NEWSLETTER OF September Issue 2007

PCR-WALEWIS COUNTY COMPOSITE SQUADRON PCR-WA-110 WASHINGTON WING, CIVIL AIR PATROL

Western Washington Training Academy

By 1st Lt Ruth Peterson
Washington Wing is starting a new program that is geared toward giving CAP members the training they need to be able to advance in grade and participate in many CAP activities and events. The Western Washington Training Academy (WTA) will be held on the third weekend of every month, and will provide a multitude of classes for both seniors and cadets. Each area of CAP will be addressed at each WTA with classes in Cadet Programs, Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Senior Professional Development. One of the greatest benefits of the WTA, though, will be the opportunity for cadets to visit with each other and have some fun. Some friendships were made at encampment and at other events, and WTA will give both cadets and seniors the opportunity to build on those friendships and make new ones. As we continue to meet and work together throughout the Wing, we will bring back ideas to strengthen our individual squadrons and the CAP mission as a whole. The first WTA to be offered is September 22nd & 23rd. A first aid and CPR class will be offered for both cadets and seniors. This class requires attendance on both Saturday and Sunday. A BCUT (Basic Communications User Training) class is scheduled for Saturday only, and an Aerospace Education class will fill the Sunday slot. For Seniors and more advanced ground team qualified cadets, an ICS (Incident Command System) 300 class is scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday. The prerequisites for taking this class is completion of the ICS 100, 200, and 700 classes, all of which are offered online at http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp. Bring the completion certificates with you to attend the ICS class. Sign-in for the WTA is either Friday evening the 21st between 2000 and 2200 or Saturday morning between 0645 and 0745. Classes begin on Saturday morning at 0800 and end at 1700. Sundays classes begin at 0800 and end at 1430. If you are going to spend the nights at Camp Murray and eat there, the cost is $25.00 for the weekend. If you are going to attend the First Aid/CPR class, there will be an additional $10 fee. We are hoping to have a group attend the WTA every month, so mark your calendars for the third weekend of every month and try to attend as many as you can. Once the cadets who are attending the first academies are well-trained, they will become instructors at future events. Here is one final note for the CAP members who are homeschoolers. The classes and training provided by CAP are a great way to round out a homeschooling education. Heath, physical fitness, and science are just a few of the subjects that are taught in the program. While leadership is not necessarily a specific school subject required by law, it is certainly a subject that will allow your student to achieve success throughout their lives. WTA will provide an opportunity for every member to broaden their training and achieve their goals.

Published by Lewis Co. Sq., CAP PO Box 56 Chehalis, WA 98532 Editor: 1st Lt Ruth A. Peterson

Inside this issue:

Cascade Falcon XII 2

Operation Snowflake V 3 September Birthdays 3

Senior Officer Schedule 3 Websites of Interest Upcoming Events 4 4

Cadets! Please have your parent or guardian sign here to indicate that they have received and read the FIREBALL.
Parent Signature:

Cadets should bring a signed FIREBALL with them to the first drill after they receive it.

Page 2

Volume II, Issue 9

Cascade Falcon XII

By 1st Lt Ruth Peterson, PAO

Hospital corners on the beds, boots polished, socks smiling up from neat drawers, and sounds of yes, first sergeant! echoing through the barracks. Cascade Falcon XII, Washington Wings summer basic encampment, was completed successfully on August 18th, 2007. In attendance at the Camp Murray National Guard facility near Tacoma, WA, were 118 cadets and 26 senior officers. Of those cadets, twenty-one were from Lewis County Composite Squadron, nine of whom went as staff members. Basic Encampment is an intense week filled with hours of drill and ceremony, customs and courtesies, and hard work. Most cadets find that participation requires self-discipline, stamina, and oldfashioned true grit as they try to please the seemingly never satisfied first sergeant. They have very little down time, and their schedules are strictly regimented so that they can complete all the required basic training in a one week period. However, when they have successfully completed the week, they all know that they have accomplished more than just training. Every one of them was pushed past their comfort zone, sometimes several times a day. Every one of them was required to find that little bit of extra strength to get through the next task when they were pushed to their limits. They can look back on their success at finishing the basic encampment and know that the week made them a stronger person both in body and spirit and equipped them to be better able to face future hurdles. The week also held some very fun events. The cadets spent a day touring different facilities at McChord Air Force Base where they visited the Base Fire Department, the EOD ( Explosive Ordinance Disposal), Security Forces, and Special Tactics Squadron. Another morning was spent taking a flight on a C-17 which, as Cadet Wulff said, was fabulous. The most amazing part of the flight for most cadets was the sight of Mt. Rainier that looked close enough to touch. Another fun event for everyone was the leadership drill that involved several scenarios that required team co-operation. Each team had to accomplish a mission while finding ways to protect their teammates. Then, the

CIVIL AIR PATROL Drug Free and Proud!

