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

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!!!