Why Am I a Writer?

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – People ask me this question, and I don't always give them the same answer. I've thought about this for quite some time, now. Years, in fact, and I've come to the conclusion that I'm a writer merely because I like to write. It isn't that I have something so profound to express that I feel the urge to set it down for posterity. On the contrary. At times what I write could be considered trite, were it not for a reader's kindness in reading it in a new garb and accepting it as wise or even useful.

In my teens, when all of us had wonderful dreams – some of which we shared with each other – I had a friend my own age who kept saying he wanted to be a scientist. In that gathering of young minds, it wasn't always a good thing to ask, "Why?" of each other. However, being practical by nature, one day when we were alone I asked him, "What sort of thing would you hope to make or invent, as a scientist?" I found his answer disconcerting, "Oh, no! Forget about inventing anything! I want to do pure research, not applied science. Inventing is for the craftsmen..." The way he said it, "craftsmen" sounded like an insult.

I don't know how he would characterize my writing today, but I know that in that distant past he would have sneered at it. Youth can be quite intolerant. Since we lost touch with each other, I don't know what became of him. I imagine he's in some basement, cut off from all contact with the world, delving into the deepest mysteries of biological architecture, or trying to figure out which unsuspected building blocks make up a pion, that subatomic particle that, when I was in high school, wasn't even suspected to exist. Would knowing the architecture and makeup of a pion change my life? I doubt it.

Could a universal truth accidentally trip out of something I write, and change if not the life at least the point of view of someone, perhaps even that of my young friend of so long, long ago? I don't know. But what I do know is that in order to write I need to have something to say. If someone else thinks that what I write matters, then for that person I would be a good writer. But I don't think I could ever think of myself as a good writer. I'm too critical for that.

The paradox is that if I find something to write about, and I know I've written it, I simply feel relieved, because the subject of that piece of writing had been bothering me for a while, and now that it's written it is finally out and I'm rid of it. The end result is that from that moment on I would have to carry a lighter load. Does this mean that I am no different than my friend of my teen years, who wanted to do pure research? I hope not. I've found that some of my writing, as it relieves me of a burden, can open windows and doors for those who read it, strengthening their knowledge and even their view of themselves.

"Know thyself" (gnōthi seauton) said the ancient Greeks. "Easier said than done," have been replying thinkers and mental health professionals through the centuries. And of course you know I'll add my own two bits' worth, "Maybe it cannot be done." How did I reach this conclusion? Self-examination can be painful, that's why. But I see no reason why, fundamentally, I should be any different than other people. Speaking for myself, as I read something that touches me, a veil lifts, a curtain rises, a window opens, and that something becomes a living part of me, accompanying me in my journey.

Maybe that's why I write.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Command and  Leadership

Lt .Col. Owen Younger, Commander

New Public Affairs Officer

Because of pressing family and work obligations, 1st Lt. Richard Hacker has asked to step down from his position as Group III PAO. Please join me in welcoming 1st Lt. Mark Petrosky, who has agreed to fill this important post. Lt. Petrosky is well qualified for the job, is a graduate of the 2008 LESA PAO/IO School, and has demonstrated his abilities at Pegasus Composite Squadron. He is a competent photographer and a fine mentor. We are lucky to have him, and I ask everyone in Group III to support him, as he takes on the responsibilities that come with the job.

Lt. Petrosky is married and has two sons in the CAP program. Evan, a student at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, is a member of the Lubbock Composite Squadron, and Robert is a member of the Pegasus Composite Squadron. Both have published articles in this newsletter, partly thanks to Lt. Petrosky's mentoring.

We thank Lt. Petrosky for volunteering for this sensitive position, and wish him every success.

New Cadet Programs Officer

1st Lt. Opal McKinney, the Group III Cadet Programs Officer, has asked to step aside into an assistant role in Group Cadet Programs. We thank her for her service to Group III. Please join me in welcoming 1st Lt. J.M. Coffman as the new Group III Cadet Programs Officer.

Lt. Coffman has been the Deputy Commander for Cadets at the Black Sheep Composite Squadron for many years and, in common with many Group III Staff members, is himself a former CAP cadet. He served in the U.S. Navy and is now a public employee. He is one of the longest serving Deputy Commanders for Cadets in Group III. His commitment to the program is unquestioned.

Group III is well served by having Lt. Coffman assume this important position, and we look forward to many successes.

Lt .Col. Owen Younger, Commander

CAP's Non-discrimination Policy

NASA Aerospace Education Project

     NASA has a wonderful education website, with a feature-full Education Programs page. But don't stop there. The "For Educators" tab has some excellent material for students of all ages, with great use of multimedia. For example, do check the listing of all education programs available for grades 9-12.

And don't forget to take a look at the NASA TV schedule for the entire month of February. All of 27 days, because 16 February is a federal holiday and they take a break... Make sure to keep this link - it changes every month.

1st Lt. Sue Kristoffersen, AEO

The Well-Rounded CAP Cadet

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Marc Ben-Meir

Austin NIMS/ES Training Weekend, 28 February-1 March
     Overwater Training, Aerial Photography Training, and ICS-300 & -400

CAP is offering these courses in Austin, Texas.

Cost: free

Project officer is Lt. Col. Rick Woolfolk

ICS 400, 10-11 February

The Texas Department of State Health Services is offering this course in Arlington, Texas.

Cost: free

Register at: https://tx.train.org/DesktopShell.aspx - They offer many others across Texas.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Emergency Response Training

This link http://www.teex.org/search.cfm?pageid=search&area=teex  will take you to the TEEX webpage – the state agency responsible for all ground operations. They do monthly training at their Disaster City facility, and need volunteers to be victims, assist with logistics, set up victims with moulage injuries, and other essential tasks. They train in a number of areas, including dog teams.

If you have ground team expertise, I strongly urge you to put on your best BDUs and go train with the TEEX professionals.

Check out the website above. TEEX has a fantastic volunteer appreciation program.

Lt. Col. Brooks Cima, Texas Wing Director of Emergency Services

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.

• Schedules and program details are available at www.preparingtexas.org

• Visit http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/dem/training/08trainingcal.pdf and read page 9 for information regarding reimbursement.

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

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

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

Rescuing Fonts From Your Old Computer

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – It's happened to all of us. Over the years, we've accumulated programs and files that work well together. Using these we've created newsletters or documents that sport a distinctive font that came with XYZ DeLuxe, made by the now-defunct XYZ.com. No one else has it, and you have no idea how to replace it. Are you happy with having to change the font that, by now, everyone has associated with your work? Of course not.

