texas wing - jun 2009

8/9/2019 Texas Wing - Jun 2009

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S U M M E R 2009

In this issue . . .

H Texas Wing visits Congress . . .

H Wing Conerence . . .

. . . And Much More!

Tyler Squadron Wings of Freedom


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Tyler Squadron

Wings ofFreedom Tour

Wings Over Texasis the autho-

rized publication of the Texas

Wing Civil Air Patrol. It is pub-

lished by a private firm in no

way connected with the United

States Air Force or Civil Air

Patrol Corporation. The opin-

ions expressed in the articlesand advertisements in this mag-

azine are the sole responsibility

of the contributors and in no

way constitute an endorsement

by the United States Air Force or

the Civil Air Patrol Corporation.

HEADQUARTERS

Texas Wing, Civil Air PatrolUSAF Auxiliary

P. O. Box 154997Waco, TX 76715

Please send articles and digitalphotos for publication to:

[email protected] do not insert thephotos into the articles,

rather make the articles andphotos separate attachments.

Col. Joe R. SmithCommander, Texas Wing

Lt. Col. Patricia P. DarbyEditor, Wings Over Texas

For information onAdvertising Rates and SpacePlease Call 1-800-635-6036

DEADlinES:

Feb. 28; June 28; Oct. 28

Continued on page 8 . . .

On 29 March, two cadets and

one senior member of the TlerComposite Squadron stepped off

the beautiful B-7 Fling Fortress

and the powerful B-24 Liberator,respectiel, to a cheering crowd

of spectators who had come to

witness The Ultimate LiingHistor Eperience promoted b

the Wings of Freedom Tour.

Two legendar WWII bomb-

ers and one undisputed fighterplane were the featured aircraft

used in the tour. The Consolidated

B-24 Liberator (the onl bomber

of its kind in the world still fl-ing), the Boeing B-7 Fling

Fortress, and the North American

P-5 Mustang were the starsof the show. For the three Tler

Squadron members, their flight

eperience will be foreer etchedin their minds and hearts.

Cadet Airman st Class Sarah

N. Fitzgerald and Cadet st Lt.Isaac R. Niedrauer had won their

free B-7 Bomber rides through

an essa contest within the Tler

Composite Squadron. The flighttickets had been donated b the

Tler Historic Aiation Memorial

Museum (HAMM). All cadets

who wished to compete had to write

1st Lt. Rodney Saucedo


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Last Februar, Lt. Col. Gordie White, Commander of the Legislatie Squadron, Teas Wing, was joined b Teas

Wing Commander Col. Joe Smith and his wife Maj. Harriet Smith, Southwest Region Director of Administration/

Personnel, during a trip to Washington D.C. to interact with legislators from the State of Teas. The are picturedhere isiting with some of the members of Congress the saw and echanged ideas with.

The team also met with Representatie Henr Cuellar (28th District of Teas), Ka Granger (2th District

of Teas), Al Green (9th District of Teas), and Senator Ka Baile Hutchinson, Teas.

By Lt. Col. Gordie White

Texas Wing Visits Congress

Maj. Harriet Smith and Lt. Col. Gordie White,Congressman Pete Olson, Texas, and Col. Joe Smith.The Congressman, who serves the 22nd District ofTexas, represents an area that includes Ellington,Sugarland, and Hobby International Airport. A newmember of Congress occupying the seat vacatedby Tom DeLay, he is a Reserve Naval Aviator anda member of CAPs Congressional Squadron. He iskeenly aware of CAPs involvement in disaster reliefand emergency services, and thinks very highly ofTexas Wing.

Lt. Col. Gordie White, Congessman Mike McCaul,Texas, Col. Joe Smith, and Maj. Harriet Smith. Servingthe 10th District of Texas, he is also a member of CAPsCongressional Squadron and a strong supporter ofTexas Wing. He had his CAP membership certificate

presented to him while visiting Texas Wing.

Lt. Col. Gordie White, Maj. Harriet Smith, Col. JoeSmith, and Senator John Cornyn, Texas. The teamvisited with the Senator and were glad to hear thathe is completely supportive of our activities andloves our work training cadets. Senator Cornyn is amember of the Armed Services Committee.

Lt. Col. Gordie White, Congresswoman SheilaJackson Lee, Texas, Maj. Harriet Smith, and Col. JoeSmith. Congresswoman Jackson, who serves the18th District of Texas, is a friend of Texas Wing. Sheoften works with the President and is very supportiveof Texas Wings services to the community, state,and nation.


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Uniform alterations, hair cuts, an etra bit of

cramming one more mile-long sprint, and that finalrun-through; these were some of the final touches the

Pegasus Composite Squadron Color Guard were mak-

ing in preparation for their great eperience to come.Just a few months before, the had won the Teas

Wing competition, garnering fie first-place finishes

and earning the chance to compete at the SouthwestRegion leel. Now, the were read to proe them-seles once again.

With all loose ends tied, the an packed, and

the team bouncing off the walls with ecitement andanticipation, the started their eight-hour road trip to

Oklahoma Cit, home of Tinker Air Force Base. On

the wa, the diligentl searched for vW Bugs and out-of-state license plates while the kept reiewing their

stud material. During the trip, the saw some reall

nice cattle, slept, plaed some card games, snacked,made restroom breaks, and generall had a great time.

Upon arrial, the team unloaded and checked

into their billets. Each person got a single small room

with a microwae, little refrigerator, flat screen Tv,enough storage to bring our house, personal bath-

room, shower, and a little coffee maker. When the

team finished putting awa their baggage, the madetheir wa to the general briefing, where the met

Col. R. Frank Eldridge, the new Southwest Region

Director of Cadet Programs, and Maj. Joe Fernandez,the Southwest Region Cadet Actiities Officer. After

the briefing, the team returned to their rooms, grabbed

all uniforms and accoutrements, and somehow man-

aged to cram themseles into their commanders tinroom for final touch-ups, inspection, and approal as

the got set to wear them on the following da. Done

for the eening, the team retired to their rooms andrested up for the big da ahead.

Frida morning was the first da of competi-

tion. The team got up and ate breakfast at the TinkerAir Force Base dining hall, a few miles awa. It was

The 2009 Pegasus CompositeSquadron Competition Color Guard

2009 Southwest Region CadetColor Guard Competition

wonderful. Pancakes, waffles, eggs, and a generous

assortment of breakfast items for just two dollars. Nolonger hungr and now read to go, the team headed

back to the RTI center and prepared for Inspection,

the das first eent. Teas was last in the rotation,so the team did a lot of waiting as the Honor Guard

scrutinized each team before them. After Inspection,

the were off to lunch.Net came the indoor practical eent. Again, Teas

had a long wait during which the told endless jokes to

keep from eploding with anticipation. Once that was

oer, the waited in the building for their turn at theOutdoor Presentation eent. During this time, Teas

enjoed meeting some of the other teams, which was

fun and a big relief against the boredom of waiting.Teas finall finished with the Outdoor Presentation

and then it was time to head to the Garrit Gm for the

Standard Drill eent. This was the first eent whereTeas was able to see how their peers performed, and

it was slightl unsettling. The Teas Wing team could

tell that these teams had made it to Region for a reason;

the would be tough competitors.Following this eent, the cadets got to meet the

judges, and that was reall cool. With the das com-

petition eents completed, it was time to get to knowthe other cadets who had made it thus far. How?

With a Pizza Part! Back at the billets, there were

hundreds of slices of hot fresh pizza, just waiting tobe eaten. The billets common area was a great place


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for the cadets to get together and hang out, with its

pool tables, air hocke, foosball, darts, and big-screen

Tv. Some cadets wanted to burn a little energ, sothe grabbed a football, went outside, split into teams

and had a great time. When the actiities died down,Teas hit the books, studied for a while, and then wentto bed. The wanted plent of rest under their belt for

the following da.

On Saturda, the final da of the competition, theteam filed into the CAP an and headed for break-

fast. After refueling, the team progressed to the

552nd TFW building, where the would be takingtheir Written Test. After cramming in some last-min-

ute studing in the an, the moed into their testing

rooms, hoping the were prepared. Following the 50-

question test came the Mile Run, and Teas was lastto compete once again. Seeing all the runners finish

in si minutes, and some een in the fies, the team

promised themseles that the would run the fastestthe eer had. Soon came their turn.

Just before starting, the stretched and aniousl

made their wa to the starting line. Go! called thetester, and the were off. The ran well, but now the

staring team went to lunch for relief. Cafeteria tras

got piled up high with food that was all gone in a matter

of minutes, and thats when the arm wrestling started.

To pass the time, some color guard teams started anarm wrestling match until it was time for the Panel

Quiz. It was reall fun, and eentuall it turned into apush-up, sit-up, and chin-up contest outside.

Net came the Panel Quiz, the final eent for

the da before the awards ceremon. Once again, theteam crammed in a little bit more, studing right up

to the instant the went into the Panel Quiz room.

The came up against the first team in the first round,which the won four more to go. As the faced the

net team, feeling confident after haing won the first

round, the were disappointed as the lost the net rounds just b fie points each. The team then headedback to their rooms and got into their blue serice uni-

forms, anious to hear the results of the competition.

After some opening remarks and a buffet dinnerthat no one reall tasted, eerone eagerl awaited the

final scores. Indiidual awards were presented first,

C/SMSgt. Austin Lower (Teas) receied the awardfor the highest written test score. C/SSgt Dakota

Swearengin (Arkansas) receied the male fleet foot

award, and C/SSgt. Hannah Disraeli receied the

female fleet foot award. Cadet Swearengin alsoreceied the outstanding cadet award. The first eent

award presented was for the written test; the teamshopes began to build up as Teas Wing placed first.The net award, for the Panel Quiz, went to the

Arkansas team. When the heard the net first place

go to Teas, the Teas Wing team realized that themight hae a shot at winning the competition itself.

