Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal Speaks to the Unit

Corpus Christi, TEXAS - It wasn’t the usual meeting on 5 June 2007, not only did the unit have training in UDF and begin to hammer out aviation issues, but the meeting began with a special guest. That guest was none other that Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal.

Judge Neal spoke to the unit about leadership, specifically, he aimed to reach the cadets of the unit.

Neal recounted his early days as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army and how he learned leadership from a WWII and Korean War veteran first sergeant. He stressed the importance of being a strong unit and how people work best when a strong leader has goals and acknowledges the contributions of those that serve under them.

Judge Neal also addressed some county issues and spoke of issues related to the political, economic and social needs of the area. He also praised CAP Officer and Cadet volunteers that make the organizations like CAP functional and viable.

Loyd Neal was first elected Mayor of the City of Corpus Christi in April 1997, and was re-elected for his fourth and final term in April 2003. Samuel L. Neal, Jr. (Loyd Neal), was elected Nueces County Judge in November 2006, taking office January 2nd, 2007. Loyd is the first Republican elected to this office in over 140 years.

UNIT TASTES VICTORY on TWO FRONTS

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS— It was a very successful weekend for the CC-CAP Squadron and its Brahma Cadet Flight. CAP Officers and cadets were able to “fight the good fight” for Civil Air Patrol on two fronts; one in one Corpus Christi’s biggest events of the and the other in a SAREVAL at Victoria.

BEACH to BAY in CORPUS CHRISTI
Weathermen predicated “scattered thundershowers” and the threat of other winds and rains for Armed Forces Day, 19 May 2007, however it was arguably one of the best days for Corpus Christi weather this century. All in all, a beautiful day for running along the Gulf of Mexico.

CAP Officers and Cadets were asked by the organizers of the 32nd Annual Beach to Bay Marathon to provide assistance to them guarding trophies and providing assistance to participants at the finish line.

There was an estimated 11,000 people gathered at Corpus Christi’s Cole Park along the shoreline. The Unit was deployed in two elements, 1) Minimum service dress clad cadets from Kingsville’s Brahma Cadet Flight to provide passive security and a presence on stage and 2) a BDU clad element at the finish line to assist distressed or dehydrated runners.

Also in attendance was 1st Lt Jerry Lunceford who ran a leg of the 26 mile marathon. In attendance were Major Joe Ely Carrales, Major Fidel Alvarado, 1st Jerry Lunceford, SM Monica Lozano, Cadet Airman First Class Philip Lozano, Cadet Airman Michael Beal, Cadet Airman Chelsie Skarda and Cadet Airman Basic Morgun Bedynek.

The unit began assembling at 0700 hrs in Kingsville and finally met at Cole Park at about 0800 hrs where Cadets and CAP Officers set up awards tables and began guarding the stage. Cadet Lozano and Major Alvarado were tasked to the finish line and runner began arriving around 0845 hrs.

Three tons of ice and four truckloads of water later, around 1200 hrs, the last runners entered the gate and awards were distributed. The Unit finished its duties and retired to the Whataburger on the Bay fast food restaurant for lunch. It was a very good day and cadets returned home looking forward to the next weeks O-Flights in Kingsville.

SAREVAL STAGING AREA in VICTORIA

Capt Dennis Bazemore and 2d Lt Mike Garmon attended the USAF Evaluated Search and Rescue Exercise in lieu of attending the Beach to Bay Activity. It had been agreed that the Unit would deploy on two fronts and those needing to complete mission work would be dispatched to Victoria to augment the Civil Air Patrol presence in the State wide activity.

2d Lt Mike Garmon Reports…”I participated in 2 sorties. The first was a transport mission to San Marcos. The second was a series of photo reconnaissance targets.”

“The plan,” 2d Lt Garmon Continues, “was to fly again after lunch and Capt Bazemore was to fly on that sortie; however, several of the Eval (USAF DIRECTIVES) tests on mission base slowed down the process and eventually we were bumping up against Capt Saddler's Duty day limitations.”

Garmon also reported that some of the tests on Mission base included an evacuation of the Mission base building, cell phone failure and relying on the use of the HF Comm Nets. Victoria had communication in the morning over the HF with Mission base, but in the afternoon, propagation is not as good and Victoria could not communicate with Houston. All these “real world” issues that effect CAP missions and to which solutions must be mitigated.

Corpus Christi and Brahma Flight cadets visit NAS Kingsville T-45 GOSHAWK SIMULATOR

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP
Squadron Commander, Public Affairs Officer
Corpus Christi Comp Squadron


Kingsville, Texas— It was late in the evening on Monday, 7 May 2007 and this reporter/Squadron Commander was seated before his computer typing when an e-mail electronically made it’s way into his inbox. It was from his Deputy Commander, Major Fidel Alvarado, the Project Officer for the once postponed NAS Kingsville Simulator activity. The original activity, slated for 24 April 2007, was postponed by the US NAVY due to increased training demands.

