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