Wreaths Across America In this issue . . . H Winter Encampment . . . H Falcon Virgo 2007 . . . H Air Force 60th Birthday . . . . . .

And Much More!



SPRING 2008


Wreath Laying and Remembrance at the DFW National Cemetery

15 December 2007
Wings Over Texas is the authorized publication of the Texas Wing Civil Air Patrol. It is published by a private firm in no way connected with the United States Air Force or Civil Air Patrol Corporation. The opinions expressed in the articles and advertisements in this magazine 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 Patrol USAF Auxiliary P. O. Box 154997 Waco, TX 76715 Please send articles and digital photos for publication to: Photo by Capt. Felipe Gomez, Irving CS, Group III, Texas Wing. C/Amn Shannon Williams, a member of the Irving Composite Squadron, salutes after laying a wreath. He was unexpectedly tasked with laying the US Air Force wreath, since the Air Force Honor Guard member couldnt make it to the event.

2nd Lt. Susan Cathcart, PAO, Dallas Composite Squadron Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Group III PAO

woteditor@yahoo.com

Please do not insert the photos into the articles, rather make the articles and photos separate attachments. DEADlinES: Feb. 28; June 28; Oct. 28 Col. Joe R. Smith Commander, Texas Wing Maj. Patricia P. Darby Editor, Wings Over Texas For information on Advertising Rates and Space Please Call 1-800-635-6036

The wind whipped across the landscape, free of structures or trees capable of stopping it, chilling those who had gathered to pay their respects. But despite the frigid air, the hearts of those whod come to honor our American veterans remained warm and caring. The occasion was the Wreaths Across America ceremony, held simultaneously at

National and veterans cemeteries throughout the United States and foreign lands, as an expansion of what started 5 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine donated and laid wreaths at the Arlington National Cemetery. Located in Arlington, VA across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., this most Continued on page 13 . . .


Wreaths Across America

. . . . . . . . . Houston
By Capt. Denise Thompson
Wreaths Across America is a rain, sleet, snow or shine event. On Saturday December 5 the Houston area woke to thunder, lightning, wind and drenching rain. The radar showed a thick band of weather moving through the Houston area with much cooler temperatures behind it. Linda Barry of the Houston National Cemetery suggested using the on-site chapel. While small, the chapel itself is quite beautiful. There is stained glass representing all branches of the military, beautiful wood and marble throughout. Workers pressed forward to place extra chairs inside and out. Despite the dismal weather close to 00 veterans and family members came to honor our military. Two members of the Patriot Guard stood watch outside the chapel proudly holding the American flag. CAP Capt. Eric Thompson of the Civil Air Patrol presided over the ceremony which began with a nation wide minute of silence paying tribute to our nations veterans, active duty service men and women and their families. State representative Rob Eissler, the key note speaker, gave an inspirational speech calling our service men and women Americas true heroes. CAP Chaplin Lt. Col. David Northcutt gave the invocation & benediction. Delta Composite Squadron provided the Color Guard posting the U.S. and Texas flags. Among the dignitaries present were Congressman Gene Green, representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressmen Michael McCall and Nick Lampson. Gold Star Mothers was represented by Ms. Peggy Slay and General Henry Osterman represented the Michael DeBakey VA Medical Center. A special letter from Senator John Cornyn was also read to the attendees. The ceremony ended with a  gun salute that was followed by TAPS played by bugler Danny Stephens. After the ceremony we had some awesome help from Cub Master Richard Hixon and two of his Webelos cub scouts Jack Hixon and Robbie Swanson. All three are with Cub Scout Pack 98 chartered to Prince of Peace Catholic Community. The scouts handed out water and cookies after the ceremony.
Annabel Andrews representing the U.S. Coast Guard.

Major Larry Taylor (center) holds his CAP membership certificate. At left is Capt. Mike Turoff; at right, Lt. Col. Gordie White.

Rep. Larry Taylor Learns Damage Assessment in Civil Air Patrol Plane
By Captain Arthur E. Woodgate
On Saturday, February nd, Representative Larry Taylor , the newest member of the Legislative Squadron, Texas Wing now rightfully known as Major Larry Taylor took his first Orientation Flight in a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 7. The flight crew was Lt. Col. Gordie L. White and Captain Mike Turoff. Departing Ellington Field, the plane executed a simulated flood disaster assessment flight, in order to acquaint Rep. Taylor with how the Civil Air Patrol conducts air missions during a flood emergency. The aircrew gave the squadrons newest member an overview of the roads, business housing, and residential sections that lie within the possible flood level area. Rep. Taylor is no stranger to flying in small planes. In fact, he fondly remembers his fathers Cessna 75, over 0 years ago, in
5

which he took many a happy flight as a child. He was so small at the time, that his father used to push his seat all the way back so that his son could stand in front of him and handle the yoke (under strict parental control, of course). This happy memory came back during his CAP Orientation Flight, as he sat next to the pilot. Rep. Taylor, who lives in northern Galveston County, represents the countys residents in the Texas Legislature. He makes his home in Friendswood, Texas with his wife of  years, Kerri. They have three children. Since 88, when my family first came to Galveston County, weve lived through many disasters and tragedies, Taylor said. Being a member of the Civil Air Patrol will give me a better chance to help in a time of need. Having spent a lifetime in

community service, Rep. Taylor was attracted to the Civil Air Patrol because of its public service missions of emergency services, cadet programs, and aerospace education. Although Legislative Squadron members are not required to undergo any emergency services training, many do and become valued volunteers in time of need. Texas Wings Legislative Squadron was chartered to recognize Texas legislators who know better than most what it means to serve the community. In Rep. Taylors case, he has supported a number of important initiatives, including eliminating unnecessary taxes, improving public education, protecting the innocent, securing nd Amendment rights, correcting the franchise tax, advancing health care, and controlling illegal immigration.
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SAFETy CoRNER
By Lt. Col. Melanie Capehart Texas Wing Safety Director

Summer Safet y
Summer is here, time to pull out the bathing suits, swim trunks, get the boat ready for the water, get the skis ready, and get the grill ready to go. It is that time of year for family gatherings, vacations, and summer holidays and parties. It is time for summer fun, but safety has to be first priority when making the list of things to do. Unfortunately, the summer months are when most critical injuries and fatalities are most likely to occur. There are several things we can all do to keep summer activity fun and free of serious injuries and tragedies. One of the most causes of serious injuries and fatalities will be traffic mishaps. Such factors include, speeding, not wearing seatbelts, driving under the influence, too much nonsense going on while driving, driving when fatigued. When preparing for a trip, whether long or short, take the necessary precautions to stay safe. Do a precheck-check list of the vehicle, just like the one required when taking out a CAP van. Check tire pressure to all tires (including the spare tire), check all engine fluids, make sure windshield wipers work properly and make sure there is an emergency
7

kit on board. Make sure everyone is well rested, always obey all traffic laws, check weather conditions, and let someone know where you are going and time of arrival. Also pack a variety of snacks to have handy during the trip and have plenty of water. Always be prepared, you can never know what can happen. Another cause of fatalities is drowning. Boating, swimming, rafting, skiing, scuba diving mishaps can also take lives. Always use common sense during water sports or events. Always wear Coast Guard-approved life preservers on boats and during water activities and on docks. Never swim alone, always use the buddy system and never dive into shallow water or water of unknown depth. Supervise children at all times, even around backyard wading and swimming pools. Always use plenty of sun tan lotion and check each other for possible signs of sunburn. Also take a head count before leaving the dock to know if anyone could be missing at the end of the day. Grills can also cause serious injuries. Always keep small children supervised and away from any hot grill. Small children as

well as adults are prone to burns from the grill itself or from the fuel used to put on the coals to get the grill hot. Always use a heat proof mit for hand and use a long enough spatula to keep hand and arms from getting burned during grilling. Always check all equipment and make sure it is good safe condition. If alcoholic beverages are present at parties, be sure that guests have designated drivers, also have non-alcoholic beverages, have plenty of high-protein snacks, limit high salty foods to keep down high absorption of alcohol in the bloodstream. Keep SAFETY a PRIORITY; dont let friends drink and drive. Summer months should be full of fun and wonderful memories. These are the times when families stop and take time for each other and friends make time for each other. Common sense plays a major factor in everything we do and the ability to plan and carry out fun and wonderful summer events, without tragic outcomes and tragic memories. Mishaps can be prevented with the right attitudes and self-discipline. Keep summer fun and safe. THINK SAFETY FIRST.
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Take Caution When Taking over-the-Counter Medication

By Lt. Col. Melanie Capehart Texas Wing Director of Safety More does not always mean better. Never take over-the-counter medicines for longer-or in higher dosesthan the label or the doctor advises. If any symptoms do not get better, than you need to see your doctor. No matter what types of discomfort you are having, there usually is a OTC (over-the-counter) drug that can help. Keep in mind drugs sold over the counter also can have potential side affects and can also cause harm. If used incorrectly, they can cause serious illnesses. Here are some points to ponder to help ease your pain and your mind. If you have gout or diabetes or are taking a prescription blood thinner, do not take any products containing aspirin without checking with your doctor first. Be sure to call your doctor if nauseated or vomiting before using any kind of laxatives or antiemetics. Avoid medicines that treat sleeplessness if you are taking prescription tranquilizers or sedatives. Also do not take any sedating medicine while flying or driving or using heavy equipment. Never give any medicines to children without checking with your doctor first. Read the label every time you buy nonprescription drugs, even ones you have taken before. Labels change as new information becomes available. Check with your doctor before using nasal decongestants if you have diabetes, heart disease, or thyroid problems, or if you are taking a prescription medicine for depression or hypertension. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any OTC pain relievers or fever reducers if you drink alcohol of any kind.These include acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen, and naxproxen sodium. Shelley B. Thibeau, BSN,RN,C,Margaret Pizzitola, RN,C, Kathy Bell, aprn, nnp, Dawn Ricouard, BSN,RN,C, Hartley G. Ginsberg, MD and Mersina Lawrence, PharmD, all at Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans reiterated organizational safety cultures are needed to increase awareness of the need for medication safety. Remember if your taking over-the-counter medicine or prescribed medicine always check with your doctor to avoid potential side effects. As always put SAFETY first in all things we do. References . Health Matters (Fall 007), Precautions with OTC Medicine 007. Web=www. medicalcenterofplano.com . Avance for Nurses (Sept 007), Improving Meciine Safety 007. Web=www.advanceweb.com/nurses
8 8

your Vote Does Count

By Lt. Col. Bob Russell

One of the more important freedoms Americans have is the right to vote. Many of us never stop to think about this and, in fact, unlike people from other countries who readily participate in this freedom, a large percentage of Americans never participate in the process. People dont vote for a variety of reasonstoo hard to understand the platforms, too hard to understand which candidate is best suited to represent them, too much trouble to register or go to a polling place, and, often, the biggest excuse of all: My vote doesnt count! With nearly 00 million citizens in the U.S. in 00, about 0 million people voted in the last presidential election. It is easy to become disillusioned and feel that your one vote in 0 million is not worth the effort. But that is not the case, as history bears out. A small bit of research indicates that a number of presidential elections have been very closeand, had only a small percentage of people who felt their vote did not count had voted, the result could have been markedly different. This fall, the American people are going to be called upon once again to elect the President of the United States. All Civil Air Patrol members should refresh themselves with the candidates, the voting process, and the importance of
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voting. (Cadets who are under 8 years of age, of course, cannot votebut understanding the system, appreciating this awesome and important responsibility, and ensuring that mom and dad vote is just as important as voting.) Before emphasizing the importance of having your vote count, it might be prudent to review, in brief, the voting process in the United States. Many seniors in CAP may have forgotten the details and it is never too early for cadets to begin learningso that, when eligible, each cadet can ensure that he or she votes with pride and confidence. The United States Constitution was adopted on September 7, 787. When ratified, the Constitution had seven articles. It also had ten amendmentsknown as the Bill of Rights. Since then, 7 more have been added for a total of 7 amendments. Article Two, Section  provides for the mechanics of presidential elections. Even before it got its name, the Electoral College (declared by Federal law in 85) was instituted to give those states with smaller populations a more equal voice in electing the President and Vice President. Presidential electors are selected on a state by state basis as determined by the laws of each state.