“Treat is as a go!” Major Alvarado wrote, “as per conversation 1800 hours with ... we meet at the Wild Horse [Crossing] Mall parking lot no later than 1715 hours. TOMORROW, TUESDAY AFTERNOON. MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BE PROMPT.” And so…

Nine CAP Officers and Cadets of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron and its Brahma Cadet Flight attended T-45 Goshawk flight simulator at Naval Air Station Kingsville near the city of the same name on 8 May 2007. CAP Auxiliarists practiced jet flight, aviation and even a landing on a “Navy Flat top.”

For some, the activity was their first “hands-on” aviation activity; for other more experienced CAP Officers, it was a chance to try some “fancy flying.” CAP Officers 1st Lt Jerry Lunceford and SM (Brevet Captain) Kelly Harlan took turns approaching and landing on the simulated Aircraft Carrier. Major Fidel Alvarado also took a turn.

Aside from the SENOR MEMBER antics, the primary experience was for the cadets. Each got a good initial 15 to 20 minute round in the simulator for instruction, then they each got a second “free lance” round to either try the carrier landing, formation flying or (as Cadet Bedynek proved by requesting missiles) anything they could think of that was within the realm of aviation physics.

The person chiefly responsible for the activity and the one who operated the simulator apparatus was none other than friend of the unit, Mr. Bert Alvarez. This is the fifth time that Mr. Alvarez has opened this opportunity to CAP cadets. It is sometimes a precarious situation in that the US NAVY can cancel anytime, including at the 59th second of the 11th hour. The unit is careful to respect the needs of our Nation's Navy for the continued defense of our country; plus, the Navy has always come through for the activity.

“We can try this again in s few months,” said Mr. Alvarez, “and feel free to invite cadets from neighboring units.”

This round was not open to proximate CAP units due to the scheduling requirements of the US NAVY that would have produced late arrivals on a school night for cadets of more than an hou drive. It is hoped that a “summer session” can be planned to accommodate cadets from Corpus Christi, Victoria, Kingsville and Brownsville.

“We have opened the activity to all units of Group V/Texas Wing in the past,” said Major Joe Ely Carrales/ Squadron Commander, “the last such event was documented in THE CAP VOLUNTEER and WINGS OVER TEXAS last year. We had a good group from Brownsville attend then led by 1st Lt Hector Galvan.”

As a milestone of another sort, this was the second official outing for Brahma Cadet Flight of Kingsville, the first being a field trip to Nueces Co Airport in Robstown, Texas. Members of this flight in attendance were, Cadet Airman Bryce Nix, the flight’s ranking cadet, Cadet Airman Chelsie Skarda, Cadet Airman Basic Morgun Bedynek and Cadet Airman Basic Emily Garcia. They were joined by the Squadron's Cadet Commander, Cadet Technical Sergent Christopher Villarreal. Cadet 1st Class Phillip Lozano, Cadet Airman Michael Beal and Cadet Airman Basic Celeste Resendez were unable to attend due to other commitments.

BRAHMA CADETS PROMOTED

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Kingsville, TEXAS— Cadet Bryce Nix and Cadet Michael Beal of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) were officially promoted to the rank of Cadet Airman (C/Amn) on 16 April 2007 and 17 April 2007 respectively upon meeting the criteria for the Major General John F. Curry Award.

These represent the first promotions for what has been dubbed “the Kingsville Effort” as the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron expands the missions of the Civil Air Patrol into Kleberg and Southern Nueces County.

To attain the Major General John F. Curry Award, Civil Air Patrol cadets must complete a four part training including; study of the first Chapter of the Cadet Leadership Program, a study in Moral Leadership, a Physical fitness test and regular and outstanding attendance of Squadron Activities in support of CAP’s misisons.

This achievement opens the door for cadets to continue their LEADERSHIP training for further advancement in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program as well as to begin training in the EMERGENCY SERVICES mission of the Civil Air Patrol.

“Once Cadets earn the Curry Achievement” said Major Joe Ely Carrales Corpus Christi Composite Squadron Commander, “then they actually apply those lessons in leadership as members in fields ranging from communications to emergency services in support of saving lives. That is, if that is the course they choose.”

The first official meeting of the Brahma Cadet Flight of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron was held on Thursday 22 March 2007 at Memorial Middle School in Kingsville, Texas. The effort is backed by Memorial Middle School Principal Roel Gonzalez and is being administered by 8th Grade American History Teacher Major Joe Ely Carrales.

The Civil Air Patrol performs three main missions -- emergency services, aerospace education and cadet training. CAP's emergency services include air and ground search and rescue, disaster relief, counterdrug, and an increasing role in homeland security. Its members fly more than 95 percent of the inland search and rescue missions directed by the Air Force Rescue and Coordination Center. Adults aged 18 and above may join the CAP Officer Program.

Students age 12-21 may join the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program where they learn leadership & citizenship along with aerospace education and participation in Emergency Services.

5 Attend the 2007 Texas Wing Conference

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Austin, Texas— Five members of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron attended the 2007 Texas Wing Conference at the Former Bergstrom “Donut” in Austin, Texas on 13-15 August 2007. Major Joe Ely Carrales, 1st Lt Sandy Phelps, 1st Lt John Hoelscher, SM Monica Lozano and Cadet Airman Phillip Lozano represented the CC-CAP unit and Group V to the larger Wing.

