CAP begins Normal School operations at Memorial Middle School

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Kingsville, Texas– School began anew at Memorial Middle School on 27 August 2007, the very next day the Brahma Cadet Flight began its school year season with a planning session. Major Carrales met with Cadets Bryce Nix and Michael Beal in planning the new school year. The first order of business was to prepare for new recruits.

“How many recruits do you think we can handle,” asked Major Carrales. To which Cadet Airman Nix replied, “I’d like to see 20, Sir.” Major Carrales then informed them that the experienced cadets should expect anywhere from 2 to 20.

“I am excited,” said Major Carrales, “not only to have new cadets, but also to have the older cadets apply the leadership skills they have learned at encampments and as a CAP cadet.
An “all call” was made for a meeting to be held on that Thursday, 30 September 2007. Three excellent recruits showed up and we instantly instructed in what CAP Cadet life has to offer. What was more impressive was that that instruction was led by the previous year’s cadets, who now attend High School.

The meeting began in Major Carrales’ new classroom, W109. There the new cadets viewed a Multimedia presentation on CAP’s National and more local activities. Their questions were addressed by Cadets Nix and Beal. Within a short time, the unit retreated to CAP STATION Kingsville for some samples of Drill and Ceremonies as to participate in one of CAP’s oldest customs...PAPERWORK!

Cadet Airman Morgun Bedynek provided the cadet’s with the necessary forms and collected their contact information; a job that Cadet Bedynek, as CADET ADMIN OFFICER, seems to truly enjoy.

It is sure to be a good year for CAP, the Brahma Cadet Flight will meet on Tuesdays from 1615 to 1730 hrs and on Thursdays from 1615 to 1800 hrs. The two meetings are designed to allow the High School aged cadets to attend one meeting a week (or both) in the event that they have academic or extracurricular activities to tend to.

Tuesday meetings are shorter due to Major Carrales commitment to the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron’s regular meeting at Signature Flight Support at Corpus Christi International Airport.

Corpus Christi Cadet Exemplifies Cadet Oath

“…to be of service to my community, state, and nation…”

By SM Monica C. Lozano, CAP

Coastal Bend—The typical hot summer days of June and July quickly became very wet and very costly for many South Texas residents. Heavy rains and flooding forced many families out of their homes and the Nueces River continues to stay above flood level. The Coastal Bend Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross stepped in to offer various avenues of assistance for these residents, and one South Texas cadet joined the troops to help in the disaster relief.

South Texas Cadet Airman Philip Lozano is currently in his second year of the Civil Air Patrol and is attached to the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron TX 026 in Corpus Christi, TX.

Looking to complete hours for a community service award, Cadet Lozano was informed by his mother that his help could be used to assist the flooded families. His job was to assist Red Cross volunteers handing out cleaning kits at a make shift distribution site. His first day on the job gave him a hard dose of reality many teens don’t often see. Lozano was learning first hand the results of natural disasters as he spoke with some of the victims of the floods. Moved by one young couple’s tragic story, Cadet Lozano didn’t think twice when asked by his parents if he’d be returning the next day to help out again.

“It’s really sad what this one couple had to go through,” Lozano said. “First their house gets flooded, they have to leave and when the police finally let them come back home, they find all their stuff gone! Their house had been robbed. It’s not right and I want to help.”

Cadet Lozano continued to volunteer above and beyond the hours he needed, giving up part of his summer vacation to assist and support families affected by the flood. Working from 0830 to 1600 hrs, Monday through Saturday, Cadet Lozano said he enjoyed riding in the American Red Cross’ Emergency Response Vehicle, but the feeling he got when personally thanked by the victims is what kept him going back.

“I am very proud of him, choosing to do a good deed for people he doesn’t even know, when he could be out skate boarding with friends,” Monica Lozano, Cadet Lozano’s mother, said. “My husband and I recognize how blessed we are to have someone at his age motivated to do this and not be compensated at all. I am amazed by his commitment. Even when I asked him to stay home so I didn’t have to get up early on my days off from work, there he was knocking on my bedroom door at 0700 hrs making sure I was getting ready so he could be at the Red Cross Chapter before 0800.”

Cadet Lozano informed this writer that he was not very happy when his parents told him he had to “take time off” from volunteering to join his family on their summer vacation! Cadet Lozano said he wishes his summer break was longer so he could “…go back to the Red Cross and see what else I can do to help.”

Cadet Lozano is 13 yrs old and in the eighth grade. He is an avid basketball player, enjoys cross country running and playing the saxophone and piano. He is the eldest of three children and son of Senior Member Monica Lozano.

CC-CAP acquires new Meeting Location

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

CC INTERNATONAL AIRPORT— The Corpus Christi Composite Squadron how has a new home...and at the AIRPORT to boot.

As of 28 August 2007, the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol will meet at Signature Flight Support on the grounds of Corpus Christi International Airport. This signals the next step and likely a new era for the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron.

“The proximity to a flight line,” said Major Joe Ely Carrales, “does a lot for unit morale and, in a big addition, facilitates cadet interaction with aircraft and the men and women who fly them.”
It is hoped that a solid relationship can be forged between the Signature Flight Support and the CC-CAP squadron. Already cadets have expressed their like for the facility as a meeting place.

“This is a cool place,” said Cadet Airman Morgun Bednek, “it was good getting a tour of the aircraft.”

Signature’s website http://www.bba-aviation.com/flightsupport/locations/crp/ accurately describes the location of the facility...

“A mild semitropical climate and the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico create an outdoor paradise 12 months a year in Corpus Christi. That reputation produces a healthy tourism industry ranked second only to the city's oil, gas and chemicals industry. With beautiful beaches and downtown only a short drive away, Signature-Corpus Christi is the place to be when visiting south Texas.”

Special thanks to Tanya Swails, General Manager, and our newest member, Javier Gutierrez for the honor of meeting at these excellent facilities.

A Successful Return to the NAS Kingsville Simulator

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Kingsville, Texas— The regular meeting of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron was forgone in favor of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron’s most prolific Aerospace Education Activity...the Simulator Activity at NAS Kingsville.

The Project officer for this activity is Major Fidel Alvarado. Major Alvarado maintains friendly contact with Simulator instructor, Mr. Bert Alvarez and had planned a trip to the SIMULATOR late last month.

The unit must yield only to the US Navy training schedule, but the activity was not effected by such factors.

Corpus Christi CAP Officers and Cadets met at Doctor’s Regional Hospital on 17 July 2007 at 1600 hrs at which time they trekked to NAS Kingsville where they encountered members of the Brahma Cadet Flight.