Then followed a streak of first place awards

handed oer to the Teas team, The Indoor Practical,Outdoor Practical, Standard Drill, and Mile Run

awards were all presented to Teas Wing. The

Inspection award went to Arizona. With smiles from

ear to ear, realizing thed won, it came as no surpriseto the Teas Wing team when it was announced that

the first place winner of the Southwest Region Color

Guard Competition was Teas Wing. The oerjoedteam practicall jumped out of their chairs as the

went up to the stage to receie their first place troph.

Smiles and congratulations ended the eening, andthe ecited team went to sleep in total happiness.

After a er eciting eening, the net da dawned

and it was time for the team to pack their things and

clean their rooms. After saing their goodbes to

all the new friends thed made during the competi-tion, the repacked the an and got started on their

eight-hour drie home. When the got back to CampMabr, to their surprise, their parents were waiting to

congratulate them with signs, banners, and lots, lots

of hugs. After unloading and cleaning the an, theposed for more pictures with families, and finall

went home for some well desered rest.

The Southwest Region competition was an amaz-ing eperience for the Teas Wing Color Guard, and

it will be foreer in their memories as one of those

cadet actiities that make CAP such a fun and ecit-ing eperience. This ears team included C/SMSgt.Austin Lower as Commander and US Flag bearer, C/

CMSgt. Aaron Harold as 2nd Flag bearer, C/CMSgt.

Daid Hamman as US Flag guard, C/SSgt. HannahDisraeli as 2nd Flag guard, C/MSgt. Ali Pautz as st

Alternate and C/SSgt. Russell Darr as 2nd Alternate.

The senior member adisor to the Pegasus ColorGuard was Maj. J. D. Draper. H


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Most cadets that achiee their Mitchell Award

will need to rethink their approach to leadership ifthe want to succeed as cadet officers. Cadet Officer

Training School (OTS) is designed to gie cadets the

chance to transition from cadet NCOs to cadet offi-cers, polish their teamwork skills, and improe their

self-discipline and professionalism. Cadet NCOs are

focused more on hands-on leadership and immediate

tasks, whereas cadet officers must use tactical leader-ship to ensure direction and purpose for their com-

mand, and project their ision for the unit far into thefuture. In short, cadet NCOs get the job done right

now, while cadet officers keep the action going for the

long-term and their units greater good.

I am proud to sa that I attended the latest OTS(Spring 09) and graduated with m class. From 800

to 900 on Frida, we signed in at Mt. Lebanon

Encampment, just south of Dallas. After stowingour gear in our billets, we met our instructors: lead

instructor C/Maj. Jose Machuca and assistant instruc-tor C/Lt. Col. Kala Stiles. No sooner had we satdown than the latter had us get out pen and paper.

Barel fie minutes in the classroom, we were writing

our first assignment alread: a one-page essa on the

importance of haing a command philosoph.Our assignment completed, we started in on our

first class: Memorandums. Since most cadet officers

sere on the Cadet Adisor Council, where all adis-ing is done in writing, learning how to write a good

memorandum is a er useful skill for a future cadet

officer. That eening we were dismissed for the nightat approimatel 2200, with two assignments to be

completed and turned in before midnight. The first

one was a memorandum dealing with a difficult wethought needed addressing in our own squadron, in

which we would adise our Squadron Commander

accordingl. The second was preparing a - minute

speech to be presented to the whole class right afterbreakfast on the following da.

Midnight came and, haing finished our assign-

C/CMSgt. Christian Nelson

Cadet Ocer Training School:

The place to be

ments, we hit our bunks. It seemed as if we had just

fallen asleep when our alarms went off. Time to get

up! No one is happ at 040, but we started our da

with minimal friction. Breakfast was er enjoable,especiall for those who were hungr (most of us),

who soon felt better thanks to the cooks and theirhelpers great efforts deliered to our classrooms,no less. What serice! Mess Ops reall did a great job

that weekend. Breakfast oer, it was time to delier

our prepared speeches. Each cadet was cheered on ball teammates, as each took the spot.

Speeches oer, we wrestled briefl with the pro-

jector and started our classes for the da. After lunchand seeral additional classes, C/Maj. Machuca

offered us a challenge. We could either hae one

more class, or take on a Group Leadership Project

(GLP). Being tired of sitting down, we opted for theGLP. Our class couldnt hae been more surprised

when we found out what we were epected to do.

C/Lt. Col. Stiles took a bo full of puzzle pieces anddumped them on the floor.

Simultaneousl, C/Maj. Machuca laid down the

law, No talking, no noise. If one of ou so much asutters a word, its all oer and ou get etra assign-

ments tonight. Use our imagination and what we

hae just taught ou to sole this problem. An


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communication other than that mentioned aboe is

acceptable. you hae thirt minutes. Go. At once,we were on our hands and knees tring to figure out

how to communicate most effectiel to assemble thecompleted puzzle. Although a few of us kept oeriew,the greater numbers, I included, focused too much

on the fine details of putting the puzzle together. In

no time at all, C/Maj. Machuca and C/Lt. Col. Stiles

were back in the room, announcing that time was up.Although a few pieces and sections had been assem-

bled, the puzzle was still unsoled.

Fortunatel for us, C/Maj. Machuca was feelinggenerous and told us that we had probabl taken on

more than we could handle. It was rather unfair,

but I shouldnt hae to think for ou. Most of ou arealread cadet officers and the rest of ou will be soon.

Think for ourseles. As we were brooding oer the

thought of etra assignments, he added, How wouldou like to hae a chance to redeem ourseles? As

we jumped at the chance, he said, If ou complete

this net GLP, I will cancel one of our etra assign-

ments. Please dont fail.Immediatel, we were told to change into PT

uniform and head for the plaing field. Waiting for

us were the students from the Cadet Command StaffCollege (CCSC), who held a football. This was more

like it! We split OTS into two groups of eight, so that

7 of us would not be plaing 7 CCSC cadets. Sinceone of our cadets was recoering from knee surger

and couldnt pla, he prepared plas and gae crucial

adice from the sidelines. We won that game three to

two, just before supper. victor was sweet.After congratulating CCSC for their stiff compe-

tition, we headed to the chow hall and ate a hast din-

ner. Back in the classroom, we discussed difficultiesand issues that we saw at our home squadrons, and

other situations we wanted our peers adice on.

On Sunda morning, we packed our bags andcleaned the barracks. Net we gae our speeches on

wh a cadet officers attention to detail is so impor-

tant. As soon we had finished, we took the final eam

(an open-book test) and we could use our notes, forwhich we were grateful. Following about twent dif-

ficult questions C/Maj. Machuca had us stud our

own personalit traits. He gae us lists of words andhad us choose those we thought described us best.

Then he projected a page that had a brief description

of each four-letter personalit trait assessment. It wasfunn to see the cadets epression when the had

their description read to them. Some matched well,others didnt.At the auditorium for the graduation ceremon,

the NCOA and SNCOA classes successiel called

their graduates forward, presented them with shoul-

der cords and then named and congratulated theHonor Graduate of each class. Then it was our turn.

Eerthing went off without a hitch. When the last

OTS cadet had accepted the cord, we waited withbated breath to see who the Honor Graduate would

be Cadet 2nd Lt. Talor Moellendorf, a member of

the Lackland Cadet Squadron, was chosen for his out-standing performance.

After graduation, we each receied a briefing on

our performance for the weekend. That completed, wegrabbed our luggage, signed out, and headed home.

OTS was wonderful. I learned a lot, had a great

time, and got to meet great fellow cadet officers. I

would definitel recommend OTS to an eligiblecadet. It is a great school where cadets can learn how

to improe themseles, their enironment, and each

other. OTS teaches management, leadership, writ-ten and erbal communication, counseling, correct

delegation procedures, and guidelines for meetings,

briefings, and promotion reiew boards. Best of all,it transforms students into highl motiated, knowl-

edgeable cadets, who will go back home to their units

and enhance performance whereer the go. H


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Ecellent! Thats what the USAF oerall rulingwas. The told us that Outstanding had beenwithin our reach, just a hair aboe our perfor-

mance, so thats what well shoot for net time. The

time and effort spent to choreograph this eent washuge, but it paid off er well.

Lt. Col. Brooks Cima, Lt. Col. Owen younger,Col. Joe Smith and man others worked for months

tring to make sure this OPSEvAL came off without

a hitch. Eer detail had been preiousl coered orwas immediatel handled. During a disaster (or in this

case an OPSEvAL) quick and accurate thinking and

implementation on the part of those in the hot seat isessential. And our leadership at the top, these threesuperior indiiduals I just named, gae us the guid-

ance and momentum that kept us on an een keel.

The USAF wanted to see the plan, change theplan, and then change the plan again. The tried to

1st Lt. Sue Kristoffersen

Texas Wing OPSEVAL

create a climate of uncertaint to see what we woulddo. Their aim was to test the reaction of those incharge. Not een a dozen inspectors from the great

USAF were able to shake the ground our leaders were

standing on. Our CAP leadership knew the job, real-ized it was an important test, and measured up with

fling colors.

This eent proided a show-case for our strong points, but

it also reealed our weaker

points. On the plus side, it showed

that success is onl as good as ourtraining and participation on pre-

ious missions and eercises. Most

striking and eer so scar isthe realization that, eer time, we

depend on the same people to pull

it off, howeer comple it mightbe. In a real disaster, we see these

faces. In training, we see the same

faces. During an OPSEvAL or

SAREvAL, the er same faces

are eerwhere. you might eenrun into these familiar faces at an

OPSEvAL in a different state.But what if disaster were to

strike the Incident Command Post

itself? Who would be read to step up and carr outthe mission? How would continuit of operations be

achieed? Whose place would I need to take and

would I be read to do so? Frankl, I hae a lot oflearning and work to do if I eer intend to fill Lt. Col.

