COASTAL BEND CADET SQUADRON CADETS PRESENT COLORS AT THE CORPUS CHRISTI HOOKS/HOUSTON ASTROS EXHIBITION GAME

Corpus Christi, Texas- Cadets from the COASTAL BEND CADET SQUADRON were invited to present the colors at the CORPUS CHRISTI HOOKS/HOUSTON ASTROS EXHIBITION GAME on 2 APRIL 2012 at WHAT-A-BURGER FIELD.  Cadets Juan M. Cardec, Robert Alcantara, Philip Barrett and Joe Mata were selected to be the main Colors element.

They met for a brief practice during 8th Period on Monday and traved to Corpus Christi, Texas via Major J. E. Carrales' PT Cruiser arriving at 1730L hrs at What-a-Burger Field at the Port of Corpus Christi.
The Colors and Major Carrales met at the general business office where they waited in the Hooks Conference room.
The Uniform of the Day was BDUs with Color Guard Accouterments (White pistol harnesses, honor cords and white pistol belts). BDUs were used because not all elements of the blues were available to all cadets available.  As of this date, all due focus will be in uniforming the Colors Element with full blues.

Major Carrales and the Cadets arrived at Corpus Chisti, Texas with much time to spare, which was a blessing because of Traffic.

The Cadet Color Guard prepares...Cadets from LEFT to RIGHT are C/AB Joe Mata, C/TSgt Juan Cardec, C/SSgt Robert Alcantara and C/A1C Philip Barrett.

The Colors Element take a moment "in the tunnel" to size up the scope of the assigment.  From this point (unseen) is an alcove leading to the field between the Pitcher's Mound and 2nd Base.

The Cadets exited the field after a singer delivered the NATIONAL ANTHEM, the job was excellently done!

Meeting REPORT: 29 March 2012

THOUGHT of the WEEK
"True patriotism includes a RESPECT for institutions and traditions enhanced by volunteer service and a since of integrity.  These are CORE VALUES in CAP reinforced by the Chain-of-Command.  We cannot forget these values."

The meeting commenced at 1605L hrs at Major Carrales' classroom in EAST 101
OPENING CEREMONY- Pledge of Allegiance, Cadet Oath and Moment of Silence

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ITEM 1: FLIGHT DRILL SECTION

1. Cadet Flight Sgts will practice parade marching outside as well as review the CHANGE of COMMAND ceremony and reporting to an officer.  There should be an assembly of the flight and a roll call from the Flight Adjutant, or acting one. 
2. Focus should be on stride and spacing in accordance with parade marching, but also how to fall in.
3. Practice procedures for CHANGE of COMMAND

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ITEM 2: CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY and PRESENTATION of CADET of the MONTH AWARD for FEBRUARY
Cadets will participate in the ceremony after having practiced it.
Presentation of Cadet of the Month (February) coin to Cadet Sergio Saenz.

C/2d Lt E. Silguero instructs in the Change of Command Ceremony and presentations prior to being implemented.

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ITEM 3: ES/CAMPING ACTIVITY

Command: Who is in charge?
Personnel: Who is to do what?
 Planning: What do we need to do?
ORM:  How can we do what we need to accomplish safely
Logistics: What things do we need to have to make this work?

ALPHA:
1) Review knots (square knot, tautline, sheet bend and clove hitch)
2) Set up a tarp with table
3) Take down tarp and pack it nearly back in the room

Cadet Cardec, recently installed at Alpha Flight Sgt, beings to instuct the cadets on how to prepare the TARP.

Little by little the task is addressed.  The most problematic issue?  Some cadets don't know the necessary knots.

Despite a few issues involving "educational moments" the TARP is set up.

BRAVO
1) Review knots (square knot, tautline, sheet bend and clove hitch)
2) Set up a tower
3) Take down tower and pack itnearly back in the room

Cadet Del Valle explains some of the challenges and organizes Bravo Flight, which shes has just taken command of.  Cadet Del Valle is an very able cadet leader.

Bravo Flight Cadets quickly take the the job at hand.

The first section of "The TOWER" has been set up, next time, they take it to some 17ft.