This occasion, it was possible for members of proximate units to participate and invitations were extended to Brownsville and Victoria’s CAP Units. Brownsville could not attend due to logistics, however Victoria was able to send two cadets and as many CAP Officers.

“This is good,” said Capt Leonard Saddler, “this is very meaningful.”

CC-CAP Unit UDF Team Deploys to Cabaniss Field

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP
Corpus Christi, Texas— It was Thursday 12 June 2007 at the end of the workday when Lt Col Chris G. Bujanos, CAP of the Brownsville Composite Squadron contacted Major Joe Ely Carrales. An ELT on 243 MHz was being heard by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at Tyndall A.F.B. in Florida and an active mission, 07-M-1244, was underway.
Major Joe Ely Carrales informed Lt Col Bujanos that a UDF team from the CC-CAP squadron would be assembled.

Major Carrales contacted and 1st Lt John D. Hoelscher asked him to stand-ready to lead a UDF team. Major Carrales then contacted 2d Lt B. Sam Kimbrell in Corpus Christi, Texas who was just getting off of work. Additionally, 1st Lt Mike Garmon and 1st Jerry Lunceford were also located.

In addition, an Aircrew made up of Lt Col Charlie Whatley and Capt Leonard Saddler of Victoria were dispatched in support of the mission.

The Coverage area of the CC-CAP unit is quite extensive ranging from as far north at Port Aransas, as west as Laredo and as south as Falfurrias, Texas. This is problematic since the unit’s only UDF equipment has to be placed in a position where it can make its way to any of these points of the compass. Normally, a handheld scanner can locate 121.5 MHz signals, however, this call as on 243 MHz and meant that only such UDF equipment could be used.

Major Carrales had the DF unit and a VHF radio transported to 1st Lt Hoelscher and he and the rest of the team proceeded to the Bay Area Fellowship Church, which was located very near the given coordinates.

The actual coordinates indicated a location near Cabaniss Field, an auxiliary landing field of NAS Corpus Christi. After nearly an hour of aerial and ground radio direction finding, no signal was acquired. It was later discovered that naval authorities had reported some hard landings earlier during the day. The mission closed without incident.

Three Kingsville CAP Cadets Awarded for Encampment Attendance

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Kingsville, Texas- Three Civil Air Patrol cadets from the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron’s (CC-CAP) Brahma Cadet Flight were awarded the U. S. Civil Air Patrol’s Encampment Ribbon for attending the 2007 Texas Wing Summer Encampment. The awards were presented to Cadet Airman Bryce Nix, Cadet Airman Michael Beal and Cadet Airman Basic Celeste Resendez at the Tuesday 10 July 2007 meeting of the Kingsville Cadet Flight at their CAP Station at Memorial Middle School.

The three cadets represented Kingsville and Corpus Christi to the body of CAP cadets gathered for this annual summer activity. This year’s encampment was held at Camp Maxey near Paris, Texas from 17-24 June 2007.

“An encampment can be the most significant and worthwhile training experience of a CAP cadet's membership,” said Major Phyllis Sutton, Director of Cadet Programs for the Texas Wing, “Encampments are memorable experiences that cadets will talk about and cherish the rest of their lives; plus cadets leave encampments motivated about Civil Air Patrol taking back to their units a plethora of knowledge and experience that can be shared and built upon.”

Such knowledge and skill is be vital to continued growth of the CAP Cadet program in South Texas.

“The effort to create a Civil Air Patrol Cadet unit in Kingsville is gaining momentum.” Said Major Joe Ely Carrales, CC-CAP Squadron Commander, “it is hoped that more cadets will join the unit over the next school year.”

The U.S. Civil Air Patrol builds strong citizens for the future by providing leadership training, technical education, scholarships and career education to young men and women, ages 12 to 21. The unit is made up of area youth. For the summer program, the Unit meets on Tuesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. in the portable building located behind Memorial Middle School. Interested potential cadets should contact Major Carrales at (361) 779-4739 or e-mail to jecarrales@yahoo.com.

Perspectives: Interviews with CAP Personalities

A Chat with Texas Wing Director of Training, Lt Col Brooks Cima, CAP

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

The Corpus Christi Comp Squadron presents an interview with Lt Col Brooks Cima, CAP, Texas Wing Director of Training, conducted 2 July 2007.

Once again greetings and welcome to this our second interview for Through the Air Over South Texas. I am your host, Major Joe Ely "Sparky" Carrales and in this Unit’s on going effort to inform and entertain, I am pleased to introduce Lt Col Brooks Cima to the members of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron.

I first spoke with Lt Col Cima over the telephone many years ago when some CAP Cadets were interested in attending a Wing Encampment. Lt Col Cima is legendary for her work with the CAP Cadet Program in the Texas Wing, so much so, that the powers that be have harnessed her talents for training.

So, let’s begin this interview with a simple question… Lt Col Cima, what is your position at Texas Wing as you see it and do you find this position presents similar or different challenges than your previous post in Cadet Programs?

“Similar to the early days in Cadet Programs - the basic information was there but it was being taught at the squadron and Group level in various interpretations. I believe my job is to make sure we are standardized in our training in order that we make the best, most efficient use of the training time our volunteers have to give this organization so that we can perform our missions as required by our customers.”

I concur; we should make every effort to insure that the quality of training in the Texas Wing is “uniform.” We can agree that Texas provides huge logistical challenges. That being said… What are some of your goals for Training in Texas Wing for 2007 & 2008?

“I want to provide training opportunities that will enable us to be better prepared for the missions that are coming our way. For example, Videography training to help with our photo missions, IT training to teach people how to upload photographs for our customers, CERT and ARC training for our ground team members and mission staff training so that we have the ability to deploy a number of well-trained mission base staffs should the need arise in a disaster.”

No doubt, we are in service to our State, and I feel these elements are places where we can all benefit. There is, therefore, much to do. How can we, in the Groups & Squadrons, best support you in your work?

“Attend the trainings at the Wing level, become trainers and take the information back to your squadrons and groups. Ask your members to be patient as we raise standards in order to make Texas Wing "excellent" in all areas of ES, pilot training and cadet training.”

Along these lines, recently, the Texas Wing has made several important changes to how training is conducted; namely, the new Skill Evaluator Trainer, or SET, procedure. Earlier this week, after a much anticipated waiting, you announced the latest “SET list.” How does this differ from the old set list of days past?

“SET was basically a quick quiz that could make anyone "qualified" to evaluate training. The Evaluator qualification is carefully given by the Wing Commander to individuals that have demonstrated excellence in their area of ES expertise.”

If I may be so bold, how was this list generated?

“The Wing Commander is so serious about raising standards that he personally checks every candidate sent up through the chain of command. I simply publish this list for him”

A very bold approach indeed on Col Smith’s part; what are some criteria for being considered for this list?

