a space ship. Strapped in, they taxied towards the runway. Big deal. They'd felt that before in a car, only this one was slightly wobbly. "Is this safe?" no doubt some of them asked themselves. But they immediately answered themselves, "I can't give up now! What would the others say? They've all done it already..."

Then the airplane moved into position, turned into the wind, the engine revved up into a roar as the airframe shook a little, the pilot released the brakes, and they felt the acceleration as the plane ran into the wind, a little wheel noise punctuating the loud purr of the motor that now didn't seem to roar quite as loudly, then the barest hop and the wheels fell silent, as aerodynamics took over and the plane soared above the ground.

"Free as a bird," is probably the most hackneyed expression that walks out of the cockpit after a first-flight experience. Yet, in their heart, that's how each one of them felt.

1. 2.

[1] Back Row: Lt.Col. Owen Younger, Group III Commander; Capt. George Hoyt, Addison CS; 1st Lt. Scott Kitchens Addison CS; Maj. Nolan Teel, Dallas CS; Maj. Alan O'Martin, Addison CS; Capt. Kevin Smith Addison CS; and Maj. Jeff Pearson, Dallas CS. Front Row: C/A1C Todd Kitchens, C/A1C Michael Jones,  and C/Basic Eric Furlong, all of Addison CS. [2] A man who needs no introduction, Lt Col Owen Younger. (Photos: Maj. William "Doug" Wallace)

Their joy, too, was contagious. Although they seemed to take it in stride, some were so overwhelmed by the experience that they forgot to say, "Thank you." The pilots didn't mind. They could read each one's heart in that marvelous, slightly lopsided, half-intelligent smile. But the pilots were not fooled. They could see their the eyes, resplendent, shining in glee, planning the next o-flight, and wondering how they could get to do this all the time. In the left seat, at the controls...

Kudos to the pilots and the coordinator, Maj. Alan O'Martin, for their hard work.

Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor
Public Affairs – Group III Staff Meeting

 

 

Group III Staff, Commander and Cadet Advisory Council Meet, 19 July

DALLAS, Tex. – The Group III Staff, Squadron Commanders, and Cadet members of the Cadet Advisory Council gathered at the Business Jet Center on Dallas Love Field for the quarterly face-to-face meeting. The groups meet on a monthly basis via tele-conference, but the quarterly meetings give members the opportunity to put names to faces, handle pressing business for Group III, and also acknowledge the excellence of members across Group III who, by their service, significantly contributed to Group III’s mission in Texas Wing.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

[1] Group III Staff Meeting. [2] 1st Lt Toby Buckalew receives the Texas Wing Communications Officers of the Year Award.  [3] 1Lt Toby Buckalew receives the Group III Communications Officer of the Year Award.  [4] Chaplain (Major) Ron Witt receives the Group III Senior Chaplain of the Year Award. [5] 1st Lt Opal McKinney receives the Group III Senior Member of the Year Award.

6. 7. 8. 9.10.

[6] Capt Cheri Fischler accepts the Group III Aerospace Officer of the Year on behalf of 1st Lt Sue Kristoffersen. [7] Lt Col Mike Eberle accepts the Group III Cadet Programs Officer of the Year Award on behalf of 1st Lt Juston Coffman. [8] Lt Col Mike Eberle accepts the Group III Squadron of the Year Award on behalf of the Mesquite Blacksheep Squadron. [9] Lt Col Roy Hill accepts the Group III Safety Officer of the Year Award on behalf of Capt Frank Stalling and the Group III Moral Leadership Officer of the Year Award on behalf of 1st Lt Barry Hosford. [10] Lt Col Mike Eberle receives the Commander’s Commendation for Outstanding Duty Performance during the Tuskegee Airman event.

11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

[11] Lt Col Mike Eberle receives seven Commander’s Commendations for Outstanding Duty Performance during the Tuskegee Airman event on behalf of 2nd Lt Jerrold W Barron, C/2nd Lt Mitchell Graham, C/SSgt Johanna Cohen, C/SSgt Matthew R. Garcia, C/SSgt Andrew Smith, C/Amn Jeremiah D Bank, and C/Amn Timothy Kleinmeier. [12] Maj Paul Perkins receives the Commander’s Commendation for Outstanding Duty Performance during the Tuskegee Airman event. [13] 1st Lt Opal McKinney receives the Commander’s Commendation for Outstanding Duty Performance during the Tuskegee Airman event. [14] 1st Lt Opal McKinney receives the Commander’s Commendation for Outstanding Duty Performance over a three year period supporting the Orientation Ride Weekend. [15] Cadet Advisory Council at work.

16. 17.

[16] Group III Commander, Lt Col Owen Younger addresses the Cadet Advisory Council. [17] C/CMSgt Brittany Stelting receives the Commander’s Commendation for Outstanding Duty Performance during the Tuskegee Airman event. (NOTE: All awards presented by Group III Commander, Lt Col Owen Younger.)

1st Lt. Richard Hacker, Group III PAO
Public Affairs – A Cadet's Success

 

Cadet Earns FAA Class III Pilot's License, 22 July

AUSTIN, Texas – A Group III CAP Cadet obtained his Private Pilot certificate today. That alone is great news, but it gets better: the majority of this Cadet's training was done in CAP aircraft, using CAP instructors. This doesn't happen very often.

Like many students, C/SSgt Evan Petrosky had several instructors (5, if I counted correctly) during the course of his training. This is not ideal, but instructional turnover during training has been a problem for generations of students. It takes a dedicated and skilled CFI to do this while working full-time and taking college courses too. Capt. Nicole Novack, of Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron TX-352, fits that description. 

Those in the flight training community also know that there is a range in the quality of instruction. Outside of CAP, paying more doesn't ensure better quality of instruction, but hunting for the lowest price almost guarantees a corresponding level of quality. In the Civil Air Patrol, instruction is donated, which can result in a rare level of commitment. Certainly, this was the case.

I had the privilege of flying with Cdt Petrosky a few days before the practical test. In two flights totaling almost 4 hours, we covered emergency procedures, simulated instrument flying, stalls, maneuvers, short field landings, and more -- all in an airplane other than the one he had been using for training, just 3 days before the scheduled checkride. 

1. 2. 3. 4.

[1] On the apron by the "hotter" N98913, C/SSgt Evan Petrosky and Capt. Nicole Novack get ready for a lesson. [2] At the controls in N98913, Capt. Nicole Novack yields the preferred left seat to C/SSgt Evan Petrosky. [3] "I've got to have a photo without sunglasses. Please?" [4] Relaxing by a "tamer" 172's tail, C/SSgt Evan Petrosky and Capt. Nicole Novack. (Photo 1, C/CMSgt Zach Harvey, Pegasus C.S.; Photo 2, Capt. Nicole Novack's self-shot; Photo 3, Mr. Pete Machued, Cdt. Petrosky's FAA examiner; Photo 4, unknown Berry Aviation employee, San Marcos Municipal Airport).

Weeks before, I had volunteered N98913 to go out of state for a Cadet flying academy. Unexpectedly, a combination of maintenance issues and aircraft availability led to an unavoidable plane switch, just before this cadet's practical test. In other words, he was getting a tough break that was pretty much my doing (even though it had been unintentional). Despite this challenge, Cdt Petrosky handled the change with the same unassuming confidence he displayed in flight. The quality of Capt. Novack's instruction was obvious.

Training in N98913 was different for several reasons. Perhaps most significant was this plane's higher idle thrust compared to that of most 172s. This seemingly small change can make a big difference when switching to another aircraft with different approach characteristics. The required short-field landings have a PTS tolerance of -0, +200 feet of the touchdown target. When landing on a runway, 200 ft. looks a lot smaller than it sounds. Also, N98913 handles better than most other 172's of its vintage, so Cdt Petrosky was challenged in multiple ways. Which he overcame with supreme confidence.