Theresa Aleanders shoes.

Lt. Col. Theresa Aleander, Maj. Daid Ogden,and Maj. Jack Lewis were all recognized b the USAFfor their contribution to the mission. Haing worked

with them man times, Ie alwas seen them do a

great job. At the end of the da, I was glad that it wasnoticed and publicl appreciated.


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Squadrons from Teas Wing, Group I gath-ered at Camp Don Harrington during the weekend

of April 24-2 for a field training eercise (FTx).

Thirt-nine members from the Midland, Odessa,

San Angelo and Tigershark Composite Squadronmet at Camp Don Harrington, a bo scout camp

located in the west section of the Palo Duro

Canon, just south of Amarillo, Tx to partici-

pate in a simulated plane crash training eercise.Seniors and cadets receied training on tasks associated

with Ground Team Member Three (GTM) oer the 2-da period. Those tasks include basic radio procedures,

ground search methods, and locating a distress beacon.

On da , participants were diided into 2 groupsand taught basic tasked to include basic radio

procedures for emergenc serices operations,

how to operate a radio and utilize the proper fre-

quencies and repeaters, and keeping a team log.Then the two teams learned and emploed on-foot

search techniques to include whistle and oice com-munication with other members, moing together as

By 1st Lt. Johanna Augustine

Group I

Field Training Exercise

a search line, performing a hast search, and mark-ing search boundaries. Members were trained to

identif aircraft search clues, missing person search

clues, conduct indiidual actions on locating a clue,

and indiidual actions on a find. Also, eeronewas ealuated on the proper wa to carr a litter.

Personnel were also instructed and ealuated in con-

ducting attraction techniques using a signal mirror.

An aircraft from the Tigershark Composite Squadronassisted with the ealuation and then helped deter-

mine the distress beacon bearing, and locating thedistress beacon. CAP members on the ground used

a LH- Electronic Locator Transmitter (ELT)

receier and antenna, which identified the gen-eral area of the beacons location. The transmitter

and aircraft parts were found in a nearb canon.

On da 2, both teams were ealuated again on com-

pleting the required paperwork for a mission andlocating an ELT. Upon completion of the final eer-

cise, 2 members completed tasks associated withGTM, GTM2, GTM, and MRO.


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In front of a crowd of 7,000, four Ciil Air Patrol

cadets from the Lubbock Composite Squadron per-formed a precision Presentation of the Colors to openthe Slaton Air Show on the 5th Anniersar of the

D-Da landing, June th, 2009. Building on their

eperiences of attending Color Guard Competition atCamp Mabr in Austin during Februar as well as

opening a Shallowater High School baseball game in

Ma, along with dozens of practices, the team wasable to put on a good performance.

Thats not to sa the preious da had been eas

for them or the rest of the cadets from the Lubbock

Squadron. All of the cadets had sered on aircraft fire-guard the preious eening with each of them walking

one hour shifts around the aircraft that had arried for

the Air Show. On top of that, a heat burst from a dis-sipating thunderstorm struck their campsite at 2:0 that

morning flattening their tents with dust 0 mph gusts

and a dramatic increase in the temperature.M flashlight was like a short range laser

because of all the dust, said C/TSgt. Robert vernon.

The beam went out onl a few feet.First time that Ie eer seen a tent roll b me

with the person still inside, screaming, added C/Amn. Joseph Garcia, talking about the squadrons

newest cadet, 2-ear old C/Basic Daniel Hernandez,who dramaticall discoered the importance of a

properl staked down tent.

The cadets stood tough during the windstorm, thefirst of man unepected challenges the would face

during the air show, and the challenges did not end

with the Presentation of the Colors either. The ColorGuard cadets quickl changed back into their utilit

uniforms and went to work keeping the crowd back

behind the ropes.

Craz heat! said C/SrAmn. Dillon Hollowa,How could the airplanes moe on the ground? Their

tires should hae melted and glued them down!

During the air show the temperature quicklclimbed past the centur mark turning the light gra

concrete tarmac into a fring pan. One air show

patron fainted from the heat causing EMS crews sta-tioned for the aircrews to scramble back across the

airfield to proide assistance.

Lubbock Cadets Survive the Elementsin order to open Slaton Air Show

Then when the cadets thought it couldnt get an

worse, all of the air show food endors ran out offood due to unepected size of the crowd that turned

out. Food tickets issued to the cadets were worthless

ecept for a chance to get out of the sun when thewere temporaril relieed of dut. It took a fast think-

ing Senior Member with a car parked outside the air

show fence to sole that crisis.Happ meal heaen joked Senior Member

Christina varner of Lubbock as she handed out thetin bags of McDonalds food to the cadets stuck on

the aircraft ramp. With the highwa nearl blockedfrom the show traffic and local law enforcement tr-

ing their hardest to keep the roads clear, SM varner

weaed her wa into town and purchased twentmeals for the cadets. The cadets gulped down their

food and drank their water while standing on dut

wishing the could be somewhere else, but each cadetknew the job had to be done.

And still it worked. The show went on. The air show

went ahead on schedule and the crowd was wowed b

the twists and turns of the aerobatics. Aircraft soaredand sped across the Teas skies. Rare aircraft to Teas,

such as a Russian Antono AN-2 still in its Aeroflot

lier, or the trio of Japanese bombers that performedsimulated attacks on the airfield complete with dna-

mite and kerosene eplosions. The crowd was impressed

and pleased b the performance.Then it was oer four hours after it began. The



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Spinks Airport, Fort Worth,

Teas The Teas Wing Summer2009 Basic Encampment, Alert

Academ, was held in Big Sand,

Teas. C/SrAmn. Brian Franklin,

a member of the South Fort WorthDiamondback Composite Squadron

submitted a report on the encamp-ment. He stated, Cadets learned

drills, customs and courtesies, and

how to pass inspection.The practiced columns left and

right repeatedl until the achieed

perfection. Additionall, the cor-

rectl learned how to perform allstationar drills, such as half-left,

half-right, and at ease. Their train-ing included rifle range practice andCadet Franklin stated their flight

shot .22 rifles on the range. This

familiarizes them with the handlingof weapons and eentuall assists

them with Color Guard and Honor

Guard weaponr training.

Customs and courtesies is anintegral part of Ciil Air Patrol.

This was a great opportunit for

cadets to brush up and practice theirskills. These customs and courtesies

should be obsered and enforced as

an officer or cadet of the Ciil AirPatrol. Doctors and lawers hae

professional guidelines and respect

confidential traditions and theserepresent our method of showing

respect to and from our peers. These

customs are inherited from the

By Sharron Stockwell, 1st Lt., CAP

South Fort Worth Diamondback Composite Squadron

Cadets Face New Challenges andStrive to be the Best They Can Be!

2009 Summer Encampment, ALERT Academy, Big Sandy, Texas

Air Force but some of them origi-nated from the Arm. This training

included eerthing from how and

when to salute officers, as well as,

erbal greetings.This etensie training

encampment utilizes our access

to the United States Air Forceresources. Fort hours of class

training were conducted b actie

USAF, reserist USAF, and CiilAir Patrol officers. The encamp-

ment had a full agenda with little

or no wasted time. Cadet Franklin

stated, M faorite part of theencampment was the ropes course,

designed to teach us teamwork.

Before dismissal on the final

da of the encampment, the allperformed a pass and reiew,

essentiall a militar parade,

which was iewed b the par-

ticipants famil and friends.The close up photo includes C/

SrAmn. Brian Franklins flightin the Pass & Reiew or Militar

Parade at the end of encampment

on Saturda morning 20 June. The

picture with cadets across the fieldwas taken while the were form-

ing up to begin the parade. In the

forefront is Cadet Franklin fromTx-54, the cadet in the middle

is C/Amn. Chad Brson, Tx-88,and on the far side is C/AC JohnHaens, Tx-54. All three cadets

were part of Echo Flight.

The squadrons benefit fromthese actiities. Their efforts enable

cadets and officers to return home

more practiced and proficient than

when the left for the encampment.The are more proficient in drill,

more knowledgeable and capable

of perfecting their customs andcourtesies, and deelop a greater

respect for all of the branches of

the militar including the USAFand the Ciil Air Patrol.

Special thanks goes to C/SrAmn.

Brian Franklin for his contributing

report on the encampment.


12/37

7 7

FORT WORTH, TExASEarlier this ear, the

South Fort Worth Diamondback Composite Squadron,headquartered at Spinks Airport, had the priilege

of witnessing an ecellent demonstration b one of

our high ranking cadets, Cadet Chief Master SergeantJames Staud. Not onl is he a member of our squad-

ron but he is also a member of Cowtown BEST the

organization, also known as, Boosting EngineeringScience and Technolog.

Area outh participate in a local competition

sponsored b Lockheed Martin, Ridgmar Mall, andthe TCU Engineering Department. The competi-

tion, which is free for school participants, includes amultitude of engineering and design fundamentals.

These basics include, but are not limited to, websitedesign, research notebook, displa, team spirit, com-

munit inolement, sponsorship, oral presentation,

designing and deeloping a robot; and of course, thegame da challenge.

yearl competition promotes new and specific

challenges to the BEST teams. The earl theme wasaerospace manufacturing and the challenge was

for the robot to manufacture an airplane in the assem-

bl area piece b piece, remoe FOD (foreign objectdebris), and hang the completed aircraft on a hangingmagnet, all within minutes. At the beginning of the

competition, each team is gien their kit and has a

total of weeks to design and assemble a workingrobot to meet the challenge gien. If the team places,

the compete and moe up to the regional competi-

tion. It was held at Dentons Uniersit of North Teas(UNT) in Noember.

Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Stauds specific

Aerospace Manuacturing:What is the uture o AerospaceEngineering and will Robotics

infuence production?Local Outstanding Civil Air Patrol, Cadet Chie MasterSergeant James Stauds BEST Team Creates andDemonstrates an Award Winning Robotic Creation

By 1st Lieutenant Sharron Stockwell

group is Fort Worth Area Homeschool Robotics. It

took the team weeks to design and build the robot.The team brainstormed, made drawings, and built

prototpes before coming up with the final design.

The team decided on the robot design based on thechallenge gien. The lift was able to lift to arious

heights to pick up the airplane pieces and the claw

design enabled the robot to hold the pieces in placewhile in transit to the assembl area. The wheels

were formed from melting PvC and the front golf

ball wheel allowed for eas maneuerabilit. Theteam spent man hours sawing, gluing, painting,

melting PvC, etc. This organization is an incred-ible learning opportunit for these students and an

eample of the fine qualit of cadets we hae in oursquadron. Cadet Stauds team placed rd in Game at

Cowtown BEST and 5th in Game out of 40 schools

at Teas BEST (regionals). This is the first ear forthis team and James 2nd ear for the competition

on another team.

Congratulations to Cadet Chief Master Sergeantand the BEST team for a job well done. These fine

cadets and outh make us proud of our net genera-

tion of adult American citizens.A special note of thanks to Lockheed Martin,Ridgmar Mall, and the TCU Engineering Department

for their continued sponsorship, support, promotion

and encouragement of our cadets and cadet programs.Ma we, as Ciil Air Patrol members, continue to

instill character qualities in Americas outh through

tolerance, creatiit, discretion, endurance, meek-ness, beneolence, diligence, loalt, hospitalit, and

sensitiit in all that we do in and for CAP.


13/37

9 9

When Tx 40 Squadron Commander Capt. Rand

Stafford and 2nd Lt. Robert Pollman returned from aLow Leel Route Sure sortie, the neer epected

to be part of an airshow. But when the landed back at

Kickapoo Airport in Wichita Falls, the were greeted ban enthusiastic crowd celebrating the Fourth of Jul.

The Call Field Museum, located at Kickapoo

Airport had flown its 97 Curtiss Jenn, followed b

an aerobatic demonstration b Mr. Daid Martin, fl-ing his xtra aerobatic plane, and an antique car race

for the holida festiities. The CAP plane and crew

were welcomed as part of the show. Capt. Staffordand 2nd Lt. Pollman were joined b Teas Wing

Commander, Col. Joe Smith, Maj. Harriett Smith,

representing Southwest Region and their daughter

Sand in welcoming isitors. Numerous children andadults were introduced to Ciil Air Patrol and to aia-

tion through the efforts of these dedicated and eperi-enced representaties.

TX 430 Members Starin July 4th Airshow

Militar veterans of Johnson Count who sered

in Americas Wars and Conflicts were honored onMemorial Da b the members of st Johnson Count

Composite Squadron with two presentations of the col-

ors in the Cleburne and Keene cemeter ceremonies inconjunction with locale American Legionaries.

The Johnson Count Color Guard Team led b

C/SrA Ghenesis Cordero with cadets C/AC Collin

Crosier, C/SrA Richard Donahoo, C/AC GinaGomez, C/AC Kell Gomez and C/AC Joseph

Gould posting and retrieing the American and Teas

flags flanked b rifle barriers carring ceremonial M- rifles at the Cit of Cleburne, Teas cemeter and

Keene Cemeter held at 0:0 and :0 on Monda.

At each ceremon the Color Guard Team leaderCordero rotated member duties of the flag and rifle bar-

riers proiding an opportunit to ecel in each dut.

Squadron members supporting the effort C/ABDaniel Armstrong, Maj. Robert Benton, 2nd Lt.

Kenneth Cowell, C/AB Paul Flurr, Capt. DanielHunt and C/AB Marsa Johnston who assisted the

team and met eterans and famil members of WorldWar I, World War II, Korea, vietnam to present da.

During the ceremon the cadets and militar fami-

lies heard presentations and remembrances b Legionofficials, American Legion Auiliar Association

President Mickie Prendergast and American Legion

Post 50 Commander Joel Franklin.Prendergast and Franklin acknowledged Ciil Air

Patrol during the ceremon.

Among Franklins duties at the ceremonies wasto strike a bell for eer war and militar action

that Americans sered and all eterans and their

families from the American Independence, War of

82, Meican-American War, Ciil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea

Conflict, vietnam Conflict, Granada Operations,

Panama Operations, Gulf War, Bosnian Operations,Enduring Freedom and War Against Terror.

Squadron member SM Jerr Baile who seres

Maj. Robert Benton

Johnson CountySquadron membersPost Colors or CountyVeterans

as th District Chaplain for the Sons of the American

Legion acknowledged the Prisoners of War and

Missing In Action with a presentation and praer.

Baile during his presentation noted that Americanremains are still being found and returned to the

United States from World War II through vietnam.

The ceremon also featured the reading and his-tor of the poem, Flanders Field b former ALA

Post 50 president Rhonda Tatum and ALA Post 50

member Michelle Bledsoe complemented b the patri-otic ocals of Jr. ALA Unit 8 Keel Prendergast.

Legion Post 50 Chaplain Craig Rorick closed the

ceremon with a praer followed b buglers from

Wheat Middle School plaing TAPS and the retriealof the flag b the Color Guard Team.

By 1st Lt. Lisa Gunnell


14/37

20 20

Learning to Fly:Civil Air Patrol teaches that but alsoprovides much more for local youth

By GREG LITTLE

[email protected]

It was an unusuall cool morning last Sunda at

the airport in Gonzales.For a Sunda, the local airport was quite a bit bus-

ier than normal. young cadets in uniform were wan-

dering around, killing a little time as the waited.At about 0:45 a.m., ou could hear the hum in

the background. The plane was nearing the airport

and about to land.A plane landing at an airport is anthing but

unusual, but for four Gonzales outh, this was an-thing but normal.

Nerous, is how Tler Howell, 2, describedthings a couple of das before the big eent.

As the oungest of the Ciil Air Patrol cadets

from Gonzales, that was understandable. Howeer,it didnt stop him from wanting to climb aboard that

CAP airplane and fl off to victoria.

The Ciil Air Patrol is an American tradition dat-ing back to World War II. It was formed because of

World War II and has grown toda into one of the

most efficient and effectie search and rescue groupsin the countr.During the war, CAP olunteers flew countless hours

around the borders of this countr, looking for enem

essels and tring to protect our shipping industr.Since that time, CAP has been inoled in search

and rescue all oer the United States, whether its hur-

ricanes or aalanches.A crucial part of CAP is inoling outh in the

program. youth ages 2-2 can join CAP, which is a

branch of the Air Force Auiliar.The militar influence on CAP is obious, from

the uniforms to the attitude demonstrated b the outh

who learn so much more than fling.

Anne Howell, mother of Tler, Kala Howell,, and Beau Howell, 7, knows er well the role

of CAP. All three of her children are in the program

and she sas its great. Also from Gonzales is BobbCorbitt, , who took flight last Sunda as well.

I heard about it from a friend, said Tler.

I thought it would be prett interesting.

Its also a lot of work.

Eer Monda, no matter what, all four of the

cadets from Gonzales trael to San Antonio to par-ticipate in two-hour meetings. It doesnt matter if its

a holida, the must attend.

The cadets learn a ariet of things, includinghow to march, discipline and the also hae some fun

with projects. Rocket power is the current project inwhich the are participating.Because it sounded like fun, said Kala Howell,

who takes her role in CAP er seriousl.

In fact, when the plane landed in Gonzales last

Sunda, it was Kala who was put in the front copi-lots seat on her wa to victoria.

There were two cadets from San Antonio who

made the flight on Sunda morning. After that, twoof the local cadets flew to victoria, one in the copi-

lots seat on the wa down and the other on the wa

back. After that, the other two local cadets did thesame thing.

Its reall nice and a good learning eperience

for kids, said Kala. We learned about rocketr,

integrit, and self-management.For Tler Howell, his words were music to the

ears of his parents, Anne and Jon.

I hae learned to respect m parents, he said. Itteaches ou discipline and it teaches ou responsibilit.

Tler said the ultimate goal of the program is

to learn respect, responsibilit, and discipline. Itsreall good training.

That is certainl something a parent wants to hear.

The are learning that a lot of this stuff Ie beentelling all the time is meaningful, said Anne. It is

showing them how to grow up.

For her older son, Beau, CAP is a chance to start

his ultimate dream. Because Ie been wanting tojoin the militar, he said of his inolement in CAP.

It looks good on our record.

Part of that training is search and rescue and there

Reprinted with permission of The Gonzales Inquirer


15/37

2 2

are man other disciplines taught in CAP, including

Lego practice, communications, and much more.Its oka, said Corbitt. The teach us how to do

things and search for people.Corbitt said it is most likel he will sta in theCAP program.

Last Sunda, when the plane landed at the air-

port in Gonzales, it was pilot Dianne Wieman who

stepped out from behind the controls. She is the com-mander of the group from Gonzales, as well as others

who participate in the San Antonio chapter of CAP.

She also has connections to Gonzales Count as herparents lied in Ottine for a time.

The kids learn discipline, said Wieman. The

do different drills, hae aerospace education, and arebuilding rockets right now.