Currently each state uses the popular vote on Election Day to appoint electors. Although ballots list the names of the presidential candidates, voters from the 50 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) are actually choosing electors when they vote. These Presidential Electors in turn cast the official (electoral) votes for those two offices. Though the popular vote is calculated by official and media organizations, it does not determine the winner of the election. The Electoral College size is set at 58 with 55 votes from congress and  votes that represent D.C. Each state is allocated as many electors as it has Representatives and Senators in Congress. Since the most populous states have the most seats in Congress, they also have the most electors: California (55), Texas () and New York (). The smallest states by populationAlaska, Delaware, Montana, North and South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyominghave  electors each. The number of electors is equal to the total membership of both Houses of Congress (00 Senators and 5 Representatives) plus the  electors allocated to D.C. (the same number as the least populous statesunder the provisions of the rd Amendment), totaling Continued . . .
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Your Vote Does Count . . .

Continued

58 electors. A candidate must receive a majority of Electoral College votes (currently 70) to win the Presidency. If neither candidate receives a majority, the election is determined by Congress. With a little reflection, it can be realized that only a few votes can swing an entire state and have a huge impact on the electoral votes in a presidential election. This can be shown with historical review. The election of 800 was the fourth U.S. presidential election and both candidates had an equal number of electoral votes. The House of Representatives had to vote to determine the winner; interestingly, it took  different balloting sessions before a winner was chosen! In 87, the popular vote was only separated by 50,000 votesout of 8.5 million voters. In 888, Democrat Grover Cleveland faced Republican challenger Benjamin Harrison. Cleveland won the popular vote but lost the electoral vote. This took place because Cleveland overwhelmingly won states with smaller number of electoral votes while losing certain key states by only a few votes; therefore, Harrison became President. In 90 a little over 00,000 popular votes separated Vice President Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy. For the most part, it came down to one state (Illinois)because


of the popular votes in that state, the winner was Kennedy. Finally, in the very contentious election of 000, George W. Bush was only  electoral votes ahead of Democrat Al Gorewith one state left to count: Florida. Floridas popular vote was separated by only 57 votes! An accurate count of the states votes meant the difference of 7 electoral votes, which would decide the winner. Of course, a recount was complicated by problems with the voting machines and the contested election was eventually decided by the Supreme Courtthey declared Bush the winner. We can therefore see that, in a country of nearly 00 million people, even with 000 million people voting, it is very important to accurately count every vote. The presidential election of 008 is shaping up to be every bit as close as any in history. The country is polarized with issues: the Iraq War, illegal immigration, gay marriage, abortion, universal health care, and more. Interestingly, this election is also focusing on not only the candidates qualifications, but his or her religious affiliation. There are already some who are predicting a challenge to results of a close election. CAP cadets and seniors must also realize that the U.S. President is the Commander-

in-Chief for all of us in uniform; therefore, it is incumbent upon us to elect the person who best amplifies the goals we seekand the attributes we try to adhere to in this organization: ethical behavior, honesty, diligence, fortitude, moral principles, patriotism, leadership, and many more. Seniors should be registered and study the candidates; when the time comes, your vote will count! Cadets should work with mom and dad to learn the process and understand the issues; after all, many of you will soon be of voting age and all of us have to live with the winner of the election. Yes, in a wonderful country like ours, we are kidding ourselves if we think our vote doesnt count and it is no big deal to go to the polls. Ask the Iraqi men and women who were offered a chance to vote for the first time in their lives after the fall of Saddam Husseingoing to the polls in spite of terrorists threatening to kill themif they felt their vote counted! If we dont exercise this important freedom to the utmost, we might lose it someday and thenyour vote will, indeed, not count any longer. H



The History of Zulu Time

By Lt. Col. Bob Russell and Lt. Col. Mike Skaff
When joining CAP, every cadet is taught to use Zulu time rather than Civil time. After a short lesson in how to state the time differentlye.g., saying O Six Thirty (00) instead of Six Thirty a.m. (:0 a.m.) or Fifteen Hundred (500) instead of Three p.m. (:00 p.m.)the cadet soon realizes the benefits of using Zulu time: you dont have to add a.m. or p.m. to your time to explain it further. For example, if your squadron commander says, Tomorrow, we will be doing physical training at  oclock, does he mean  a.m. or  p.m.? If he would have said to you, Tomorrow, we will do PT at 000 hours, you would know you would have to get up (very) early! Using Zulu time becomes routine for those in the military; other citizens also use Zulu: police officers, air traffic controllers, and firemen, to name a few. It would be much easier on all of us if everyone in the world used Zulu timeor would it? Before getting too confused about local Zulu time versus using Zulu with reference to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), a history of Zulu time is warranted. Using an excellent article published in Air Force Magazine in October 99 as the foundation article, a closer look at how Zulu time came about follows. With Iraq in the news, it is ironic that we start there: in Iraq. Formerly called Mesopotamia, the peoples back hundreds of years ago liked the number 0no one knows


why for sure. But, the entire world started looking at time in increments of 0: a -month year is /5 of 0; also, there are 0 seconds in a minute and 0 minutes in an hour. Time could be kept with a sundial, an hourglass, a pendulum, or other means. This worked for centuries, but problems began when people traveled far from home, initially in ships that took them thousands of miles to other continents. People not only needed to know what time it was, but how to navigate the shortest route. In 75, King Charles II built an observatory at Greenwich, England. Some of the products of the observatory were star charts; with enough charts, a navigator could determine longitude and latitude any place in the world and keep to a precise course using a sextant and a good clock. However, though Europeans made great sextants, their timepieces werent very good, so many ships got lost at sea. By 7, so many were lost, the British government offered 0,000 sterling pounds to anyone who could devise a stateof-the-art accurate timepiece. A mechanic developed a chronometer that, after one test sailing, was found to be off by a mere five seconds, making the UK government happy and maritime navigation was off and runninguntil other problems developed. In the early 80s, steam-driven trains were introduced in the UK and America. Soon, goods and people moved all over the countries, knit-

ting together thousands of villages. The hitch was that all these small hamlets and towns kept their own time. An 8 UK timetable told bewildered passengers: London time is kept at all stations, which is about four minutes earlier than Reading time, five and one-half minutes before Steventon time, and seven and one-half minutes before Cirencester time. By 880, railroads worldwide had 50,000 miles of trackand in the U.S. alone, we had to deal with more than 00 separate time schemes. In 88, Canadian and U.S. railroad companies devised a system to relieve this; one year later, the plan was adopted at an international conference. The plan divided the earth into  time zones, demarcated by meridians 5 degrees apart. After arguments about the location, it was agreed to run the Prime Meridian through the old observatory at Greenwich. With the advent of flightpioneered by the Wright brothers this time was now used by pilots; however, the sextants used by ship captains did not work for aircraft. The Germans finally developed an aerial sextant and slide rules to solve course and distance problems. The U.S. Air Corps established a new course: using vectors to represent wind speed and direction, navigators could determine heading, ground speed, and time of arrival. Originally called deduced reckoning, the first word was abbreviated to ded and the phonetic pronunciation Continued on page 29 . . .


Wreaths Across America . . .

Continued from page 1

honored of military cemeteries had been the estate of Anna Custis Lee, wife of Robert E. Lee. It received its first military burials during the American Civil War, when it was established as a National Cemetery. Last year was the first expansion of this event, with the Worcester Wreath Company donating 5,000 wreaths that were distributed to over 0 veterans cemeteries in the United States and Puerto Rico. This year, the public was invited to honor our veterans by sponsoring wreaths to be placed on veterans graves. Over ,500 wreaths were thus sponsored, over ,000 of them through CAP. The ceremony at the DFW National Cemetery was conducted by members of Group III, Texas Wing, Civil Air Patrol. nd Lt. Don Gulliksen (Addison CS) was Project Officer, assisted by st Lt. Opal McKinney (Mesquite Blacksheep CS and Group III Cadet Programs Officer). SM Rebecca McKinney (Mesquite Blacksheep CS) served as Master of Ceremonies, and the Group III Honor Guard presented the colors. Serving on the Honor Guard were Cadet Scott Gulliksen (Addison CS), and Cadets Andrew Smith, Matthew Garcia, and Kaycee Niskern (all of Mesquite Blacksheep CS). Cadet James Gulliksen (Addison CS) assisted in securing the wreaths to the stands, as the day was very windy. Before the ceremony started, David Hall, who has the only exact replica of the Liberty Bell, tolled it every 0 seconds for one hour, ending with three double-rings marking the five-minute point before the ceremony was to begin. The same as last year, the area was encircled by members of the Patriot Guard Riders holding American flags. The ceremony opened with a moment of silence, and a prayer offered by Maj. Ron Whitt, Texas Wing Chaplain. Seven wreaths were placed on stands by representative members of the military. The first, presented by Colonel Ken Cordier, USAF (retired) and a former Prisoner of War, honored soldiers whose


last known status was either Prisoner of War or Missing in Action. This was followed by wreaths honoring those who served or are serving in: The United States Army laid by Sgt. st Class Britt, USA The United States Navy - laid by Lt. Commander Thomas Haeussler, USN The United States Marine Corps laid by Lt. Commander Thomas Haeussler, USN The United States Air Force laid by C/Amn Shannon Williams, Irving Composite Squadron, CAP The United States Coast Guard laid by Flotilla Commander Paul Kellner, Coast Guard Auxiliary The United States Merchant Marine laid by Immediate Past Flotilla Commander Fred Hoffman, Coast Guard Auxiliary John Gessick, Junior Vice Commander, VFW Post 87 and Senior Chief Gary Poplin, USN (retired) addressed the gathering. John Gessick spoke of his family history in the military and his five relatives who are buried in veterans cemeteries. He closed his speech by quoting The Wall, a song about a mother honoring her fallen son at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Gary Poplin read A Different Christmas Poem, an anonymous work that tells of a servicemans dedication, even during the holidays. This poem had been posted on the December issue of the Group III newsletter. Maj. Scott McCleneghan (Addison CS), nd Lt. Don Gulliksen, and SM Rebecca McKinney then read the names of all the fallen service men and women buried at the DFW National Cemetery who had been Killed in Action or died while on Active Duty. The reading ended ceremonially with three volleys of rifle fire discharged by Gunnery Sgt. Bill Martin, Sgt. Bob Dailey, and Curtis Flat of the DFW Honor Guard. Former Marine Kirk Vinson played Taps, and the CAP Group III Honor Guard retired the colors. Continued . . .


Wreaths Across America . . .