Please join me in congratulating C/SSgt Evan Petrosky and his CFI for this accomplishment.

Capt. Leonard Laws, Stan/Eval, Texas Wing
Public Affairs – C/PAOs Report NCSA

 

 

AFSPC-FC (FL) Reported by Cadet PAOs, 26 July 3 August

COCOA BEACH, Florida - On 26 July, for the first time in the history of the activity, two CAP cadets arrived at the Air Force Space Command Familiarization Course (Florida) as Cadet Public Affairs Officers. Their assigned mission was to report the activity from the point of view of the participants, CAP cadets from all over the U.S. who are at least 15 years old.

The chosen cadet staff were C/1st Lt Raphael Erie, a member of the Pegasus Composite Squadron, Group III, Texas Wing, and C/1st Lt BrandiiRe'Ann Davis, a member of the Colorado County Composite Squadron, Group IV, Texas Wing. Both of them had been among the five Cadet PAOs who reported the Texas Wing Winter Encampment in the January issue of this newsletter, and later attended the Lone Star Emergency Services Academy at Big Sandy, Texas.

The cadets are doing a great job, and are enjoying themselves enormously. The weather is fabulous, the company couldn't be better, the course material interesting and challenging, and they're learning that there is a whole lot of very complicated work that goes into sending rockets into space – and bringing the astronauts safely back home.

Cadets Davis and Erie have been published locally, on this newsletter, and on CAP National News Online.

Their daily coverage of the AFSPC-FC (FL) is being posted on the Activity's website. Cadets Davis and Erie are setting a new standard for how National Cadet Special Activities are reported, and Texas Wing is right proud of them. As is Southwest Region.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, DPA, SWR
Public Affairs – Commentary on Language

 

The roots of the English language, 31 July

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Tex. – To understand what makes English tick, it helps to view its birth in time-line fashion. Let's take a close look and spend some time thinking about it.

The stated time-line, expressed in years of the Common Era, necessarily overlaps
Iron Age - 400   England is settled by the Celts, who lack a written language and pass little of it along. The few words that remain generally deal with basic needs and activities, such as farming.
43-450   Romans occupy the land they call Albion for 400 years, leaving a functioning civil service and Latin behind. The Romans introduce Christianity to England at this time.
ca. 425-1066   Angles and Saxons invade England, bringing with them Old German that soon evolves into Old English. These Ostrogothic tribes had been displaced from Eastern Europe by Attila the Hun. As they keep the existing civil service created by the Romans, and initially they, too, lack a written language, records are kept in Latin.
848-1900   Constantinople, the first university in Europe, establishes Latin as the language of culture. England adopts the same standard as Europe, making it possible for universities to teach Latin-educated students from any country.
1066 - 1600   Normans, Ostrogothic descendants related to the Angles and Saxons, bring Old French into England, a language that replaces Old English for the ruling classes. French becomes a permanent prestige language, continuing to exert great influence on English to this day. The official language of England becomes French, but church and academic records are still kept in Latin.
1200 - 1600   The Great Vowel Shift changes the vulgar language (that is, English) making it progress through Middle English to culminate in Modern English. William Shakespeare is the prime creator of the great literature that blossoms during the reign of Elizabeth I. Latin remains the language of culture.
1533   Henry VIII breaks away from Rome and creates the Church of England, starting the decline of Latin as an official language of England.
1600 - today   The Romance language supremacy (French/Latin) ruling English letters won't ease its grip until after James I (who was James VI of Scotland and son of Mary, Queen of Scots) authorizes the translation of the Bible into "the vulgar." 
1650 - 1702   The reign of William of Orange, the only politically acceptable heir to the English throne who isn't a Roman Catholic, further transforms the language. He speaks no English, demands that more books be printed in England, and introduces non English-speaking Dutch printers because there aren't enough printers in England, resulting in chaotic spelling that will addle future generations.
ca. 1750 - today   At long last, the kingdom's official records are now kept in English instead of French, for a a very late start on the road to linguistic national identity. Class distinction is still drawn on the use of correct French by a bilingual elite that enjoys prestige, money and power. Latin is kept as the language of discourse in English universities.
1755   The preceding is an incredible journey, especially for a people who didn't have an English dictionary until 1755 (Samuel Johnson's). The lack of a dictionary had become an embarrassment, and a great barrier to the acceptance of English as a cultured language, lagging far behind Spain, where laws had been translated into Spanish during the 12th century, and the first dictionary published in the 15th century.
1760   The Industrial Revolution brings prosperity to some and near-enslavement to others. The cultured speak French as well as English, the poor, only English. English accents, also, denote ancestry and social status. Academia continues to discourse in Latin.
1837   Queen Victoria takes the throne and embarks on empire building. During her reign, Charles Dickens sells his novels to the newspapers (by the word), who publish them in serial form. If he could find a way of saying something in ten words instead of one, that meant more pence in his pocket. His great popularity establishes this peculiar writing style as the standard that we know today as Victorian English.

 

All right. Now we know that there isn't a single starting point for English, nor is there a real home-grown line of development. So what do we do?

Stop. Go back. Examine every word, discover all influences, dissect them, study them, assign them, digest them, and (what choice have we got?) accept them. All we can do is play the hand we've been dealt, since we've got a pastiche of a language and no alternative. But not all is lost. English does have its moments, and it's up to us to make them shine.

In fact, there's nothing like the English language anywhere else in the world.

Here's an example of how difficult English is, as a written and spoken language, from a purely morphological and phonetic point of view. "Inured to the monotony of Academia, he thought the arcade had an innovative facade."

Etymologies, please?

   Academia (Greek - derives from Akademos, owner of the house in which Plato taught - Hence, it's pronounced by Greek rules).

   Arcade (Latin - "arcus" or arch, by extension a passageway formed by a series of arches - This one made it into English before the Great Vowel Shift, so if fell under the long vowel rule).

   Facade (French - "façade." though modern English usage has stripped it of its cedille; derived from Italian "facciata", from "faccia" [face]; and in turn from V. Latin "facia." - Since "facade" made it into English after the Great Vowel Shift, it's pronounced according to French rules).

Bottom line, for most people, pronunciation is a mystery that needs to be learned. Some know the reason, but learning the reason is generally harder than memorizing the word itself.

If it's any consolation, it has been said that whoever reads and speaks Classical Greek and Latin has the key to every Indo-European language (with the exception of Finnish, Hungarian and Basque, that are somewhat related). NOTE: Until less than a century ago, an educated Englishman learned both Latin and Classical Greek. George Gordon Lord Byron, for instance, wrote poems in classical Greek.

Finally, if in doubt, for superior prose always use the German-root word.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, DPA, SWR
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

Getting Organized

Here's a quote to live by, "Cockpit organization is an art, not a science, and no number of gadgets, reminders or kneeboards will help the pilot who isn't thinking ahead." 

Organization is a way of life. At one end of the organization spectrum lies the sloppy and careless pilot who leaves without weather briefing, current charts or even a pencil to write down tower clearances. At the other is the obsessive-compulsive pilot who can be shattered by last minutes changes or surprises. In between these extremes lie sanity and safety for both pilot and passengers. 

The keys to organization involve being able to find what you need when you need it, and not taking stuff you don't need. The latter just adds weight, clutter and complexity without making your flying any more efficient, enjoyable or safer. 

1. The first step in an organized flight is a plan. It doesn't have to be complicated, but even if you are going to play on a sunny day, you should have some plan, such as your destination, route, time and fuel required, as well as weather forecast. Filing a flight plan will encourage you to (1) create a plan and (2) fly the plan.

