Applied Knots for the Field

Kinsgville, Texas- Cadets from the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron did a really good job executing their objectives on 31 March 2011 by showing mastery of several knots and the use of ropes to erect a flag pole.  New flight assignments provided a different mix and dynamic for the activities.

"It is key that we instill a certain level of team work," said Major J.E. Carrales, "the new assignments have had their 'settling in' issues, however, I think the new element leaders can rise to the occasion.  Each flight completed their assignment in a safe manner."

The activity was the culmination of most learned materials presented over the course of March 2011.  This included the introduction of ropes and knots.

"Weather, especially the heat of the sun, "continued Major Carrales, "can be disorientating and extremely dangerous...these skills taught of today will allow the set up of tarps and other shelters.  These skills will also translate to their lives in fastening luggage payloads and such.

Each flight was given the necessary equipment (tent states, ample rope, a collapsing table and other incidentals) and a location.  They were encouraged to set up a flag pole and a collapsing table.  The prior lessons on making some of the knots came in very useful and each unit accomplished their goals.

Bravo Flight establishes its base camp.  Pictured from left to right: Cadets Del Valle, Canales, Alcantara, Ziyad, Cardec (kneeling) Gonzalez, Salazar and Jimenez.

Alpha Flight's base camp, Pictured from left to right: Cadets Adame, Stillwagon, Vela, Scudder and Delapaz

 From these opening activities, the seeds of camp out activities will be planted.  The next step will be to try to set up a COMM TOWER and a tarp. 

"One lesson here not immediately obvious is that it 'feels good' to know things and apply them." finished up Major Carrales,  "Knowledge of knots had to be genuine.  So many students cheat and fail to learn in the school setting...things robs them of the 'high' once can get from taking pride in a job well done.  Here, knowledge of knot making and team work solidifies the good job."

Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron Awards-March 2011

Awards and promotions for March 2011 will be posted on this post.   Please, check back for updates until listed as "finalized."

Starting on 31 March 2011, a competition between ALPHA and BRAVO flight will commence.  One will be designated "Flight of the Week," the Flight achieving the designation the most times in three weeks will be designated "Flight of the Month" for April 2011.

Promotions:

C/SrA S. Jimenez to C/SSgt
C/A1C J. Vela, Jr. to C/SrA
C/A1C R. Alcantara to C/SrA
C/Amn K. Scudder to C/A1C
C/Amn A. Ziyad to C/A1C
C/AB A. Canales to C/Amn

Individual Awards/Achievements:

Wright Bros Award:
C/SrA S. Jimenez

Feik Achievement:
C/A1C J. Vela
C/A1C R. Alcantara

Arnold Achievement:
C/Amn K. Scudder
C/Amn A. Ziyad

Curry Achievements:
C/AB A. Canales

Recruiter's Ribbon:
C/A1C Juan Vela, Jr.

Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron Cadets Fly

Robstown, Texas- C/A1C Robert Alcantara and C/A1C Juan M. Cardec, both Civil Air Patrol cadets from Memorial Middle School, participated in the first Cadet Orientation flights of Spring 2011 launched from Nueces Co. Airport near Robstown, Texas.  Their Orientation Pilot, 1st Lt Mike Ward of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron, provided some initial instruction and moral support as they took their first steps into the air.

"We do our best to introduce our cadets to the knowledge and science of flying," said Major J.E. Carrales, Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron Commander, "Aerospace Education is on of the three main missions of the Civil Air Patrol."

The cadets were ferried by Major Carrales to Nueces Co Airport immediately after school.

"The weather was an issue," continued Major Carrales, "a round of O-Flights scheduled for this past Monday was scrubbed due to poor weather and visibility conditions.  Those flights are to be attempted again in early April."

(Above: Cadets Alcantara and Cardec examine a sample of AvGas from "Charlie Papa's" wing tanks for water and other impurities)

Major Carrales indicated that C/A1C Juan Vela, Jr and C/Amn A.R. Delapaz, who were slated to fly would get some time at the first available window of opportunity.