Continued

The ceremony was brought to a close with emotion-filled remarks by SM Rebecca McKinney, and the benediction pronounced by Maj. Ron Whitt, Texas Wing Chaplain. Following these events CAP members distributed 5 wreaths throughout the DFW National Cemetery, including the graves of the  soldiers who had been killed in action. CAP members from the Mesquite Blacksheep, Addison Eagles, Irving, and Dallas Composite Squadrons participated in this event. Afterwards, Lt. Col. Cynthia Whisennand, Commander of the Irving CS, said, It was a cold day, but at least it wasnt raining. At the start of the ceremonies, I stood in an impromptu formation with Navy, Coast Guard, Army and Civil Air Patrol members, and although my face and hands were cold, I suddenly sensed my heart and soul warming within me. I felt the presence of God, and a deep respect for the Cadet Honor Guard who struggled to control the flags in such a strong breeze. I thought about the terrible cold the military had faced in Korea, and at least it was milder here. C/Amn Shannon Williams, who unexpectedly had been tasked with laying a wreath for the Air Force, said, I was not nervous serving in such a public capacity, representing the Civil Air Patrol and the Air Force. This was the first time Id worn my Class A uniform, too, and I was glad that it fit me right. He and his aunt and uncle, Capt. Lee Williams and st Lt. Sherra Williams, laid several wreaths, one of them for a serviceman who had died in Iraq last October. They were suddenly reminded of their concern for their daughter posted to Iraq, and then their happiness last year when she returned safely home. I cannot help but measure the cost and sacrifice for our freedom, revealed by the steady increase in gravesites, said Lt. Sherra Williams. nd Lt. Gulliksen remarked, I was immensely proud that my teenaged sons would voluntarily give up a Saturday morning to stand in a cold
5

cemetery to pay tribute to the fallen service men and women. But we were not alone, since many others did the same, including the Patriot Guard Riders and their American Flags; the DFW Funeral Directors Association, who offered to help; David Hall with his replica Liberty Bell who gave everyone a chance to ring the bell; and the Active Service Honor Guard personnel who came to lay wreaths. All served as role models for the CAP Cadets. It was a great honor to bring the cadets to participate, and have them witness the devotion of others. Lt. Col. Whisennand added, Wed been divided in teams, and after the ceremony we received a number of wreaths and the names and locations where they needed to go, in different parts of the cemetery. My husband, Lt. Col. Dietrich Whisennand, reminded me that the organizers wanted the wreath on the ground before the headstone, and then we had to salute it if a member of the military was buried there. The first four wreaths were easy to find, near the front of the cemetery. The last one was far in the back and difficult to reach. The private resting there had been 0 years old when he fell in battle our son, SM Matthew Whisennand, just turned . A moment of sorrow mixed with gratitude descended upon me. Then my heart spoke to me. May those of us that live on, who feel warmed by the lamp of freedom, always acknowledge the sacrifice of our military, and the wrenching loss to their families who made it possible. It is symbolic of permanence and renewal that, within the past few days, both senior members Rebecca McKinney and Matthew Whisennand (soon to be TFO and st Lt., respectively) had been CAP cadet officers. They chose to make the transition from cadet to senior member, following the path shown to them by their elders. And thus the young move on to take their rightful place, in the never-ending cycle of life. H

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Thunderbird Cadets Host Boy Scout Merit Badge Clinic

By Capt. Denise Thompson

Your Call!
This is the transcript of the ACTUAL radio conversation of a US Naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 995. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations 0-0-95. Canadians: Please divert your course 5 degrees the South to avoid a collision. Americans: Recommend you divert your course 5 degrees the North to avoid a collision. Canadians: Negative. You will have to divert your course 5 degrees to the South to avoid a collision. Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course. Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course. Americans: This is the Aircraft Carrier USS Lincoln, the nd largest ship in the United States Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand that you change your course 5 degrees north; I say again, thats one five degrees north, or countermeasures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship! Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call!

T-Bird Maj. David Ogden discusses the instrument panel.

West Houston AirportDespite rain and cold weather over 0 Boy Scouts from around the Houston area gathered at West Houston Airport early on Saturday January , 008 for an Aviation Merit Badge clinic. Capt. James Earley, Thunderbird AE Officer, organized this project with help from Group IV AE Officer Lt. Col. Michael Hopkins. The event was hosted Thunderbird Composite Squadron at their home airport. Mr. Casey Stawicki, Scout Master of Troop 0, was the project officer for the scouts. He helped organize the event and got the word out to many scout troops. After check in he briefed the scouts on airport decorum. He stressed the importance of safety around the aircraft and explained


what a flight line is. C/C nd Lt. Josh Flores oversaw the cadet instructors that were set up at various stations in the upstairs terminal. Ten cadets and seniors volunteered their Saturday morning to share knowledge and appreciation of flight to the scouts, many of whom had not been up close to an airplane before. Each station was set up and instructed by cadets. One station discussed the engine and its role; one station explored the instrument panel. Cadet George Earley was outside demonstrating the preflight operation. Every scout got an up close look at a Cessna 7. The scouts learned lift and weight by flying Styrofoam airplanes; they learned how air moves over the wing surface.



Bandera Color Guard Participates in Bandera Christmas Parade

By C/SMSgt. R. Luke Williams, Cadet Commander
On 8 December, the Color Guard of the Bandera County Cadet Squadron marched in the Bandera Christmas Parade down Main Street in Bandera, Texas. The four members of the Color Guard, C/SSgt. Alex Holiday (from the Lackland Cadet Squadron), C/SMSgt. R. Luke Williams, C/MSgt, Caleb Seifert, and C/ TSgt. Dalton Parker marched from City Park and saluted the announcing stand in front of the Court House. The Color Guard was honored to be a part of the parade in Bandera, carrying the colors of our great nation.

Thunderbird Cadet Earns his Place as Form 5 Pilot

So many fresh young faces join Civil Air Patrol and dream of one day flying a plane alone. That solo flight, at the controls, no instructor, up into the wild blue yonder. C/nd Lt. Joshua Flores has met his dream and made it a reality. A member of Thunderbird Composite Squadron since 00, Josh has accomplished a lot this year. He started 007 by earning the Billy Mitchell award and promoting to nd Lt. He then graduated from Mayde Creek High School in May where he played tenor sax in the Symphonic band. Next was the Texas Wing Powered Flight Academy right after graduation. Going by the call sign
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Dexter, he accomplished his solo flight on a Wednesday afternoon. His parents saw the determination and love of flying in their son and, with encouragement from his instructors he continued flight lessons throughout the summer at Sabre Aviation School based at the Brazoria County Airport, south of Houston. Josh became a Form 5 pilot September , 007 during a Texas Wing Wide Area Exercise, the youngest Form 5 pilot in CAP. Col. Brian Childs, chief instructor pilot at Sabre Aviation praised his student at the pinning ceremony November . This young man lands as smoothly as

any pilot Ive seen. His dedication is outstanding. The youngest of Marco & Perla Flores three children he got his inspiration to fly from the movie Top Gun. He still dreams of being a fighter pilot. I knew the instrument panel at the age of 0. When I went on my first O Flight I couldnt wait to be in control of the plane. When we landed I asked Is this it? Josh said CAP gave him the education and motivation necessary to reach his goal. He is qualified as a Mission Staff Assistant and GTM. He turns 8 in December and is a freshmen at Cy Fair Community College.
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Texas Wing Distributed SAREX

By Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate
Staff personnel from Group III, Texas Wing Headquarters, Southwest Region, Group IV, and various Texas Wing squadrons planned and ran a Distributed Search and Rescue Exercise (DSAREx) on 8- January. In previous exercises, getting started had been less prompt than expected, but not this time. Planes were in the air and ground teams had departed on their sorties in less than an hour after receiving their missions. On Friday 8 January, starting at 700, final Mission Base preparations were made, the working area was prepared, communications were tested, and last minute details were taken care of. Personnel from the parent Southwest Region would work the exercise assisting Texas Wing personnel, while the majority of Texas Wing personnel came from Group III, in whose area Mission Base was located. Notably, the Group IV Commander Maj. Dennis Cima, Texas Wing Internal Aerospace Officer Lt. Col. Mike Hopkins, and Texas Wing Director of Emergency Services Lt. Col. Brooks Cima arrived from the Houston area to play an important role in the conduct of the exercise. The facility made available for Mission Base was a room at the Mesquite Metro Airports Terminal Building. The Fixed Base Operator also provided the use of their wireless Ethernet connection. At a hangar across the tarmac, the Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadron provided its building for setting up Mission Base communications, a set-up that worked very well thanks to a newly-installed High Frequency antenna. The local squadron commander, Lt. Col. Mike Eberle, besides arranging for the excellent borrowed space, also provided home-catered food to Mission Base at a give-away price (prepared and organized by st Lt. Opal McKinney and her helpers). His squadron participated as a Staging Area. As in previous exercises, Mission Base only tasked the Staging Areas, providing leadership, organization, and accountability for the overall operation. Mission Base itself is not an operational unit. The Staging Areas are the doers who carry out their individual missions. As a rule, the DSAREx staff tasks the Staging Areas in answer to their training requirements, since the Civil Air Patrol is in a state of constant readiness and many specialties require periodic re-certification. Also, there are always new members who need training, and this is usually the best time to do it. A point that is always emphasized is that although a sortie might have been sent out for a specific purpose, if the aircrew or ground team happens to see something that Continued . . . 9

Wing Commander Col. Joe R. Smith and Incident Commander Lt. Col. Owen Younger iron out last-minute details before the exercise gets under way. ~ Photo C/SSgt. Robert Severance IV

9

SAREX . . .
Continued
needs attention, they are to notify the Staging Area Manager for possible action. Only then do they proceed with their assigned mission. This opportunity doesnt always present itself during an exercise, but it did this time. An aircrew saw a field fire getting started, no firefighters were on site, so they called it in giving the GPS coordinates. Looking for a downed aircraft is a skill that every CAP aircrew and ground team practices until they have it right. And, since Texas is in Hurricane Country as well as Tornado Alley, it is fairly common for Texas Wing to be tasked to assess damage to physical structures, such as bridges, dams, power stations, low-lying areas, populated centers, and the like. CAP aircrews have a Pilot in Command (PIC), and at least one Observer. Usually, in addition to the PIC, there are two Observers, or an Observer and a Scanner. In this, practice makes perfect. A CAP member constructed a mockup of a downed airplane, complete with victims on the ground, and this was used to let several aircrews practice this skill. Friday, 8 January had not been a very nice day, as far as flying was concerned. Much of Texas had poor visibility (socked-in is the usual term), and the forecast was, as usual, well hedged. Because of this uncertainty, only 0 Staging Areas had decided to commit to the DSAREx by Friday. But overnight a welcome wind, strong enough to move the clouds out of the way but not so strong as to prevent flying, brought sunshine to most of the state. By 000 on Saturday, the number of staging areas had increased to , and by 0800 Kick-Off Time there were

Texas Wing Director of Emergency Services Lt. Col. Brooks Cima served as the Deputy Incident Commander. Here, she confers with Group III Commander Lt. Col. Owen Younger, the Incident Commander. ~ Photo C/SSgt. Robert Severance IV

0 of them. It could be said that Saturday and Sunday brought ideal flying conditions to most of Texas, with cool and sunny days, dry air, and not too much wind. The weather was also kind to ground-pounders, and many ground teams went into the field for some outstanding training. For instance, at the Georgetown Staging Area, ground teams and aircrews practiced ground-to-air signaling with great success, an activity that was repeated at the Mesquite Staging Area. And dont sell communications short, either. At the Georgetown staging area, when there was no Internet connection at all, st Lt. Ferrill Ford made imaginative use of his Treo by scanning the required documents to his laptop, transferring the files to his Treo, and sending them to Mission Base as an attachment to an e-mail. When theres a will, theres a way. Everyone agreed that it had been a very productive weekend, even

though the weather forecast was unfavorable for  January, a federal holiday. Because of this, the staging areas closed down on Sunday, with the exception of the Houston Staging Area. The Deputy Incident Commander, Lt. Col. Brooks Cima, returned to Houston, and took care of a few flights on Monday. In summary, 8 sorties were completed for the period 8- January 008, for a total of 7 mission hours. There were  sorties flown, for a total of 5.5 hours, showing an average air sortie time of . hours. In addition,  ground sorties were completed, for a total of 5.5 mission hours and an average ground sortie time of .9 hours. Sixty-eight Air and 8 Ground Sorties were completed on Saturday alone. Adverse weather delayed most Houston area sorties Saturday morning and most Amarillo sorties Sunday. (Flight and Ground data provided by Maj. Alan OMartin, Planning Section Chief.) H