2. Another step in organization is the development of good habits. Practice effective preflight habits to minimize the likelihood of departing the hangar with the tow-bar still attached.

3. Review your flight bag and organize it by removing outdated charts and other clutter. Insure all battery-operated devices have fresh batteries and spares (within easy reach from the left seat.) 

4. Make sure that your navigational charts and approach plates are current. 

In short, think about what you'll need in each flight, whether it's around the pattern or a lengthy cross-country trip. Then break it into phases, figure out what each phase of the flight will require, and make sure that you have it when you need it. This will not prevent the unexpected, but should you find yourself in such a situation, you'd be better prepared to cope with it – with less stress. (Main ideas taken from an article published in "Aviation Safety," March 2006.) 

Latest FAA Instrument Procedures Handbook

This handbook provides the most up-to-date guidance on how to operate safely within the National Airspace System. As a single document, it is almost 21MB in size. The following page has links for its individual sections as well as the complete document:

It is posted at http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/instrument_procedures_handbook/

For questions or comments about this handbook please contact: AFS420.IPH@FAA.gov or U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Procedure Standards Branch, AFS-420, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125

Building a Safety Culture

The fundamental building block of a good safety culture – whether in the air or in ground operations – begins with Risk Management.  The FAA has produced several aids to assist us in teaching risk management and I am providing you this link to the page with the downloadable helps. Please read them and use them in training your squadrons. 

This coming Summer is a golden opportunity to instruct and stress risk management in everything you and your squadrons undertake – whether in CAP or in your civilian pursuits. Safety is a learned and conscious approach to life!  Be Safe!

Maj. Wm. (Bert) Wilson, SO

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 August, should you want to use them at your own squadron.

August Flight Safety Briefing (MS Word document)

August Ground Safety Briefing (MS Word document)
Safety

Safety Course

Finally, the Safety Course is now online. This should make it much easier for all Texas Wing Safety Officers to get the test completed, and get 100% compliance with CAPR 62-1. I would like to request that all Group Safety Officers or Group Commanders send me a list of all of the safety officers who have competed Safety Course no later than 31 August 2008, please.

Also for all Texas Wing pilots and aircrew members, please try to get the two FAA FAAST Team online courses: "Maneuvering Approach and Landing" and "Normal Approach and Landing" within the time specified by the SWR Commander. The courses are easy and not hard to read or understand. I have just completed one, and will finish the second one this afternoon or tomorrow.

If there are any questions on any of the recent safety requirements, please contact me. I know it sounds like a lot, and everyone is busy preparing for summer activities, but please hang in there as we try to keep Texas Wing in step with SWR Safe.

Thanks for all of your support and hard work as always,

Lt. Col. Melanie Capehart, DS

From: Sanderson, John
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:19 PM
Subject: On-Line Basic Safety Course and Test

For Your Attention,

Col Letteer is proud to announce the activation of the CAP Safety Specialty Track Training on the Safety website at http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/programs/safety/basic_safety_course/

The on-line Basic Safety Course and Test replace the Air Force Institute for Advanced Distributed Learning (AFIADL) Course 02170, Civil Air Patrol Safety Officer Course. Those who have already completed the old AFIADL course do not have to complete the new on-line course.

Look for the Senior and Master Safety courses on-line in the near future. Also, the revised CAPR 62-1 and CAPP 217 are now posted at www.cap.gov/pubs 

V/R

John D. Sanderson, Safety Administrator and Publications Manager

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
10 January   All subordinate unit Safety Surveys to Group III are due
1 March  S3 and Real Property Reports Due

 

2008

 

August

  
15-17 Aug Houston – TXWG Graded Training Exercise Contact: Lt Col Brooks Cima
     
 

September

  
5-7 Sep TBD – Group Sarex (Option I) Contact: Lt Col Owen Younger
5-7 Sep TBD – Group Sarex (Option II) Contact: Lt Col Owen Younger
     

Editor
A USAF Chaplain's Guest Commentary

Keep the faith: core beliefs guide combatants through trials, tribulations

7/3/2007 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.  -- It was always easy to tell when one of my former operations group commanders was dismissing me. He would say, "Keep the faith!" But to keep the faith was not an easy task. Year after year, dozens of times a year, Airmen from that unit went into harm's way where people were hurt and souls were scarred.

The effect of combat on faith is not a new concept. I grew up with the evening news reporting the death count in Vietnam every day. A Vietnam era solider turned Veterans Administration chaplain wrote a thoughtful book about his war-born crisis of faith long before most Americans had heard of Iraq. In II Samuel 11 we find King David, suffering from battle fatigue, failing to lead his army into battle. Other documents, more than 4,000 years old, graphically describe humankind's struggle to find meaning in the midst of the chaos and carnage of combat.

"How does a good and just God allow the existence of evil?" Theodicy seeks to answer the question. In the face of combat, theodicy is often the stumbling block of faith. The entire book of Job is devoted to the question of theodicy. In 1981, a bestseller was written that attempts to answer the question, "What is God doing when bad thing happen to good people?"

Time in a combat zone immerses one in a lesson on the gross inhumanity that humankind inflicts upon itself. Combat can cause a person to question basic beliefs, such as:

  • The world is a safe place.

  • People are good.

  • God is loving and just.

Core beliefs help us categorize events and deal with them. When foundational beliefs are shaken by the earthquake of trauma, a person's belief system may be reduced to shambles. Life itself may appear uncertain or meaningless. What we believe about ourselves, others, God, and our relationships matters immensely. So, if we're confronted with unimaginable evil and see God as powerless or uncaring, our sense of well-being may be shattered and our hope dashed. Before that happens, we must strengthen our faith.

We began as a nation committed to "freedom of religion" but are rapidly becoming a nation in which faith has become an "off limits" subject. This is unfortunate for a variety of reasons, but I would like to focus on one reason: my faith needs to be tested! I would never consider taking a PT test without any preparation. I do not want to go into battle with equipment that someone thought was good, but has proved to be defective. Faith is crucial to me, it is at the core of my being, and I want my faith tested long before the battle.

Like our nation's founders, we come from a variety of faiths. I believe we need more than tolerance of one another's faith beliefs; we need to live what the framers of the Declaration of Independence boldly proclaimed, "with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." The framers often hotly debated differences, but were held together in a tight community knowing that they ultimately stood together or hanged separately.

Untested, unexamined, unquestioned faith is a recipe for failure in combat--a time when I most need faith and our very lives depend on one another.

During my many years of public school, college, and graduate schools, I encountered many trainers. They were an "easy A," I just needed to listen to what they said in class and regurgitate it on the test. It was a "monkey see, monkey do" experience that left me unprepared for much more than passing the test.

I also encountered a few teachers who were a royal pain in the semester. These teachers understood the Socratic method. They questioned you over and over until your mind was either cogent or like minced meat. They asked you to clarify your position, they poked holes in your hypotheses, they forced hypothetical situations on you that demanded you to compromise your position, and then they really made you think.

We can sharpen each other's faith by being willing to talk about our deepest beliefs and convictions, by allowing others to challenge those beliefs, to pick them apart, to confront them with hypothetical situations. This will help each of us to sharpen our own faith. We can only do this if we first understand as military members that we, too, "mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Grubbs, 30th Space Wing Chapel

Useful Links

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PAO Resources

Federal & State Resources (DHS, USAF, Terrorism)

Safety

US Decorations Rack Builder – All military, auxiliary, and civilian decorations

 

Squadron and Group News (click on an image to enlarge it)
Apollo CS

Squadron Presents Colors at the Sertoma Celebration, 4 July

GEORGETOWN, Texas – For the third year in a row, Apollo Composite Squadron, Group III, Texas Wing supported Sertoma’s 4th of July celebration in San Gabriel Park. Squadron members worked the VIP and vendor parking and set up a booth to sell T-shirts and help recruit new members. The Apollo Color Guard led the parade and presented the colors at the opening ceremonies. Several cadets also took the stage for an impromptu version of the Air Force Song!