“qualifications, time in service in that area, missions performed.”

How often will this list be updated?

“Twice monthly for a while and then on the first of each month. Just a bit more about SET vs. Texas Wing Evaluator...

We are no longer using the SET list as published through OPs Quals. Our new TXWG Supplement to 60-3 takes away the duties of those with SET qualifications and hands them to individuals named as TXWG Evaluators. There is no new training for these folks to go through, they just need to send their request to be an evaluator through the chain of command and the Wing Commander determines if they are qualified."

I thank you, Lt Col Cima for addressing these questions. I am sure we will be being Lt Col Cima’s name more and more as members of our unit participate in the training she mentioned. As for the new “Set list,” it is available from CC-CAP squadron command on request. SEMPER VIGILANS!!!

Information on CAP Memorials

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP
SOUTH TEXAS – The U.S. Civil Air Patrol is about to celebrate its 66th year of existence. In that time many CAP Officers and even some Cadets have made sacrifices conducting the Missions of the Civil Air Patrol, many of them making the Ultimate sacrifice. Currently, a Memorial to the Civil Air Patrol is being organized and created for display at U.S. CAP National Headquarters.

Assistant National Historian Major. Jim Shaw, CAP announced on line on 2 July 2007 that he has finished the first panel of the Civil Air Patrol Memorial. The memorial will initially be housed at the NHQ Building. Afterwards it is to be moved outside to an area on the premises of Maxwell A.F.B. in Alabama. I think they want to see what it looks like before they commit to putting it on the base for public display.

The Five panels will describe:

Dedication - This is the panel that will be above the names of the people that have lost their lives.

Created With A Purpose - This panel has founding and charter information. Dates started, public law, first base, first patrol, first line of duty death.

Achieved Through Resolve - This panel will have a map of the United States with each of the original bases identified.

Proven In Time Of Need - This panel will have a picture of the plane dropping a bomb on a U-Boat. The Sub will be full length and the bomb will be era specific, as well as the plane.

Members - This panel will have current Missions For America and will list Operations, Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education with a graphical representation for each. It will also have the tag line "CAP provides 95% of the ....."

If you note the first letter of each of these panels you will see the Meaning of this pentagon shaped memorial.

Dedication - Dedicated

Created / People - Civil

Achieved in the Air & Ground -Air

Proven on Patrol - Patrol

Members current Missions - Members


The first letters of these panels will be "slightly" enlarged more than the others.” said Major Shaw, “The pentagon shaped frame is being built by a iron works company in Warner Robins and lead by Lt. Col. Todd Engelman. We are both working on this as well as my son a C/SSGT.

This memorial is being paid for by myself and Todd. The NB collected some money to support our work and had to approve it. ” While there are some individual memorials to members lost (including on at Arlington National Cemetery), this memorial will be different. The difference is that this one will have the members names listed on the memorial. After the panels are completed a process to verify all of the members killed in the line of duty and their names will be engraved on a brass name plaque and added to the memorial.

“If anyone would like to donate for this,” adds Major Shaw, “you are more than welcome to. Just send an e-mail to caphistorian@mchsi.com I will give you the address. We appreciate any and all help.”

STATE of the UNIT: Address

A Mid-Year Accounting of Goals and Accomplishments
By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

SOUTH TEXAS – It has been a fruitful year for the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron. No such report could begin without a note of thanks to all the CAP Officers and Cadets of Texas Wing Unit 026, for none of this is possible without us being a unit that works together.

The back page of this weekly CAP Almanac contains a section that outlines our goals. The senior staff at our Squadron Holiday Banquet and Christmas party skillfully crafted these goals back in December 2006. Having direction for a unit is important…a Civil Air Patrol unit cannot operate without structure. Gone are the days of simply meeting to haphazardly talk. I will always try to provide an agenda to insure we cover all that is necessary and provide the Unit with the ability to contribute to the key elements of CAP.

The first area addressed involved operational training. During the First and Second Quarters of this year the Unit was able to deploy to all DSARex and SARex activities including a Mission Base and USAF Evaluated SARex. We have been a bit slow on qualifying all our pilots, however, this is being addressed by Capt Joe Pendergrast and Capt Bazemore, the later of which is in the process of planning aviation training in the Coastal Bend.

On the “ground side” our unit added three UDF members to the roster. In addition to that, cadets in Kingsville and Corpus Christi are getting pre-qualification training and practice in Urban Radio Direction Finding. Progress has been slow on creating Ground Team 3 personnel, however, it is hoped that the opportunity will present itself in later quarters of the year.

Other activities that we have been able to participate include 1) Attendance of the 2007 Texas Wing Conference, 2) Attendance of the 2007 Winter Encampment (Cadets Villarreal and Lozano) & the 2007 Summer Encampment (Cadets Nix, Beal and Resendez), 3) Attendance of Cadet Advisory Activities (Cadet Lozano’s Attendance of the Cadet Advisory Council) and 4) more local activities such as the Beach-to-Bay Marathon and Memorial Day Activity at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Corpus Christi. We were not able to attend the Buc Day’s Illuminated Night Parade this year; I submit we should make it a goal for 2008.

In terms of Communications, 1st Lt Mike Garmon was able to discover the location of the local repeater; it has some issues…but we are in the process of addressing repeater operations. We also have gained full control of all our COMM equipment, repaired our UDF equipment and resolved a major issue involving an old matter. 1st Lt Mike Garmon has also conducted a Basic Communications User Training, or BCUT, in Corpus Christi. Additionally, Major Paul Treptow has been instructing Cadets in Kingsville.

Public Affairs was very strong during the First Quarter in that most printed material was reinforced with guest appearances on the Eric Von Wade Radio Program and The 1440 KEYS Morning Show of the station of the same name. During the Second Quarter the focus for Public Affairs shifted to the media around Kingsville, Texas, namely the Kingsville Record and Bishop News newspaper. The Unit’s Public Affairs program also has been augmented by the addition of SM Monica Lozano as assistant Public Affairs Officer.

The over all goals of the unit, to recruit and double our membership with 100% growth is coming along nicely. In this year, we have seen important CADET growth in Kingsville, Texas and impressive additions to our Aviation personnel.

Thanks to everyone!!! SEMPER VIGILANS!!!

Texas Wing Active in Flood Relief Efforts

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Texas Wing - The word came out on 27 June 2007 from Capt Martin Padilla, CAP, Texas Wing Emergency Service Officer and by 1 July the Texas Wing Civil Air Patrol continued to support the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management Critical, DEMC.