Here's the fix, at least for a Windows PC. Let's say that you have a Windows NT PC that has lovingly preserved your treasured font, but the program that came with it won't even load on your Windows XP or Vista. What to do? Look at your C:/ drive (or whichever drive you used to install your operating system), and (In Windows NT) you'll see a directory named Winnt (in a Windows 2000, it will be called Windows). We'll call this system drive [Win OS]. Open the Winnt (or Windows) directory, and you'll see a directory named Fonts.

If you've shared your system drive (not a good idea), you can access the fonts directly, but let's say that you've taken the simple security precaution of not sharing your C:/ drive ,– therefore you can't see that drive from your new PC. No problem. Create a directory named Fonts in a shared drive of your old computer, and copy all the files from the C:/[Win OS]/Fonts directory into a [shared drive]:/Fonts/ directory.

Now, go to Control Panel, open the Fonts folder, click on File at the top menu bar, and from the drop-down menu select Install new font... Now browse your way across the net to the shared Fonts directory, and follow the directions to copy the fonts you want.

Your network isn't working properly? Fear not. Burn a CD with the contents of your original Fonts directory, then insert the CD in your new computer and browse your way to it. Adding the old fonts to your new PC will be a snap.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, ITO

The Military and Volunteer Organizations

A couple of weeks ago, while visiting the Apollo Composite Squadron, I met a nice man in a leather jacket full of colorful patches, who introduced himself as "Bob," with a smile. Some of the patches were military, others CAP. To further complicate the issue, "I work for Dell," he explained. This didn't tell me much, my presence was required elsewhere, so we parted company. Once I was free again, Bob and I finished our conversation. It turned out that he is Lt. Col. Robert E. Jennings, Vice Commander of New Jersey Wing, Civil Air Patrol. A perfectly nice person. Smart, too.

The last thing I expected was to have an article credited to him come across my electronic desk, but it did. He has some interesting points to make about the military, non-stop foreign military interventions, the shortage of military personnel, and the role of volunteer organizations in homeland security. His focus is Internet security and mission augmentation. Here's Part 1, as published in Network World, 27 January 2009. And Part 2 was posted on 29 January.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, ITO

Capt. Vanessa Smith, PDO
 tx438pdo@yahoo.com 

From Apollo Composite Squadron...

AUSTIN, Texas – I met C/TSgt Philip Nelson in the winter of 2007, at Camp Swift, when he accompanied his family as they arrived to take home his older brother, now C/CMSgt Christian Nelson. Cadet Philip Nelson had not joined the Civil Air Patrol yet, but that would come a few months later. The next time I saw him was at the Texas Wing Conference, in April of 2008, when he rushed up to me and my wife Audrey, in his Air Force-style blue uniform, proudly and smilingly presenting himself as a fine example of a young CAP cadet. He had grown so that at first I didn't recognize him, but his nameplate refreshed my memory. He looked wonderful, and I told him so. After that I started hearing about him, a comment here and there from members of his squadron, his aptitude and willingness, his "can do" attitude, his ease at making himself at home within the fabric of the squadron, his readiness to lend a helping hand.

I know that his older brother Christian mentored him, but no mentoring will take if the mentored isn't interested in it. Cdt. Philip Nelson did well in everything, and if he faltered, he tried harder until he had mastered the task. Then his first big hurdle came and he aced it, as you'll read below. His entire squadron was jubilant, and so was he. I had an excellent photo of him sent to me, and expected an article too, but it didn't come. So I asked Cdt. Philip Nelson to write it himself, which he has done.

It is with great pleasure that I welcome C/TSgt Philip Nelson as the newest (and at the moment youngest) member of the Group III Cadet PAO Program.

Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

My Texas Wing Winter Encampment Experience, 26-31 December

BIG SANDY, Texas – The first day is always the hardest. Mine started at home at 6 a.m. and involved an hour's drive to Georgetown, where I reported to my commander, Capt. Cheri Fischler, and got into our squadron van that is really a little bus. There were so many of us that we had no room for luggage, but another senior member had volunteered to drive a second vehicle with our luggage, and follow the van. The trip to the ALERT Academy took 6 hours, but we were so excited that none of us slept on the way up.

Earlier in the year, I had attended the 3-day Texas Wing NCO Academy at Camp Mabry, so this wasn't the first time I would be away from home for a Civil Air Patrol school. Some of the cadets at NCOA told us some scary stories about encampment, so I wasn't sure what to expect. At NCOA they had yelled at us a lot, but it hadn't been too bad. What was Encampment going to be like?

A scared cadet (me) arrived at the ALERT Academy without his luggage, in his blues, and signed in. We were told where to go, but there were so many of us that there was some confusion. After reporting to my flight commander, C/2nd Lt. Isaac Niedrauer, a member of the Tyler Composite Squadron, I reported to a fierce looking flight sergeant, C/SMSgt JoAnna Samek, a member of the Nighthawk Composite Squadron. By now, I wasn't sure I would like this encampment, but I decided to do the best I could. My older brother Christian, a C/CMSgt, hadn't told me anything about encampment. "You'll know what to do," is all he said.

Finally I got my late luggage to my room, hurried into my BDUs, and started classes. The first instruction was on how to make a proper bunk, except that the mattresses were too big for our sheets. The flight sergeant made a big deal of getting the proper "square corner" which was supposed to be how you made your bunk, but we could only make one square corner with the  sheets we had. "That's perfect," she told me, when she checked the only one I could make. That felt good.

The first day went by very fast, but they kept yelling at us and running us back and forth, so we were tired. I had been yelled at before and knew it would stop, but the other cadets in my flight were scared, and that's when you make mistakes. Finally, "Lights out!" yelled the flight sergeant, and we fell asleep almost immediately. "Fire, fire!" yelled the flight commander and flight sergeant, as they turned on the lights. "Get up, get up! Fall out, fall out!" It was scary, but it was funny too. They said everything twice. After the fire drill, we got to sleep for real.

The week moved on in high gear. Marching to classes was a scramble, and we were very motivating for speed, but that's what encampment is like. Every minute counts. Over the next couple of days Golf (my flight) won Warrior Flight awards, completed the ropes course, ate everything they gave us, shined boots and shoes to a very high gloss, and ironed endless BDUs, all as a team. No one was left behind, and everyone kept up.