Volume II, Issue 9

Page 3

last evening of the encampment was the squadron banquet. Not only was the food delicious, but awards were presented and cadets were allowed to relax and enjoy themselves. Needless to say, the biggest smiles were at the Pass and Review graduation ceremony on Saturday, when cadets were able to see their parents again after a long week! Cadet Basic Encampment is the beginning of a cadets CAP career in many ways. After completion of the week, cadets may attend any one of many national encampments. They will have fulfilled one of the requirements to be able to achieve officer grade, and they are also better equipped to serve as staff members in their home squadrons. In addition, they may apply to attend future basic encampments or conferences as staff members. There will be another Basic Encampment this winter. Cadets who have not attended an encampment yet are encouraged to attend, and the ones who have attended should consider applying for a staff position. So, get your jodies and boots polished and join other cadets from around the state this December at Snowflake V.

OPERATION SNOWFLAKE V
By C/Lt Col David Peterson

Boot clad feet crunch in rhythm over the icy earth. Breath stays floating in the chilly air. Countless hands raised in unison forming a salute in respect to the flag of the United States. From the distance, a bugle plays the sounds of reveille. And with that accomplished, the orders of the day are issued! Another exciting day has begun at Washington Wings Winter Encampment. This December is coming quickly, and it is time to begin thinking about that important decision. Will you give what youve got and brave the storm, facing the challenge of a well-trained staff, knowing that you will emerge as part of a team? You will come out redefined as a leader, more aware of your weaknesses and better able to harness your strengths. This will not come on its own; you must be willing to take the jump! Here is just a taste of what we have had in the past and a possible forecast of the fun to come: A trip to the Boeing Flight Museum, and a chance to tour the Concorde airliner. There has been a model rocketry day, where you can construct your own rocket and fly it in the parade field at Camp Murray. A fantastic banquet and dance is scheduled for the last evening, where, if we are lucky (which we were at Operation Snowflake III in 2003), we may get enough snow that evening to pit six flights of cadets against each other in a special operations snowball fight! Another benefit of Winter Encampment is the PT, which is all done indoors; nothing is done out on the cold ground! Also, the barracks are kept amazingly toasty at night - a warm welcome after a hard day. But it is not easy. This is a challenge meant only for those who want to take it. This is for cadets who dont want to see how much they can possibly do, but who want to see how much more than just possible they can accomplish! Nothing is impossible if you want it. Winter Encampment, Operation Snowflake V, 26-31 December 2007 is the ultimate test. One week of a mental and physical showdown, you against your own desire to give up. Who will win? I hope to see you there!!

September Birthdays
24 - Cadet Jordan Bell 29 - Cadet Josiah Beresford

Civil Air Patrol

Websites of interest for Cadets: National CAP Website
(Check out the National encampments! You must sign up for them by the end of Dec.)

OFFICER DRILL SCHEDULE THURSDAYS IN SEPTEMBER

http://www.cap.gov/
Washington CAP Website

6:30 pm SCOUT LODGE At 3rd and Adams Chehalis, WA

http://www.wawg.cap.gov/
The Hock Shop (For Uniforms)

http://www.thehock.com/

We are working on a squadron website that will allow cadets to find information about upcoming events, forms, and other information . Check us out at:

DATE Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27

TOPIC Business & Planning Drill Operations Training Senior Training Cadet Programs

www.lewiscountycap.org

Important DatesAdd to your Calendar TODAY!

For More Info, go to www.wawg.cap.gov. Click on Members. Under Members, click on Cadet Programs. If you have any questions about events (price, how to apply, etc) call your higher-ups, and they can help you out!
15 September - Lewis County Search and Rescue is having a training day. The cadets and senior members who attend this event will be trained in the seven requirements for working with the Lewis County Search and Rescue. 21 - 23 September WTA - training at Camp Murray (see article on front page). Cost - $25.00 for meals and a bunk for both nights. An additional $10.00 if you are taking the first aid/CPR class. 19 - 21 October WTA - see above 3 November - Fall Conference. This is an all-day event with classes during the day and a banquet in the evening. Plan to attend this fun event - well be taking a van up to McChord. 16 - 18 November BME - Submit your form 23s and 24s along with $75 to attend. Be sure to send letters to both the squadron and ASH for scholarships.

PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for articles is on the 15th of the month. Schedules must be in by the 20th. Send to the editor at Grpete@centurytel.net The Fireball is an unofficial newsletter, published monthly in the interest of the members of Lewis Co. Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol. Opinions expressed by the publishers and writers are their own, and are not to be considered official expressions of CAP or the U.S. Air Force. Advertisements in this publication do not constitute an endorsement by CAP or the Dept. of the Air Force of the products or services advertised.