The ongoing locally Heavy Rain Event was forecast to and continued on into the weekend. The DEMC identified is priorities including, an effort to account for citizens in impacted counties & insure their safety, perform search and rescue as required, provide mass care support to impacted counties, support debris removal efforts and provide Damage Assessments as conditions allow.

“In response to this dangerous situation, said Capt Padilla, the State of Texas has pre-positioned State resources and equipment in strategic locations and continues to provide an immediate response to protect lives and property.”

As of 1 July 2007, Texas Civil Air Patrol aircraft provided photography over flights of flood areas including the Brazos River area of Parker County and the Possum Kingdom Lake area of Palo Pinto County.

In all the overall taskforce is made up of numerous organizations contributing resources and manpower toward the effort. This includes the Texas Military Forces, the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Commission on Environment Quality, Texas Cooperative Extension County Extension Agents, Department of State Health Services, and the American Red Cross.

Additionally, the US Coast Guard provided five H-65 helicopters, which were staged in Austin & San Antonio, and the Army Corps of Engineers provided real time reservoir statistics and release rates for downstream planning purposes.

The state remained in a stagnant weather pattern, between an area of high pressure over the four corners and another area of high pressure over the Southeast U.S. The area between these features provided a favorable air mass for thunderstorm development through the weekend.“Texas response preparations, continued Capt Padilla, “were put to work overnight with water rescues in Eastland, Burnet, Hood and Williamson Counties. These operations continued in other parts of the state. The Marble Falls area of Burnet County received 19 inches of rainfall in 8-10 hours including one burst of 8 inches in 1 hour.

For additional information regarding the current situation, please review the State SITREP at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/sitrepindex.htm

The Wing thanks all involved for their continued support and efforts.

CADET Morgun Bedynek Promoted to Cadet Airman

Kingsville, Texas— Cadet Airman Morgun Bedynek was promoted to that rank upon competition of this Cadet Physical Fitness Program on 19 June 2007. Cadet Bedynek is one of the original Brahma Cadets having joined the unit earlier this year at Memorial Middle School.

Cadet Bedynek serves as the unit’s Cadet Administrative officer maintaining forms and applications as well as assisting in tracking his fellow cadet’s progress. To be eligible for this promotion, cadets have to complete criteria in areas; Cadet Leadership, Moral Leadership, be attentive to Unit Activities and complete a physical fitness program.

Cadet Bedynek has participated in T-45 Goshawk Simulator Flights at NAS Kingsville and even worked crowd control at Corpus Christi’s Beach-to-Bay Marathon. He is currently going to the 9th Grade at H.M. King High School.

“Cadet Bedynek Is poised for great things in the Civil Air Patrol,” said Corpus Christi Squadron Commander Major Joe Ely Carrales.”

Perspectives: Interviews with CAP Personalities- Lt Estelle Kelly,CAP

A Chat with Group V Public Affairs Officer Lt Estelle Kelly, CAP
By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

The Corpus Christi Comp Squadron presents this interview with Lt Estelle Kelly, Group V Public Affair Officer, conducted Saturday 6 June 2007.

Greetings and Welcome one and all to the long anticipated Carrales-Kelly interview. I am your host, Major Joe Ely "Sparky" Carrales and this issue we have a riveting interview with someone I consider a very lovely person, our own Group V Public Affairs officer 1st Lt Estelle Kelly of sunny San Antonio, Texas.

We begin our interview by asking a very basic question… How long have you been in the Civil Air Patrol, Lt Kelly…

“I became an official member of the US Civil Air Patrol in 2005 with the Alamo Composite Squadron. However, I had participated unofficially behind the scenes with the St. John the Evangelist Catholic School Cadet Squadron. Ah, the lovely romantic days of Civil Air Patrol: When someone said there was a problem I had deniable plausibility!”

Very good. We all come to CAP for various reasons. For some it’s flying...for others its just a basic call for unique community service to our nation. Tell me...What attracted you to CAP?

“I came to Civil Air Patrol the Irish way-which is ‘round about and half backwards. A new teacher arrived at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School and she hit it off with the “younger” teachers. We all had a way of meeting for lunch and being the newest teachers in the school we wanted to make an impact with our obligation to facilitate an extracurricular school program. Her husband was in the Air Force and she obtained information on the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program. We loved it and ran a test year to see if it would be suitable for the middle school students. Col. Billman came in and guided the school program along the next year and it seemed to have legs. Intrigued, I wanted to do more than just facilitate a cadet program and was recommended to the Alamo Composite Squadron. Arrived a meeting one night, met Diane Wieman who pretty much told me I was staying and it stuck (I think I was to startled to say no!) We’ve been carrying on carrying on ever since !”

Yes, I can understand completely, providing opportunities for our youth is a worth effort. I’m curious, however...What attracted you to Public Affairs in the Civil Air Patrol?

“I have a natural love of writing and once did a stint with a local newspaper as an assistant for a photographer. It was something I always wanted to explore further and I was amazed that Civil Air Patrol gave me that opportunity.”

I have to admit, I too have a knack for writing and think journalism is “fierce cool!” So, the Alamo Composite Squadron was your first unit?

“I started out as the Alamo Composite Squadron Public Affairs Officer and a year ago, June 30, was promoted to Group V Public Affairs.”

I, for one, am glad to have you. What were your feeling and expressions when Lt Col Billman asked you to be the PAO for a Group that is larger than some Wings?

“I remember how Col. Billman asked me if “I was interested” and the next thing I knew I had an email saying it was confirmed! First thought: Why did the Irish half of me always run away with my mouth letting my brain follow afterwards? Though really I was pleased because I knew so many members who were doing so much and they needed to have their
work recognized.”

It is obvious that Lt Col Billman has lots of faith and trust in you. Clear “vision” is a hallmark of Group V’s programs and its Commander. What are your visions for Public Affairs in Group V?

“I have a picture of a pyramid in my head for Public Affairs. The first level has been getting the know the squadrons as they see themselves, as Col. Billman sees them and then as they are seen through the prism of Wing and Regional. The second level has been to provide some tools so that we can have public affairs officers working within each squadron. We now have a public affairs newsletter and very active members with in the group who provide wonderful material for Civil Air Patrol media outlets. We are working on the third level which is to create a Group V newsletter so that we can see ourselves as a whole. The next several layers deal more with Wing, Regional, and National HQ issues for public affairs. That is coming into play now so we will have a lot of information filtering down from the top and out into the public media. Eventually, I want to see information moving more easily from the squadrons on up and then we can further develop solid public affairs outreach.”

Outstanding! ...and we have seen lots of things happening in Group V, articles about US CAP and efforts of Squadron activities. If I may be so bold, in your opinion, What is the key to improving CAP generally all around in Group V?