2007 Winter Encampment

By Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate
Texas Wing had held many encampments before, but this one was special and also innovative. No, they didnt teach anything different, nor was the routine altered significantly. The differences lay below the surface, unnoticed by the cadet basics who, the same as those who had come before, suffered the stress and tumult of what to them seemed like ultra fast, barely organized chaos. The seeds for the changes introduced this time had been planted months even years before, when the top cadet leadership began to argue in favor of a cadet-planned and cadet-organized encampment, not just a cadet-led activity. This cadet dream became a reality with the 007 Winter Encampment. The participants came from all over Texas Wing, as well as from other Wings as far as Colorado and Florida, North Carolina and Vermont. Starting in September 007, the selected Cadet Commander and his cadet staff had started assembling the many administrative and logistic details that would be needed to run a successful encampment. They had done this on their own, and that is what they unveiled on the first day of encampment. Following the usual curriculum was not difficult, since they had worked many previous encampments already, and they had the hands-on part down pat. Were the cadets successful? Yes, they were. Were they perfect? No, they were not, but few human endeavors ever are. The cadet basics, unaware of what was going on, had no idea that this particular encampment would test not only them, but also their cadet leaders. And, overall, both trainees and trainers succeeded admirably. The cadets were not without supervision, but the adult participants were designated as mentors rather than supervisors. These adults were given the specific job of advising, counseling, and avoiding any unsafe activity, leaving the implementation to the cadet leaders themselves. There were some areas that, through necessity, needed adultonly leadership and action. The Chaplain, for instance, could not be substituted by a cadet. The medical officer, given the specialized training required, also needed to be a licensed adult. The range officer had to a certified instructor himself, and no cadet can achieve that rating. And public affairs, by CAP regulations, had to be in the hands of a qualified adult. But these were the exceptions, not the rule. In conjunction with the basic encampment, Texas Wing ran an Advanced Training Squadron (ATS), using a curriculum designed to train the trainers of tomorrow. Cadets who had already attended a basic encampment and had demonstrated a desired level of proficiency and maturity certified at the squadron level were gathered in a squadron divided into two flights, with each flight divided into two sections. The ATS participants got a first-hand view at the complexities hidden behind the simple routine of the cadet basics daily life. The study and understanding of this view was their homework, which they needed to describe, practice and suggest improvements to. In the process, they were required to maintain a very high level of Continued . . .




Winter Encampment . . .
Continued achievement themselves. A leader cannot lead from behind was said and repeated often. If the cadet basics did Physical Training (PT), ATS students had to do Extreme PT in order to reach a higher level of strength, agility and endurance. It was the same with learning. If the cadet basics had to study their lessons as individuals, ATS students had to figure out how to motivate others to carry out a given task. The leadership effort required increased as the given tasks became more demanding and complex. The Basic Encampment progressed just like any other, enjoying the usual dry weather that comes with early winter in Central Texas. The National Guard facility used for this encampment is set in a pleasant wooded campus, but the buildings were showing their age. In some, the heating didnt work, so they couldnt be used for billets, given the weather at


that time of year. However, there were enough working buildings to house all, an arrangement far better than operating out of tents. As he did during the 007 Summer Encampment, Chaplain (Maj) Ron Whitt offered a short devotional in the evening, just before lights-out. This was one of the few opportunities for relaxation given to the cadet basics. A number of ATS students, who had been cadet basics themselves a few months before in the summer encampment, also chose to attend this voluntary activity. As always, within a very short time, the members of each flight developed a sense of belonging, and learned to trust each other. The spirit of team work became commonplace, as cadets relied on one another to do the right thing. Some were not up to the high level of accomplishment required of them, but they got help from those around them. This is how enduring friendships are made, and then kept through the years. This is how the team finds its optimum level, and helps the underachiever rise to that level.

Centuries ago, the military started the tradition of Dining In, in full dress uniform, under the most trying of circumstances, even in the wilderness, as a reminder of who they were, and what they needed to accomplish, a ritual held in the valued company of their peers. The Dining Out came later, when spouses were invited and some of the harsher aspects of the proceedings were toned down. The encampments Dining In came on the last night, and it broke the ice for many, consolidated friendships, and gave confidence to all. They were united in singleness of purpose. Throughout their stay at encampment, the cadets had practiced their drill and ceremonies daily, preparing to pass in review in front of the reviewing officer, Wing Commander Col. Joe R. Smith, and the Encampment Commander, Col. R. Frank Eldridge. This always comes at the end of encampment, at noon of the last day. As usual, the cadets did just fine as they filed past the reviewing stand in good order, while their parents watched them proudly from the side. In some cases, parents had brought tender children to the encampment, yet a mere six days later returned to retrieve them and found them turning into young men and women. Strenuous activity, heavy tasks, difficult choices have that effect on young persons. Best of all, as they started on their way home, each one thought that the experience had been beneficial. This was a new point of view for many, conceived in their newH found self-sufficiency.


TXWG Ground Team School is a Great Success

By Lt. Col. Brooks Cima
For the majority of Civil Air Patrol members, spending a late December day in an open field doing ES training is a chilling prospect. However, for a group of cadets and seniors at the Texas Wing Ground Team Training School, temperatures ranging from 75 to 0 degrees, winds from the southwest and humidity at a moderate % provide almost ideal conditions for a week of Emergency Services training in the southern Gulf Coast town of Brownsville. The week long school is the brain-child of Major Sean Crandall, Squadron Commander of Tx 09 - Brownsville Composite Squadron. After the victory of the Brownsville Ground Team at last years Texas Wing Ground Team Competition, Crandall offered to host the winter training (traditionally held at encampment) in his
5

own backyard at the Brownsville International Airport. The squadron, a 50 year charter holder, occupies the second floor of the historical PanAm Airlines building at the airport. For the cadets in this squadron, historical aviation figures arent just the people milestone awards are named after they are real people that walked the very halls they now occupy. The most famous of these figures, Charles Lindberg, landed the first international airmail flight from Mexico City at this very site and was greeted by his friend, Amelia Earhart. The Brownsville International Airport Director, Larry Brown, is a strong supporter of Civil Air Patrol and provided training areas and camp sites for the activity. Mr. Brown and Major Crandall are in negotiation for the permanent use

of a five acre parcel of land on the airport, with taxi access, that can be used for a new squadron building, ground training areas and billeting space. The goal of the week long training was three-fold: to increase the number of Ground Team members and leaders in the Wing, boost the skills at all levels of ground training and to energize members to strive for excellence. Crandall and Deputy Project Officer, Major Juan Arredondo, planned this activity with the same diligence and attention to detail that made their squadron Texas Wing Ground Team Competition winners. They are focusing on small-group instruction, hands-on training and repetition of skills to reproduce the training that made their home team great. Continued . . .
5

Ground Team School . . .

Continued
As the activity began on December th, participants gathered in the squadron headquarters for check-in, safety briefings, and equipment checks. Each trainee received a shelter half and a training manual as they completed in-processing. These items will be used during training this week and will also be souvenirs of the activity. If youre awake youre training was the theme of the week and cadets and their senior counterparts moved directly to the training area located on the southeast side of the airport following opening activities. They were greeted by Sgt. Rodriguez, DDR Officer for the local National Guard. Rodriguez provided the activity with three expandable medium tents, a hummer and a 500 gallon water buffalo. Participants learned the finer points of setting camp at the edge of a wooded area. Following that training, Sgt. Rodriguez was given the opportunity to do a DDR presentation in

the newly erected tents. In order to demonstrate the skills needed for patient packaging and cooperation with outside agencies, Major Crandall scheduled two visits by helicopter services. Valley Air Care was the first to land at the training site. Participants were taught about setting up a landing site, patient packaging and safety around helicopters. The local DPS helicopter arrived at dusk and demonstrated the skills needed to set up a landing zone at night. Trooper Larry Evans discussed the capabilities of his aircraft, the training required by the DPS and special skills they practice to accomplish their mission in law enforcement. A total of 5 ground sorties and  air sorties were accomplished during the week. The air

sorties exercised both the aircrews and ground teams and honed their air/ground communication skills. Lt. Col. Chris Bujanos and members of the Mid-Valley Senior Squadron in Harlingen provided the air support for the activity. A culminating activity on Padre Island began with teams searching for survivors from a simulated mid-air collision. After the exercise, the cadets and seniors set up shelters and practiced rudimentary survival skills on the beach. At sunrise, all participants met for an early morning graduation ceremony. Over-all, both senior and cadet participants pronounced the activity an overwhelming success. With the continued support of the National Guard, the Brownsville International Airport and the local community, Majors Crandall and Arredondo plan to make next years activity even bigger. We could easily support fifty or more participants next year, Crandall said. We plan to open the training up to a wider audience to Southwest Region and beyond. H





Falcon Virgo 2007

I
t is hot, gusty, and bumpy as you cross the ridge to your target at Elephant Mountain. You and your crew are alert and ready. Tensions are rising as you prepare for a quick turn and descent from your target, the enemy. From over the radio comes a message about a helicopter high and at  oclock. Suddenly someone from the back yells there is a helicopter on our left wing. You have just been head butted by a Coast Guard helicopter sent to intercept you welcome to Falcon Virgo 007. Falcon Virgo takes place in the White Sands Missile Range north of El Paso, Texas. Falcon Virgo is part of the training given to crews that man the anti-aircraft missile defense systems in Washington D.C. Falcon Virgo 007 ran from September 5-.
7

Participants included National Guardsmen from a southeastern state who were leaving directly from the exercise to Washington, D.C. for an 8-month deployment. To make the training as realistic as possible missions are flown  hours a day by a variety of aircraft. The airspace around D.C. is crowded and complex and so it is at Falcon Virgo. At any given moment the target zone could have a variety of aircraft; from an ultra light or biplane to CAP assets and even a twin, King Air, or Lear Jet. The good guys are there too with helicopters from Customs and the Coast Guard, Citation Jet, and an F-5 or F- for good measure. Support for Falcon Virgo was started by and has grown under the support of the El Paso Composite Squadron. Major Debbie Torres

and squadron do a phenomenal job of providing the support that makes this mission possible and successful. This is a big job, taken on by one of the smallest squadrons in the state. The squadrons facilities are first rate and its members were quick to help,  hours a day. Many thanks to Ed Basher, Robert Blackwolf, Patrick Mulvey, Steve Pate, Ron Price, Charlie Shuffer, and Rolando Torres. Colonel Frank Buethe and his assistant, Lt. Col. Jim quick from New Mexico anchored the incident command staff. Ron Fory from Texas administered the mission and made sure that the airplanes had what they most need to fly. . . Money! They are a professional team that made many changes to streamline and improve operations. Continued . . .
7

Falcon Virgo . . .
Continued
Missions for the week were assigned upon arrival. Crews stayed together in the same plane for most of the week. This allowed teams to develop and this was especially important this year. Several of the aircraft scheduled to participate cancelled this year. CAP crews had to take up the slack in an aggressive training schedule and the weather was dicey on some days. In years past a crew typically flew one route and then returned to base. This year, crews flew as many as 5 routes back to back in a single mission. Crews never knew where they were going after they crossed the target. They could return to base but more likely they be sent to point  on one route, point  on another route or any where in between. Crews scrambled to navigate and communicate as other aircraft crossed in front of and behind them. Two businesses stepped up to the plate to contribute to the success of this years Falcon Virgo, Cutter Aviation and the Hawthorne Inn & Suites. Cutter Aviation fueled aircraft quickly day and night and always had coffee, tea, or lemonade for thankful crews. The Hawthorne Inn & Suites provided outstanding ser8

vice; their staff was always ready to help in any way  hours a day. Crews could be seen stopping by the hot breakfast buffet on the way to and from missions. Both businesses are highly recommended if you are ever in the El Paso area. Getting crews and assets to this years Falcon Virgo was a real challenge. Jan and Max Hayes helped navigate the nuances of distributed maintenance to get the aircraft required to the exercise. Bob McDonnell, Rand Woodward, and Randy Russell dealt with family emergencies and unforeseen withdrawals of pilots and staff seemingly up until the last minute. Last but not least are the pilots. This years crew faced some of the most challenging conditions to date. The El Paso area is a high traffic area with high-density altitudes and mountain weather conditions. The -hour nature of the mission and the challenges faced once

on the range adds pressure to and increases the demand placed on the crews. This years pilots included: Robert Henderson, Frank Kennedy, and Russell Smith from the El Paso Squadron. Dan Williams, David Wilson, Rick Woolfolk, Alan OMartin, Russell Miller, and Randy Auburg joined them. At the end of the week a small quiet dinner was held to honor and give thanks to Debbie Torres and her squadron for the outstanding job of supporting this exercise that is very important to our nations defense. The next morning crews filed outbound 0s, flew one last mission on the range and then headed for home. As they headed home, they were thankful for the opportunity to train the defenders of our nations most precious assets. They also hoped that the training gained will never be used to defend against an enemy attack. H

8

History of Zulu Time . . .