     We were disappointed that we didn't get to shoot the rifles, but the weather was poor. As encampment progressed, I helped some of the cadets do better. This felt good too. I made good friends at encampment. I guess that's what happens when we're all having a rotten time and manage to help each other to get it done. The funny thing is that as we got past the fear, the rest got easier. Some of the instruction was really interesting, such as the classes on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and the Air Force Academy. I also liked to learn about the different kinds of military airplanes.

Our flight commander and flight sergeant kept pushing us, and as we got better, they told us, "It isn't getting easier. You're adapting to it." Maybe that was it, but they yelled less, too. The days were just as long.

The end of encampment came with tired cadets, stained uniforms, and everyone being afraid of the grog. This was supposed to be a revolting drink that you had to take for punishment if you did something wrong. It was part of "dining in" which is the evening meal on the last training day. On the following day, we would graduate.

Dining in was a tense situation, everyone trying to even out differences, sending others to the grog, while trying to avoid drinking of the nasty solution themselves. I was glad that I didn't get sent to it. In due time the grog table was closed, and now they would call out the honor cadets. I saw many excellent cadets receive their prizes, and I was glad for them, tapping the table vigorously with my spoon, which is how one applauds at a dining in. Then came time for the encampment honor cadet to be called out, and I had my bent and twisted spoon in my hand, ready to turn the table to sawdust for the chosen cadet.

    The last thing I expected was to hear my own name come out through the loudspeakers, and I almost fell out of my chair in amazement as I got up, totally surprised. I stood tall, marched up to the cadet commander, saluted, shook hands, took my prized challenge coin, saluted again, and returned to my seat, feeling like a new person. The spooned applause followed me all the way.

Traditionally, encampment ends with a pass in review, with the entire encampment marching in front of the reviewing officer, who often is the Wing Commander. But the weather had been so poor the whole week, that they decided to hold our graduation indoors, in the ALERT Academy's huge gymnasium. As it turned out, the day was wonderful and we could have passed in review anyway, but the plans had been laid out already, so we formed inside.

At that last formation, our Golf Flight took Warrior Flight of encampment, and Academic Flight too. I was so wrapped up in the encampment spirit that I thought I wasn't ready to part from my flight and my good friends that I had made during that week. But when I saw one of my squadron senior members walk up, I was ready to go take a breather at home.

How did I feel on the drive home? Tired, hungry, and greatly honored. But more than that, I felt completely changed, like I had started over differently with a big head start. I must thank all the encampment staff, the staff at my squadron, and all the people that have ever taught me anything.

Thank you all. I could never have done it without you!

(Photos: 1st Lt. Sue Kristoffersen)

C/TSgt Philip Nelson, Apollo Composite Squadron

A Cadet's Achievement Can Have a Lasting Impact

I'm glad he stayed.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

How to Work with Media Effectively

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Footnotes and Quotes

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – Last month I was asked to evaluate some Armstrong presentations. One of the cadets chose to write about leadership (a common subject, though perhaps the hardest of them all), and I found the essay acceptable. At the bottom of the page, though, there was a link to a webpage. I clicked on it but, for some reason, my browser didn't open... and I almost moved on. "No, if she gave me this link, I've got to visit this page," I said to myself. It wasn't quite a "self tut-tut" moment but, rather, a matter of honor. I was duty-bound to see what I had been given as a yardstick to measure the essay I had just read.

It turned out to be a collection of quotes, which I reproduce below. The essay that before had seemed just OK now acquired a new dimension, became focused, alive, and very right. The flaws I'd seen had not been flaws of the mind but simply faulty expression. The half-formed ideas on the essay were brought to fruition and tight focus by the quotes I'd been given to read. And I enjoyed the quotes immensely. I am indebted to C/CMSgt Davita Heavener, a member of the Apollo Composite Squadron, for them.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Anonymous – Blessed is the leader who seeks the best for those he serves.

Peter F. Drucker – Leadership is not magnetic personality—that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not "making friends and influencing people"—that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.

Lao Tzu – A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him... But of a good leader who talks little when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, "We did it ourselves."

Chinese proverb – An army of a thousand is easy to find, but, ah, how difficult to find a general.

Lao Tzu – Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.

Donald H. McGannon – Leadership is action, not position.

Fred Smith – Leadership is getting people to work for you when they are not obligated.

Anonymous – A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn't like the tune.

Mary D. Poole – Leadership should be more participative than directive, more enabling than performing.

Marian Anderson – Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.

James L. Fisher – The main characteristics of effective leadership are intelligence, integrity or loyalty, mystique, humor, discipline, courage, self sufficiency and confidence.

Harold J. Seymour – Leaders are the ones who keep faith with the past, keep step with the present, and keep the promise to posterity.

Peter Ferdinand Drucker – Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.

Harold J. Seymour – When the leadership is right and the time is right, the people can always be counted upon to follow—to the end and at all costs.

Charles deGaulle – A true leader always keeps an element of surprise up his sleeve, which others cannot grasp but which keeps his public excited and breathless.

Anonymous – A good leader inspires others with confidence in him; a great leader inspires them with confidence in themselves.

Franklin D. Roosevelt – A good leader can't get too far ahead of his followers.

Tacitus – Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader.

Tom Landry – Leadership is getting someone to do what they don't want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve.

Max DePree –Leadership is much more an art, a belief, a condition of the heart, than a set of things to do. The visible signs of artful leadership are expressed, ultimately, in its practice.

Warren Bennis – Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens people feel centered and that gives their work meaning.

John F. Kennedy – Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.

Edgar Powell – No organization is stronger than the quality of its leadership, or ever extends its constituency far beyond the degree to which its leadership is representative.

James L. Fisher – Leadership is the special quality which enables people to stand up and pull the rest of us over the horizon.

Dwight D. Eisenhower – Leadership: the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.

Manual on military leadership – Good leaders develop through a never-ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience.

Chinese proverb – He who cannot agree with his enemies is controlled by them.

Donald H. McGannon – Leadership is action, not position.

Bernd Brecher – There are many elements to a campaign. Leadership is number one. Everything else is number two.

Anthony T. Dadovano – A good leader is not the person who does things right, but the person who finds the right things to do.

Talleyrand – I am more afraid of an army of 100 sheep led by a lion than an army of 100 lions led by a sheep.