1. 2. 3.

[1] The squadron color guard presents the colors during the opening ceremonies.– (L-R) Cadets Joshua Lewis, Davita Heavener, Stephen Corley, and Michael Moody. [2] Capt. Fischler, squadron commander, mans the Apollo Composite Squadron's booth. [3] Cadets Davita Heavener, Michael Moody, and Stephen Corley sing the Air Force Song on stage.

Sertoma is the "short name" for Service to Mankind, a nation-wide non-profit organization. Sertoma’s primary service project is assisting the more than 50 million people with speech, hearing and language disorders. Sertoma also sponsors community projects to promote freedom and democracy, to assist youth and to benefit a variety of other local community needs, as identified by the individual clubs.

This was Sertoma’s 25th Annual 4th of July celebration. The festivities began at 11:00 AM and finished with an after-dark fabulous firework finale. Over 80 arts and crafts booths, food, vendors and a children’s area provided entertainment for everyone. The festival has grown into one of the largest family events in central Texas, attracting over 50,000 visitors annually. The Georgetown Sertoma Club may be reached at info@georgetownsertoma.org.

(Capt. Tom Adams)

Southwest Region Cadet Leadership School, 12-20 July

LACKLAND AFB, San Antonio, Tex. – C /2LT Michael Moody from Apollo Composite Squadron attended The Southwest Region Cadet Leadership School  (RCLS) held at Lackland AFB TX on 12-20 July, 2008.

"Teamwork, motivation, and leadership are the fundamentals of RCLS," said Cdt Moody. "This year's school was no exception; the cadets who attended had a great time and learned a tremendous amount." 

What the cadets learned at this seven-day school will not only serve them well the rest of their cadet career, but follow them through the rest of their life. Skills in areas of writing, speaking, teamwork, and time management will help these cadet do well in school, get jobs, and have a better chance at succeeding in life.

"It was a great week full of fun and excitement, and I definitely recommend this school to anyone, and everyone," Cdt Moody explained.

The Southwest Region Cadet Leadership School (RCLS) is designed to provide rising cadets with leadership training, managerial skills, a deeper understanding of all aspects of the cadet program and prepare them to take their place as contributing members of our society. Lessons include: Event Planning, Leadership Styles, Effective Communication, Goal Setting, Time Management, Team Building, Conflict Management, and Situational Leadership.

This activity is open to cadets who are at least 14 years old, have achieved a rank of C/MSgt or higher, and have completed at least one encampment.

(C/2nd Lt. Michael Moody)

Plastic Model Planes for Sale, 28 July

Here is a list of Plastic Model Airplanes that were donated to the Apollo CS for liquidation. We will be using all funds raised by this sale for our Mission Base Restoration.

  • These Models are all about 20 years old.

  • They have never been started and are complete, including decals.

  • Some of the boxes are still wrapped in the manufacturer's original plastic. I have added columns for box condition, however I could provide pictures if requested.

  • If you have a valid CAP ID # please make us an offer and I will put it before our finance committee. Aerospace Education is one third of Civil Air Patrol missions, and we would like to extend a discount to all CAP members.

  • I have looked on the web and added a price in column A for the models I found for sale. If a model has no price listed, it's because I couldn't find any.

These model planes will be featured at the ASMS Annual show on 9-27-08, so if you are interested please contact me with your bid before then. 

(Capt. Cheri Fischler, Commander)
Gladewater Corsairs CS

Cadets Participate in Field Training Exercise, 11-13 July

GLADEWATER, Tex. – On the weekend of 11-13 July, Civil Air Patrol Cadets from the Gladewater and Longview squadrons participated in a joint Field Training Exercise (FTX). The purpose of the training was to practice and upgrade skills in locating missing aircraft using a homing device, as well as to have the cadets work with members other than those from their home units. Whenever CAP is called out to search for a missing aircraft or person, it is very likely that teams will include CAP members from squadrons called from all over Texas. In some cases, when the incident is very large, they'll come from other states as well. The most common mission is a missing aircraft search, but CAP also performs fire-watch missions, lake patrols, various Homeland Security taskings, and air and ground support in the event of natural disasters.

The training was held on a 1300-acre site in Gladewater. During the weekend we set up two different camps. The first evening, the camp site was next to a lake, under some trees so there was abundant and welcome shade. This was a great boon, as it was very, very hot that weekend. Cadets set up camp, prepared their evening meals, and then relaxed while getting to know one another. Participating were seven cadets from the Gladewater Corsairs Composite Squadron and three from the Gregg County Composite Squadron. Field experience in the cadet group varied from highly trained to first-timers, so there was a lot of good advice offered around the campfire on that first night.

It would seem that all the team does is search for the ELT again and again. That is only partially true, as there are other topics being taught and/or reviewed during and after each sortie. Yes, we are looking for the ELT each time, but have been reviewing types of search lines, responsibilities of each member on the team, assigning members to different jobs for each sortie, learning land navigation, procedures on making a “find,” as well as many other topics in the required curriculum. A debriefing is held after each sortie, where members discuss what went right, what might have gone wrong, and what we would do in the future to improve performance. We also held a communications class in order to qualify all members in the operation of CAP radios used in the field to contact other members, aircraft or mission base.

1. 2. 3. 4.

[1] Lakeside Camp, Preparing to leave on sortie. [2] Taking an ELPER reading. Cadet Airman Bounds operating, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant advising. [3] Successful end to the search. Cadet Airman First Class Priezykowski (rear, left end) holds the ELPER, Cadet Airman Jones (rear, center) holds the ELT transmitter. [4] Riverside Camp.

This particular FTX was very interesting for two reasons. First, we had members from two squadrons. But, better yet, the Gladewater cadet staff had planned the entire weekend. The cadets drew a plan for the Squadron Commander's approval, and made all the arrangements. In the past, senior members had planned all training weekends, but this event was so well put together that we'll continue to plan future training events in this manner. Senior staff will have input, but the basic responsibility will be the cadets’. Leadership and Emergency Services skills have now developed to a point where the cadets can take the lead in this area.

Although the event was well planned, there were some surprises as the weekend progressed. Cadet Second Lieutenant Jarrod Alexander, who had done the major part of the planning, had a last-minute change in his work schedule, therefore he could only participate on a part-time basis. Under his direction, other cadets filled in and the weekend proceeded following the original schedule. Because of the extreme heat, a planned march to a new campsite was canceled, and we packed up and rode over instead.

As a new wrinkle, the cadets had thrown in a night mission. They got everyone up at 1:00AM and organized an ELT search in the moonless, very dark night. Although it might seem a bit harsh to the uninitiated, CAP performs the majority of ELT searches during the hours of darkness. Of course, when participating in an actual mission, the target is usually an aircraft, not a tiny half a loaf of bread-sized transmitter. Given the difficult location chosen for the target, locating it took much longer than usual. Also, since this was the first time we had attempted a night mission, it went pretty well. It probably took twice as long to make the find as it would have in daylight.

On Saturday evening, after completing the sorties scheduled for the day, everyone packed up and, as mentioned above, rode over to the new camp, about a mile and a half away (a much appreciated respite). The new location, next to the Sabine River, had two very welcome features: available electricity and an outhouse. These luxuries are seldom available in the field, and were put to good use. After setting up camp, we set up a very large ventilation fan to provide a breeze over the picnic tables we used for meals. Because of the hot weather, this area attracted a lot of "work meetings" as well as meals.