Continued from page 12
morphed to dead reckoning. The standard time used for calculating courses based on celestial readings and applying dead reckoning principals was based on Greenwich time. The need for precise time used for military combat operations necessitated that everyone use the same standard. In the 90s, the system was renamed Greenwich Mean Astronomical Time (GMTthe A was not used) but the rest of us went on a midnight-to-midnight routine. Officially, our time is called Universal Time, but most people call it GMT or use the British equivalent, Greenwich Civil Time. Since Greenwich is the site of the zero meridian, the military decided to call GMT Zero Time or simply Z-Time. In the phonetic alphabet that the flyers use to talk on the radios, Z became Zebra until the alphabet was changed and the call sign became Zulu. In 958, the astronomers moved from the observatory to the English coast to escape Londons fog and city lights, but adjustments correctly show Greenwich time, the Prime Meridian site. And, as all of us know, time zones are not the neat parallel lines we envisionthey wiggle around international borders and state boundaries and are redrawn every now and then. When the U.S. time lines were changed in 9, several West Texas towns moved into the Central Time Zone, an hour ahead of parts of New Mexico that are farther east. In some countries, time zones are based on half-hour differences from GMT. And a few
9

nations will not use Zulu time for any reason. Zulu time will probably continue for awhile, but perhaps not forever. Atomic clocks use the natural resonance of cesium atoms to divide time even more finely than quartz crystals resonate, cutting time into millionths, even billionths of a second. Someday, if we develop a spaceship that can travel close to the speed of light, as Einstein predicted and we can already confirm, your atomic Timex will slow to a crawl (and your biological clock along with it). If Einstein was right, you could come back from a lengthy trip and find yourself younger than your grandchildren! To amplify further on Einstein and time, I consulted the Deputy Commander for Seniors for Phoenix, Lt. Col. Mike Skaff. Doctor Skaff is one of those individuals with too many brain cellshe eats, drinks, sleeps, and loves discussing space, time, energy, black holesanything that involves higher calculus and never-ending equations. Mike offers the following to confuse the readers even further: Einstein was right or so it appears. His theory of General Relativity (GR) is one of the most tested and verified theories in science. It is even more complicated and mysterious than his Special Relativity (SR) theory which Bob alluded to in this article. According to GR, gravity has an effect on time. In the presence of a strong gravitational field, time slows down. Near a black holes event horizon, time comes to a standstill. You may

be thinking what does this have to do anything on earth? Well, believe it or not, we are affected by the tenets of GR everyday. Have you ever synchronized your watch to the atomic clock in Boulder, Colorado? Here in Texas we are a little closer to the center of the earth and live in a slightly stronger gravitational field than the clock in Boulderwhich is one mile in elevation above us. This means that our clocks and watches run slower than the clocks and watches in Boulderto the tune of about five microseconds per year. Five microseconds of error is probably not too important for most CAP missions, but if you rely on the Global Positioning System (GPS), five microseconds is huge. The GPS satellites are over 0,000 miles above the earth which means that their clocks run significantly faster than even the atomic clock in Boulder. The GPS control station in Colorado must continually send GR time corrections to the satellites in order to insure that GPS users get accurate position fixes. Colonel Skaff concludes, We have just scratched the surface of time. If your curiosity is piqued, you may enjoy searching the Internet for articles on space-time and geometrodynamics (General Relativity by another name), but if not, just know that a time hack before your next mission is not so simple after all. H

9

Addison Civil Air Patrol Big Attraction at DFW Airport Event

By 2nd Lt. Michael Bownds
On  December 007, Group III reached out to thousands of students at the Fourth Annual Aviation and Transportation Career Expo in an effort to recruit cadets and to promote aerospace studies. Members of Addison, Dallas and Mesquite Blacksheep Composite Squadrons met the students, their parents and their teachers, who were thrilled to see airplanes close-up, many of them for the very first time. The event attracted more than ,000 Dallas area students, and was aimed at teaching young people about careers and opportunities in aviation, transportation, and emergency response organizations. According to organizers, more than 0 exhibitors participated in the Expo, making it one of the largest educational events in North Texas. CAP joined more than 5 participating organizations from industry, education, government and the military by providing an exhibit within a very large American Airlines maintenance hangar. The CAP exhibit drew attention not only from students, but also from Expo organizers and other exhibitors, who were drawn to it by its overall appeal. The exhibit booth was created and furnished by st Lt. Joe Kaplor, a member of the Dallas CS, and featured a towering black curtain background complete with blinking lights that gave the appearance of a star-studded night. Cadets and officers working at the booth received numerous positive comments about the exhibit, and were frequently asked how it worked. Inclement weather prevented the arrival of all but one of the vintage warplanes scheduled for static display. Although disappointing for the Expo, it was a great opportunity for CAP, because skilled pilots flew in two CAP planes under Instrument Flight Rule conditions. At the controls were Capt. David Medders of Addison CS and Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Group III Commander. This gave CAP a virtual equipment monopoly, totally capturing the students attention on the flight line. For many students, this was their first time they had seen the inside of an airplane, and thus proved to be an excellent opportunity for CAP members to explain how the Gippsland GA-8 and the Cessna 8 fly and perform missions for America. A total of 9 CAP personnel participated in the event, and cadet involvement ensured that students could see appropriate role models nearer their own age. The cadets professionalism drew the praise of Barbara Pack, who coordinated the event for DFWs Community Affairs Department. Pack said, The Civil Air Patrol has been a part of the Expo since the beginning four years ago. At that time, I didnt know much about CAP. At the first Expo, I looked around and noticed a large group of distinguished young men and women in uniform. They looked impressive, and everyone watched them as they came in and as they left. I inquired who they were and I was told that they were CAP cadets. I was impressed. I went over to the CAP booth, watched a brief video about the CAP, and have been in awe with CAPs training and development of young men and women ever since. I guess you can say Im a CAP fan for life!


Nearly hidden by the friendly crowd, 1st Lt. Opal McKinney, of the Blacksheep CS, answers eager questions.



Addison Squadron at Neiman Marcus Adolphus Annual Childrens Parade

By C/SSgt. James Gulliksen
thousands who lined both sides of the street. According to the events official website, the parade is also seen in syndication on more than 50 television stations in 59 markets across the country, and has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families throughout North Texas and coast to coast. During the entire performance, the Honor Guard was alert and vigilant. It was often essential for them to halt the march, mark time, or turn at various points. They did all these maneuvers with precision and elegance. Along the length of the parades route, the cadets repeatedly received encouraging remarks and comments from the spectators, which just goes to show how rewarding and worth while being a part of the Honor Guard Program really is. All the while, the Honor Guard was focused and concentrated, while marching to the quiet but dignifying cadence appropriate for the parade. They finished in front of City Hall, and at last were done. The Honor Guard received many congratulatory remarks, and many people told them how well they had done. After they had stowed all their gear away, the Honor Guard went out for a fun time at Fuddruckers. As I look back on everything that happened that day, I realize how the Honor Guard had really lived up to the CAP motto of Semper Vigilans (Always Vigilant).


The Group III Honor Guard is formed. (L-R) C/SSgt. James Gulliksen (Addison CS), C/SSgt. Tim Kleinmeier (Mesquite Blacksheep CS), C/ MSgt. Matthew Garcia (Mesquite Blacksheep CS), and C/MSgt. Scott Gulliksen (Addison CS). Photos: SM Joan Gulliksen, Addison CS

The American and Texas Flags were the first sight to appear in the distance during the Neiman Marcus Adolphus Childrens Annual Parade in downtown Dallas on Saturday,  December 007. Expecting a military honor guard as in previous years, the spectators were amazed as the Group III Honor Guard marched into plain view up Commerce Street, leading the parade. According to the approximately 50,000 spectators, the Group III Honor Guard, consisting of C/MSgt. Scott Gulliksen (Rifle), C/MSgt. Matthew Garcia (Texas Flag), C/SSgt. Tim Kleinmeier (American Flag), and C/SSgt. James Gulliksen (Rifle) did a remarkable job. Before the parade began, the Honor Guard members found time to speak with and have their picture


taken by some of the many spectators who came up to them, while they kept preparing themselves for the event. The show was a lastminute arrangement for the Group III Honor Guard, as the original military Honor Guard had been called to active duty for deployment abroad, so the cadets had much to put together and plan. Uniforms were inspected to the last detail, and no questions were left unanswered. First, in front of the Adolphus Hotel, they stood at attention for the opening number who performed a dance. Then it was the Honor Guards turn to get the ball rolling. On the command of, Forward, MARCH they were off smartly. The Honor Guard, leading the entire parade, was escorted through the city by Dallas Police, and viewed by

Addison Squadron -

My First Cross-Country Solo Flight

By C/1st Lt. Brandon Maso
I had reached that point. That crucial time in every student pilots life when he wonders whether flying is really what he wants to do. Sure, my first solo at Brazoria County had been great! I had shown myself that I could do it, and it had been a wonderful feeling. But it had been a relatively simple task. Even my second solo at Mesquite had been fun. But a cross-country solo, as I was soon to find out, is a much different thing. Its the true point at which you are totally cut loose from the safety of your instructor. Every pilot knows or should know that making decisions is not only a science but an art as well, often contradicting the desires and natural impulse of human nature. To put it simply, Im talking safety here. As my uncle Phil Condit, former CEO and Chairman of the board of Boeing, once told me, There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots. I came face to face with this on 8 and 9 January 008 when, for me, the theory of decision-making became reality because my life depended on it. Friday, 8 January marked the start of a four-day weekend off school, and I had decided to devote this day to my first cross-country solo flight, as I progressed towards earning my FAA Class III pilots license. I had planned to fly from


Addison, to Mesquite, to the Cedar Creek VOR (the acronym for VHF Omni-directional Range simply an omni-directional radio beacon that pilots use for navigation), to the Leona VOR, to Huntsville, then finally to my destination at 9x, the airport code for Williams Airfield in Porter, Tx, just north of Houston. It all looked very simple. My planned time en route was one hour and forty-five minutes. I was supposed to meet my uncle who lives in nearby Kingwood for lunch, then get back in the plane and return to Addison. But Murphys Law got in the way, as usual, and nothing went as planned. Oh, no, that would have been far too easy! On that day, the weather was not optimal for flight under VFR (Visual Flight Rules). However, that morning I had met my instructor to check the weather reports and talk about last minute stuff. My main concern was the possibility that I might inadvertently fly into IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions), for which I was not trained. But all the reports called for cloud ceilings at five to seven thousand feet, and visibility was not a concern. With this information in hand, I made my decision to start my flight. At the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex that morning, skies were clear and sunny, with a few high clouds. Upon take-off I was directed out of the busy Dallas-