Walter Lippmann – The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.

Abigail Adams – Great necessities call forth great leaders.

Charles S. Lauer – Leaders don't force people to follow—they invite them on a journey.

Harold S. Hulbert – Children need love especially when they don't deserve it.

Ralph Nader – I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.

Jesse Jackson – Leadership has a harder job to do than just choose sides. It must bring sides together.

Knute Rockne, Professional Football Coach – I have to get the most energy out of a man and have discovered that it cannot be done if he hates another man. Hate blocks his energy and he isn't up to par until he eliminates it and develops a friendly feeling... (towards all his teammates.)

John Maxwell – The first step to leadership is servanthood.

Max DePree (The Art of Leadership) – The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality.

Quoted from: John Maxwell, The Peter Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management, The Leader of the Future, (c) 1996

The more things change...

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – I met Muldoon Elder years ago, when we were both in Fort Hood, serving our time in the Army. Although we were assigned to different units, our common interests brought us together at the Arts and Crafts Center. He painted, I sculpted, and we both dabbled in photography. I suppose we were angry young men, but of course we didn't think so. As our tours of duty ended, and I went to Texas, Muldoon to California, life separated us until, a few years ago, my daughter met Muldoon in San Francisco and we re-connected.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Moving to the Cloud and Other Thoughts

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – It sounds aeronautical, doesn't it? "At the very least," one might think, "it ought to have something to do with weather, because I know what a cloud is." But how do we, land-bound creatures, move to the cloud? "I get it. It must be a mountaineering term, denoting the act of climbing up the side of a mountain into a low-lying cloud."

"How am I doing?" The merciless Voice of Usage casts its irrevocable verdict, "Wrong." Why is that? "The Cloud lives on the Internet," booms the Lord of Linguistic Wisdom. Wow! What other reply than, "If you say so," can you muster? Usage is a tyrant, "It is because it is."

Let's see how this came about.

Written languages developed either as phonic representations of the spoken word (alphabetical), or symbolic substitution of words or ideas by images (pictographic). For example, English and Japanese are alphabetical; Chinese, Mayan, and Ancient Egyptian are all pictographic. And, of course, all five of them are unrelated.

Alphabetical languages were born out of a very limited vocabulary, made up almost entirely of short, simple words. To cite an example, let's take the noun vest. This monosyllable first meant a loose outer garment, but then buttons were invented in the 14th century, and it became a tight outer garment, soon worn under a fancier outer garment. Then specific items were invented that were worn on the same body area, such as a life-vest. The first vest came to us from the Latin vestis (garment). Then, as people began to own more than one set of clothes, vestiary was born, to designate the room where vests were kept (but we didn't invent that one; it comes from the Latin vestiarium). In the 13th century, vestment popped up (from the Latin vestimentum) to designate ceremonial clothing, usually church-related. In the 14th century, it would appear that church government meetings were held in the vestiary, and vestry came into use. It isn't until 1614 that vestryman entered the language, to denote a member of a vestry. And this is only one of several threads stemming from the root word vest along the noun branch. There's another merry trip along its verb branch. (You chase that one.)

The problem with derivations such as these is that the new word needs to be related to the older one in some way, however tenuous. What is one to do if there is something new but there is no earlier word one can press into service for a new use?

The word Internet (it must be capitalized) was coined to denote the union of two or more nets, and by now everyone knows that these are not fishing nets. If you will, Internet designates the sum total of the electronic highways, roads and pathways that can connect all computers on Earth. And that is all that it is. Signals can come and go on it, as vehicles on a road, but there are no inns, service centers or rest areas along the way. Those, the user must provide, from one or more nodes connected to the Internet.

The best way to visualize a local computer network is to diagram it, using appropriate symbols. A "tub" is a a storage point that can be a hard disk or a simple or massive cluster of memory chips. A straight line between symbols is a connecting wire. A wireless connection is a line with a jagged section in the middle, and so on. Since a diagram of the entire World Wide Net or Internet would be nearly impossible to fit into any known drawing medium, the local net is generally shown connected to a symbol that represents the Internet itself, and that happens to be a cloud, chosen for no other reason than having been available. This representation could easily have been a tree, or a star, or some other symbol, but the cloud was first, so it won.

Now humor me. Take a leap of faith and accept that The Cloud (as opposed to The Internet) is a simple or complex computer program (an application, or app) that functions on the Internet, supported by one or more nodes and used by one or more users that can be connected to the Internet at any point. From the perspective of information technology, this is quite simple. But linguistically it's not, because it's been forced to break new ground.

How do grammarians and linguists classify this leap of faith? They call it a neologism (literally, new word-ing) and move on, because it defies classification.

NOTE – You'll be pleased to know that the online Merriam-Webster dictionary has declined to pay attention to the above, so it doesn't list this meaning of cloud at all. This is quite understandable, since most grammarians and linguists are still tied to 3"x5" cards.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

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. Briefings need not be lengthy presentations - a 10 to 20 minute talk (and optional group discussion) is enough.

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

February Flight Safety Briefing (MS Word document)

February Ground Safety Briefing (MS Word document)

Good-by 121.5, Hello 406

At midnight, 31 January 2009, the International Cospas-Sarsat Organization (U.S. included) terminated processing of distress signals emitted by 121.5 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs). After that date, pilots flying aircraft equipped with 121.5 MHz ELTs will have to depend on pilots of overflying aircraft and/or ground stations monitoring 121.5 to hear and report distress alert signals, transmitted from a possible crash site.

By mid-January 2009, only 12-15% of the registered aircraft in the United States were flying with 406 MHz ELTs. This means that there is at least an 85% chance that an aircraft in an accident will only transmit a 121.5 MHz signal, thus remaining silent to the satellites. It will be up to other pilots monitoring the 121.5 MHz frequency in the cockpit to alert Search and Rescue authorities to accidents involving 121.5. When you fly, look out for your fellow pilots and, when possible, monitor 121.5 MHz.

If a 121.5 MHz ELT is heard on guard, report to the nearest air traffic control tower the time and location where you first detected the ELT, when it was the loudest, and when it dropped off your radio. Listening and reporting may well be the difference that saves a life.  