On Sunday morning, Lieutenant Alexander, who is an NRA certified instructor, gave a marksmanship class. The Gladewater squadron has four competition-grade air rifles and usually ends weekend training with a rifle competition. Though we train hard, we also plan on some fun activities. The cadets can get more than friendly competition at the shooting range, they can earn marksmanship medals if their scores are high enough. At the end of the "match" there is a lot of kidding around about the results, as well as many "just you wait until the next time" remarks.

5. 6. 7. 8.

[5] Marksmanship class held by Lieutenant Alexander. [6] Female cadets on the line. Cadet Basic Alexander (foreground) and Cadet Airman Jones (background). [7] Chow time - definitely a favorite. [8] (L-R) Front row, Cadet Basic Word, Cadet Basic Alexander, Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Cassell, and Cadet Airman Jones.
Center row, Cadet Airman First Class Morton, Cadet Airman Bounds, Cadet Airman First Class Priezykowski, and Cadet Basic Garms. Rear row, Lieutenant Alexander, Senior Member Garms, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Alexander, and Captain Parks. Participating but not in photo, Cadet Major Mouton and Cadet Lieutenant Alexander.

After the training and the fun, we sit down to critique the weekend.  This is a a no-holds-barred, honest, open forum where all participants can say anything constructive that they wish to offer. Again, we review what went right, what went wrong, what should have been done, and what fixes we need to implement. Although all agreed that it was a fine weekend, a number of very useful comments will be incorporated in our next training weekend. Everyone agreed that we should do more training with other squadrons in our part of Texas. And we'll plan on it.

Including cadets from another squadron yielded unexpected benefits. CAP members learn Emergency Services methods in their home squadrons, at locally organized training weekends as well as in statewide training exercises and schools. Based upon individual members' training and experience, each squadrons, though using the same curriculum when training in Emergency Services topics, can develop slightly different methods of implementing them. We were able to exchange information and develop new methods, taking the best from both sources.

Gladewater Cadets participating included Cadet Major Stephen Mouton, Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Jarrod Alexander, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Andrew Alexander, Cadet Airman Shawn Bounds, Cadet Airman Victoria Jones, Cadet Basic Rebekkah Alexander, Cadet Basic Willie Garms, and Cadet Basic Tommy Word.  Longview Cadets included Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Kayla Cassell, Cadet Airman First Class Samuel Morton, and Cadet Airman First Class Preston Priezykowski. Senior members attending from the Gladewater Composite Squadron included Captain Harold Parks and Senior Member William Garms. Also attending from Gladewater was Mrs. Keren Alexander.

(Capt. Harold Parks, Commander)
Gregg County CS

My Staffing Experience at the 2008 Summer Encampment, 14-21 June

BIG SANDY, Tex. - When I was assigned as a Cadet Public Affairs Officer, my first thought was that this would be easy: a couple of photos here, a couple there, loads of personal time. Wow, I had a rude awakening coming. Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy myself. We worked all day and most of the night on articles and setting up an audio-video presentation for the end-of-course dining-in. I had loads of fun running around and surprising people with an unexpected flash, or making cadets smile. When I would come around to take a cadet basic flight's pictures, and it was suppose to be a silly picture, the cadets would be at attention. But after ten minutes of joking with them, they would finally show me how silly they could be. What made me love being a C/PAO was getting to go to the firing range or ropes course; there I got to talk with cadets and listen to their experience, and what they enjoyed the most about encampment.

When I signed up for staff I had not realized that staff wouldn't get much sleep. On Thursday night we went to bed a little late. I woke up in the middle of the night, standing in the middle of the billets with a hot iron in one hand and starch in the other, ironing my uniform. I freaked out a little and put everything away, trying to make it look as if nothing had happened. Luckily, no one was awake.

Friday night, during the dining-in, I was unable to stay and watch our own presentation, that we had worked on so hard throughout the week. I had to take care of an emergency. During a friendly game of soccer that morning, one of the cadets from my home squadron, who was more important than the presentation and the food, had been accidentally kicked where she had had recent surgery. Fearing she might have internal bleeding, we rushed her to the hospital as the dining-in was getting started. At first she hadn't wanted to go, so we had to persuade her not to be stubborn and let us take her there. Finally she agreed, but only if I stayed with her the whole time. As C/CMSgt Caroline Morton and I carried her out to the van, my shoulder slipped out of place. Boy, was I glad I still managed to carry her, without dropping her.

1. 2. 3.

[1] C/SMSgt Kayla Cassel, 2d Lt Nancy Spanial, Cdt Jagur Roach and Cdt Samuel Morton, all of them members of the Gregg County Composite Squadron. [2] The colors head the graduating class, as they pass in review. [3] 2d Lt Cassie Stephens, C/SMSgt Kayla Cassel, and Major Gerry Davis engage in conversation at the cadets practice for their Pass in Review.

We hung out at the hospital together with 2d Lt. Nancy Spanial, and goofed around while waiting on the CAT scan results. After about six hours in the hospital, she was finally released at around one in the morning. She was excited that she would still be able to march in her graduation. So before heading back to the ALERT Academy, we decided to make a quick stop at McDonald’s to celebrate with a couple of milkshakes. Oh, did they hit the spot!

Saturday morning, the big graduation day for all the cadets, had been a day that I too had been waiting for. Not to end encampment, as some cadet basics felt, but to finally put my shoulder back in place. After being put back in place, and the cadet basics passed in review, I enjoyed watching all the familiar faces that I had visited and taken pictures of during the previous week.

But this was not the last day at ALERT for me. The same as many other cadets, I had also signed up for LESA.

(C/SMSgt Kayla Cassel)

My LESA Experience, 21-28 June

BIG SANDY, Tex. - After a few hours relaxing from my staff duty at summer encampment, now it was time for me to sign in at the Lone Star Emergency Services Academy (LESA), also to be held at the ALERT facility. As I signed in, I was haunted by the frayed nerves and tiredness I dragged along from Basic Encampment. I wasn't worried about attending the Ground Search and Rescue Specialty School (GSARSS), but I didn't know if they would let me attend, after having dislocated my shoulder during encampment. Luckily, Capt. Ricky Pena, the School Commandant, put my arm in a sling and said I could still attend. Once I heard that, all tiredness and nervousness left me, and I felt like I had slept for a week.

Right off the bat, after signing in and finding our assigned billets, we had our first class, dealing with our 24- and 72-hour packs. After class we had pizza, and got to visit with our new instructors. When we finished, we were released to personal time. The females had quite a walk to our sleeping quarters.

On our first morning, we had PT on the track at around 4:30 a.m. I was not able to participate in PT, which was a little upsetting for me, but I enjoyed motivating my fellow cadets. After PT we had an hour of personal time. We had been instructed to meet at the dining hall for breakfast. After eating our muffins we went down to the classroom and started our instruction. Before the class began, though, we were introduced to our best friend: the stretcher basket. We learned how to get it through, over and under obstacles while keeping it level. For our second class, we had to perform the human crouch, the Roman chair, and the fireman's carry. We got to carry each other across the field.

Throughout the week, we had at least 50 classes covering signaling, radio use, L-Per use, and other skills we would need to master in order to become ground team members. Our instructors gave us many challenges. Almost every night we would be awakened for a mission. On our first mission, we found the "downed aircraft," lit the flare, and carried back "the injured." The injured person me had to carry was C/CMSgt Micah Pravel of the Shoemaker Composite Squadron. Well, he wasn't really injured, he was supposed to be dead; but I never knew the dead could talk.

We also got the chance to cross a river on a rope about 50 feet above the water. Before doing this, we had to master the Swiss seat and our rope knots. The next morning, for PT, we had a work-out with a ten-foot log.

1. 2.

[1] The GSARSS students do a line search as they look for toy frogs and poker chips. C/SMSgt Kayla Cassel is the 3rd one down. [2] Capt. Kearby Elliott teaches a class on the different ways one can carry an injured person.