The flights consisted of basic familiarization with aircraft operations under normal conditions.  Additionally, the aviators, under the tutelage of 1st Lt Mike Ward, traveled via air to Kleberg Co. Airport.

Flight Assignments for the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron

PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATION 29 MAR 2011

The following document serves to outline the cadet command structure of the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron. To support the idea of cadet leadership and serve as a true “leadership lab” cadets will fill leadership roles as element leaders, assistant element leaders and limited command responsibilities supervised by the unit’s command. (Note: shows only currently active CAP Cadets.)

ALPHA FLIGHT- “Bravo for Alpha”

C/SrA Magdaleno Adame- ACTING FLIGHT SGT

C/Amn A. R. Delapaz- Element Leader

C/A1C K. Scudder-Assistant Element Leader

C/A1C J. Quintanilla- Element Member

C/Amn J. Stillwagon- Element Member

C/AB T. M Spratlin- Element Member

C/SrA J. Vela, Jr.- ASSIGNED SPECIAL ADVISER

BRAVO FLIGHT- “Bravery at its Finest”

C/SSgt S. Jimenez, CAP- FLIGHT SGT
C/A1C J. Cardec- Element Leader

C/Amn A. Canales- Assistant Element Leader

C/A1C A. Ziyad- Element Member

C/AB D. Salazar- Element Member

C/AB R. Gonzalez- Element Member
C/AB S. Del Valle- Element Member

C/Sra Robert Alcantara-ASSIGNED SPECIAL ADVISER 

COASTAL BEND CADET SQD MEETING AGENDA 31 MARCH 2011

"The mark of a solid cadet is not in pushing people around when one gets a promotion or finding things wrong in the newest members; but lies in living the CAP CORE VALUES in their daily lives.  That they become people of integrity who value volunteer service to the community to a high degree of excellence and that they respect themselves and others."

                                      -Maj Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

OPENING CEREMONIES:

ADMIN: PAPERWORK FOR TRIP TO CORPUS CHRISTI COMP MEETING on 5 APRIL

SAFETY- PLAYING SAFE in the OUTDOORS, REVIEW OF ORM

DRILL & MARCHING PRACTICE:  INTRODUCE COLOR GUARD ELEMENT, DISCUSS PENDING COLOR GUARD ACTIVITY for HOOKS GAME.  This activity is going to be a Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron activity, our unit is being given the lead.

FIELD ACTIVITY:  APPLIED KNOTS and ROPES COURSE, Possible ELT SEARCH\\

DISMISS

COASTAL BEND CADET SQUADRON MEETING CANCELED FOR 29 MARCH 2011

Due to a conflict with the Memorial Middle School Band resulting in many a cadet absence for preparation for the activity, there will be no regular meeting of the Squadron at MMS.

First Round of Cadet O-Flights Postponed until 4 April 2011

Robstown, Texas- Cadets were disappointed as the clouds and haze rolled into South Texas and forced the canceling of O-Flights.
"We have something called ORM," began 1st Lt Mike Ward CC-CAP orientation pilot while instructing cadets, "we have to identify, assess and do something about those risks."

Cadets J. Vela and A.R. Delapaz, instead, were given a "ground school" like instuction practicing pre-flight checklists and becoming familiar with controls and instruments. While the weather is expected to improve only slightly, it is hoped that the second round of O-flights can go ahead on WEDNESDAY.

Then Cadets Cardec and Alcantara are slated to fly. "We will go ahead and run it as if its a go," said Major Joe Ely Carrales, "if we cannot fly due to poor weather, we will run ground school again."

"Roping in ES Training and Leadership"

Kingsville, Texas- Cadets from the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron are currently learning a few things about ropes and knots. Each cadet is given a small stretch of rope to practice several key knots...1) the square knot, 2) a double half hitch, 3) clove hitch and 4) timber hitch. It is hoped that these, when mastered, can be used to make lashings for "in the field" COMM towers, setting up tarps and making shelters out of shelter halves.