1745 hrs    DISMISS

AFTER SCHOOL O-FLIGHTS- 28 March 2012

Kingsville, Texas- Cadets P. Barrett, E. Perez and C. Hock  flew their first O-Flight on 28 March 2012. The day began with the cracking of thunder and weather was in play through out the day.  Major Carrales posted up METARS weather info from several local airports to monitor the unstable conditions.  There was a 45% chance of precipitation in the area for most of the day, butwhen the time came the weather was very nice.  Major Jerry Lunceford was the pilot for the activity,  Major Lunceford reserved the obligation "call" it one way other the other based on his experience and available data..

"OK," said Major Lunceford via text early in the day, "We're supposed to have a 3000 ft ceiling, but if its close, I'll squeak out."

Cadets are "bumped" to flying slots the following week if weather causes the aircrew to abort the missions.

"We are about being safe," Said Major J. E. Carrales, "We want cadets to have a positive time in air, not develop phobias because conditions were less than idea."

CAP pilots are guided by the 60 series Regulations which err on the side of safety on all occasions related to flying.   Major Lunceford is very keen on these regulations because he has a solid background in CAP Safety.

All in all, the activity was a success.  Cadets Barrett and Perez were able to get TYPE 6 O-Flights and Cadet Hock received two BACK SEAT sorties.  Cadet Hock will get his O-Ride as a member of the next flying slot scheduled for next week or the one that follows.

Cadets Barrett, Hock and Perez are airborne against an impressive sky at Kleberg Co. Airport

Cadet Barrett prepares his headsets for the flight.

"Charlie Papa" prepares to taxi, note Cadet Hock in the backseat studying his Module 1

1st Lt John Hoelscher assisted with airport activities

COASTAL BEND CADET SQUADRON SECOND QUARTER GOALS

KINGSVILLE, TEXAS- Training continues in Kingsville, Texas as the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron (SWR-TX-454) 


Assign new FLIGHTS- ACCOMPLISHED

ORGANIZE PAPERWORK for EACH FLIGHT- IN PROGRESS, FLIGHT ADJUTANTS WORKING ON THIS
TRAIN a COLOR GUARD ABLE TO DEPLOY at a MOMENT's NOTICE- Members need to be identified ASAP

Camping DETAILS MEMBERS must train and qualify in GENERAL EMERGENCY SERVICES

Expand CAMPING DETAIL from 5 to 10 cadets and DEPLOY at least once.


Monthly Focus
APRIL 2012

Insure all CADET BASICS move up one level to their next achievement

Complete OPSEC, EO and Ground Handling Training (for all Flights)

Maintain Safety Currency at 80% levels

Complete BDUs and everyone having placed or revieved blues

Begin Emergency Services Training for all CADETS (MUST TAKE PLACE)

Begin Communications Training for all CADETS (MUST TAKE PLACE)


MAY 2012

INSURE ALL APRIL GOALS are MET

Conduct Three AEROSPACE MEETINGS at ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

Insure all cadets who joined prior to 2012 can log into e-services

Maintain Safety Currency at 90%

PUBLISH SUMMER SCHEDULE (Unit will meet on Tuesdays from 3-5:30)


JUNE  2012

Certify as many GENERAL EMERGENCY SERVICES cadets as possible

Begin FEMA CLASSES (IS-100, IS 200 and IS 700)

Maintain Safety currency of 95%

HOLD BCUT CLASS (or other COMM class that might be developed)

COASTAL BEND CADET SQUADRON MARCH-APRIL FLIGHT ASSIGNMENTS

FLIGHT ASSIGNMENTS EFFICTIVE 29 MARCH 2012, NEW FLIGHT COMMANDERS WILL UNDERGO CHANGE OF COMMAND on THURSDAY 29 MARCH 2012.