After landing (and buzzing the airport just prior

to that), Wieman showed off her single engine planewith the distinctie CAP logo on the side.

She said CAP has come a long wa in the past

few ears, especiall when it comes to technolog

which is aailable on the planes.The plane she flew to Gonzales is two ears old

and has man features, including access to radar and

much, much more. All, she sas, makes it more help-ful when it comes to the crucial search and rescue

missions of CAP.

Ie been fling the fire out of this one, she sasof the plane.

Wieman has been on search and rescue missions

in man parts of the countr. She reall enjos her

work and sas the reward is seeing how the kids reactto the program.

Each of the outh were allowed to get a feel for the

controls of the plane during their flights last Sunda.She said its important for them to know about the

planes as well as the program.

Wieman said for those who continue in the program,the get a good opportunit to get into the Air Force.

The Gonzales Inquirer, established in 85, is

published eer Tuesda and Frida and seres all ofGonzales Count. It is one of the oldest continuousl

published papers in the state of Teas. H

Sheldon Cadet Squadron member C/SrAmn.

Charissa Robbins took top honors at the Sheldon

Independent School District spelling bee for the sec-ond time in three ears. Her journe to the champi-

onship round began as she outlasted ,50 students

at C. E. King Middle School. She went on to com-

pete against the top spellers from around the districtand garnered first place b successfull spelling

bonanza. Cadet Robbins will now adance to the

Houston PBS spelling bee where she will representthe 5,800 students of Sheldon ISD against students

from the greater Houston area.

Placing fourth at the district leel competitionwas C/MSgt. Guillermo Guerrero, another member

of the Sheldon Cadet Squadron.

Sheldon CadetTakes Top Honorsat Spelling Bee

Lt. Col. James D. Peace

Spelling Bee Pictured with Cadet Robbins is Lt.Col. Gerry Levesque, CAP (Squadron CommanderSWR-TX-802).


16/37

2 2

Teas Wing held its annual conference in the great cit of San Marcos on - Ma 2009. The

conference was held at the new beautiful Embass Suites Hotel and Conference Center that has onlbeen open for about months.

The morning session began with posting of the colors b the cadet color guard from Pegasus

Squadron. Mr. Keith Graf, Director of Aerospace, Aviation, and Defense of the Governors Ofce

presented an ofcial recognition from Governor Perry to Texas Wing for our assistance to the State of

Teas for natural disasters for 2008.

The group was then welcomed by Ms Kim Portereld, Mayor Pro Tem for the City of San Marcos,

with a Proclamation proclaiming the weekend of Ma -, 2009, Ciil Air Patrol Weekend in San

Marcos. I know most of the women had a great time at the Shop Till you Drop shopping spree at San

Marcos Outlet Malls.

Julie DeBardelaben, Deput Director of Public Affairs for National Headquarters presented the

National Commanders Report.

I know eerone would like to thank Group II for the wonderful food sered between the Conference

and Awards ceremon. I know Lt. Col. Don Windle has challenged the other groups that if the get

Group of the year the need to continue the precedence set b Group II.

The following members of Teas Wing were presented the following awards:

Sior Mmbr of th Yar Lt. Col. Henr L. Jack Jackson, Teas Wing HQ

cadt of th Yar, Fmal Cadet/Maj. Kala Stiles, GROUP Iv

cadt of th Yar, Mal Cadet 2nd Lt. Michael Mood, GROUP III

Sqadro of th Yar APOLLO COMPOSITE SQUADRON, GROUP III

Grop of th Yar HEADQUARTERS GROUP II Ft. Worth & East & West

Arospa edatio st Lt. Erich S. Arbogast, GROUP Ivcadt Programs Capt. Diane M. Engelhardt, GROUP Iv

commiatios Capt. James T. (Tomm) Hudson, GROUP II

Pbli Affairs st Lt. Warren D. Graef, Jr., GROUP Iv

Safty st Lt. Waitus R. Watson, GROUP Iv

chaplai Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Aleander Alarez

Sqadro chaplai of th Yar Chaplain (Capt.) Alfred D. Climie, GROUP Iv

Moral Ladrship 2nd Lt. Nicholas M. Birchum, GROUP III

Logistiia 2nd Lt. Mark A. Allison, GROUP Iv

Govrmt Rlatios Award Lt. Col. Gordie L. White II, Teas Wing HQ

Sior Sqadro of th Yar BAyTOWN SENIOR SQDN, GROUP Iv

Wing Staff ofcer of the Year Lt. Col. Orille L. Joll, Teas Wing HQCounter Drug Ofcer of the Year Lt. Col. Orille L. Joll, Teas Wing HQ

Emergency Services Ofcer of the Year Maj. John Ureke, GROUP Iv

Sqadro of Mrit Award Kerrille Composite Squadron, GROUP v

Sqadro of Distitio Lakeshore Composite Squadron, Group II

colol Dio e. Dcamp Grod Tam of Yar Award Brownsille Composite Squadron,

GROUP v

col edwi W. Lwis, Jr., Iidt Staff Mmbr of th Yar Lt. Col. Brooks Cima, Teas

Wing HQ

Texas Wing Annual ConferenceBy Lt. Col. Dana Gray


17/37

25 25

FRAnK G. BReWeR - cIVIL AIR PATROL - Mmorial Arospa Award

catgory I cadt Cadet/2nd Lt. Michael Mood, GROUP IIIcatgory II Sior Capt.

Michael W. Parkhill

catgory III Idividal - Jan W. Hill, Grand Prairie, Tx - Airport Operations, GROUP

IIIcatgory IV Idividal Lt. Col. Cnthia S. Whisennand, GROUP III

Lvl 5Wilso Lt. Col. Melanie Capehart

Lt. Col. Garret Sager

Lt. Col. Don Windle

Maj. Harold B. Wilson

Lt. Col. Brooks Cima

Lt. Col. Dennis Cima

Lvl 4Garbr

Capt. Penn Brad

exptioal SrviAwardIKe Awards

Lt. Col. Jack Jackson

Lt. Col. Gwnn Groggel

Lt. Col. Brooks Cima

Lt. Col. O. younger

Mritorios Srvi

AwardIKe Awards

Maj. Bob Brecount

st Lt. Sue Kristofferson

Lt. Col. Dennis Cima

Maj. George Otto

Capt. Harr Cook

Capt. Chuck Tetlow

commadrs commdatios

IKe Awards

Lt. Col. Johnnie B. Barfoot, Jr.

Maj. Jose E. Carrales III

Capt. Thomas R. Greene

Lt. Col. John A. HittCapt. James T. Hudson

Capt. Stephen A. Hudson

Lt. Col. Henr L. Howe

Maj. James K. McCloud

Cadet/2nd Lt. Cod D. McComber

Capt. Daid E. Medders

C/MSgt. Else Mood

C/TSgt. James W. Mood, Jr.


18/37

2 2


19/37

27 27



20/37

28 28


Day 1:

Arrial/Departure. After months

of preparation, dedication and hard

work were read to produce formore than fifteen eager and pas-

sionate cadets. The started arri-

ing between 700-80 hours onFrida the th. The senior rank-

ing cadets were assigned a less

eperienced cadet as a budd for

the week and to help guide them.The cadet commanders for both

the drill and color guard teams

proceeded in haing the cadetsstud the leadership and aero-

space facts needed for the tests at

competition. Around 90 hours,the bus arried to take the cadets

to Austin. Packing was quick and

soon the trip was a go. The trip

down was longer than it seemedwith all of the stud and discus-

sion oer the epectations for the

weekend. Upon arrial at CampMabr, in Austin, Teas around

25, the time for complete pro-

fessional conduct came. Aftersigning in, and room assigning,

the cadets were allowed time to

rela and prepare for the up com-ing das ahead. Lights out came

Lackland Cadet Squadron Color Guardand Drill Team participate in the 2009Texas Wing Cadet Competition

C/2nd Lt. Taylor Moellendorf

at 200 hours and it was much

appreciated b all.

Day 2:

Competition Da. Morning came

quickl for the teams. The color

guard and drill teams were tocompete for the rights to represent

Teas at the regional competition.

The drill team members got to their

schedule immediatel. Some timewas allotted for the cadets to make

an final preparations and changes

to their uniforms and knowledge.The morning hours were filled

with multiple areas of competi-

tion. First, the judges performedan in-ranks inspection. Following

the inspection, the cadets had to

perform a 50 step standard drill

sequence. This tested the entiregroup on all basic and commonl

used commands. After this phase,

the commander was gien a cardwhich had a second set of com-

mands onl the commander could

see. This tested the awareness ofthe cadets and their recall of drill

commands on the spot. The last

objectie for the morning was theinnoatie drill. This was a series

of moements hand crafted b each

team. The entire tested the teamsabilit to cope with the eniron-

ment, weather and maintaining

militar bearing. After a de-brief-ing, the judges spoke on the morn-

ings accomplishments and did a

run down of the mistakes that weremade. Seeral hours were gien for

lunch, free time and preparation

for PT and testing. PT came with

a sense of etreme competition andwant to do the best possible. Both

teams had outstanding times and

records for the eent. Later on inthe afternoon, the judges gathered

all of the cadets for a comprehen-

sie leadership test. The test co-ered the first half of the cadet pro-

gram. Once the testing period was

done, the teams were taken back tothe barracks to prepare for dinner

and olleball. After dinner, the

cadets all competed in non-com-

petitie games. The da ended witha sense of relief and success. After

a hard das work the cadets were

allowed more time to rela, cleanup, call parents and start packing


21/37

29 29

C/2nd Lt. Michael G. Mood

Lt. Col. Dener A. Radford, Jr.