The ideas and skills came, originally, from 2d Lt Terry Bru who served as the Deputy Commander for Cadets last year when the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron charted as a VENTURE CREW. The idea was to incorporate the outdoor activities to facilitate CAP ES functions. Thanks very much to 2d Lt Bru!

In addition, the rope and knot activities tend to demonstrate some of the Charter Development lessons. The ropes, which represent the cadets, can be spliced together with square knots...much like the unit is spliced together through fellowship and camaraderie united in the purpose of a mission.

To demonstrate the nature of said camaraderie, as well as solidify the lessons on knot making, a "tug of war" was held using the knots and ropes tied by the cadets. If each knot (if which there will be more later) is tied confidentially and correctly...it will hold. If not, then the line will lose it cohesion. The integrity (internal strength) of the rope will come from the action of tying the rope properly. Also, each segment of rope must be able to stand "on its own." A faulty rope, which lacks integrity, can cause the line to break. Demonstrating how all cadets in the unit must strive to be persons of integrity.

All in all, it was fun... one knot did loosen (improperly tied...one lesson learned) and one section of rope did snap (another lesson learned).

Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron: O-FLIGHT SCHEDULE

THE FOLLOWING CBC-CAP CADETS ARE AUTHORIZED FOR CADET O-FLIGHTS DURING THE WEEK OF 28 MARCH-1 APRIL 2011. ORIENTATION PILOT WILL BE 1st Lt MIKE WARD of the CORPUS CHRISTI COMP SQUADRON. O-FLIGHTS WILL BE CONDUCTED AT NUECES COUNTY AIRPORT in ROBSTOWN, TEXAS AFTER SCHOOL DURING THE LIGHT PROVIDED BY THE RECENT TIME CHANGE.

ALL CADETS SLATED TO FLY ARE TO BRING OR WEAR THEIR UNIFORM TO SCHOOL TO FACILITE IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE AT 1610L hrs. FAILURE TO LEAVE IN A TIMELY FASHION WILL CUT INTO THE AVAILABLE DAY LIGHT AND MIGHT MEAN LESS TIME IN THE AIR.

MONDAY, 28 MARCH 2011-POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER, TO TAKE PLACE ON 4 APRIL 2011.
C/A1C Juan Vela, Jr
C/Amn A.R. Delapaz
WEDNESDAY, 30 MARCH 2011- ACCOMPLISHED- SUCCESSFULLY FLOWN
C/A1C Robert Alcantara
C/A1C Juan Cardec

March 2011: Historical Notes

Overall Goals for March and April 2011:
*Improve Marching for Buc Day's Parade
*Practice Passive Security detail
* Learn necessary knots for setting up 1) Tarps, 2) Tents and 3) to Construct a COMM tower,


March 2011 proved to be a very successful month for the unit. Aside from ending the training cycle and integrating CHARLIE flight into ALPHA and BRAVO, resulting in two strengthened FLIGHTS, on 28 March 2011 Cadet O-Flights were scheduled. When that day came, however, the low ceiling and other foul weather issues caused them to be canceled. CADETS VELA and DELAPAZ had their flight POSTPONED TO 4 APRIL 2011.   They were instead given some "ground school" by 1st Lt Mike Ward.

A conflict with the Memorial Middle School band resulted in the Tuesday 29 March 2011 meeting being CANCELED. This was appropriate since a good many cadets would have been absent.

On a high note, the 30 Cadet O-FLIGHTS of Wednesday, 30March 2011 were able to go forth. CADETS ALCANTARA and CARDEC were flown by1st Lt Mike Ward.

An end of month SAFETY MEETING took place on 31 March,cadets practiced some Emergency Services training by setting up some rudimentary field camps.  The knowledge and skills on knots and ropes was put to good use.

Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron stoked about working with Corpus Christi Comp Squadron Cadets.

Corpus Christi, Texas- Cadets from the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron traveled to the Corpus Christi International Airport on 22 March 2011 to join their brother and sister airmen in inter-squadron fellowship and to begin the initial planning for several major upcoming events.

"We all had a great time," said Major Joe Ely Carrales, Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron Commander, "it is always a good thing to meet with our fellow CAP members."

C/A1C Juan Vela, Jr, C/A1C Juan Cardec and C/A1C Robert Alcantara accompanied Maj. Carrales directly after the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron meeting in Kingsville, Texas. Each later recounted the "adventure" of the trip and activities. Among these are the fact former President George W. Bush was scheduled to arrive for a speaking engagement in Corpus Christi, the fact that Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron cadets met and worked with cadets from another unit for the first time and the excitement of attending a CAP meeting at an international airport.

On the way home, the cadets indicated that they were impressed with Capt Nelson Guadalupe, SM K. Ryder and SM Pena. The cadets also were gratified to see Major Sandy Phelps, who had been with the unit in its earliest stages.

The business of the evening involved planning various major activities, including the Buc Day's Parade and Beach-to-Bay Relay Marathon (mentioned in a prior thread...http://corpuschristicap.blogspot.com/2011/03/important-events-for-coastal-bend-cadet.html) as well as practicing marching for said parade.

The Unit plans to make a more impressive trip in two weeks making use of the Squadron Van to transport the body of the unit to Corpus Christi for Marching Familiarization.

Important APRIL/MAY 2011 Events for the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron and Corpus Christi Comp. Squadron

Buc Days Illuminated Night Parade- Cadets and interested Senior Members will represent their respective squadron by marching in this parade. It is an important one that the CIVIL AIR PATROL has not participated in since 2005.

It will be necessary to have the SQUADRON VAN Positioned for KINGSVILLE the week of this activity.

Time and Date: Saturday 30 April 2011
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
UOD: Short Sleeve Service Dress (if available), if not FULL BDUS
Vehicle Status: VAN RESERVED on CAPERS for Transport of Cadets from Kingsville, Texas to Corpus Christi, Texas.

25 Dollar fee paid 31 March 2011.

Beach to Bay Relay- Cadets will support the activity with passive security and other logistical support. Assignment will be given out prior. Some will look after trophies, others will work the FINISH LINE and some selected ones may run the marathon.

Time and Date: 21 May 2011
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
UOD: BDUs, pistol belt and canteen.
Vehicle Status: VAN RESERVED on CAPERS for Transport of Cadets from Kingsville, Texas to Corpus Christi, Texas.


O-FLIGHTS ARE TO BE GIVEN DURING AFTER SCHOOL HOURS ON MONDAYS and WEDNESDAYS at a moments notice. Cadets who are to fly during the week will be told to "stand ready." UOD for flights will be BDUs.

Flight Assignments for the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron

PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATION 10 MAR 2011

The following document serves to outline the cadet command structure of the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron. To support the idea of cadet leadership and serve as a true “leadership lab” cadets will fill leadership roles as element leaders, assistant element leaders and limited command responsibilities supervised by the unit’s command. (Note: shows only currently active CAP Cadets.)


ALPHA FLIGHT- “Bravo for Alpha”

C/SrA Magdaleno Adame- ACTING FLIGHT SGT

C/A1C J. Vela, Jr.-Element Leader
C/A1C J. Cardec- Assistant Element Leader

C/A1C J. Quintanilla- Element Member

C/Amn K. Scudder- Element Member

C/Amn J. Stillwagon- Element Member

C/AB T. M Spratlin- Element Member


BRAVO FLIGHT- “Bravery at its Finest”

C/SrA S. Jimenez, CAP- ACTING FLIGHT SGT
C/A1C Robert Alcantara-Element Leader
C/Amn A. R. Delapaz- Element Member