Cospas-Sarsat System (U.S. included) has been and will continue processing emergency signals transmitted by 406 MHz ELTs. These 5-Watt digital beacons transmit a much stronger signal, are more accurate, verifiable and traceable to the registered beacon owner – 406 MHz ELTs must be registered by the owner in accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation at www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov. Registration allows the search and rescue authorities to contact the beacon owner or designated alternate by telephone, in order to determine if a real emergency exists. Thus, a simple telephone call can solve a 406 MHz alert without having to launch costly and limited search and rescue resources, which would have to be done for a 121.5 MHz alert.

For these reasons, the search and rescue community is encouraging aircraft owners to retrofit 406 MHz ELTs or, at a minimum, consider the purchase of a hand-held 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) which can be carried in the cockpit while continuing to maintain a fixed 121.5 MHz ELT mounted in the aircraft’s tail. Protect yourself and your passengers and Get the Fix – Switch to 406.

Starting on 1 February 2009, the world-wide Cospas-Sarsat satellite system no longer processes 121.5 MHz alert signals. Pilots involved in aircraft accidents in remote areas will have to depend on pilots of overflying aircraft and/or ground stations to hear their emergency ELT distress signals. For further information concerning the termination of 121.5 MHz data processing visit www.sarsat.noaa.gov or contact Switchto406@noaa.gov.

2nd Lt. John Welsh, SO

Recurring Reports

Editor

Honoring those who gave all

(This article, though not written by an Air Force chaplain, speaks eloquently about those who find themselves working with one. This personal testimony by an Air Force officer who, at the start of his military career, accompanied a chaplain in the midst of tragedy, was himself deeply touched by the duties assigned to him, and was forever changed by his perception of event. His relationship to them and  the eternal unknown is a reminder that, even in the smallest role, what matters most is the mission and the team. – Editor)

9/7/2006 - RAF MILDENHALL, England – I'd been in the Air Force for four months when Sept. 11 happened, and I was a young lieutenant assigned to Dover Air Force Base, Del. I was the flight commander for the vehicle operations flight, and we were in the center of everything that happened because New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. were spread out around us.

As soon as it happened we went into (Force Protection) Delta. Being a young lieutenant, my first thought was to grab my senior NCO and find out what we needed to do.

We ran through all our checklists; everybody has checklists to tell them what they need to do, but there's nothing in a checklist that prepares you for what was happening on Sept. 11. There's no checklist that says, "Hey - control your emotions."

It was very difficult as a young lieutenant to grab my emotions and say, "What we need to do is figure out where the threat is next."  I'm sure everyone in the U.S., either on a military base or in a large city, thought, "We're next."

That day was very sad and somber. We kept hearing about the aftermath, and there were reports that we were going to start sending medical folks from our base.

When we sent out a list asking who could volunteer, 100 percent of the people in our flight said, "We'll go help wherever they need help - whether it's at the Pentagon or Philadelphia - just tell us."

My involvement became a little more important to me and changed my career in the Air Force when I was approached by my logistics group commander, who asked if I would be involved with the reception of the human remains from the Pentagon.

Dover Air Force Base, being the only port mortuary in the continental United States, is where most of the remains came. Once again, I sat down with my senior NCOs and my commander, and drew up a plan on how the transportation piece was going to be handled for our folks who'd passed away at the Pentagon.

So we worked with the services commander and the wing commander was involved, and it worked out that the CH-47 helicopters would fly out of D.C. and would land on the hotpad at Dover.

The chaplain, wing commander and services commander, Senior Master Sgt. Tim Yeager, my superintendent, and I would walk onto every one of those helicopters (two a day for about a month).

I was last one to walk on - we'd walk on the lift, and the pilot and loadmasters would come out. We'd all bow our heads, the chaplain would say a prayer and then we would unlatch the remains - all were in body bags, and all were on gurnies.

Then the wing commander, services commander, chaplain, superintendent and I would carry out the first of the remains. There would be a host of Air National Guard and Reserve troops who had volunteered to come to Dover to help in the port mortuary, and it was a unified effort to do the best thing we could to honor those who had perished on 9/11.

Every day we'd get a call, telling us the Chinooks were an hour out, and we'd come out, form up, and everyone would be at attention. 

It was all about honor. It wasn't about selflessness - it was about bringing home our heroes who died that day. It's not only that, but the people who were on the airplane who were found, they came back as well.

It was an experience that definitely changed the way I feel about the military.

The reason I joined the military was because my grandfather served in Korea and he never came home. I remember my mom telling me the story about how she saw him in the doorway, she was 6 years old, and she saw her dad. He waved 'bye,' gave her a little kiss. and he never returned - to this day he has never returned.

It made me think about what I was doing with my life - it made me think, "I want to be remembered like that, whether it's dying in combat, or serving out my 20 or 30 years in the military." Being involved with Sept. 11, and the reception of human remains from the Pentagon, seemed like it meant more to me than why I originally chose the military, to honor my grandfather.

It took me to a whole new level of respect, not only for our country, but it filled me with more respect for those that serve beside me. 

You have to separate the heroes - those who save lives - from those heroes who give their lives. Heroes are prepared to give their lives. Every person we brought home from the Pentagon, to me, was a hero. I was just a very small part of the effort, working with the Guard, Reserve, and active duty. All of us were doing what was right. It felt good.

I've never seen anything like what I saw at Dover Air Force Base; their operations are absolutely professional. Everything they do is to honor the human remains that come through.

I have many different images in my mind of what happened, but one is the hardest to think about and remember. 

They allowed some of us to go in where the FBI were doing X-rays and DNA tests, and in another room they had folks doing autopsies. I walked in while a physician was doing an autopsy on an Army soldier, lying on the table. 

I'm assuming it was probably smoke inhalation he died from, because his uniform was perfectly pressed, his boots were shined perfectly, and he looked like he was just sleeping. What struck me the most - and broke my heart - was that they had all his personal items there. Everything that was on him was beside him, so they could prepare it for the family. 

And beside his wallet was a picture of his wife and children. Most likely, at that moment, his family didn't even know he'd perished. They were hoping he would be OK, but here I was looking at the possessions of someone who'd given his life for his country. To me, it painted a bigger story, because he gave his life, and his family gave of their lives too - their father, husband, dad - he was gone. When I looked at him I knew he was a hero - he was someone who died for what he believed in, who gave his life for his country. 

I wouldn't want something like 9/11 to happen again, but that's why we serve - to protect people. Whether military or civilian, people who do or don't believe in our Constitution - we're out there protecting them.

It's a job that I take great pride in. September 11 definitely changed my life and made me a better person.

Capt. Robert Magee, 16th Air Force

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You Never Know When..., 26 December

GLADEWATER, Texas – We spend a great deal of time explaining the many reasons why our members should be ready to respond to an emergency at any time. Unfortunately, many of us manage to procrastinate until the moment when we simply must catch up very quickly. On occasion, that can lead to our charging off to tackle the mission ahead, not completely prepared,. That's when we find ourselves wishing we had re-fitted or prepared better when we had the time. Recently, one of our members had a first-hand experience, proving once again how important it is to prepare in advance.

Over the Christmas holiday, C/2nd Lt. Jarrod Alexander was making his way down to Brownsville to receive Advanced Ground Team Training. Once in Brownsville, when he was eating lunch, he phoned in for directions to the training site. The school commandant, realizing that Alexander was in the area, directed him to get to the training site ASAP, as they had just been alerted for an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) mission.

Fortunately, in anticipation of the week’s training, C/2nd Lt. Alexander had brought along a 72-hour pack, so he was ready to go without delay. Would he have been equally prepared, had he not been on his way to training? I would like to think so and, knowing his dedication to the mission, I would have expected him to be prepared at all times. Now, more than ever, I know he'll always be set to go.

Upon arrival at the training site, a Ground Team was quickly put together, briefed, and sent out to find the ELT. The Ground Team was composed of six cadets from all over Texas, including one from Gregg County whom Cdt. Alexander knew. The team followed the signal to a marina in Brownsville, located the target, found it was a false alarm, and silenced the ELT.

Although in the excitement of the “find" no one thought of it at the time, there was another very important lesson in that mission. The Civil Air Patrol Emergency Services curriculum enabled cadets from all over Texas to work together predictably, effectively, and successfully. The Incident Command System, which promotes standardization at all levels, enabled these “strangers” to organize, cooperate, and carry out the mission though most had never met before. That, together with a spirit of teamwork that is present throughout CAP, assured the mission's success.

During the following week, C/2nd Lt. Alexander completed the requirements for Ground Team Member 1 and Ground Team Leader. All cadets returned to their home units with their new qualifications, a “find” to their credit, and a valuable lesson in inter-unit cooperation. The importance of getting along with members of one's own squadron as well as all other emergency workers, regardless of unit or service of assignment, was amply demonstrated.

Now more than ever, all stand ready to respond to the next mission.

(Capt. Harold Parks)

Gladewater Cadet Promoted, 20 January

GLADEWATER, Texas – On Tuesday, January 20, 2008, Cadet Matt Brown was promoted from Cadet Airman to Cadet Airman First Class. Cadet Brown joined the Gladewater Squadron in August of 2008, and has worked diligently to progress in the program. He has participated in every squadron activity since joining, and will likely continue to progress at a rapid pace.

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[1] Capt. Parks presents the Hap Arnold Certificate of promotion. [2] Mr. Brown pins his son with his new CAP rank. (Photos: SSgt Bill Garms)

During the promotion ceremony, Cadet Brown's father pinned the new rank on his son's collar. Captain Harold Parks, the squadron commander, presented Cadet Brown with the Hap Arnold ribbon and its corresponding certificate. The squadron looks forward to enjoying Cadet Brown's continued enthusiasm and dedication to the Cadet Program.

(Capt. Harold Parks)

My Charge of Quarters Week, 26-31 December

BIG SANDY, Texas – Texas Wing Winter encampment, 2008 was my first time as a member of the staff. I got the best position of all: Charge of Quarters (CQ). It is a responsible job, but we don't have the added responsibility of having to train basic cadets.

As soon as I got my assignment, I learned that the other staff members would call us "Gestapo," after the feared Secret State Police that the Germans had during WWII. It isn't that we were expected to be cruel or mean to the basic cadets. We got this nick-name because we wore black arm-bands with CQ written on them, and since we patrolled the halls at night when the lights were out, we seemed to be dressed all in black.

Between shifts, we would play "The Game." The rules of The Game seemed to be pretty elastic, and you had to play it in order to learn what was good and what wasn't. For instance, anyone who reads this article just lost The Game. Of course, those who caught you losing would laugh at you; it always sounded sarcastic.

We would sleep most of the day and stay up all night. That was hard the first and last nights. Our motto was, "Crash and burn," because if we went to sleep, the place could burn down, since we wouldn't be watching for fire. The kitchen was nice enough to give us lots of snacks to munch on, throughout the night. Since the only time non-CQ staff members would see us was at chow, we had some fun with them and told them that we never got any sleep at all. They would always ask the same question, "How do you guys stay awake?" We would always give them the same answer, "Coffee, coffee, coffee, coffee, coffee!"

The truth be told, we got about 5 to 7 hours of sleep every day. The only times we had any action were the first and last nights -- both times it was basic cadets out of bed. I've always said, "The cadets that become your friends during your basic flight and other CAP functions, if they really are good cadets, you will see them at the next encampment, unless something keeps them from being there."

That's what I said, but I wasn't so sure until now. I was glad to see that most of the cadets from my Basic and Advanced Training Squadron days were staffing. It's good to know who really wants to be in CAP and shares your interest in a life that borrows from the military. I knew personally or by sight every person that was on CQ with me, and that's how a good staff is assembled.

I think the main reason we did our job well is because we all got along. When the staff can't get along, they need more training. Besides, if the staff can't get along, how are they going to train the new CQ staff the right way? Those who had been on CQ duty before were my instructors -- they taught me how to do the job, and they also told me that I was good at it.

So that's my philosophy about being on staff. Mine was a good first experience, and I would do it all over again. I hope to see everyone at Summer 2009.

(C/SSgt Nick Spanial)

A Double Mitchell Awards Ceremony, 10 January

LONGVIEW, Texas – January 10 was a memorable day for cadets and senior members of the Gregg County Composite Squadron. Cadets Caroline Morton and Andrew Shea each received a General Billy Mitchell Award Certificate that carries with it automatic promotion to the grade of Cadet Second Lieutenant. These two outstanding cadets were not the only ones honored for their achievements, since all squadron members were recognized for their tireless efforts in volunteering during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The program ended with a change of command ceremony, when Captain Steve Schluter relinquished command and 1st Lt. Carolyn Morton accepted command of the Gregg County Composite Squadron, with Lt. Col. Owen Younger officiating. 