Maj, Nolan S, Teel

st Lt. Lorrie A. Tetlow

st Lt. John D. Trolinger

Capt. Richard O. Williams

uit citatio

Brownsille Composite Squadron, Group Iv

El Paso Composite Squadron, Group I

Ft. Worth Senior Squadron, Group II

Southwest Region Awards were presented to the following people:

Arospa edatio st Lt. Erich S. Arbogast, GROUP Ivcadt Programs Capt. Diane M. Engelhardt, GROUP Iv

commiatios capt. James T. (Tomm) Hudson, GROUP II

Moral Ladrship 2nd Lt. Nicholas M. Birchum, GROUP III

Logistiia 2nd Lt. Mark A. Allison, GROUP Iv

Govrmt Rlatios Award Lt. Col. Gordie L. White II, Teas Wing HQ

Counter Drug Ofcer of the Year Lt. Col. Orille L. Joll, Teas Wing HQ

Sqadro of Distitio Lakeshore Composite Squadron, Group II

colol Dio e. Dcamp Grod Tam of Yar Award Brownsille Composite Squadron,

GROUP v

FRAnK G. BReWeR - cIVIL AIR PATROL Mmorial Arospa Awardcatgory I cadt Cadet/2nd Lt. Michael Mood, GROUP III

catgory IV Idividal Lt. Col. Cnthia S. Whisennand, GROUP III

Congratulations to eerone that receied an award and Teas Wing appreciates eerone for all the

hard work eerone contributes.

After lunch the seminar sessions began with lots of people looking for information on changes to

sstems, regulations, training sessions, or just what is happening in those specialties.

I watched as people had a chance to catch up with old friends the hae not seen for a while and

make new friends for ears to come. you would see group huddled in conersations about new changes

to regulations or just telling a few jokes.The eening banquet had a great buffet dinner with chocolate pecan pie for dessert (how can ou go

wrong with pecans and chocolate in one dessert). We een had musical entertainment from the sobriet

group net door to help make the awards a memorable occasion. The were een giing out some

awards around the same time. I dont remember all of there categories, but I do remember one about

best dressed or fashionable dress about the time we were giing out Eceptional Serice awards. Im not

een sure the were aware that we were net door and een who we were. H

Annual Conference . . .Continued from page 27


22/37

Often, Ill write this message ahead of schedule,

mabe a month or more. Or the subject might suggesta focus that, after it is published, I feel I should add to,so the first one turns into the prologue to a second shot

at the same theme. But not this time. For some reason,

I had nothing left in stock that I could put in this

place, but I didnt worr. The comfort of liking to writeis that oure neer short of inspiration. But m read-

ers hae little to worr about. In m case, this

space wont eer carr an odes to fleas,finches, or furies.

At times, m readers might find

this space amusing, instructional,or een surprising. This month,

though, it isnt reall m space.

Rather, it belongs to a friend andfellow CAP member. Someone

I respected and liked, who had

man human qualities I wish

more people would cultiate oreen deelop. Besides, it is reall

too soon for me, after haing lost

m friend Lt. Col. Stee Manle, tofind the resignation to face et another

loss.

The news article summarized it b saing,basicall, On 2 Februar

2009, Lt. Col. Daniel Bod

Williams and his wife

Rheta Lnn Williams diedwhen their Beechcraft

Baron was lost while attempting to land at Williams

Airport, northwest of Porter, about 20 miles fromHouston, Teas. Dan Williams was the Commander

of the Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron, and the

Deput Group III Commander-South. Short, to thepoint, depersonalized, cruel, final.

On that da, he was not fling a CAP airplane but

a rented one, a Beechcraft Baron, a reliable and well-

built twin engine, low wing, retractable landing gear,million-dollar 200-knot cruiser. A fine aircraft b an

measure. An eewitness said that the plane first nosed

up, then banked to the left. It neer recoered, hittingthe ground at an estimated 00 knots. Was it equipment

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate

It is Never Easy

On 15 September 2007, Lt. Col. Dan Williams preparesto leave for FALCON-VIRGO, a week-long exercisewith the Air Force and US Army Air Defense Artillery.

malfunction? Phsical incapacitation, howeer momen-

tar? The reasons for the accident are now up to theeperts. But we are the custodians of the memories.Dan and Rheta had been on their wa to isit a

daughter, who arried at the airport minutes after the

accident. Our heart goes out to her and the famil.

Both parents gone in an instant, turning a celebrationinto a great, deastating and wrenching sadness.

Dan Williams was a kind and enlight-

ened commander, a gentle friend, a greatmentor, an eminentl qualified pilot.

An ecellent manager of talent an

indispensable skill in a olunteerorganization he got things done

with a minimum of fuss. He was

the ultimate practitioner of lead-ership as Harr Truman defined

it, Leadership is getting a man

to do what he doesnt want to do,

and like it. Ecept that HarrTruman had the mission in mind

when he coined it. Dan Williams,

on the other hand, neer lost sight ofthe people behind the mission. He cared

for and respected those who worked with

him. And thats wh his unit members werefiercel loal to him. He

was the ultimate leader, in

the sense that the leader is

at the serice of those heleads.

Haing lost er good friends in the militar, some

people think I ought to be used to this. Well, let metell ou. you neer get used to it. Each one who failed

to come back left an enormous oid, an emptiness

that couldnt be filled, an absence that would neer beredeemed. And it is neer eas to accept it, nor to lie

beond it as if it hadnt happened. The same with Dan

and Rheta. Still oung, productie, and established

members of societ, generous contributors to worthcauses, now gone. Their absence will remain with us

for a er long time.

I know Im not the onl one who can sa, Danwas m friend. For mself, I know hell lie foreer

in m heart, where Ill make room for Rheta too.

This article first appeared as an editorial on the Group III Newsletter.


23/37

The recent loss of Lt. Col. Dan Williams and his wife Rheta

left us all in shock and at a loss for words. To know that we would

neer again see a cadet looking up at Dan in awe and wonder

before taking that rst ORide saddened us deeply. As CAP

members we are all used to jumping in and making things happen,

so Apollo decided to do just that.

With that thought in mind, the Apollo Composite Squadron

has started theLt. Col. Dan Williams Memorial Flight AcademyFund. We would like to thank the Kittinger Phantom Senior

Squadron for allowing Apollo the honor of remembering their commander in this manner.

Some of our cadets took their very rst ight with Lt. Col. Williams, most of the cadets ew at least

one Oride with him. Not to mention that most of our senior members ew with him regularly. Dans

leadership, skill, and patience will be greatl missed b eerone who knew him.

If ou would like to donate to theLt. Col. Dan Williams Memorial Flight Academy Fund, please

send our donation to:

Texas Wing Flight Academy

c/ HQ Texas Wing

P. o. Bx 154997

Wac, TX 76715-4997.(Just write Williams n the checks mem line.)

To date thanks to a er successfull fundraiser and an een more generous indiiduals donation

we hae raised $,00.00 for theLt. Col. Dan Williams Memorial Flight Academy Fund.

This is a er good start, but a great deal of mone will be needed to ensure that Teas Wing cadets

continue to receive the opportunity to learn how to y.

The Lt. Col. Dan Williams

Memorial Flight Academy FundMaj. Cheri Fischler


24/37

4 4

On 2 Mar 09, the Lackland

Cadet Squadron held a Change-

of-Command (COC) ceremon.C/2nd Lt. Kristopher Kerr met

the ultimate challenge for a

cadet officer, as he is now incharge of commanding the

Lackland Cadet Squadron. He

took oer from C/Capt. Colleen

Rojas who sered as the SWR-Tx-007 Cadet Commander for

past 2 months. The Lackland

Cadet Squadron has 29 actiecadets and senior members

assigned to the unit.

In Ciil Air Patrol (CAP),the Cadet Commander is the

most isible cadet, a role model

for the entire cadet corps, andthe liaison between the senior

staff and the cadet staff. The

COC ceremon included the traditional passing of

the squadron guide on to the new commander rep-resenting the new commanders authorit. Cadet

Commanders ke duties include, ) setting goals for

the squadron, 2) establishing plans, policies, and pro-cedures, ) coordinating cadet staff actiities, 4) make

personnel recommendations, 5) superise and mentor

all cadets, ) promote ecellence, and 7) lead drill andceremonies.

Also on 2 Mar 09, The Teas Wing Group v

Commander, Lt. Col. Ed Billman presented C/Capt.Colleen Rojas the Amelia Earhart Award and pre-

sented C/2nd Lt. Talor Moellendorf the Brigadier

General Bill Mitchell Award. Reception immedi-

atel followed with cake and refreshments.The new Cadet Commander stated that CAP has

opportunities to grow and ecel into arious positions

within the squadron and offers leadership potential tothose who hae the desire to lead. He also told the

crowd that at one point he wasnt sure about staing

2nd Lt. Nancy Kerr

Pictures by 2nd Lt. Nancy Kerr

Lackland Cadet Squadron

Welcomes New Cadet Commander

in CAP, howeer, after careful consideration and

mentorship from fellow cadets he decide to sta in.

He stated that CAP gies ou an opportunit to do a

lot of different things. He thanked the people aroundhim for his success and stated, without the support

of his fellow cadets and senior members who hae

mentored him oer the past three ears, he wouldntbe where he is toda.

Opportunities Knock. With Cadet Kerrs bus

schedule, his accomplishments hae come alongquickl. Cadet Kerr is an actie participant in Ciil

Air Patrols three missions (Emergenc Serices/

Cadet Programs/Aerospace Education). EmergencSerices: He is a member of the Emergenc Serices

team, participating in search and rescue missions

since joining CAP in Feb 0. Cadet Programs: He

is actiel inoled in man Cadet programs, ha-ing sered in man leadership positions in the Cadet

Squadron since joining CAP in Feb 0. Since 2

Oct 0, he held Cadet(C) positions as a C/Guide-On, C/Element Leader, C/Flight Sgt., C/First Sgt.,


25/37

5 5

is currentl in 0th grade at John Paul Steens High

School (JPSHS), San Antonio, Teas. Effectie Feb

09, he is ranked number 84 of his sophomore class

of 94 students. This is his second ear plaing soc-

cer for the schools Junior varsit (Jv) Soccer teamwhich consist of 20 plus plaers and was one of the

2009 Jv Captains for the team. On 20 Mar 09, thevarsit Soccer Coach from JPSHS, Coach Marc

Helke, moed Kris up to the varsit leel team ros-

ter. The JPSHS varsit Soccer team won the 2009District Champs Title and Kris got to pla a few min-

utes in the first game of the plaoffs on 24 Mar 09,

against the Judson Rockets and the JPSHS Falconswon to 0. The Falcons lost in the second round of

plaoff to Reagan High School. In addition to CAP

and High School, Cadet Kerr is a race car drier. Hestarted racing quarter midget race cars at the age of 7,went on to race in the minicup series and is currentl

in his fourth ear racing with the Teas Super Race

Series (TSRS) Allison Legac Racing series, dri-ing a TSRS Allison Legac Race car--a three-quar-

ter scale NASCAR replica. He is scheduled to race

in nine races from March till Sept 09, at ThunderhillRace Wa in Kle, Teas. On 28 Mar 09, Kris started

on the pole, led all 50 laps to secure his first win in

the TSRS Allison Legac Race!

The Ciil Air Patrol (CAP), the official auiliarof the US Air Force, was founded on Dec , 94,

less than a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl

Harbor brought the US into World War II. CAP is anonprofit organization with more than 5,000 mem-

bers nationwide. CAPs mission is Nationwide. CAP

members pla a ital role in performing 95 percentof continental US inland search and rescue missions.

CAP olunteers also perform homeland securit,

disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request

of federal, state, and local agencies.If interested in joining Ciil Air Patrol isit the

Lackland Cadet Squadron and attend a couple meet-

ings. The Lackland Cadet Squadron meets on Mondaeenings, from :0pm to 9:00pm at the Lackland

Cadet Squadron Building (Bldg 2, located on Kell

Field Anne C, Port San Antonio) 40 S. Frank LukeDr., San Antonio Tx 7822, For more information,

isit the squadrons web site at www.CAPTx007.org.

For squadron CAP pictures, go to http://communit.webshots.com/user/CAPTx007. H

C/Flight Commander, C/Deput Commander and

now Cadet Commander which will be the ultimate

challenge of his leadership skills to date. Cadet Kerr

also sered as the Lackland Squadron primar point

of contact for the Group v Cadet Adisor Council(CAC) since being appointed in Jan 07. He sered as

a recorder. In No 07, he earned the Model RocketrBadge for completing all three phases and launch-

ing seeral different rockets. He hopes to epand his

horizons in 200 b sering as a goodwill ambassa-dor at one of the man CAPs International Air Cadet

Echange (IACE) programs--participating in aia-

tion-related actiities abroad or attending the TeasWing Cadet Flight Academ and/or the Teas Wing

Glider Academ. He is a member of the squadrons

Honor Guard/Color Guard team since joining CAPand has been participating at arious communiteents (SPURS NBA games, Siler Stars WNBA

games, Hocke Games, Baseball games, 4th Jul

Parade, displaing the colors. In Sept 09, he earnedhis Mitchell Award and was promoted to C/2nd Lt.

In No 08, he attended the Teas Wing CTEP Officer

Training School (OTS), the fourth training phase ofprofessional deelopment. Cadet Kerr is currentl

working on Achieement 0 towards his net rank

of C/st Lt. (the Amelia Earhart Award). Aerospace

Education: Cadet Kerr is also inoled in AerospaceEducation. He has sered on seeral occasions as an

aerospace mentor to other Cadets who are testing on

an aerospace module. As the Cadet Commander, hewill be responsible to schedule monthl aerospace

education classes to ensure each Cadets aerospace

education training objecties are met.Cadet Kerr is currentl participating in an on-

going squadron communit serice project, collecting

Powder Laundr Detergent to donate to the Battered

Womens Shelter and the Ronald McDonald House inSan Antonio, in Apr 09. In addition to his communit

serice through CAP, he also donates his time out-

side of the organization b olunteering to help outat Church during Sunda Mass serices. As a mem-

ber of the Lackland Church youth Group, he partici-

pates in feeding the homeless at the vincent DePaulChurch, supporting and working youth Group bake

sales to help raise mone to attend Catholic youth

Conentions around the world.While actiel participating in CAP, Cadet Kerr


26/37

7 7

Lackland Cadet Squadron

Two Cadets Honored as VFW Ocerand NCO o the Year

Randolph Squadron Holds Dining Out

The Randolph Composite Squadron celebrated a time-honored tradition Ma 5 when it held their first dining-out ceremon for cadets, senior officers, and guests.

The cadet squadron -- that falls under the Ciil AirPatrols Teas Wing Group v -- allows members to rou-tinel take part in leadership actiities to better preparethemseles to be of serice to their communit, state, andnation; and the social function of an actie-dut-stledining-out lets cadets and senior officers practice theirprotocol, customs and courtesies.

Cadet Col. Daniel Fowl presided, in cadet tradition, as thepresident of the mess, oerseer of social actiities of toast-ing, grogging (drinking from the ceremonial punch bowl)and points of order (establishing the eenings rules).

We had an awesome turn-out with 05 participants,said Cadet Col. Fowl. The cadets also got the opportunitto get a small taste of Air Force heritage. In addition to cadettradition, the listened to Michael Snedeker, a former Spaatzcadet, U.S. Air Force Academ graduate and an accom-plished, retired Air Force Colonel, speak on how Ciil AirPatrol sparked his interest in integrit, serice, and ecel-lence. It was an outstanding eperience for all inoled.

By 2nd Lt. Teresa Spohn

On Apr 09, two members from the veterans of

Foreign Wars (vFW) Westside Office, Post 89, San

Antonio, Teas, Mr. Julian Aendano, Commander,and Mr. Jesse A. Mendoza, Senior vice Commander,

presented Cadet 2nd Lt. Kristopher Kerr, the vFWof the United States, Ciil Air Patrol (CAP), Officercitation and medal award for special recognition of

outstanding achieement and eceptional leadership

abilit as a Cadet Officer.

Cadet Katherine Sommers was presented the

2nd Lt. Nancy Kerr

Pictures by 2nd Lt. Nancy Kerr

vFW of the United States, CAP Non-Commissioned

Officer (NCO) citation and medal award, for special

recognition of outstanding achieement and ecep-tional leadership abilit as a Cadet NCO. The cadets

were recognized for their inoled in the Ciil AirPatrol programs and the local communit. Julian con-gratulated both cadets and stressed to all the cadets

to continue to sta inoled, do the right things, and

keep up the good work. He stated he is er proud of

all the cadets.

Highlights of the eening included a singing of theNational Anthem b Chanine Guerrero, a special presen-tation on wing-tip orte b Edmund Johnstone, a speechfrom Michael Snedeker, and an Air Force Academappointment presentation for Cadet Matthew Castriotta.

This actiit has taken months to plan, organize, andprepare, said Cadet Lt. Col. Matthew Castriotta, who seredas the eenings ice president. Teamwork with cadets, seniorofficers, parents and the Kendrick Club catering staff.


27/37

8 8

In what ma be the last hur-rah for the old terminal building

at the Grand Prairie Municipal

Airport (GPM) before it is bull-dozed to make wa for a new

modern facilit, members of the

Crusader Composite Squadron

were happ to host the AreaCommand Post (ACP) for Teas

Wings statewide Search andRescue Eercise. This superis-ing command post had er few

members, et it sered as the

oerall control element of fourIncident Command Posts dis-

tributed throughout the state.

Group III, Teas Wing

personnel staffed and mannedthe Grand Prairie Incident

Command Post (ICP) to carr

out its share of the training missions assigned to itb the ACP, representing the temporar Teas Wing

Headquarters. Three other ICPs were also under the

ACP, and there was some direct contact between theICPs. Aircrew and ground team personnel were sent

out in arious sorties, taking photographs, following

prescribed missions, and identifing the eact loca-tion of practice emergenc beacons.

Maj. Russell Miller, Crusaders Deput

Commander for Seniors, reported that seeral

squadron members participated in training eents toimproe their skills and acquire greater proficienc

in their specialties. These included 2nd Lt. Josh Dais

who trained as a Mission Scanner, Capt. Carol Bitnerwho trained as a Mission Staff Assistant, C/CMSgt.

Kendall Pruitt who trained as a Communications Unit

Leader, and Capt. Robert Seerance III who trainedas an Information Officer.

Capt. Seerance also began training for Liaison

Officer. Part of the specialt qualification train-

Texas-Wide Exercise atGrand Prairie Airport

Capt. Robert Severance III

ing for Liaison Officer requires the trainee to dem-onstrate the abilit to coordinate eternal agenc

requests. Capt. Seerance proposed to Lt. Col. ScottTrepinski, the Grand Prairie (Group III) Incident

Commander, a simulated eternal agenc request to

conduct aerial photograph of the new 49,000 sq. ft.Grand Prairie Public Safet Headquarters building

that is being constructed at the southwest corner of

State Highwa at Arkansas Lane (about a miledue east of GPM). This will be part of the 78-acre

Central Park project. Seeral man-made lakes will

sere as drainage and water management for the

area. The $4 million state-of-the-art facilit, whichcombines Fire Administration, Police Serices, and

Detention, is scheduled to open in 200.