One mission that we did lasted about four hours. We marched with full packs on and the stretcher basket with a 175-pound load tied to it. Team 1 found the "downed aircraft" and they sent three cadets to tape it off, while the other cadets helped the "injured" pilot. The three cadets were declared "blown up" (not really, it was a simulation) and Team 1 radioed in that they needed assistance. Help never came due to bad weather. The three cadets we never got to rescue, but somehow they lingered around the camp with us, as if nothing had happened, with purple hearts painted on their hard hats. When we returned to the classrooms, we had a "naming ceremony" giving everyone call names to write on the back of their hard hats.

The most insane thing I have ever done in my life, at two in the morning, was finding 75 quarters that the instructors had thrown in the field. The rules were simple: find all 75 quarters in 3 minutes with no light. We didn't make the first 3 minutes, so we did ten ranger push-ups with packs on for an extra 3 minutes. We finally found them all, and were released to return to bed.

The last night we were there, we set up camp out in the woods, where we got tested on everything we had learned. After we finished being tested individually, we marched up to the lake and attended a cook-out with the other schools. We visited and sang Veggie Tale songs with Col. Joe R. Smith. Yes, Col. Smith the Texas Wing Commander sang Veggie Tales with GSARSS. That is how much we rocked.

The hamburgers and hot dogs were delicious. It started to get dark, so we headed back to camp. We were taught many different ways to start a fire. Then, 2230 arrived and we all went to our shelters for the night. I shared my tarp with C/Amn Emma Stowers of the Randolph Composite Squadron, because she didn't have one. In the middle of the night I woke up with a snake next to me. I moved away from it, and threw things at it, scaring it away. And went back to sleep without disturbing the cadet beside me.

To survive GSARSS, you had to be physically and mentally tough. You have to learn how to work with others. So if you attend GSARSS - which I highly recommend you do -, make friends with everyone in your school. It will help you in the long run.

(C/SMSgt Kayla Cassel)
Mesquite Blacksheep CS

The Squadron's 30th Anniversary Celebration, 20 July

MESQUITE, Texas – On 20 July 2008, the Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadron celebrated their 30th anniversary at the Mesquite Metro Airport. The evening, filled with several recognitions to mark the occasion, as well as a dinner.

Lt. Col. Owen Younger, a former Mesquite Blacksheep CS cadet, presented the Group III Squadron of the Year plaque to Lt. Col. Mike Eberle, the squadron commander. Lt. Col. Younger explained, “Whenever I needed something done, the Blacksheep Squadron was always there.”

Cadet Program Officer of the Year went to 1st Lt. J.M. Coffman. Communications Officer of the Year went to 1st Lt. Toby Buckalew.

In attendance were some former squadron commanders, including Paul Salos, Jim Quinn, Dennis Gross, and Gary Woodall. Jerry Leath, the widow of former commander Chuck Leath, also attended. Other commanders recognized, but not present, were Al Hagan (the first commander), Art Hendon, Kelly Bryant, Peggy Acker, R.W. Russell, and Steve Marsden.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

[1] Past and present members of the Mesquite Blacksheep CS. [2] Jerry Leath, widow of former commander, Chuck Leath, cuts the cake. [3] The squadron’s C-182 plane sits on static display outside the event's hangar. [4] Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Group III Commander and also former Mesquite Blacksheep CS cadet, presents the Group III Squadron of the Year Award to Lt. Col. Mike Eberle. [5] Lt. Col. Owen Younger presents the Group III Cadet Programs Officer of the Year Award to 1st. Lt J.M. Coffman. [6] Five of the eight recipients of the Commander’s Commendation Award - 1st Lt. Jerry Barron, C/CMSgt Andrew Smith, C/CMSgt Brittany Stelting, C/TSgtTim Kleinmeier, and former member C/SMSgt Johanna Cohen.

Lt. Col. Eberle then announced that the 2007 Annual Mishap-Free Award was recently presented to the squadron for a job well done.

Eight members had received the Commander’s Commendation Award for their involvement in the Tuskegee Airmen event held on 25 August 2007 at the Cavanaugh Museum in Addison, Texas. Recipients included 1st Lt. Jerry Barron, C/CMSgt Brittany Stelting, C/TSgt Tim Kleinmeier, C/CMSgt Andrew Smith, C/A1C Jeremy Banks, C/2d Lt. Mitchell Graham, Lt. Col. Mike Eberle, and former member and C/SMsgt Johanna Cohen.

Lt. Col. Eberle also promoted three cadets who continue to excel in the squadron: Garrett Porter and Caroline Stelting to C/A1C , and Tim Kleinmeier to C/MSgt.

Cadets earn the Blacksheep cap and patch by proving that they are familiar with the history of Col. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington’s Black Sheep Squadron of World War II fame. The latest recipients recognized at this time were C/AB Brandon Keehan and C/A1C Garrett Porter.

 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

[7] Garrett Porter was promoted to Cadet Airman First Class. [8] Caroline Stelting was promoted Cadet Airman First Class. [9] Tim Kleinmeier was promoted to Cadet Master Sergeant. [10] Recipients of the Black Sheep CS cap and patch were C/AB Brandon Keehan and C/A1C Garrett Porter. [11]Guests and members enjoy a hearty meal during the event. (All Photos: 1st Lt. Kelly Castillo)

Lt. Col. Eberle acknowledged the squadron's gratitude to P&S Aerowest (for providing the hangar space for the event); Airport Manager Cynthia Godfrey; 1st Lt. J.M. Coffman (for organizing the event); 1st Lt. Jerry Barron, 1st Lt. Opal McKinney and  2nd Lt. LeeAnn Garcia (for providing the food); and most of all to the family members who supported the cadets and senior members while they were away engaged in their CAP activities.

Lt. Col. Eberle held high a copy of the Mesquite Neighborsgo newspaper, an addendum to the Dallas Morning News, congratulating C/CMSgt Andrew Smith for his 19 June article submission. The article. “CAP Hosts Flag Ceremony,” covered the annual Flag Day event that the squadron held on 17 June.

A moment of silence was kept in the memory of Major Merle Depue, a dedicated senior member who lost his life in 1998 as a result of a non-CAP plane crash.

After the dinner and awards ceremony, a special presentation was made by 1st Lt. J.M. Coffman explaining the true story of the original USMC Black Sheep Squadron as well as the history of the Civil Air Patrol’s own Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadron.
“Col. Boyington personally gave his approval for our squadron to carry the name Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadron, which he never did for anyone else,” said 1st Lt. Coffman.

Here’s to another 30 years' of the Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadron!

(Capt. Kelly Castillo)
Pegasus CS

 

ELT Mission, 19 July

AUSTIN, Tex. - We received an active ELT alert on Sunday, 19 July at 0115Z (8:15 PM local time). The coordinates supplied by AFRCC placed the ELT in the San Marcos area. AFRCC indicated that they had received five positive returns, beginning at 1805Z (1:05 PM local time) and requested a ground team to respond.     

The ground team assembled at 0305Z at the Pegasus Composite Squadron home building at Camp Mabry, in Austin. Responding to the mission were Major Richard Pope, 1st Lt. Bill Davidson, and C/CMSgt. Mark Davidson. Once the search location had been determined and all equipment loaded, the team left for San Marcos at 0324Z. The first location searched was the San Marcos Municipal Airport, at 0414Z.

Since the ground team recorded no signal at the airport, they proceeded to the coordinates provided by AFRCC that gave a general location southwest of the airport. At 0440Z, the ground team established a positive signal in the area of Wonder World Drive and IH 35. After taking several directional readings with the LPER equipment, the team established the location of the ELT at 0550Z on the grounds occupied by a mobile-home parts business on the frontage road of IH 35.