The proceedings were held at the First Presbyterian Church in Longview. Senior Member Mark Johnson, the squadron’s character development officer, pronounced the invocation, after which Captain Schluter introduced the distinguished guests. Among the dignitaries were Congressman Louie Gohmert, U.S. Representative of this district; CAP Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Group III Commander; CAP Maj. Mike Cobb, the Southwest Region Finance Officer and Group III Deputy Commander (East); USAF Sgt. Erick Reynolds, an active duty airman; and Mike Brittain, East Texas Southern Baptist Men’s Organization.

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[1] At the head table (L-R), USAF Tech Sgt. Erick Reynolds; CAP 1st Lt. Carolyn Morton, Gregg County Composite Squadron Commander; CAP Maj. Mike Cobb, Southwest Region Finance Officer and Group III Deputy Commander (East); CAP Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Group III Commander; Congressman Louie Gohmert; and Pastor Mike Brittain, East Texas Southern Baptist Men Assn. [2] Pastor Mike Brittain, East Texas Southern Baptist Men, presents 1st Lt. Carolyn Morton with letters of appreciation for service during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. [3] Lt. Col. Owen Younger and Congressman Louie Gohmert. [4] Capt. Harold Parks, commander of the Gladewater Corsair C.S. and Lt. Col. Lou Thomas, former commander of the Tyler C.S. [5] Capt. Skip Smith, commander of the Tyler C.S. and Lt. Col. Lou Thomas. [6] USAF Tech Sgt. Erick Reynolds.

Pastor Mike Brittain presented two letters of appreciation to the Gregg County Composite Squadron for having helped prepare and serve meals during the hurricanes. “Over 5,000 meals were served during Hurricane Gustav, and over 38,000 meals were prepared and delivered from the shelter in Marshall during Hurricane Ike,” he said. “To accomplish this, CAP cadets and senior members worked side by side with the volunteers from the East Texas Southern Baptist Men’s organization.”

The Gregg County Composite Squadron worked alongside the Texas State Guard at the shelter, which the American Red Cross had set up at the Marshall Civic Center and sheltered over 1,000 evacuees. Maj. Gen. Christopher Powers, TXSG, Austin, Texas, wrote letters of commendation to each cadet and senior member who volunteered their time that week, extending, “…our heartfelt thank-you for a difficult job done exceptionally well.”  Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Group III Commander, presented the letters, and Sgt. Erick Reynolds, USAF, presented the challenge coins. Sgt. Reynolds is no stranger to the Gregg County Composite Squadron. He is stationed at Barksdale AFB and has been a squadron guest on numerous occasions, helping with bivouacs and giving presentations about his deployments in Iraq.

Then the moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived, and Congressman Louie Gohmert, our U.S. Representative in Congress, made some wonderful remarks prior to presenting the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award Certificates to Cadets Second Lieutenant Morton and Shea. “Civil Air patrol cadets are outstanding good neighbors,” he said. “Not only do you help others, but you go out looking for others to help!”  He drew a parallel between the parable of “The Good Samaritan” and CAP members, “Willing hearts, hands, and feet, to get the job done! Ultimately, only by helping others do we help ourselves,” he said. “What has made America great is the willingness of people to step forward to help others.” In a humorous aside, he wondered how Paul Revere would have used CAP, had it been around back then, “He would have flown over Boston dropping leaflets, rather than ride his horse to spread the news.”

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[7] Congressman Louie Gohmert presents the Gen. Billy Mitchell Awards to C/2nd Lt. Caroline Morton and C/2nd Lt. Andrew Shea. [8] 1st Lt. Carolyn Morton, C/2nd Lt. Andrew Shea, Congressman Louie Gohmert, and C/2nd Lt. Caroline Morton. [9] C/2nd Lt. Andrew Shea and Congressman Louie Gohmert. [10] Congressman Gohmert with the Squadron Color Guard (L-R)  C/CMSgt Kayla Cassel, C/TSgt Ryan Cobb, Congressman Louie Gohmert, C/SSgt Nick Spanial, C/A1C Preston Pietrzykowski. [11] 1st Lt. Carolyn Morton, Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Capt. Steve Schluter. [12] After Capt. Steve Schluter (left rear) passed the guidon to Lt. Col. Owen Younger, who handed it to 1st Lt. Carolyn Morton, she in turn gave it to the guidon bearer, C/TSgt Samuel Morton.

Congressman Gohmert, who is a member of CAP’s Congressional Squadron in Washington, D.C., received a standing ovation from the receptive audience, in thanks for his colorful speech. We are very grateful to have a representative in Congress who not only presents CAP as a valuable asset to the nation, but holds to the principles and foundations that made our nation great. Our thanks and appreciation go to Congressman Gohmert for his time and dedicated service to East Texas.

Captain Schluter then reviewed the many accomplishments of Cadets Second Lieutenant Andrew Shea and Caroline Morton, while Congressman Gohmert presented them with their Mitchell Award Certificates. C/2nd Lt. Caroline Morton received her Second Lieutenant shoulder boards from peer cadets, while C/2nd Lt. Andrew Shea received them from his father and grandfather. Both cadets then got an emotional and joyful standing ovation.

The last item on the agenda was the change of command ceremony. Lt. Col. Owen Younger presided over the “passing of the flag” or baton, which is traditional for a change of command. The squadron’s color guard American flag bearer, C/TSgt. Samuel Morton, presented the squadron guidon to Captain Steve Schluter, who in turn handed it over to Lt. Col. Younger. As Lt. Carolyn Morton received the guidon from the Group III Commander, she said the prescribed words, “Sir, I accept command,” upon which she handed over the guidon to C/TSgt. Morton. The latter marched it back to its place beside the U.S. and Texas flags.

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[12] 1st Lt. Carolyn Morton, Congressman Gohmert, and Lt. Col. Owen Younger.  [13] Gregg County C.S. Commander 1st Lt. Carolyn Morton, Congressman Gohmert, Group III Commander Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Gladewater Corsairs C.S. Commander Capt. Harold Parks and Tyler C.S. Commander Capt. Skip Smith.  [14] Cadets being recognized (L-R) C/2nd Lt. Andrew Shea, C/TSgt Samuel Morton, C/SMSgt Ryan Cobb, C/SSgt Nick Spanial, C/A1C Preston Pietrzykowski, C/1st Lt. Zach Whiteley, C/CMSgt Kayla Cassel, C/2nd Lt. Caroline Morton, C/Amn Adam Smith, C/Amn Will Spanial, and C/SrA Hannah Morton. (Rear) Congressman Louie Gohmert, USAF TSgt. Erick Reynolds, and CAP Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Group III Commander.

1st Lt. Morton, not wanting to overlook the volunteer work done by senior members, presented a challenge coin to 2nd Lt. Jerry Cobb, 2nd Lt. Nancy Spanial, and Senior Member Darrell Smith, in appreciation for their many hours of service. A reception followed, with plenty of excellent food and wonderful fellowship shared by CAP members, families, and friends.

The squadron looks forward to working hard to meet future challenges under new leadership, and welcomes the new commander, 1st Lt. Carolyn Morton. Congratulations also to C/2nd Lt. Andrew Shea and C/2nd Lt. Caroline Morton, as they continue their career progression in the CAP cadet program.

(2nd Lt. Nancy Spanial)

The Squadron In the News, 11 January

LONGVIEW, Texas – On Saturday, 10 January, Congressman Louie Gohmert presented the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award to Cadets Caroline Morton and Andrew Shea, at a ceremony conducted at the First Presbyterian Church, in Longview. Both cadets were promoted to the grade of C/2nd Lt., and the Longview News-Journal carried the article in the local news section.

Congratulations to 2nd Lt. Nancy Spanial, the squadron PAO, for the good press.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Kittinger Pilots Train for G1000, 17-18 January

AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INT'L AIRPORT, Texas – Pilots of the Col. Joe Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron in Austin committed to the future of Civil Air Patrol aviation by building “glass panel” skills by attending a course conducted at the TXDoT Flight Center, the squadron's home base. Many CAP pilots have seen or heard about "glass panel 182s" in the CAP fleet during a recent mission or exercise. There aren't too many of these around, but Texas Wing is the custodian of two Cessna 182s with the Garmin 1000 avionics. The two electronic video screens, as well as all the technology behind those screens, take the place of the traditional “steam gauges.” This unique assembly enables aircrews to have an unprecedented level of situational awareness – from the aircraft's flight status, to terrain, weather, and communications.

“The future of aviation in general, and the Civil Air Patrol, is moving toward glass panel technologies in the cockpit,” said Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Dan Williams. “As a squadron, we have chosen to build the skills of our pilots in the most advanced systems. Taking an entire weekend for the ground school and then the cost in time and money for the training flights are a significant investment for these CAP members. However, a pilot who has completed a CAP Form 5 in a glass panel 182 will be capable of flying most aircraft in the CAP fleet, providing Incident Commanders with increased resource flexibility and enabling our pilots to optimize their flying skills for the benefits of CAP and our customers.”

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[1] Participants review the operations of the G1000 avionics with instructor Capt. William Dew. [2] Capt William Dew points out a key aspect of the G1000 systems. [3] Participants practice on the G1000 trainer. (L-R) Capt. Thomas Fowler, Capt. William Dew, 2nd Lt. Aaron Stark, Capt. Joseph Chasnoff, and Maj. Richard Pope.

Squadron pilots, including Maj. Richard Pope of the Pegasus Composite Squadron, and Maj. Dave Badal, from the Tex Hill Composite Squadron, attended the two-day ground school led by Capt William Dew, who is a highly qualified Instructor Pilot and member of the Bexar County Senior Squadron in San Antonio. The FAA-approved Cessna curriculum for the ground school introduces pilots to the operations and complexities of the advanced G1000 avionics, in preparation for in-flight instruction. Having completed the ground school, the pilots hone their skills using a G1000 simulator on loan from Cessna, or taking advantage of a simulation program that runs on their home computers. Within 30 days of the ground school, pilots must complete two flights demonstrating VFR and (if the pilot is instrument rated) IFR proficiency. A CAP Form 5 check-ride follows these flights. 

Kittinger Phantom participants were Lt. Col. George Mihalcik, Lt. Col. Dave Rogerson, Lt. Col. Dan Wiilliams, Capt. Baron Carter, Capt. Joseph Chasnoff, 1st Lt. Ferrill Ford, 1st Lt. Debbie Ford, 1st Lt. Thomas Fowler, 2nd Lt. Alan Runge, and 2nd Lt. Aaron Starmes. Also attending were Maj. Richard Pope from the Pegasus Composite Squadron and Maj. Dave Badal from the Tex Hill Composite Squadron, San Marcos.

(1st Lt. Richard Hacker)

Squadron Donates US Flag to School, 9 January

CAMP MABRY, Austin, Texas – It's tough being America's best kept secret. When you see cadets graduate from the program as sharp, focused, professional-grade individuals, it's natural to want everyone to know about it, especially those who have the most influence: parents & teachers.

Civil Air Patrol training in incident response enabled me to recognize an opportunity and respond to it quickly. While checking my e-mail, I noticed that the school that my sons attend had sent out an office memo requesting the donation of a new U.S. Flag, and at the same time announcing that the school was sponsoring a theatrical play that evening.

This was a perfect opportunity. A quick phone call to the principal confirmed that the school still needed a flag, and yes, she would be present at the school play in which my eldest son was acting. "The Pegasus Composite Squadron would be honored to provide the Star Charter School with their new U.S. Flag," I told her.

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[1] (L-R) Capt. John Benavides and Star Charter School Principal Marsha Hagin, as the latter accepts the U.S. flag donated by the Pegasus Composite Squadron. [2] Hand-written note from Mrs. Marsha Hagin, thanking the squadron for its generous donation. (Photos: C/TSgt Justin Benavides)

After the play had ended (a comedy, much applauded), I had the opportunity to present Principal Marsha Hagin with the school's new flag and a letter of continued support. After the presentation, we talked about CAP's Aerospace Education tools, as well as the Fly-A-Teacher program. Principal Hagin expressed interest in learning more, and the squadron will continue to support the school.

As if the squadron's pride welling up at seeing the new flag fly on a sunny Monday morning weren't enough, the school's follow-up recognition (photo #2 above) and the formal letter of appreciation the Pegasus Composite Squadron received confirmed that the squadron's actions in response to the school's need had been the right thing to do. 

I look forward to establishing a mutually beneficial collaboration between the Star Charter School and the Pegasus Composite Squadron. I'd call that Wishing Upon a Star...

Semper Vigilans!

(Capt. John Benavides, Commander)