C/Amn A. Ziyad- Element Member

C/AB D. Salazar- Element Member

C/AB R. Gonzalez- Element Member
C/AB A. Canales- Element Member

C/AB S. Del Valle


MAJ. J. E. CARRALES, CAP

//SIGNED//

JOE E. CARRALES, MAJ, CAP Commander

COASTAL BEND CADET SQUADRON: Unveils new PATCH

Kingsville, Texas- One sure sign than a Civil Air Patrol unit has "staying power" is that it takes on a moniker...some symbol that greatly unifies the Squadron. Some Units have a great legacy, for example, the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron has a patch based on the symbol of COASTAL PATROL BASE 15, the sub-hunting CIVIL AIR PATROL unit that was garrisoned at Corpus Christi early in World War II.

That image was discovered and resurrected based on images from the American Memory Project of the Library of Congress which showed the image several times. What's more, several versions of these patches occasionally "pop up" on e-bay.

In 2007, Capt Dennis Basemore...initially under his own initiative, then with Squadron approval, laid the ground work for a modern version of that symbol paying homage to those WWII CAP Officers and showing the link we all have to those aviators.

When the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron was charted in October, it very much continues the legacy of its parent unit...the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron, however, it has it own legacy to lay out. Thus, the idea of a new unit symbol for the new squadron was called for. C/A1C Juan Vela, Jr. was tasked with the challenge and designed a patch showing the momentum of the new unit.

It is a patch showing a gray shark, representing the tenacity of the Cadets of the new unit to accomplish their mission rising from the Gulf of Mexico. It is against a field of gold with a black outline...in homage to the Kingsville ISD school system that nurtured the unit...originally called the Brahma Cadet Flight of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron.

Read more about the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron patch here...
http://corpuschristicap.blogspot.com/2008/03/ne-cc-cap-squadron-patch-hits-unit.html

COASTAL BEND CADET SQUADRON: Some of the year's Activities

South Texas- In an effort to make up for lost time, I would like to post some information on some of the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron's activities since it's charter came through.

The Unit has been very active in Kingsville Area parades, starting before the "split off" from the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron with the H.M. King Homecoming Parade (pictured to the left) to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade (pictured to the right)

Parades are excellent in getting the word out about CAP as well as supporting the local community's celebrations. It places the lessons on drill and ceremony in active application. It also allows the unit's element leaders an opportunity to exercise their leadership abilities.

Drill is an exercise used to teach a unit how to work together. It requires each cadet know what the drill commands mean (an internal exercise) and to operate as a unit. (a show of organization and unit cohesion) These lesser parades also serve to prepare the unit for more substantial activities...such as the Buc Day's Parade or marching as a unit in parades throughout Group V.

COASTAL BEND CADET SQUADRON PLANS TO VENTURE TO CORPUS CHRISTI COMP SQUADRON

Kingsville, Texas- Cadets from the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron are planning a trip to visit their brother and sister cadets in the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron on Tuesday 22 March 2011. The purpose of the visit is to coordinate several upcoming activities, including the proposed BUC DAY'S ILLUMINATED NIGHT PARADE and support of the BEACH TO BAY RELAY MARATHON.

Additionally, other issues, such as inter-squadron athletics and joint drills will likely be discussed.

4 Cadets will be chosen to represent the COASTAL BEND CADET SQUADRON who will be instrumental in planning, not only the two major activities described above, but also in cementing the relationship between the two units.

"This is a great opportunity," said Major J. E. Carrales, "An opportunity to weave a web of mutual service and fraternity between cadets of the two units."

It looks as if this Blog is COMING BACK ON LINE!!!

Greetings Visitor,

This blog has been inactive for a few years. I am bring it back on line! Expect a few changes to the format and name to reflect Civil Air Patrol in South Texas.

Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP
Commander
Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron