Five CC-CAP Officers receive Award for Hurricane Ike Service

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Corpus Christi, Texas— Five CAP Officers were honored on Tuesday 10 March 2009 for their service last September in support of the disaster relief operations for Hurricane Ike.Lt Col John Barfoot, Lt Col Rene Velazquez, Major Joe Ely Carrales, 1st Lt Mike Garmon and 2d Lt Bill Barnes were presented a Civil Air Patrol Disaster Relief Ribbon with “V” Device.

This marks the first time in the recent history of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron that the unit has had the operational acumen to deploy in support of a Major disaster relief operation. Each of the above officers did their best for various parts of the deployment. Lt Col Barfoot and Lt Col Velazquez were active at the mission base When it moved into the effected area of West Houston. Major Carrales and 2d Lt Barnes were active during the Stinson Phase of the operation, the initial Air Operations run out of San Antonio. 1st Lt Garmon was instrumental in a communications exercise that was run out of CAP Station Corpus Christi involving the monitoring of the general evacuation of hospitals and other care facilities as the storm approached.

The Disaster Relief Ribbon with “V” Device. may be awarded to any CAP member who participates in a disaster relief effort for a Presidential declared disaster. Participation must be verified by the on-scene commander. Participation in any Presidential declared disaster since 1990 qualifies. Cadet Bryce A. Nix also participated in the preliminary COMM Exercise but was not included on the award Personnel Action. A CAPF 2a has been filled out and is “in channels.” We are looking forward to writing an article on said award.

EGG HUNTING with LAND NAV

by Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

KINGSVILLE, TEXAS— Cadets of the Brahma Cadet Flight had an opportunity to learn and apply a new skill last week.

C/CMSgt Bryce Nix, who attended the Texas Wing Ground School at Brownsville this past winter, applied the skill he learned in Land Navigation using the compass, both lensatic and SILVA. This was on Tuesday, 10 March 2009.
On the subsequent Wednesday, Major Joe Ely Carrales and Cadet Nix spent the afternoon pacing and developing compass bearings in the immediate area of Memorial Middle School. That day was hot and dry, unlike Thursday which (thanks to a cold front) was rainy, wet and (for South Texas) cold.
Two flights pursued two “routes,” using the compass bearings to find Easter eggs that contained clues and more headings for the teams to follow. Cadets Rose and Silguero made up on team and Cadets Mixon and Johnson made up the other. It was a good day.

Proficiency Flying HELPS CC-CAP

It wasn't too long ago that we were all asking, "Why don't we have an aircraft?" Now, our hangar is no longer empty and it is up to us to use that aircraft.

Remember, P-Flying helps CC-CAP in more ways than one. It makes our aviators better pilots. It serves to polish our aircrew skills. It allows us to show that our pilots are GO GETTERS.

We have lots of activity coming up in 2009.

1) FIRE WATCH 2009- 1st Lt Estelle Kelly, Group V Public Affairs Officer relayed this message:

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has activated state resources to combat wildfires in Central Texas. These resources include four Texas Military Forces Blackhawk helicopters equipped to drop water and fire retardant, Texas Forest Service fire fighters and contract aircraft and heavy equipment. A cold front sweeping through the state late Friday and Saturday increased the wildfire threat with high winds and low humidity.

“Wildfires burning in Central Texas have destroyed homes and property over the weekend, but fortunately there have been no reports of lives lost,” Gov. Rick Perry said. “The state is assisting in battling this threat and will continue to provide necessary resources to protect our communities. I urge all Texans to use extreme care in outdoor activities, to be aware of burn bans in their counties, and to take precautions to protect their homes and property,”

Since Jan. 1, 2009, 3,685 wildfires have burned 118,061 acres of land across the state. These fires have threatened 1,763 homes, firefighters have saved 1,630 homes, and 57 homes were lost.

The most significant damage occurred over the weekend in Bastrop County. These damages include 25 homes destroyed and 1,000 acres burned. The fire is20burning in heavy terrain, hampering firefighting efforts.

State agencies, including the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Forest Service and Texas Military Forces, are responding to fires across the state. Local and volunteer fire departments are providing vital firefighting personnel and resources to combat these wildfires. Volunteer organizations are also providing assistance and support for residents as needed.
As of Friday, 201 counties were threatened by wildfire conditions where local leaders have issued burn bans, which prohibit all types of outdoor burning.

(http://tfsfrp.tamu.edu/wildfires/decban.png)

Last week the governor renewed the state disaster proclamation for counties threatened by wildfire conditions. He also sent a letter to the president requesting direct federal assistance to fund statewide efforts to combat the wildfire threat.

2) Hurricane SEASON 2009. This year we will have an Aircraft, we will need Mission Pilots and Aircrew to deploy. It will mean a lot of flying. The time to qualify is NOW!!!