The ground team observed various aircraft structural components and assemblies in a fenced-in storage yard behind the business. After several attempts to contact the business owner via telephone, the ground team contacted the local police for assistance. The San Marcos Police Department responded on-scene, and dispatched an officer to the owner’s residence to gain access to the business.

At 0649Z, the owner of the business arrived on-scene and provided access to the building. He said to know that there was an ELT stored inside the building, for an aircraft that he owned. At 0654Z, the owner located the ELT on a shelf in a storage room, the ground team deactivated the device, and recorded the ELT information to complete the incident report.

The ground team was cleared to return to base at 0658Z, after having completed another successful find. This was a uniquely challenging search, due to the location of the ELT within a building situated away from an airport, on the frontage road of a major interstate highway. The reflectivity of the building, other nearby buildings, power lines, and guardrails provided several false signal returns that added to the total search time.

This mission does show that once a CAP ground team has obtained a signal, the team's training and determination will lead to locating the source. The mission also showed, once again, that local authorities provide great assistance in completing CAP missions.

(1st Lt. Bill Davidson)

In Pursuit of Flight, 28 July

AUSTIN, Tex. - Civil Air Patrol is filled with great opportunities, and I've benefited from many of them as I advanced through the CAP program. The first was IACE, which opened my eyes to International Air Cadets and how their local programs work. Next were the National Cadet Special Activities and the powered flight academy. That really jump-started my wish to get a private pilot’s license. The most recent benefit I received was the opportunity to complete my primary flight training with a CAP flight instructor in a CAP plane, a unique program that I was lucky to be able to qualify for. This summer, with the help of Captain Nicole Novack and Captain Leonard Laws, my dream of earning my pilot’s license came within reach.

I had attended the 2007 National Powered Flight Academy in Nebraska, where I had a blast  and soloed under the instruction of Col. Warder Shires. After returning home, I continued to take flight instruction until I relocated to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech. I ended that summer with thirty hours, and had done three solo takeoffs and landings at towered and non-towered airports. I was also able to complete one 50 nautical miles (NM) solo cross-country, and be on my way to achieving my personal goal. At Texas Tech in Lubbock, having to focus on schoolwork, I hadn't done any flight training, but made good use of my Civil Air Patrol training to do well in AFROTC. At the end of my freshman year, I was rewarded with an Air Force scholarship; again, it was thanks to the Civil Air Patrol that I'd had the tools to contend for it.

That brings me back to Austin and the summer of 2008, when I was determined to complete my flight training. I discovered; however, that my previous flight instructor and his wife were on a summer-long vacation. I was disappointed that I wouldn't be able to keep working with an instructor who knew me well, but soon found a great alternative. While at a Pegasus Composite Squadron meeting, Major Dick Pope gave me Capt. Nicole Novack's phone number. She was a Certified Flight Instructor and a member of the Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron. Now I was back on track, ready to start flying again.

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[1] This CAP cadet is also a Texas Tech AFROTC cadet, and wants wings of his own. [2] After the sunset, I got my night flying. It was wonderful to see the dark ground come to life with the lights of populated areas. [3] Maneuvering above the clouds, where the air is so clean, is like nothing else. [4] Working under the hood, learning how to rely on the plane's instruments. (Photos, Capt Nicole Novack)

The first couple of flights with Captain Novack were in the Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron plane (at Austin-Bergstrom), focusing on getting me up to speed and familiar with the aircraft. After a couple of hours, I re-soloed and started to receive instruction on night flying, that is totally different from anything else. It was really cool to fly over downtown Austin and see the city all lit up, spread out beneath me. Next came the night cross-country and that was a lot of fun too. I flew from Austin to Waco, with a quick stop at Georgetown. On the approach back into Austin-Bergstrom, we had five 737s lined up behind us. Air Traffic Control (ATC) vectored us out of the way until all the heavy iron had landed, but it was spectacular to see -- from inside the system -- how the airspace was managed.

Next came the 150NM solo cross-country. For this flight, I had to use the CAP plane based at Georgetown’s Apollo Composite Squadron, because the Austin plane was scheduled for an inspection. Since the Georgetown plane didn't handle the same as the Austin one, it took me a flight to get used to it. The route of my next daytime solo flight was a duplicate of the one I'd flown for the night cross-country, and it went according to plan, with no problems. It felt really good to have accomplished another requirement towards my license. I knew I was more than ready for this solo cross-country, so I was able to enjoy the flight as I marked it off my list.

Captain Novack thought it would be a good idea for me to receive some instruction from Captain Laws as well. He, too, is a superb flight instructor, so while I was with him I tried to absorb as much information as I could. We did short- and soft-field takeoffs and landings, VOR navigation and unusual attitudes. The latter didn’t bother me at all. I recovered quickly and by PTS standards. Captain Laws also seemed to approve of my progress. 

Between the major milestones, Captain Novack had me do more work under the hood, more night landings, and more maneuvers. Now it seemed that I would be using the Georgetown plane for my check ride, because the Bergstrom plane had not returned from maintenance. This is ironic, because my family had visited the Georgetown squadron when we had been looking for a CAP unit to join. The Apollo members had been very nice during our visit, and even let me sit in the plane to see what it was like. At that time, I'd never imagined that someday I would be flying that same plane to complete my own pilot’s license.

The Georgetown plane would soon be headed to Oklahoma for a flight academy but it needed maintenance too. The repair facility is in Fredericksburg, Texas, and since I needed more solo cross-country time, I was awarded the flight.

The cross-country to Fredericksburg was not as long as the trip to Waco. It was a really nice flight, despite a lot of rough air, and I felt quite comfortable, as I had during my cross-country to Waco. When I arrived in Fredericksburg, I did three takeoffs and landings to build up my time, then took the plane to the repair station. They were so prompt that, before I knew it, I was doing my preflight checklist again and was ready to head back to Austin.

On the flight back, everything went as planned, and I even did some “S” turns to build my solo time. I had intended to do three more takeoffs and landings at Fredericksburg, but gusts and crosswinds made it unadvisable. The fun really started ten miles short of Austin Bergstrom. ATC vectored me on a course perpendicular to 17R-35L. I was so close to the field that MD80s were making their outbound turns right above me. The airport was really busy. Then ATC directed me to fly a heading of three-five-zero and advised me to look for traffic. That was a good notice, since I was now flying above 737s that were on final approach. After I was clear of the traffic on 17R, I was cleared to land on 17L. It felt good to follow the rules and share airspace with commercial pilots. During all my solo time in Bergsrom’s airspace, I was absolutely confident in my abilities, because Captain Novack had taught me how to manage the radio and how to work well with ATC. By the time this flight took place, I had gathered a lot of experience talking to ATC. Captain Novack definitely helped me learn proper radio communication in class Charlie airspace.

Because the Kittinger-Phantom plane was still in maintenance, and the Apollo plane had gone to a powered flight academy, I was transitioned to the Tex Hill Composite Squadron’s C-172, in San Marcos. I don’t know why, but I immediately liked this plane. On the first flight, it handled very well and felt really comfortable. I was also fortunate to have Captain Laws give me a workout flight. We did every maneuver at least a couple of times, and worked on short- and soft-field takeoffs and landings. During my check-ride, I would be glad that we had given extra time to practice those maneuvers. Finally, I would never have achieved this level of preparation without the support of my Pegasus Composite Squadron Commander, Captain John Benavides. Later, I learned that Captain Benavides had been scheduled to take the plane to Dallas for a Commanders' Call, but stood down and elected to drive instead, to make it possible for me to have the benefit of additional time in the aircraft. How awesome is that?

The next couple of flights I had Captain Novack with me, as we continued to polish the maneuvers. I was feeling really prepared for the check ride. Captain Novack also prepared me for the oral exam. I am grateful that she dedicated the time I needed to make sure I would be ready for all phases of the check-ride. Feeling completely prepared for the oral exam and practical test, I thought, "It's now or never." 

