Three Units Initiate Ambitious O-Flight Event

"Charlie Papa" delivers Cadets back
home to Kleberg Co. Airport

South Texas- Personnel from three South Texas Civil Air Patrols Squadron  succeeded in bring to fruition a very ambitious O-Flight event on 2 July 2012.  Major Jerry Lunceford and Capt Mike Ward, of the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron, served as O-Pilots running cadets from extreme geographical points in South Texas through O-Flights.   This comes as the result of on going efforts to provide initial O-Flights to the cadets of Group VII.

"We have always had some natural  issues flying cadets," said Major Carrales, "the logistical and geographic challenges of having such a large Group are formidable, it is no wonder we are trying to accomplish things in unique ways."

Group VII/Texas Wing (which extends from Victoria south to Brownsville...the Hill Country to the Rio Grande Valley) is larger and some whole Civil Air Patrol Wings, the State level in Civil Air Patrol.

The plan was to fly 2 cadets from the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron of Kingsville, Cadets Airman Joseph Guerra and Derrick Herrera, at 8 am on 2 July 2012.  This went well and the cadets were flown to Beeville and the to Three Rivers where they were oriented with the controls and instruments of the aircraft. Parents were on hand to see them off and greet them upon their return.  Their pilot was Major Jerry Lunceford, the squadron commander of the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron.

Cadets D. Herrera and J. Guerra just after their O-Flight

 These cadets are "FIRST TIME NEWBIES" who were on their first O-Flight.

"We have to fly out first time cadets as soon a possible," said Lt Col Sean Crandall commander of Group VII, "it shows advancement in the program."

Once these cadets completed their O-flight out of Kleberg Co. Airport, Capt Ward conducted a special O-Flight for C/TSgt Sarah Del Valle.  Cadet Del Valle represents another type of cadet of priority to the O-Flight process.  Cadet Del Valle is 17 and running up against the O-Flight cut off.  Cadets over 18 forfeit their remaining O-Flights.

Cadet Sarah Del Valle prepares for her flight.

Cadet Del Valle's O-Flight had a second objective.   That objective was to fly the aircraft down to Brownsville where she waited as 2 cadets from the Brownsville Composite Squadron get their flights.  In addition to that, she planned her flight based on her training.  Cadet Del Valle is in the process of getting a pilot's license outside of her CAP Cadet service and has already soloed in an aircraft.


Lt Col Juan Arredondo, commander of the Brownsville Composite Squadron, then took over where two of his cadets took to the skies for their first O-Flight.

Cadet Del Valle, then returned the the aircraft to Kleberg County via a second O-Flight and the day saw 5 cadets receive their flight.  All in all, a good day and an exercise in inter-squadron planning.