“The biggest key is giving ourselves a whole picture of what we do. Once we can see ourselves as a whole it is easier to understand our great achievements and our needs. We can then network much easier to solve our needs and support our achievements.”

Yes, unity is a key in my opinion as well. Let’s, however, talk a little shop. What is, in your opinion, indicative of a unit with solid Public Affairs?

“Every unit, from the one with five cadets who attend an air show in their blues to the bigger units creating media publicity for themselves is a unit with solid public affairs. They are simply at different stages of public affairs capability. As the Group Public Affairs Officer I can facilitate in many ways such as offering ideas in newsletter or writing an article based on a conversation however, I it is essential that the squadrons are honored for who they are and to celebrate each stage of their squadron life."

...And your thoughts about the larger picture, Where do you think CAP as a whole will go with Public Affairs in the near Future?

“Public Affairs seems to be working both sides of Civil Air Patrol very well. For the Corporate part of Civil Air Patrol we are gearing up for a heavy marketing campaign. In the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary part of Civil Air Patrol we are developing mandates that will allow Public Affairs to operate more in line with the traditions of the U.S. Air Force.”

Excellent, and now for what will become our signature question, Who is the real 1st Lt Estelle Kelly?

“She is still a rather gangly 13 year old whose Great Aunt Bonnie used to take her out the little landing strip in Middletown, Rhode Island, and let her sit in the cockpit of an airplane that winged through the same air that held Amelia Earhart aloft. When she would drop me off she always wanted to see the little moon-lander that I was constructing for a school project. “They do it with spit, gum and a shoe string too!” she always said. “Brains, guts, and a wee bit of personality is all you need!” would always be her final remark. The real Lt. Estelle Kelly just hopes to emulate all three.”

I also asked Lt Kelly about her closest felt goals for the future, she said there are squadrons who have never had an article in Wings Over Texas and she wants them to be recognized. Her big project, however, is an upcoming Group V Newsletter. As far as real ambitions Lt Kelly sees training to serve on an emergency services mission as being the first steps to meeting her Aunt Bonnie’s qualifications. For the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron, I’m Major Joe Ely Carrales… SEMPER VIGILANS!!!

Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal Speaks to the Unit

Corpus Christi, TEXAS - It wasn’t the usual meeting on 5 June 2007, not only did the unit have training in UDF and begin to hammer out aviation issues, but the meeting began with a special guest. That guest was none other that Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal.

Judge Neal spoke to the unit about leadership, specifically, he aimed to reach the cadets of the unit.

Neal recounted his early days as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army and how he learned leadership from a WWII and Korean War veteran first sergeant. He stressed the importance of being a strong unit and how people work best when a strong leader has goals and acknowledges the contributions of those that serve under them.

Judge Neal also addressed some county issues and spoke of issues related to the political, economic and social needs of the area. He also praised CAP Officer and Cadet volunteers that make the organizations like CAP functional and viable.

Loyd Neal was first elected Mayor of the City of Corpus Christi in April 1997, and was re-elected for his fourth and final term in April 2003. Samuel L. Neal, Jr. (Loyd Neal), was elected Nueces County Judge in November 2006, taking office January 2nd, 2007. Loyd is the first Republican elected to this office in over 140 years.

UNIT TASTES VICTORY on TWO FRONTS

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS— It was a very successful weekend for the CC-CAP Squadron and its Brahma Cadet Flight. CAP Officers and cadets were able to “fight the good fight” for Civil Air Patrol on two fronts; one in one Corpus Christi’s biggest events of the and the other in a SAREVAL at Victoria.

BEACH to BAY in CORPUS CHRISTI
Weathermen predicated “scattered thundershowers” and the threat of other winds and rains for Armed Forces Day, 19 May 2007, however it was arguably one of the best days for Corpus Christi weather this century. All in all, a beautiful day for running along the Gulf of Mexico.

CAP Officers and Cadets were asked by the organizers of the 32nd Annual Beach to Bay Marathon to provide assistance to them guarding trophies and providing assistance to participants at the finish line.

There was an estimated 11,000 people gathered at Corpus Christi’s Cole Park along the shoreline. The Unit was deployed in two elements, 1) Minimum service dress clad cadets from Kingsville’s Brahma Cadet Flight to provide passive security and a presence on stage and 2) a BDU clad element at the finish line to assist distressed or dehydrated runners.

Also in attendance was 1st Lt Jerry Lunceford who ran a leg of the 26 mile marathon. In attendance were Major Joe Ely Carrales, Major Fidel Alvarado, 1st Jerry Lunceford, SM Monica Lozano, Cadet Airman First Class Philip Lozano, Cadet Airman Michael Beal, Cadet Airman Chelsie Skarda and Cadet Airman Basic Morgun Bedynek.

The unit began assembling at 0700 hrs in Kingsville and finally met at Cole Park at about 0800 hrs where Cadets and CAP Officers set up awards tables and began guarding the stage. Cadet Lozano and Major Alvarado were tasked to the finish line and runner began arriving around 0845 hrs.

Three tons of ice and four truckloads of water later, around 1200 hrs, the last runners entered the gate and awards were distributed. The Unit finished its duties and retired to the Whataburger on the Bay fast food restaurant for lunch. It was a very good day and cadets returned home looking forward to the next weeks O-Flights in Kingsville.

SAREVAL STAGING AREA in VICTORIA

Capt Dennis Bazemore and 2d Lt Mike Garmon attended the USAF Evaluated Search and Rescue Exercise in lieu of attending the Beach to Bay Activity. It had been agreed that the Unit would deploy on two fronts and those needing to complete mission work would be dispatched to Victoria to augment the Civil Air Patrol presence in the State wide activity.

2d Lt Mike Garmon Reports…”I participated in 2 sorties. The first was a transport mission to San Marcos. The second was a series of photo reconnaissance targets.”

“The plan,” 2d Lt Garmon Continues, “was to fly again after lunch and Capt Bazemore was to fly on that sortie; however, several of the Eval (USAF DIRECTIVES) tests on mission base slowed down the process and eventually we were bumping up against Capt Saddler's Duty day limitations.”

Garmon also reported that some of the tests on Mission base included an evacuation of the Mission base building, cell phone failure and relying on the use of the HF Comm Nets. Victoria had communication in the morning over the HF with Mission base, but in the afternoon, propagation is not as good and Victoria could not communicate with Houston. All these “real world” issues that effect CAP missions and to which solutions must be mitigated.