Fort Worth class B airspace, proceeded on course, then climbed to ,500 feet. Thats when the real adventure began. Less than 50 miles south of Dallas I ran into adverse weather. As far as the eye could see, there was a hazy veil of mist and rain. It was whats known as MVR (Marginal VFR), but still legally VFR. So I thought Im a few miles out of Dallas, I have 50 miles to go, and the weather isnt the greatest. What should I do? In the air, the radio is more than your friend. Its your life-line. I called ATC (Air Traffic Control), which in this case was still the DFW regional departure radio channel. My prospects werent great. Theyd lost radar contact with me because, in trying to avoid the weather, I had descended to about ,000 feet. They handed me off to Longview Approach, and with Longviews help I diverted my flight path about 0 miles east, before returning on course. The controller in Longview soon broke the bad news to me because of my low altitude and distance from ATC facilities, hed soon lose contact with me too, and Houston would be unable to communicate with me for some time. By now, I saw an already precarious situation become worse. While the weather wasnt terrible, it most certainly hadnt improved any. Longview Approach gave


me a frequency for me to talk to Houston Center, but there was no telling how long Id have to fly without radar and voice contact and I was still nearly 0 miles from Houston. As soon as my radio went from static to quiet, I knew I was alone, truly alone, at ,000 feet, in poor weather, and in the middle of nowhere. I was far off my planned route and had initial trouble identifying exactly where I was, although I had the air sectional chart on my lap. Had it not been for the aircrafts GPS system, I would have aborted the flight. Yet, I was still nervous, because a pilot shouldnt rely on solely one mode of navigation. In my initial flight plan I had three, but now, somewhere between Tyler and Palestine, I had come to rely on only a GPS. Even worse, the outside air temperature was flirting with the freezing mark, and when snow hit my windshield, a very loud alarm bell rang inside my head. Icing! For the next hour I flew, in silence, in and out of rain and snow, carefully watching my wings for moisture buildup, and flying on whatever navigational aids I could pick out on the ground in conjunction with my GPS. Finally I made it to Houston. In one piece. After lunch I again checked the weather report, then looked up at the sky, and to my dismay found that the already poor weather was deteriorating even more. The decision this time, though, was much easier. I would spend the night in Houston, where I was lucky to have a free place in which to stay (a significant consideration when youre ). Besides, I
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was buoyed by Saturdays forecast clear skies all the way from Houston to Dallas! On the morning of the 9th, when I arrived at the Williams Airfield to begin my pre-flight preparations, everything seemed normal until I opened the cabin door. Inside the cabin, on the floor by the passenger rudder pedals, sat about half an inch of water. Ugh! My training from Flight Academy popped right into my mind, and my first thought was that any water in the cabin must have inevitably wormed itself into the instrument panel and permeated the airplanes electronics. What to do? I checked and re-checked, and everything appeared to work OK. Had the instruments even blipped, Id have spent another night in Houston, but fortunately that wasnt the case, and I avoided a very expensive (and probably lengthy) repair job. Normally, this plane was kept under an awning, but at this small airfield no shelter had been available and the aircraft had been exposed to a full night of steady rain. Recently, a door seal had been replaced, too, though I didnt think it looked new at all. What I had planned as an uneventful, pleasant return trip home in my happy dreams of the previous night had now become the prospect of a stressful flight, full of worry. My new concern (and a definite possibility) was that if any of that water had seeped through the floor onto the control surface cables, these might freeze at altitude and keep me from controlling the aircraft. So, I delayed my departure as my uncle and I began the tedious task of soaking up as

much water as we could, throwing it out of the cabin. We examined as much of the aircraft as we could, even checking some of the cables under the back seat. After nearly an hour of this, as pilot-in-command, I made another critical decision. When making any decision, my parents apprehension, my aunt and uncles advice, all others opinion (except my flight instructors in this case, who wasnt there) weighed very little in my minds scale of values. So I decided to fly. But because of the very real scare, and as an additional safeguard, I never climbed above the freezing point of ,500 feet for the entire flight. As a result, I bounced around in turbulence for the whole 0 miles home. You have no idea how much a little plane can shake in all directions until youve done it for about two hours. By the time I landed I was beat, but alive. Thinking back on this trip, I realize that I may have pushed the limits too much. Not my personal standards, but my proficiency level. In all of the critical decisions I had to make, there had been no obvious answers. No overwhelming evidence to support a decision one way or another. There had been no black and white. In all cases, there had been simply a problem, and a critical decision to make regarding that problem. One thing Id always been told, and those two days had brought this into stark relevance, was to always make decisions based on reason, not emotion, because the latter will make you a statistic, and it simply isnt worth it. H

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Apollo Squadron -

Air/Ground Coordination Wins a DSAREX Accolade

By C/CMSgt. Michael Moody
That means yes, yes! They got the signal! shouted a cadet in glee, as CAP Flight  passed overhead wagging its wings back and forth, after successfully interpreting a ground signal the Ground Training Unit had set up in the field. The ground team trainees that had come out to the Georgetown Staging Area for the January Texas Wing Distributed Search and Rescue Exercise (DSAREx) got great experience in communicating with an aircraft without the use of radios. The trainees had been taken to a remote location, told that two planes would be flying somewhere in the vicinity, and that they would need to get their attention, give them a specific message, and, Oh yea... You have no radio. The week before, at the Apollo Composite Squadrons Emergency Services meeting, most of the trainees had participated in a class on air-to-ground, and ground-to-air signals. Now, in a simulated realworld emergency, the trainees took what they had learned and put it into action by setting up three different types of signals to establish communications with the aircrew flying above. But before they could talk to an aircrew they needed to get their attention so that they would know the ground team was there and needed to tell them something. Some trainees ran all around with a billowing tarp hoping that the aircrew would see the cloths movement, others popped smoke signals, but in the end the aircrew said that all that had caught their attention had been the flashing of a signal mirror. This task had been taught in conjunction with the ground-to-air signal class. While the Ground Training Unit cadets were not carrying out a training mission in the field, they trained at the Georgetown Municipal Airport (a smaller airfield north of Austin) on various emergency tasks, including litter carry, marking a route, and ELT triangulation. The trainees had a wonderful fun time carrying their instructor, C/CMSgt. Michael Moody, all around the airport as they negotiated obstacles of varying difficulty. (No, they didnt drop their instructor.)
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Apollo Squadron members with the ground target. Photo 1st Lt. Sue Kristoffersen.

Members of Apollo Composite Squadron, Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron, Legislative Senior Squadron and Pegasus Composite Squadron had converged on Apollos home station to staff and run the Georgetown Staging Area. It was a new experience for us, working with others in our own place, but it all went very well and smoothly. We had two planes and members from four squadrons, and of course we wouldnt have fit in the little place we call home, so Kitttinger Phantom had asked for help and we were able to borrow a room at the Terminal Building. st Lt. Richard Hacker, from Kittinger Phantom SS, was the Staging Area Manager and he was very responsive to our training requests. We were able to coordinate very good training for all. Speaking for the cadets, we had a great time. When the weekend was over, the cadet trainees and the aircrews had gained much valuable experience, and the ground-to-air and air-to-ground signals had been a big hit. They were appreciated by everyone, and were definitely a great training experience. In total, three sorties were flagged down, and were able to correctly interpret the ground training units signals and message them back. In the future, we will be sure to incorporate this training into our exercises.
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Gregg County Squadron -

My ATS Encampment Experience

By C/SMSgt. Caroline Morton

The best thing about Advanced Training Squadron was the experience that expanded my leadership skills. ATS cadets were split into two flights, and each one into four teams. In these teams, the positions of flight sergeant and flight commander rotated from cadet to cadet so most of us would have the opportunity to experience them. As teams, we were given assignments to improve our knowledge in drilling, customs and courtesies, and how to work and motivate as a team. We had the opportunity to follow Encampment Staff to take notes on what they did, why they did it, and how these applied to CAP regulations. We had classes on how to improve our military bearing, wear our uniform, and properly carry out the duties of all cadet staff positions. Through these tasks and assignments, the teams learned how to become better leaders and team players. The most challenging thing about ATS was taking lessons taught in the classroom and applying them to the different tasks that the teams were assigned to. For me, there were
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ATS cadets get ready for motivational PT. Photo Encampments Cadet PAO Team

many hits and misses when it came to applying the different styles of leadership to various situations. But, in the end, I learned which style to use to achieve better results for the team. Also, we had to earn everything from our T-shirts to our shoulder cord. We even had to earn our meals with an impressive cadence or a show of physical strength (actually, we still ate, but the loser ate last). At the end, though, I realized that our staff used these actions

as a bribe or motivator, without us even knowing it. This was one of the leadership strategies we learned on our second day there, and we are living proof that it works! The one thing I learned at ATS that I will forever carry with me is how to be a better leader. I was taught a great many things that a leader needs to know in order to be successful. Among them were how to use different leadership styles in different situations, effec8

tive speaking and writing techniques, creative problemsolving, different stages of a developing team, and better military bearing. These were just a few of the different traits that make a good leader. I would definitely recommend this program to all cadets who have gone through basic encampment. Basic encampment is the foundation for everything that a CAP cadet will learn at ATS, therefore it is important to master the basics before going to any other Civil Air Patrol activity. ATS is a great program. Its main goal is to train cadets in staff positions for encampment. Therefore, I believe that this program should be a must before staffing any Civil Air Patrol activity. This way, the prospective staff cadet would have more experience on how to carry out staff tasks more efficiently and confidently, as opposed to having gone through basic training alone. There were three awards available at ATS. Two of them were flight honor cadets (one for each flight), and the third one was the Honor cadet for the entire ATS encampment. I received the Honor cadet for Kilo flight, along with the Honor cadet for the entire ATS encampment. Along with this, I had the opportunity of being the squadron guidon bearer,
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and I was the third cadet and the first female to receive my class T-shirt. But I got much more from ATS than these honors. The confidence, pride, and anticipation of passing my new-found knowledge on to not only my home squadron but, through staffing at the next Basic Encampment, to cadet basics. Although my Tshirt, my cord, and my flight and Squadron flags are great rewards, my best rewards were the experiences and the memories I gained from having attended this encampment. Teamwork was a very big part of ATS. I learned how to work as a team player and a team leader. As a team leader, I learned how to deal with people who did not want to be part of the team, and how to reward those who did. I learned that the led is always more important than the leader, and that group needs always outweigh my own as a leader. I also learned how to motivate and use different leadership strategies to get my team to react as I wanted. As a follower, I learned that keeping a positive attitude is the key to a happy, motivated team. A happy attitude is contagious, so it is very important, as a follower, to promote a positive attitude about whatever that team is assigned. While at ATS, I learned a lot about myself. For one, I am a

nurturer, and while that is good, it is not always the best trait for a leader to have. I learned that I am very competitive, and that if I try my hardest, I can achieve any goal. I also realized that I work well with many different kinds of people and can get them to work together. I learned that patience really is a virtue. I also learned that self-confidence is most important when trying to lead. When you are consistent and confident about your decision-making and in your disciplining, you are more respected and credible as a leader. ATS was a great learning experience for me. I am now confident that I can carry out efficiently any position given to me, and that I could teach it to cadets under me so they could take my place. Everything that I learned at this activity became useful information that I brought back to the squadron. These classes really helped me make the leap between being a good but not-so-confident follower to becoming a self-confident, more professional leader. In short, this experience made me not only a better leader, but a better person. I know that any cadet attending this Encampment, upon graduation, will leave a completely different person. H

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My First o-Flight
By C/SSgt. Robert Severance III
January  turns into a sunny day. A day I thought would never come. But here it is, at 0800 and were ready for our first orientation flight. C/Amn Matthew OBrien and I got started with a safety briefing given by Maj. Russell Miller and Lt. Col. Ned Beiser, all members of Crusader Composite Squadron, Group III. I was very excited. Col. Beiser is a retired USAF Colonel, and they are both great teachers. Then we started the flight safety check, to make sure everything was OK. The ailerons, the rudder, the fuel, the tires, they are all important. The plane has to be perfect on the ground, before we take off. After this, we got in the plane and headed to the taxiway to start our take-off procedures. We needed to see which way the wind was going, and make sure that all devices worked OK, especially the flight instruments and the radio. I was sitting in front, next to Maj. Miller who was the pilot. It was true, we were going to take off. I was so excited. It was my first Orientation Flight. Taxiing over to the runway, the engine made a nice sound, and then we were ready to take off. Maj. Miller, my pilot, got the engine to go real fast, and we went


All too soon, the flight is over. Photo 1st Lt. Robert Severance III

faster and faster on the runway, and then we sort of hopped and were in the air. I had a little lump in my throat and caught myself smiling. When we rose in the air, the view was so amazing that I could hardly believe my eyes. You could see out forever, right over the land. Everything looked different. When we landed, we all got off and we got a new pilot. This time, Col. Beiser was the pilot and C/Amn OBrien sat next to him. It was amazing. Col. Beiser did the same things that Maj. Miller had done before, and the feeling in the back seat was the same as when I was sitting up front. Only in the back I got to look out of both sides of the plane, and could see the front between the seats. I loved it. Our instructors talked about the basic controls and C/Amn OBrien and I both had a chance to do a couple of maneuvers, like 80-degree turns and 0-degree

turns. It was fabulous. Our instructor even did a couple of touch and goes, where the plane comes in for a landing and touches the runway, but instead of slowing down it takes off again. They were one of the most exciting things, if you ask me. We learned a lot of things that we hadnt known before. Cadet OBrien and I had one hour each sitting at the front, but of course we also got the other hour in the back seat. Two hours of flying around like a bird. It was a great feeling. Then we landed and had a debriefing to talk about what we had learned. This event was a lot of fun and I recommend that any cadet who hasnt gone on an O-Flight try it. I learned a lot of the basic controls of the airplane and how much fun they can be, by just flying safe.