ALPHA FLIGHT: Motto: BRAVO for ALPHA

FLIGHT SGT: C/TSgt J. M. Cardec
ELEMENT LEADER: C/SSgt J. Vela, Jr
ASSISTANT ELEMENT LEADER: C/A1C G. E. Cavazos
FLIGHT ADJUTANT: C/Amn M. Irizarry
GUIDON: C/SrA J. Stillwagon

ELEMENT Members by GRADE:
C/Amn A. Canales
C/Amn D. Salazar
C/Amn T. Wolfe
C/Amn S. Mitchell
C/AB A. Sanchez-Farias
C/AB H. Martinez
C/AB J. Mata
CC J. Guerra




BRAVO FLIGHT: Motto BRAVERY at it’s FINEST

FLIGHT SGT: C/SSgt S. Del Valle
ELEMENT LEADER: R. Alcantara
ASSISTANT ELEMENT LEADER: C/A1C P. Barrett
FLIGHT ADJUTANT: C/Amn Tybie Davis
GUIDON: C/Amn J. Shelton

ELEMENT Members by GRADE:

C/Amn A. R. Delapaz
C/Amn E. Perez
C/AB S. Saenz
C/AB C. Hock
C/AB L. Martinez
C/AB D. Herrera
C/AB C. Freeman
CC O. Cerda

AFTER SCHOOL O-FLIGHTS- 26 March 2012

Kingsville. Texas- Cadets Tybie Davis and Micaela Irizarry had their first CIVIL AIR PATROL Orientation flights at Kleberg Co. Airport on Monday, 26 March 2012 under the guiding hand of Major Jerry Lunceford, Commander of the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron.

The cadets enjoyed themselves and found the minor demonstration fo NEGATIVE G's to be especially interesting.

"There is a lot of science in aviation," said Major J.E. Carrales, "I want to teach them so much and give them there experiments."

Cadets are currently scheduled to fly again on Wednesday, this time it will be a three cadets instead of 2.  The recent time changes allows and will eventually allow ever more afternoon O-Flights.

Cadet Davis was to take the FRONT SEAT first.

Cadets Irizarry and Davis examine a piece of "Charlie Papa's" equipment.  Fortunately, these will never need to be used on these O-Flights.

C/Amn M. Irizarry and Maj. Jerry Lunceford examine the aviation sectionals prior to their flights.

Cadet Irizarry jokingly "kisses the ground" at Alice International Airport. 

Cadet Davis and Irizarry take some time to recover the use of their "ground legs" after an hour in the air.  This was their first ride in an aircraft of this type.

AFTER SCHOOL O-FLIGHTS A SUCCESS- 21 March 2012

Kingsville, Texas- Cadets from the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron, garrisoned at Memorial Middle School, took to the skies on Thursday, 21 March 2012.  Cadets George E. Cavazos and Sergio Saenz were on stand-by to fly their cadet O-Flight after school  from Kleberg Co. Airport.  Both cadets did well completing their first Orientation Flight under clear skies.

Initially, the weather seemed to be a threat in that Spring Break cadet flights had to be canceled due to weather conditions being "less than idea."

"The weather is constantly being watched," said Squadron Commander Major Joe Ely Carrales, " our judgements to 'go' or 'scrub' are based on conditions which change rapidly resulting in rainy unsuitable mornings with clear and calm afternoons."

The Civil Air Patrol orientation pilot was local aviator Capt Mike Ward of the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron.

Cadets prepare and brush up on aviation before partaking in an orientation flight.

"I made it a point to teach them about how to read the METARs aviation feeds that are put out by the NOAA," continued Major Carrales.  "can check for latest weather info on their cellphones and see if conditions are optimal."

Currently there are 22 Civil Air Patrol cadets enrolled in the program.  Cadets meet at Memorial Middle School on Tuesdays and Thursdays for their training. The Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron began as an instrumentality of the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron and became it own unit in October of 2010.

Civil Air Patrol aircraft "Charlie Papa" on station at Kleberg Co. Airport to fly the first cadets of the season 

 

 

 

Cadets Saenz and Cavazos, both of Memorial Middle School, attentively listen to flight instruction provided by their Orientation Pilot, Capt Mike Ward.

Cadets and their O-Pilot, Capt Mike Ward, perform the required "pre-flight checks" to insure safety and also to educate cadets on the concepts needed to fly.  Both cadets had never been in an aircraft prior.

Cadet Saenz examine the fuel tank levels prior to flying.