Corpus Christi and Brahma Flight cadets visit NAS Kingsville T-45 GOSHAWK SIMULATOR

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP
Squadron Commander, Public Affairs Officer
Corpus Christi Comp Squadron


Kingsville, Texas— It was late in the evening on Monday, 7 May 2007 and this reporter/Squadron Commander was seated before his computer typing when an e-mail electronically made it’s way into his inbox. It was from his Deputy Commander, Major Fidel Alvarado, the Project Officer for the once postponed NAS Kingsville Simulator activity. The original activity, slated for 24 April 2007, was postponed by the US NAVY due to increased training demands.

“Treat is as a go!” Major Alvarado wrote, “as per conversation 1800 hours with ... we meet at the Wild Horse [Crossing] Mall parking lot no later than 1715 hours. TOMORROW, TUESDAY AFTERNOON. MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BE PROMPT.” And so…

Nine CAP Officers and Cadets of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron and its Brahma Cadet Flight attended T-45 Goshawk flight simulator at Naval Air Station Kingsville near the city of the same name on 8 May 2007. CAP Auxiliarists practiced jet flight, aviation and even a landing on a “Navy Flat top.”

For some, the activity was their first “hands-on” aviation activity; for other more experienced CAP Officers, it was a chance to try some “fancy flying.” CAP Officers 1st Lt Jerry Lunceford and SM (Brevet Captain) Kelly Harlan took turns approaching and landing on the simulated Aircraft Carrier. Major Fidel Alvarado also took a turn.

Aside from the SENOR MEMBER antics, the primary experience was for the cadets. Each got a good initial 15 to 20 minute round in the simulator for instruction, then they each got a second “free lance” round to either try the carrier landing, formation flying or (as Cadet Bedynek proved by requesting missiles) anything they could think of that was within the realm of aviation physics.

The person chiefly responsible for the activity and the one who operated the simulator apparatus was none other than friend of the unit, Mr. Bert Alvarez. This is the fifth time that Mr. Alvarez has opened this opportunity to CAP cadets. It is sometimes a precarious situation in that the US NAVY can cancel anytime, including at the 59th second of the 11th hour. The unit is careful to respect the needs of our Nation's Navy for the continued defense of our country; plus, the Navy has always come through for the activity.

“We can try this again in s few months,” said Mr. Alvarez, “and feel free to invite cadets from neighboring units.”

This round was not open to proximate CAP units due to the scheduling requirements of the US NAVY that would have produced late arrivals on a school night for cadets of more than an hou drive. It is hoped that a “summer session” can be planned to accommodate cadets from Corpus Christi, Victoria, Kingsville and Brownsville.

“We have opened the activity to all units of Group V/Texas Wing in the past,” said Major Joe Ely Carrales/ Squadron Commander, “the last such event was documented in THE CAP VOLUNTEER and WINGS OVER TEXAS last year. We had a good group from Brownsville attend then led by 1st Lt Hector Galvan.”

As a milestone of another sort, this was the second official outing for Brahma Cadet Flight of Kingsville, the first being a field trip to Nueces Co Airport in Robstown, Texas. Members of this flight in attendance were, Cadet Airman Bryce Nix, the flight’s ranking cadet, Cadet Airman Chelsie Skarda, Cadet Airman Basic Morgun Bedynek and Cadet Airman Basic Emily Garcia. They were joined by the Squadron's Cadet Commander, Cadet Technical Sergent Christopher Villarreal. Cadet 1st Class Phillip Lozano, Cadet Airman Michael Beal and Cadet Airman Basic Celeste Resendez were unable to attend due to other commitments.

BRAHMA CADETS PROMOTED

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Kingsville, TEXAS— Cadet Bryce Nix and Cadet Michael Beal of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) were officially promoted to the rank of Cadet Airman (C/Amn) on 16 April 2007 and 17 April 2007 respectively upon meeting the criteria for the Major General John F. Curry Award.

These represent the first promotions for what has been dubbed “the Kingsville Effort” as the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron expands the missions of the Civil Air Patrol into Kleberg and Southern Nueces County.

To attain the Major General John F. Curry Award, Civil Air Patrol cadets must complete a four part training including; study of the first Chapter of the Cadet Leadership Program, a study in Moral Leadership, a Physical fitness test and regular and outstanding attendance of Squadron Activities in support of CAP’s misisons.

This achievement opens the door for cadets to continue their LEADERSHIP training for further advancement in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program as well as to begin training in the EMERGENCY SERVICES mission of the Civil Air Patrol.

“Once Cadets earn the Curry Achievement” said Major Joe Ely Carrales Corpus Christi Composite Squadron Commander, “then they actually apply those lessons in leadership as members in fields ranging from communications to emergency services in support of saving lives. That is, if that is the course they choose.”

The first official meeting of the Brahma Cadet Flight of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron was held on Thursday 22 March 2007 at Memorial Middle School in Kingsville, Texas. The effort is backed by Memorial Middle School Principal Roel Gonzalez and is being administered by 8th Grade American History Teacher Major Joe Ely Carrales.

The Civil Air Patrol performs three main missions -- emergency services, aerospace education and cadet training. CAP's emergency services include air and ground search and rescue, disaster relief, counterdrug, and an increasing role in homeland security. Its members fly more than 95 percent of the inland search and rescue missions directed by the Air Force Rescue and Coordination Center. Adults aged 18 and above may join the CAP Officer Program.

Students age 12-21 may join the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program where they learn leadership & citizenship along with aerospace education and participation in Emergency Services.

5 Attend the 2007 Texas Wing Conference

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Austin, Texas— Five members of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron attended the 2007 Texas Wing Conference at the Former Bergstrom “Donut” in Austin, Texas on 13-15 August 2007. Major Joe Ely Carrales, 1st Lt Sandy Phelps, 1st Lt John Hoelscher, SM Monica Lozano and Cadet Airman Phillip Lozano represented the CC-CAP unit and Group V to the larger Wing.

The Conference was attended by CAP National Commander Major General Antonio “Tony” Pineda, Southwest Region Commander Col Reggie Chitwood and Texas Wing Commander Frank Eldridge. Also in attendance was Col Joe Smith, a former USAF Senior Officer, Oklahoma Wing Commander and long time CAP Officer. They were in attendance of the Texas Wing Change of Command where Col Eldridge turned command of the Texas Wing to Col Smith.

CAP Officers from Corpus Christi arrived Friday Afternoon and participated in the workshop section of the Conference held primarily on Saturday.

“Attending the Wing Conference,” said Major Joe Ely Carrales Unit Commander and attendee, “ was one of our MAJOR goals for 2007. If we are to be a successful organization we must come to know all our people...our brother and sister CAP Airmen throughout the Wing.”

The day began with the General Session where Lt Col Max Hays served as Master of Ceremonies introducing the dignitaries from National, Region and Wing. The Colors were posted by the Competition Color Guard of the Pegasus Composite Squadron.