New Mid Valley Squadron has Many Veterans

The only easy thing about starting a new squadron is listing all the jobs that have to be done. Doing them all well is a daunting task. When the Mid Valley Senior Squadron was formed in September 007, they had some pros to share the load. Lt. Col. Chris G. Bujanos, the new units commander, has many years experience with the CAP, as well as having been a group commander. He was aided by Lt. Col. Florentino Galvan, also a former group commander and a talented commercial pilot, and Major Wayne Wells and Major Robert E. Middleton, Jr., both former squadron commanders. They knew the importance of complete records so much attention was given to pilots files and other documentation. Regular training courses were held for aircrew to ensure their currency. By November 5 when the unit received its plane, Cessna 8 N5Tx, five pilots had been qualified, as well as several observers and scanners. The plane turned out to be the renumbered, repainted and refurbished N9707, which many members had flown with the Brownsville Composite Squadron. Then, members learned not to trust its GPS. Once, when within six minutes of a programmed destination, the GPS commanded a series of turns which led 80 degrees from the destination. On another occasion, the GPS said an airfield was  miles away, when the plane was actually on downwind. Both local shops and the manufacturer were unable


By Maj. Neil Macdougall to rectify the problem. Thankfully, the new GPS works well. Gulf Aviation of Harlingen speeded the units transition to operations by providing rooms for training and SARExs. Don King, assistant manager of this long-established fixed-base operator and flying school, was especially helpful. The office and line staff treat CAP members like business-jet crews. In January 008 the unit took part in its first DSAR. st Lt. Jesse Breedlove, and Majors Neil and Shirley Macdougall flew the first mission, taking pictures of a bridge. Thanks to speedy work by Mission base in Mesquite, crews were able to complete flight plans so fast that they could step into the returning plane moments after it arrived. In spite of delays due to bad weather,  sorties totaling .5 hours were flown by the squadron. All remaining units of Group 5 flew 9.5 hours. In February the unit did its first ELT search. Lt. Col. Donald Mac Leod and Majors Paul Chapman and Neil Macdougall located the noisemaker north-west of Hebbronville. They wanted to land and persuade the Sheriff to take them to the area, but the ceiling was too low. They diverted to Laredo, by which time the signal had ceased and they were ordered to return to base. Although the unit is new, the Civil Air Patrol has a long history in the Rio Grande Valley. In 9-, largely unarmed CAP planes based in Brownsville roamed over the Gulf of Mexico seeking German Uboats. Other CAP aircraft patrolled

the border, flying over 0,000 hours and finding over 70 suspicious aircraft. The new squadrons members include veterans like Capt. W. Ronnal Johnston who was credited with a notable save in 988. He located the ELT of a missing aircraft from the air. He then lead a rescue party at night through thick brush and difficult terrain to find the badly injured pilot. Authorities consider this action saved the pilots life. A crew he captained in 99 was awarded a plaque by the City of Brownsville for their outstanding performance at a search and rescue exercise in El Paso. The same year, Majors Edmundo Arizpe, and Neil and Shirley Macdougall spent 0 days assisting victims of Los Angeles Northridge earthquake. Lt. Col.s Donald and Martha Mac Leod are qualified incident commanders who hold almost every possible CAP qualification. Both are pilots and Donald Mac Leod was a B- Liberator pilot in China during World War II. Today hes CAP check pilot and one of the first to volunteer for missions. Both are Winter Texans from a Michigan squadron. Based at Harlingen, Texas, the squadron is strategically located to patrol the Mexican border and the coast, work with the coast guard, search for ELTS and EPIRBs, spot brush fires in the rain-starved South, fly Cadets from the McAllen and Brownsville Composite Squadrons, among other duties. The  members are eager to serve.


Corpus Christi Cadets Participate in Academic Activity

By C/AB Melissa Bullard

On Tuesday,  November 007 the Brahma Cadet Flight of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron went to Alice, Texas to participate in a Fathers Active in Communities & Education, or FACE, activity. The activity was held at the rd Coast Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force and honored the importance of Fatherhood in the education of children as well as the sacrifices of local Veterans. Cadets that attended included C/Amn Christopher Carbajal, C/Amn John Flores, C/AB Joshua Morris, C/AB Dylan Morris, C/AB John Garza and C/AB Melissa Bullard. Cadets Flores, Carbajal and Bullard participated in the ceremony by introducing Army Lt. Col. Robert Bobby Borroughs, of the Texas A&M Kingsville Army ROTC detachment, who was there to explain a little bit about aerospace dimensions. After that cadets got to see a real movie star, only this movie star had wings, an engine and the incredible ability to fly. An aerobatic reenactment of a World War II dogfight was preformed using aircraft that appeared in the films Tora, Tora, Tora and Pearl Harbor. The cadets of the Brahma Cadet Flight attend Memorial Middle School in Kingsville, Texas and would like to thank everyone involved in making the activity a success as well a Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP for taking the cadets to this

Major J.E. Carrales stands with the Brahma Flight of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron in Alice, Texas. Photo by Mr. Billy Watson

rewarding educational experience. This is part of a larger initiative called the Texas Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) and Students Training for Academic Readiness (STAR), which are programs designed to provide services and support to reach school districts with a high percentage of low-income and minority students. The program helps ensure the districts students are academically prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

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Johnson County and Diamondback Squadrons Prepare for Veterans Day

By Capt. Robert Benton

The st Johnson County Composite Squadron Honor Guard Team of Cleburne recently assisted the 2nd Lt. Sharron Stockwell South Fort Worth Diamondback Composite Squadron based in Burleson during a Veterans Day ceremony In February, st Johnson County Composite held at the Southwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth Squadron held a dual promotion ceremony at their squadon Nov  with training and logistical support. ron building located at the Cleburne Municipal Airport. Johnson County Honor Guard Team lead by cadet Cadets and guests witnessed Cadet Donahoos promotion Staff Sergeant and unit flight sergeant, Tanner Spurlock to Cadet Airman by Maj. Raymond Donahoo, (retired with cadets Airman First Class Ghenesis Cordero, U.S. Air Force) and father of the cadet, pinning the rank Gina Gomez, Kelly Gomez and Airman Basic Tyler on his son while Mrs. Donohoo proudly watched. Moncrief worked with Diamondback cadets Chief In addition, the members also witnessed the proMaster Sergeant and unit First Sergeant, Devan Conerly, motion from Captain to Major of their Squadron Senior Master Sergeant Adam Martin, Airman First Commander, Robert Benton. Major Donahoo and visClass Daniel Walker and Airman Brandon Blackburn iting nd Lt. Sharron Stockwell from the South Fort to prepare the newly formed Diamondback Squadron Worth Diamondback Composite Squadron attached Honor Guard team during three intensive training sesMajors applets to Major Bentons uniform. sions from late October through early November. Benton has served in the CAP for over 7-years At each training session, Cadet Spurlock walked the and is an active member of the Air Force Reserves. cadets through the drill and ceremony movements with He has volunteered and donated his personal time the assistance and supervision of the Johnson County and life for the betterment of youth in the CAP comcommander and Air Force Reservist, Capt. Robert Benton munity and for making a difference in their lives. He and Deputy Commander of Cadets, Capt. Daniel Hunt. is currently rebuilding the Cleburne based squadron. Capt. Benton and Capt. Hunt assisted in the trainRecently he coordinated with members of the Fort ing as well as providing the training location, acquirWorth Senior Squadron, based in Fort Worth, on a secing honor guard equipment and uniforms. ond round of cadet orientation flights in Cleburne. He Cadet Spurlock and his team did an impressive has encouraged and promoted the establishment of a job with the South Fort Worth cadets and it shows unit based Color Guard/Honor Guard with Cadet TSgt. with the quality of the Honor Guard presentation on Tanner Spurlock. Cadet Airman Donahoo is an active November th, said Capt. Benton. I have heard member of the Color Guard/Honor Guard unit. nothing but complements and look forward to workThe Color Guard/Honor Guard unit has performed ing with South Fort Worth Diamondback Squadron in twice in the Cleburne area and trained members of the the future on Honor Guard and other activities. South Fort Worth Diamondback Composite Squadron Johnson County Honor Guard Team received its based in the Fort Worth area. training from the 0st Fighter Wing Honor Guard, based at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base under the supervision of Air Force Reserve Master Sergeant Ross Wood and his award winning team. Cadet Spurlock worked with the Diamondback team assisting hours before the Honor Guard presentation, joined by st Senior Members Dwain and Cynthia Benton who also provided logistical support during that day.

South Ft. Worth Diamondback Local Cadet and Squadron Commander Promoted

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5 Miles Long by 2 Miles Wide Texas Unit Participates in Iwo Jima Day Activity
By 2nd Lt. Monica C. Lozano, CAP
5 Miles long by  miles wide are the dimensions of a small volcanic island 50 miles from Tokyo, Japans coast. A small piece of land that has lived in the hearts of Marines and in the minds of practically the entire United States of America since February 9, 95. The date, we know as D-Day, the island, the infamous, Iwo Jima. In the midst of World War II, over 00,000 Marines and Sailors landed on this island and fought  days overcoming treacherous casualties. On February , 95, after only five days, six young Marines of Easy Company, plant a United States flag on the islands highest peak, Mount Suribachi granting soldiers the stamina and endurance to continue fighting until the last day. Sixty seven years later, we still honor those that served and those that died to pave the way for our freedom. On Saturday, February , 008, nd Lt. Monica C. Lozano, accompanied by cadets Shane Barnes and Philip Lozano stopped to pay tribute to a dozen D-Day survivors still living in Corpus Christi, Texas. The annual event hosted by the Marine Corps League Coastal Bend Detachment included an eye jerking re-enactment of the historical flag raising moment. Local veterans, dignitaries and various military organizations
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Cadets Barnes and Lozano stand with WWII Veterans in honor of the sacrifices made at IWO JIMA.

were in attendance. Patriotic hymns were performed by the Corpus Christi Veterans Band and a twenty-one gun salute by the Coastal Bend Detachment, Marine Corps League. Keynote speaker was Marine Helen F. Hicks, Past National Commandant, Marine Corps League. (Yes, shes a female!) Reverence and honor were in the air for the day. Attributes well deserved and duly noted for the surviving Marines and Sailors. It is because of these men here today and those that died on the battle fields we have our freedom. It is because of their selfless giving and courage, we have this country and all the blessings bestowed us

as Americans. We must always remember the price paid for this freedom and take time out of our busy lives to pay respect to those that so freely gave. I count it an honor to be in the midst of such heroes. Almost six thousand Marines and over six hundred Sailors gave their lives during the Battle of Iwo Jima alone. More than three thousand Marines and Sailors were wounded in action. A costly battle for the Marines but a major advancement for the war effort. The island of Iwo Jima was poised as a strategical move and huge gain to win the war. Never forget, FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
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Phoenix Squadron -