Maj. Frank Stalling taught flight-line marshallingto seeral cadets and C/2nd Lt. Robert Seerance Iv

spent his 5th birthda studing under the Mission

Information Officer (and Southwest Region Directorof Public Affairs) Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate.


28/37

9 9

On Februar 2009, the BlackSheep Composite Squadrons

cadets were treated to a spe-

cial presentation, United StatesManned Spaceflight 9 to

972, deliered b the Group

III Cadet Programs Officer and

squadron Deput Commander forCadets, st Lt. J.M. Coffman.

The program coered theeploration of outer space, thatled to a competition between

the United States and the former

Soiet Union. The histor lessoneplained how the two countries

deeloped artificial satellites, sent

human beings into outer space,and the United States eentuall

landed astronauts on the moon

(Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin,

2 Jul 99).The Russians ma hae been

the first in a lot of things, said

st Lt. Coffman, but the UnitedStates wanted to be better.

The instructor surprised the

cadets b eplaining that thefirst liing earth creatures in

outer space were actuall Laika,

Blacksheep SquadronExperiences TheExcitement o Space

Capt. Kelly Castillo

a dog from the Soiet Union (Noember 957, she died in orbit),

and Ham, a chimpanzee from the

United States (on Januar 9,he returned unharmed). He also

eplained that the first human was

the Soiet Unions yuri Gagarin

(2 April 9).The program also discussed

the trials and errors of the spacerace, which included tragediesshared b the two countries.

The United States lost se-

eral astronauts in the Apollo ,the Space Shuttle Challenger, and

the Space Shuttle Columbia; the

Soiet Union lost astronauts in theSouz and the Souz , as well

as other missions.

The program ended with

an oeriew of NASAs futureplans, including completion of

the International Space Station

b 200, returning to the Moonb 205, and eentuall sending

astronauts to Mars.

Lt. Coffman parting wordswere, Were on our wa again.

H

LacklandCompetition . . .Continued from page 28

for departure the net da. Sleep

was a welcome idea for the entirecompetition.

Day 3:

Departure. As a reward for theeffort during the competition, the

senior members for drill teams

let the cadets sleep in a little. The

objectie for the earl morningwas to pack, clean the dorms, and

prepare to leae the area. After

breakfast and cleaning the build-ings, the drill teams went to the

classrooms near the auditorium

for the panel quiz. The quiz wasoer arious leadership concepts

and different portions of the drill

and ceremonies manual. Net, the

cadets were gien a little while tofinish packing and loading up the

gear. Finall the big eent came:

awards and trophies. Lacklandplaced second oerall for drill team

and third for color guard. Also,

the drill team won the st place

award for best innoatie drillperformance. After the ceremon,

the cadets signed out and left the

base. Lackland took a quick trip tothe capitol for a group photo and

then ate lunch together at Ci Cis.

The weekend was fun for all anda true accomplishment for months

of work and determination.

cadets left the ramp thoroughl cooked and tired, but

satisfied that the had stuck together and toughed outthe toughest air show the hae eer worked. No one

was seriousl hurt on either side of the ropes.

I did m job, eclaimed C/CMSgt. varner, whosuperised the cadets on the ramp, I kept them con-

Slaton Air Show . . .Continued from page 15

H

scious! No small affair gien the 05F ground tem-

perature on the ramp with gust thirt-knot winds.He saw to it that eer cadet working the line drank

a bottle of water eer few minutes and organized

relief from Seniors when a cadet so much as lookedeen a little pink.

Mission First took on a whole new meaning

for the cadets from Lubbock, the hae eperi-enced it first hand.


29/37

4 4

Pilots of the Col. Joe KittingerPhantom Senior Squadron in

Austin committed to the future

of Ciil Air Patrol aiation bbuilding glass panel skills b

attending a course conducted at

the TxDoT Flight Center, the

squadrons home base. ManCAP pilots hae seen or heard

about glass panel 82s in the

CAP fleet during a recent mis-

sion or eercise. There arent tooman of these around, but Teas

Wing is the custodian of twoCessna 82s with the Garmin

000 aionics. The two elec-

tronic ideo screens, as well as

all the technolog behind thosescreens, take the place of the

traditional steam gauges. This

unique assembl enables aircrewsto hae an unprecedented leel of

situational awareness from the

aircrafts f light status, to terrain,weather, and communications.

The future of aiation in

general, and the Ciil Air Patrol,is moing toward glass panel

technologies in the cockpit, said

Squadron Commander Lt. Col.

Dan Williams. As a squadron,we hae chosen to build the skills

of our pilots in the most adanced

sstems. Taking an entire week-end for the ground school and

then the cost in time and mone

for the training flights are a sig-nificant inestment for these CAP

members. Howeer, a pilot who

has completed a CAP Form 5 in

a glass panel 82 will be capa-ble of fling most aircraft in the

CAP fleet, proiding Incident

1st Lt. Richard Hacker

Kittinger Pilots Train or G1000

or taking adantage of a simula-tion program that runs on their

home computers. Within 0 das

of the ground school, pilots mustcomplete two flights demonstrat-ing vFR and (if the pilot is instru-

ment rated) IFR proficienc. A

CAP Form 5 check-ride followsthese flights.

Kittinger Phantom par-

ticipants were Lt. Col. GeorgeMihalcik, Lt. Col. Dae Rogerson,

Lt. Col. Dan Wiilliams, Capt.

Baron Carter, Capt. Joseph

Chasnoff, st Lt. Ferrill Ford, stLt. Debbie Ford, st Lt. Thomas

Fowler, 2nd Lt. Alan Runge, and

2nd Lt. Aaron Starmes. Alsoattending were Maj. Richard

Pope from the Pegasus Composite

Squadron and Maj. Dae Badalfrom the Te Hill Composite

Squadron, San Marcos.

Commanders with increased

resource fleibilit and enablingour pilots to optimize their fling

skills for the benefits of CAP andour customers.Squadron pilots, including

Maj. Richard Pope of the Pegasus

Composite Squadron, and Maj.

Dae Badal, from the Te HillComposite Squadron, attended

the two-da ground school led b

Capt William Dew, who is a highlqualified Instructor Pilot and mem-

ber of the Bear Count Senior

Squadron in San Antonio. TheFAA-approed Cessna curriculum

for the ground school introduces

pilots to the operations and com-pleities of the adanced G000

aionics, in preparation for in-

flight instruction. Haing com-

pleted the ground school, the pilotshone their skills using a G000

simulator on loan from Cessna,


30/37

4 4

A group of camouflaged ouths

moed through the woods bear-

ing radio equipment. The weresearching for a practice beacon

known as an Emergenc Locator

Transmitter, which had been hid-

den inside a junked pickup truck.Someone had proided a mock-up

mannequin (supposedl of Will

Nelson), to place in the driersseat, for added realism. Finding

the ELT inside the truck that

had Austin singer inside wouldbe the task assigned to the Waco

Composite Squadron cadets.

C. R. Johnson, owner of the

propert where the ELT would behidden, with the help of Scott,

a prospectie cadet member, and

the assistance of st Lt. Collier,

the accident was properl set up.That done, the group notified the

unit commander that the signalhad been turned on. This team, in

turn, hid and waited to see if and

when the cadets would zero in ontheir target, and what the would

do when the found it.

After about 0 minutes, the

squadrons an, full of cadetsand their unit commander, came

lumbering up the dirt road, rather

slowl, missing the spot and goingpast it for about 00 feet. The an

stopped, then returned. The doors

opened, and the cadets spilled outonto the road and moed into the

woods, with their El-Per deploed,

as the tried to triangulate their

target ELTs location.Some discussion ensued, with

Waco CS Distributed Searchand Rescue Exercise

1st Lt. Joshua Collier

multiple suggestions, arm waing,

and finger pointing, until the col-lectie decision bubbled to the top,

This wa! A few obstacles in the

wa, such as a fence and under-brush, failed to deter the oung

eplorers, who had been told that

a (simulated) casualt might be atthe scene of the accident.

Lt. Collier, worried that he

might be spotted, crouched andhalf-hid himself behind a tree,

as he positioned himself to take

the needed photographic record.Not an eas task. Intent on listen-

ing to the sound of the signal and

watching their step in the woods,

the cadets looked onl forward,and didnt notice the silentl

operating digital camera. Finall,

through the branches and under-brush, the white pickup truck

popped into iew, and the team

of cadets rushed forward, intenton determining whether this was

indeed the location of the distresssignal transmitter.

As the approached, the

slumped puppet, hanging halfwa

out of the window, at once becamethe object of their attention, as

the realized that the had found

an injured person, perhaps a casu-alt. What to do? The decided that

the direct approach is alwas best,

turned around, and said, Sir, thereis a casualt here, to Maj. Phillip

Crawford, their squadron com-

mander. At this point, their leader

promptl congratulated them onhaing succeeded in their mission.

The cadets largel agreed that

Mr. Will Nelson did not looklike himself.


31/37

44 44

The Tler Composite Squadron was tasked with

fielding a Ground Team consisting of si cadets.Skilled and well trained, the were C/Capt. Kolb

Elliott, C/st Lt. Kirk Elliott, C/st Lt. John Shanahan,

C/st Lt. Isaac Niedrauer, C/CMSgt. Jesse Carr, andC/MSgt. Joseph Hughes. The results of their mis-

sion would help the U.S. Air Force ealuate Teas

Wings Search and Rescue capabilities during the bi-

annual Operation Ealuation (OPSEvAL) at the WestHouston Airport, Saturda, 22 Ma through Sunda,

24 Ma. This is their stor.

We rode packed tightl into C/st Lt. ShanahansDodg

texas wing - jun 2009

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