Each commander gave a speech highlighting their unit’s goals. Colonel Chitwood discussed activities slated for the near future alluding to more inter-Wing activities and even Southwest Region members attending Wing and local functions. Col Eldridge thanked the Wing and his Staff for a fruitful and outstanding administration.

Of extreme significance were the comments of the Major General. The subjects discussed were UNIFORMS, REMOVING "USAF AUX" OFF UNIFORMS/PLANES, MEMBERSHIP, PROMOTIONS, the NEW FLYING MISSION and the change to “U.S. Civil Air Patrol.” These will be covered in detail in the next issue of this almanac.

During the General Assembly several awards were given out including a Meritorious Service Award to Major Sean Crandall, Squadron Commander of Brownsville, for his service to the Wing by conducting the 2005 Texas Wing Conference in Corpus Christi. That year, the YEAR OF THE HURRICANES, saw the Conference moved again and again until it finally took place in November.

Major Joe Ely Carrales was presented with an Award for being the 2006 Southwest Region Public Affairs Officer of the Year. Major Juan Arredondo of Brownsville was awarded the Cadet Programs Officer of the Year Award for the Texas Wing.

From there the Texas Wing Conference attendees broke off into their various sessions. Corpus Christi was represented in nearly every subject. Major Carrales attended a Public Affairs session conducted by WING PAO Major Dana Gray. 1st Lt John Hoelscher attended the Aircraft maintenance session that described the new Consolidated Maintenance Program and listened as Major General Pineda addressed concerns. Additionally, Lt Hoelscher attended the Aerospace Education session conducted by Major Bjorn Sundet.

1st Lt Sandy Phelps visited various Communications lectures and some items on Cadet Programs. SM Monica Lozano, the unit’s newest member, got a good impression of CAP.
The highlight of the evening was the Change of Command at the Banquet latter that evening. Colonel Eldridge passed the baton to Colonel Smith in a sincere ceremony, thus bridging the successes of the last three years to events yet to take place.

Sunday, Cadet Phillip Lozano represented his unit at the Cadet Advisory Council, a first for the unit in NINE YEARS!!!

All in all, the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron greatly benefited from the experience and we look forward to making the rest of the year a success.

Assorted Wing Conference Photos...

The Brownsville Comp Squadron with Major General Antonio Pineda, CAP National Commander.

Lt Col Billman, Commander of Group V, and Major Joe Ely Carrales, at the Awards Lunch.

Major Joe Ely Carrales and Major General Antonio Pineda at the Banquet

Major Sean Crandall and Major Juan Arredondo watch the proceedings of the Texas Wing Cadet Advisory Council.

BRAHMA CADET FLIGHT TAKES FIELD TRIP TO NUECES

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

ROBSTOWN, TEXAS— Four Cadets and two CAP Officers from the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron’s Brahma Cadet Flight took a planned field trip to Nueces County Airport in Robstown, Texas to have a lesson on aviation and aircraft on Thursday 5 April 2007.

“It was a nice evening trip,” said Major Joe Ely Carrales, squadron commander and CAP Officer leading the activitiesin Kingsville, “I’m glad the cadets enjoyed themselves and learned a great deal about the aircraft.”

Cadets commenced their usual Thursday meeting at Memorial Middle School going over information on the Cadet Program, the Texas Wing Summer Encampment and uniform issues. This meeting, however, ended with a field trip.

1st Lt John D Hoelscher, Personnel Officer and aviator in the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron, conducted some simple instruction on aviation and discussed parts/components of the Aircraft. Cadets were allowed to sit in an aircraft and examine how controls and instruments were configured.

A brief review of aerospace education including Bernoulli’s Principle, air pressure and lift prompted questions from Cadets on how these concepts were applied in flight. Also discussed, but to a lesser degree, were principles of navigation and weather.

“The cadets look forward to Orientation Flights to be planned for a future date,” Major Carrales continued, “this is a mere taste of CAP aviation potential in our area and I look forward to the looks on their faces the first time a CAP aircraft is made available to them for such rides.”

The Kingsville Cadet Flight is in its second official week of existence. The Flight is an element of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron and is garrisoned out of Memorial Middle School in Kingsville, Texas. The flight is currently made up of four cadets and is slated to add one more whose application is in to National Headquarters at Maxwell A.F.B. in Alabama.

Initial projects for the unit will be to uniform every cadet, commence a model rocketry program and insure a solid implementation of the CAP Cadet Program as well as growth. SEMPER VIGILANS

Kingsville Cadets Begin Training

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Kingsville, Texas— Cadets of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron’s latest project, the BRAHMA CADET FLIGHT, in Kingsville, Texas began training its first elements of its cadet program at Memorial Middle School in Kingsville, Texas. Major J.E. Carrales has been an employee of that facility for 9 years and recently took the plunge to form a unit there. Initial exploratory meetings seemed favorable for the formation of a small unit.

“To date four have joined,” said Major Carrales Corpus Christi Squadron Commander, “I’m holding out for about six if all goes well.”

Cadets began study of their materials and Major Carrales began the process of locating, collecting and issuing uniforms. These will be in place until the cadets can obtain a uniform via the FREE UNIFORM PROGRAM from AAFES. Additionally, Lt Col Eddy Billman of Group V is slated to provide additional support in the way of uniforms.

The First Official meeting was documented in this Almanac’s last issue (26 March 2006) where cadets were instructed in an initial Leadership Lesson based on Chapter 1 of the Leadership curriculum and brainstormed activities for April and May.

On Tuesday 29 March 2007 cadets practiced Drill and Ceremonies and had a moral leadership forum based on the“GROUND SCHOOL” materials and will continue this at upcoming meetings by making a “Flight Log Book” to record their entries as per the CAP Core Values

Meetings will be on Tuesdays from 1605-1700 hrs and Thursdays from 1605-1930.

1st Lt Jerry Lunceford receives Yeager Aerospace Award

CC-CAP Officer in the Spotlight

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Corpus Christi, Texas- 1st Lt Jerry Lunceford, CAP recently received the Gen. Chuck Yeager Aerospace Education Award for completing the Aerospace Education Program for Senior Members effective immediately. This qualifies 1st Lt Lunceford for wear of the Yeager Award ribbon.

Lunceford earned the award on 14 February 2007 upon completion of the aerospace exam.

1st Lt Lunceford is currently the unit’s only rated Mission Pilot and, thus, is effectively the leader of the unit’s Alpha Flight. Lunceford served as the Mission Pilot for three sorties flown in February 2007 at Victoria during the DSARex of that month.