July 22, 2008 is a day I’ll never forget. I was feeling really good about the day, the plane, and the way Captains Novack and Laws had prepared me. The exam was scheduled to take place in Brownwood. As Captain Novack and I departed from San Marcos, I remember thinking to myself, "The plan calls for me to return to this field later in the day, license in hand." On the ground at Brownwood, I met the examiner. "We'll begin shortly," he said. As we waited, Captain Novack reassured me and kept my confidence high by telling me that I was ready, and that nothing more could be done because I was ready. She smiled, but I didn’t. Then the oral exam got underway. As the exam progressed, I felt more and more confident because the training I'd received had been so good. Did I know everything? No. Did I pass? Yes! As I was told to preflight the plane, now I had a smile on my face, although this was only the half-way point. 

The day was sunny and clear. The winds were calm and not picking up. I wasn’t nervous about the flight, but I was worried that I might make a stupid mistake and fail. After all the time and money invested in getting a private pilot's license, failure was not an option. I executed all the maneuvers within PTS standards. But doubts kept creeping in, "Did I do OK in my VOR navigation? It must have been OK, because I tracked the Brownwood VOR and located it." After that, we headed back to the airport to do short- and soft-field takeoffs and landings. 

For the short-field landing, the examiner told me to pick a spot on the runway for my touchdown point. This nearly caught me off guard, since I'd never called my shot during training flights. I told him, "The second center-line stripe is my mark." I placed the plane in short-field landing configuration and used my best judgment. Then, with determination, I put that plane right on it and even surprised myself. I knew it was possible for an experienced pilot to be so precise, but I’m glad I managed it during my check-ride.

Then we did one normal landing and the check ride was over. As soon as we cleared the runway, the examiner said, “Congratulations, you passed.” I didn’t do anything to show I was happy. Not yet. I continued with the after-landing checklist because I didn’t want anything stupid to ruin a favorable check ride. I finally smiled after engine shut-down. Mission accomplished!

Captain Novack was delighted to hear the news. To be honest, I was beside myself, and still couldn’t believe that this phase of flight training was over. Perhaps I was so well prepared that I had naturally expected to pass. Either way, I achieved my goal with the assistance of dedicated and generous professionals. Pictures were taken and I got my license. The flight back home was a relief.

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[5] Back in San Marcos, with the plane and an FAA Class III Pilot's Certificate in my pocket. Life is good. [6] C/SSg Evan Petrosky and his instructor, Captain Nicole Novack, by the Tex Hill Composite Squadron's sweet plane. (Photos, unknown Berry Aviation employee.)

At the end of that day, I had 62 hours total flying time. Forty-four of those I had flown in CAP aircraft. This includes the National Flight Academy and flight training this summer. The other eighteen had been in civilian aircraft. Thanks to the Civil Air Patrol, I'd been able to get more than two-thirds of it done at minimal cost. Every instructor I had along the way helped me in the process of becoming a pilot, but it’s most notable that my best training came from the CAP instructors who invest their time for the sheer love of aviation and the desire to help others along the way. I have also noticed that spirit elsewhere in CAP. Whether it is with flight training, emergency services, cadet programs, or any of other specialty field. 

If nothing else, I hope this article encourages others to take some of the steps I took, and capitalize on Civil Air Patrol programs in order to realize their own personal goals.

(C/SSgt Evan Petrosky)

Tyler CS

Four Cadets Receive the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award, 15 July 

TYLER, Tex. -- On 15 July, the Tyler Composite Squadron, Group III, Texas Wing, Civil Air Patrol hosted a General Billy Mitchell Award ceremony for four squadron cadets, an event attended by family, friends fellow cadets and squadron members. In recognition of having completed the first eight of sixteen achievements of the Cadet program, the cadets, Russell Elliott, Isaac Niedrauer, Josiah Niedrauer and John Shanahan, were presented the award and promoted to the grade of Cadet Second Lieutenant. To earn the award, the Cadets had to pass an arduous 100-question examination, testing leadership theory and aerospace topics.

Since its inception over 30 years ago, over 42,000 cadets have earned this honor. The General Billy Mitchell Award, in existence since 1964, honors the late Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, aviation pioneer, advocate and staunch supporter of an independent Air Force for America. 

The Texas Wing Chaplain, Maj. Ron Whitt, pronounced the invocation.

Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Lou Thomas welcomed Squadron members, family and guests. Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Commander of Group III, Texas Wing, spoke to the cadets about the Core Values of Integrity, Excellence in all we do, and Service before self. 

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

[1] (L-R) Lt. Col. Lou Thomas, State Representative Leo Berman holding his CAP Membership Certificate, and Lt. Col. Owen Younger. State Representative Berman received a grade of Lt. Col. in the Civil Air Patrol. [2] (L-R) Choya Shanahan, C/2nd Lt. John Shanahan, and State Representative Leo Berman. [3] Lt. Col. Lou Thomas presents the Grover Loening Award Certificate to 1st Lt. Choya Shanahan. [4] The new C/2nd Lts. (L-R) Isaac Niedrauer, Russell Elliot, John Shanahan and Josiah Niedrauer. [5] (L-R) Lt. Col. Lou Thomas, C/2nd Lt Isaac Niedrauer, C/2nd Lt. Russell Elliot, C/2nd Lt. John Shanahan, C/2nd Lt. Josiah Niedrauer, Lt. Col. Owen Younger, and State Representative Leo Berman. [6] Mrs. Leo Berman, State Representative Leo Berman, C/2nd Lt. John Shanahan, and 1st Lt. Choya Shanahan. (Photos: 1st Lt. Richard Gilmore)

Thereupon, Lt Col Thomas and Lt Col Younger presented State Representative Leo Berman with a Legislative Squadron Membership Certificate, welcoming him to Texas Wing as a Lt. Col. of the Civil Air Patrol. Representative Berman, a retired U.S. Army Lt. Col., assisted by the cadet's parents, "pinned" the new grade insignia and presented the Mitchell Awards to each cadet.

The Civil Air Patrol Cadet program is divided into 16 segments called achievements, involving study and performance in the program areas. Upon completion of each achievement, the cadet earns increased responsibility, decorations, awards, eligibility  for national and international special activities, and opportunities for both flight and academic scholarships, as well as opportunities to earn a higher rank. Meeting a physical fitness standard is also a requirement for promotion.

Lt Col H (Butch) Ragland

The Squadron in the News, 25 July

TYLER, Tex. -- On this day, the TylerPaper news online carried the article above. Congratulations, Lt. Col. Ragland! - Editor
Waxahachie Talon CS

Before the Sand Runs Out

Isn’t it astonishing

How this world can keep two people apart,

In spite of their efforts?

The world continuously spins them

         further away.

 

Their only dream…

To see one another again,

         before the sand runs out.

 

Their worst fear…

At any moment,

         The sand will run out.

 

~ Make the most of every second, whenever and wherever you can,

 with the people you adore,

because you can't ever know

when the sand will run out ~

(C/Capt. Tiffany Hamm)

 

Invisibility

One by one,

Teardrops well up and flow from my eyes

Slowly dripping onto my window sill,

          down to the cold,

                   bare floor.

 

Headstrong, thinking

That I could get everything my heart desired,

But soon after realizing,

         It wasn’t quite possible.

 

For, somehow,

Invisibility rode away with me,

Just as a knight

         would ride his white stallion

                  into the black unknown.

 

~ Although one person may not see you,

everyone else does.

So why waste precious time waiting for that one person

who sees you not?

Even though we’re only human,

we mustn't let our failures take us down too ~

(C/Capt. Tiffany Hamm)

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