Son, Like Father, Sets Sights High

By Lt. Col. Bob Russell

PhoenixCompositeSquadron, like others in Civil Air Patrol, enjoy having fathers and their sons as part of the unit and, in the case of Tom and Ben Amis, Phoenix is amply rewarded by an active and supportive father as a senior member and his talented and determined son as a cadet member. In the case of Cadet Ben Amis, he is not only proud of his dad, but strives to follow his fathers footsteps with a naval career. Major (paperwork pending for his promotion to Lt. Col.) Tom Amis, Phoenix Aerospace Education Officer, was recently promoted from Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) in the Naval Reserve to full Commander (CDR) and his son, Ben Amis, who served for two years as the cadet commander for Phoenix, was promoted in January from cadet major to cadet lieutenant colonel. Both members have been active contributors to the squadron and excitedly look to the future for more challenges and accomplishments. CDR Amis has been in the Naval Reserve for 7 years and is an expert in the field of meteorology and oceanography (METOC). Tom was born in Landstuhl, Germany, where his father was serving for the Air Force. His father retired after
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Kay Granger and the Amis men.

 years of active duty, but Tom chose to pursue a service career with the Navy. CDR Amis received Navy METOC schooling and an equivalent of a college degree in his field from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Beginning as a naval enlisted person, Tom progressed steadily through the ranks, participating in the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) program whereby certain enlisted persons in various specialties can apply to become an officer. Cadet Lt. Col. Ben Amis has been with Phoenix for six years and, like his dad, continues to excel. He has progressed through the ranks and achieved the Wright Brothers, Billy Mitchell, Amelia Earhart, and

Ira C. Eaker Awards; he now seeks the General Carl Spaatz Awardthe highest in the organizationbefore leaving CAP. The 7-year old enjoys home schooling from his mother, Jean Amis, who also schooled his sister () and his brother (9). When asked how he liked going to school at home, Bed said, I think home schooled kids are more disciplined and the studying is more structured. And, statistics show that home schooled students are actually scoring higher in SAT and ACT scores. As a testament to Cadet Amis academic diligence (as well as his efforts to improve his physical fitness through swimming and teach himself
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guitar), Ben has received a presidential and congressional nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy and a congressional nomination to the Armys West Point Academy. The congressional appointment was granted on January 9 by Representative Kay Granger, th Congressional District, added CDR Amis, obviously proud of his son. Ben has met the qualifications for academics and physical fitness and is medically qualified, so we anticipate hearing soon that he will, indeed, receive his appointment to one of the two academies to which he applied. The induction could come as soon as June, Ben explainedand he is very excited at that prospect. Cadet Amis eyes light up when he talks about the possibility of going to Annapolis. I hope to get my commission in the Navy and fly fightersthe F/A-8 specificallyoff a carrier. His father smiled and said his best assignment in his naval career was a two-year hitch with the USS Midway, on which he spent about 75% of his time at sea. It was hard work, but so much fun and the esprit de corps was superb. Recently, Tom served as the commander of a local reserve meteorologi-

cal and oceanographic unit and continues work supporting fleet commanders by offering accurate forecasts for anti-submarine warfare, strike warfare, and amphibious operations. As a civilian, the reservist is the Meteorologist in charge of the staff at the Center Weather Service Unit (CWSU), Air Traffic Control Center, located near the American Airlines Training Center in the DFW area. Amis and his staff provide pilots important forecasts that serve to reduce the hazards of weather in the U.S. National Airspace System. Though Cadet Amis is receiving a lot of education in CAP, an organization sponsored by the Air Force, his sights are set on the Navy. I like the missions, the aircraft, and the challenges of being at sea, he offered. I would really enjoy flying close air support (CAS) missions, he added. Ben received his five fixed wing CAP flights but has flown  times in the gliders used to fly cadets completing pre-solo work at the National Glider Academy in 005. Flying an armed fighter plane makes sensein addition to flying, Ben also likes shooting, often spending time with father, Tom, at some local

ranges. I like paintball, too, but firing a real weapon is more thrilling, he smiles. Serving as cadet special advisor now, Cadet Lt. Col. Amis reflects on his years with CAP. Civil Air Patrol has taught me so much about leadership, drill and ceremonies, and moreand has prepared me for the service academies, as well as aviation opportunities in the future, stated Ben. His father seconds the comment, understanding the value of CAP to the cadets and his son. I love the service and CAP provides wonderful education about the military for young people, as well as seniors. Both men look to the future. CDR Amis has his sights set on one more promotion before he retires from the reserves. I would love nothing better than to be a Navy Captain (CAPT) the equivalent of an Air Force full coloneland be able to commission my son as he graduates from the Naval Academy, Tom said. Emulating his father, it is no wonder son Ben also sets his sights high and, seeing the many accomplishments to date of this young and determined man, he will no doubt fulfill them in due time. H

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TX-430 Helps Sheppard AFB Celebrate the Air Forces 60th Birthday
By 1st Lt. Lisa Gunnell
Sheppard AFB invited citizens of Wichita Falls to join the 0th birthday celebration of the Air Force at a special airshow. Cadets and senior members of Rio del Fierro Composite Squadron enjoyed the festivities while staffing a Civil Air Patrol display. Aircraft on display included a Curtis Jenny from World War I, C-7, B-5, P-7 Thunderbolt, P-5 Mustang, Corsair, T- Texan trainers and an L- Grasshopper from World War II. Planes from the current inventory included the C-7, B-, AWACS, C-0, F-5, F, and A-0. Since Sheppard AFB is a NATO facility, planes from Canada and Germany were also on display. Seeing all of these planes was exciting for spectators, but the real thrills were in the air. Parachute teams and aerobatic teams performed precision routines. Demonstration flights included vintage Warbirds, a MiG 7, Coast Guard helicopter, Osprey tilt-rotor demonstration, F-7, and B- flights, among others. At last, the F- Raptor was put through a rigorous demonstration of its capabilities. The show ended with a heritage flight of the P-7, A-0 and F-. Though dwarfed by many of the planes around it, the Civil Air Patrol Cessna-7 was quite popular, especially for family photographs. Cadet and senior members answered questions about the aircraft and Civil Air Patrol and provided brochures to prospective members. Cadets also helped with setting up the display and taking it down after the show.

Maj. Larry Gunnell shows a CAP 172 to future CAP Cadets. Photo by 1st Lt. JJ Humphreys

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Phoenix Cadet Proud of Antique Remote Control Aircraft

By Lt. Col. Bob Russell
The unique remote control aircraft perched proudly on a desk at Phoenix Composite Squadron one evening, part of an Aerospace Education briefing given by Cadet AC Matthew Bruce, one of the squadrons newer cadets. But this is no ordinary remote control airplanethis is a hand-crafted, superbly designed antique vehicle that sports a 7-foot wingspan, a 5foot length, and weighs in at 8 pounds. All eyes of the squadron were on the gorgeous airplane as Cadet Bruce explained its history and capabilities. Matthew loves flyable aircraft models and, in addition to this specimen, which was purchase from a friend, he has two others: one is called a Super Chipmunk and the other called an Electrafly Ultimate. However, there was no doubt that his favorite model was the balsam-wood, handcrafted model he was showing off to fellow cadets and seniors during the squadrons weekly meeting. The -yr. old cadet has been in Phoenix for about one year and hails from Saginaw, a small town north of Meacham Airport, where Phoenix meets Meacham is located in north Fort Worth. A freshman at Boswell High School, who performs as a drummer in the school drum line, Cadet Bruce fell in love with the Galaxy II model the first time he saw it. I loved the way it looked, the powerful engine, and the detail of the construction, he smiled. I have flown it about eight times and it is pseudo aerobatic but I really dont try to do too many difficult maneuvers. Bruce flies the Galaxy II at a model aircraft airport in Benbrook, a southwestern suburb of Fort Worth. The G-8 medium-sized motor is powered by a gas-oil mixture and spins a twin-bladed prop fast enough to power it through the skies at about 80 miles per hourabout 0 mph in a dive, according to its young pilot. Using a hand-held control system the flight controls (rudder, elevators, and ailerons) are powered by four batteries that generate .8 volts and
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00 milliamps to drive the aircraft flight control servos. The balsa frame, spars, and stringers are covered with a resilient Fiberglass covering. The nose wheel even turns when the rudder moves, so it can be taxied readily along the ground. Special shocks are devised for the tricycle landing gear to give it bounce as it lands. The only thing missing is a small pilot to sit in the open cockpit. When asked what he likes about owning and flying the model, Matthew grins from ear to ear: I love the thrill of flyingthe sound of the prop and the motor powering the aircraft through the air. I hope to someday go to the Air Force Academy and become an Air Force pilotbut would love to fly privately also. The cadets at Phoenix were mesmerized and listened intently as Cadet Bruce talked about the model; there was little doubt the entire squadron will look forward to a day when everyone can watch the Galaxy II leap into the air and show off its stuff. And, if attitude is anything, it is not hard to imagine Matthew in uniform at the Academy or perhaps a few years later at the helm of a real flying machinebut for now, he is content to enjoy his masterpiece.
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Nighthawk open Cockpit Day

Maj. Monte M. Miller Photos by SM Shari Moody
Denton Municipal Airport was the site for Nighthawk Composite Squadrons first ever Open Cockpit Day held on Saturday, 9 September 007. Crafted to attract visitors whom held no prior knowledge of the Civil Air Patrol, much less the existence of the Denton, Texas CAP squadron, the event provided guests the opportunity to actually sit in the cockpits of several aircraft with a significant historical relationship to the Civil Air Patrol. Additional former USAF aircraft were also on display for public walk-around inspections. Nighthawk Senior members provided guests with a condensed and hands-on cockpit check-out while answering many What does this do? questions. Cadets provided a Protect Our Planes presence patterned after the Experimental Aircraft Associations Oshkosh Fly-In security program. Cadets also demonstrated their drill proficiency and manned an exhibit booth while distributing CAP brochures and souvenir magnets to guests. Through the generosity of the Civil Air Patrol Historical Foundation, visitors were able to enjoy some seat time in a 99 Stinson 0A decked out in authentic CAP WW colors. A beautifully restored CAPHF Beechcraft T- Mentor, also in CAP colors, allowed the enthusiastic crowd to get a small sense of what many fledgling USAF pilots first learned to fly. The Hangar Ten Museum, located on the Denton Municipal field and home to several vintage aircraft, were also very gracious in providing their beautiful USAF LC- (Cessna 95) and L-7A (North American Navion) for close inspection. And if these aircraft were not enough to provide a morning of aviation and CAP education for everyone, Nighthawk also had on hand a Pitts Special, a Schweitzer - glider currently being restored by Cadets and destined for the Cadet Orientation Flight program, a WW vintage Link trainer and many CAP historically significant exhibits within the CAPHF hangar. There were numerous photo opportunities for visitors, including the favorite of the younger guests - the cockpit section of an A- Skyhawk painted to represent the Navys Blue Angel Flight Demonstration Team. Nighthawk will be requesting a USAF Thunderbird for next years activity! By moving beyond the traditional CAP Open House event, where most often the guests are CAP family members and friends, Nighthawk successfully utilized the local media and contacts with area schools to reach out to a segment of the population that would not normally consider such an activity. This first-time event was successful beyond expectations. But just wait for next year.

Enjoying her visit to the Nighthawk Open Cockpit Day and ready for the T-34 Pre-Start checklist is 4-year old Rachel Samek.

58 years of CAP history separate the CAP Historical Foundation Stinson 10A and Nighthawk C/Amn Elyse Moody and C/A1C Kimberly Marshall.

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