Joining CAP in May 2000, Lunceford is one of the unit’s “legacy” Officers and brings with him the experience of CAP past and present. He serves currently as the unit’s Safety Officer.

Lt Lunceford’s wife, Deborah, was able to “WING” he husband at the Unit’s Squadron Holiday Banquet on December. Mrs. Lunceford also serves as a liaison between the Squadron and the BEACH-TO-BAY marathon that is held in Corpus Christi. Cadets and Officers from the Unit will offer their services to said activity to be held on 19 May 2007.

Lunceford is, At the typing of this article, in an Emergency Medical Tech School for the rest of March and will not be available until later in the month. This is a requirement of his job, of which I will withhold due to OPSEC guidelines. Please join me in congratulating this fine CAP Officer.

CC-CAP Unit Obtains CAP Flag

The Corpus Christi Comp Squadron obtained the Colors of the Civil Air Patrol on Tuesday 20 February 2007. This is a good morale move as we account for all our programs going into the middle of the First Quarter.

This flag, as well as the unit's guidon will accompany the unit to various CAP activities. This is also an initial step in making the unit's cadet color guard a reality. Funds are being saved to purchase a Unit Flag.

One existed already and was in use as late as 2002, but this flag cannot be found at this time.

Civil Air Patrol Aircrew Excels- Victoria Staging Area 17 February 2007

Civil Air Patrol Aircrew Excels

CAP Officers from the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron’s Aircrew participated in a Statewide Search and Rescue Exercise on Saturday 17 February 2007. The unit deployed en masse to the Victoria Staging Area of that greater mission. This was an historical event of in that he first Aircrew sorties flown completely by CC-CAP personnel took place

In all, the Staging Area was assigned to fly three missions and each of these missions was totally manned by aircrew from Corpus Christi.

The first and second sorties were route searches between Victoria and San Antonio. Additionally, the aircrew was to transport a second aircraft back to Victoria requiring, a crew change of sorts. These sorties were flown by 1st Lt Jerry Lunceford as Mission Pilot with 2d Lt Mike Garmon as Mission Observer (trainee) and Capt Joe Pendergrast as Mission Scanner/ Skills evaluator for 2d Lt Garmon.

The Second sortie later that day was flown by 1st Lt Lunceford as Mission Pilot/ Skills Evaluator with 2nd Lt John Hoelscher as Mission Observer (trainee) and Major Joe Ely Carrales as Mission Scanner trainee.

Also extremely significant is the training that was accomplished in the field of communications. 1st Lt Sandy Phelps, 2d Lt Mike Garmon and Cadet Christopher Villarreal received training in and are pending approval for qualification as Mission Radio Operators.

The continued proficiency of aircrew demonstrates that the unit can deploy air resources if called upon,” said Major Joe Ely Carrales, the unit’s commander, “This training is a key step in making CC-CAP a future staging area.”

Officers in attendance were Major Joe Ely Carrales, Capt Joe Pendergrast, 1st Lt Jerry. Lunceford, 1st Lt Sandy Phelps, 1st Lt John Hoelscher, and 2d Lt Mike Garmon. Cadet C. M. Villarreal was also in attendance.

Falfurrias Facts runs Article about the Unit

The Falfurrias Facts, long time local news paper of the Los Olmos region of South Texas, ran a photo caption about the activities of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron...(of all the available photo options they always pic the one of me "looking at a map," a generic shot of me I stage at every SARex as a gag.

Attached is a scan of that pic... that ran in the 25 January 2007 edition, Vol. 101, No 45.

Corpus Christi Civil Air Patrol Honors Dignitaries

Its a hot day for Visitors in the old UNIT!
By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP
Squadron Commander
Corpus Christi Comp Squadron

The Corpus Christi Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol(CAP) honored two local dignitaries, Nueces County Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Cazalas and Preparedness & Response Director for the Coastal Bend Chapter of the American Red Cross Nevada J Linford on 6 February 2007 for their continued support and cooperation in helping revitalize the unit’s Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and Cadet Programs.

“We are fortunate indeed,” said Squadron Commander Major Joe Ely Carrales, “Yes, fortunate indeed to be working and associated with persons like Commissioner Cazalas and Director Linford.”

In 2003, Commissioner Cazalas championed a motion to grant the use of a hanger at Nueces Co. Airport for use in Civil Air Patrol Emergency Service and Cadet Programs. This has proved to be a boon to the unit’s capabilities and has allowed the unit to operate its missions in Nueces County. Last year, Director Linford of the Red Cross worked closely with the unit to provide training in shelter management, disaster assessment and First Aid the unit’s first wave of new CAP Officers.

“There will be continued cooperation with the Red Cross,” explained Major Carrales, “the heart of the volunteer is a strong one and we will be united to meet the needs of Nueces County and South Texas.”

Corpus Christi Comp Squadron Shield

This is the current symbol of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. At a date to be named later we will conduct a contest to design a more South Texas design that reflects Corpus Christi and the Coastal bend.

Symbolism is very significant and it is important to me that we have a unit emblem that reflects our locale and allows us to take ownership of our Unit.

Currently, our shield reflects several important CAP principles. 1. the blue background representing our ties with the Mother Service, the US Air Force. 2) The Winged "Lone Star" reflecting the symbolism of the Texas Wing. 3) The Red Tri-Prop in a white triangle reflecting our Civil Defense origins in the Second World War. 4) The letter "CAP" to clearly identify our three missions to those that we serve.

John Hoelscher Promoted to 1st Lt

John Hoelscher Promoted to 1st Lt
By Major Joe Ely Carrales

Corpus Christi, Texas— 1st Lt John D. Hoelscher was promoted to that rank effective 6 February 2007 by order of Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP after completing the necessary criteria and meeting a 12 month time-in-grade period as a 2d Lt.
1st Lt Hoelscher currently serves as our unit’s Personnel and Testing Officer and is a qualified Mission Scanner and Urban Direction Finding Team member. He began his CAP service in the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron on 3 January 2006 and received a Mission Related promotion to 2d Lt based on his credentials as a private pilot.

“Lt Hoelscher has been a faithful CAP Officer,” says Major Joe Ely Carrales, Squadron Commander, “who is dedicated to the goals of CAP and the well being of his unit.”

1st Lt Hoelscher is a citizen of Bishop, Texas and currently is employed as a Computer Technician at the simulators at NAS KINGSVILLE. He also participated in first DSAR staging area Corpus Christi operated early in 2006 at Nueces County Airport in Robstown, Texas.

Welcome to the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron!

My name is Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP and I am the Squadron Commander, and Public Affairs Officers, of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. This is a blog I have started to keep people informed of the latest events of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron and Civil Air Patrol in South Texas.

Major Carrales