The Conference was attended by CAP National Commander Major General Antonio “Tony” Pineda, Southwest Region Commander Col Reggie Chitwood and Texas Wing Commander Frank Eldridge. Also in attendance was Col Joe Smith, a former USAF Senior Officer, Oklahoma Wing Commander and long time CAP Officer. They were in attendance of the Texas Wing Change of Command where Col Eldridge turned command of the Texas Wing to Col Smith.

CAP Officers from Corpus Christi arrived Friday Afternoon and participated in the workshop section of the Conference held primarily on Saturday.

“Attending the Wing Conference,” said Major Joe Ely Carrales Unit Commander and attendee, “ was one of our MAJOR goals for 2007. If we are to be a successful organization we must come to know all our people...our brother and sister CAP Airmen throughout the Wing.”

The day began with the General Session where Lt Col Max Hays served as Master of Ceremonies introducing the dignitaries from National, Region and Wing. The Colors were posted by the Competition Color Guard of the Pegasus Composite Squadron.

Each commander gave a speech highlighting their unit’s goals. Colonel Chitwood discussed activities slated for the near future alluding to more inter-Wing activities and even Southwest Region members attending Wing and local functions. Col Eldridge thanked the Wing and his Staff for a fruitful and outstanding administration.

Of extreme significance were the comments of the Major General. The subjects discussed were UNIFORMS, REMOVING "USAF AUX" OFF UNIFORMS/PLANES, MEMBERSHIP, PROMOTIONS, the NEW FLYING MISSION and the change to “U.S. Civil Air Patrol.” These will be covered in detail in the next issue of this almanac.

During the General Assembly several awards were given out including a Meritorious Service Award to Major Sean Crandall, Squadron Commander of Brownsville, for his service to the Wing by conducting the 2005 Texas Wing Conference in Corpus Christi. That year, the YEAR OF THE HURRICANES, saw the Conference moved again and again until it finally took place in November.

Major Joe Ely Carrales was presented with an Award for being the 2006 Southwest Region Public Affairs Officer of the Year. Major Juan Arredondo of Brownsville was awarded the Cadet Programs Officer of the Year Award for the Texas Wing.

From there the Texas Wing Conference attendees broke off into their various sessions. Corpus Christi was represented in nearly every subject. Major Carrales attended a Public Affairs session conducted by WING PAO Major Dana Gray. 1st Lt John Hoelscher attended the Aircraft maintenance session that described the new Consolidated Maintenance Program and listened as Major General Pineda addressed concerns. Additionally, Lt Hoelscher attended the Aerospace Education session conducted by Major Bjorn Sundet.

1st Lt Sandy Phelps visited various Communications lectures and some items on Cadet Programs. SM Monica Lozano, the unit’s newest member, got a good impression of CAP.
The highlight of the evening was the Change of Command at the Banquet latter that evening. Colonel Eldridge passed the baton to Colonel Smith in a sincere ceremony, thus bridging the successes of the last three years to events yet to take place.

Sunday, Cadet Phillip Lozano represented his unit at the Cadet Advisory Council, a first for the unit in NINE YEARS!!!

All in all, the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron greatly benefited from the experience and we look forward to making the rest of the year a success.

Assorted Wing Conference Photos...

The Brownsville Comp Squadron with Major General Antonio Pineda, CAP National Commander.

Lt Col Billman, Commander of Group V, and Major Joe Ely Carrales, at the Awards Lunch.

Major Joe Ely Carrales and Major General Antonio Pineda at the Banquet

Major Sean Crandall and Major Juan Arredondo watch the proceedings of the Texas Wing Cadet Advisory Council.

BRAHMA CADET FLIGHT TAKES FIELD TRIP TO NUECES

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

ROBSTOWN, TEXAS— Four Cadets and two CAP Officers from the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron’s Brahma Cadet Flight took a planned field trip to Nueces County Airport in Robstown, Texas to have a lesson on aviation and aircraft on Thursday 5 April 2007.

“It was a nice evening trip,” said Major Joe Ely Carrales, squadron commander and CAP Officer leading the activitiesin Kingsville, “I’m glad the cadets enjoyed themselves and learned a great deal about the aircraft.”

Cadets commenced their usual Thursday meeting at Memorial Middle School going over information on the Cadet Program, the Texas Wing Summer Encampment and uniform issues. This meeting, however, ended with a field trip.

1st Lt John D Hoelscher, Personnel Officer and aviator in the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron, conducted some simple instruction on aviation and discussed parts/components of the Aircraft. Cadets were allowed to sit in an aircraft and examine how controls and instruments were configured.

A brief review of aerospace education including Bernoulli’s Principle, air pressure and lift prompted questions from Cadets on how these concepts were applied in flight. Also discussed, but to a lesser degree, were principles of navigation and weather.

“The cadets look forward to Orientation Flights to be planned for a future date,” Major Carrales continued, “this is a mere taste of CAP aviation potential in our area and I look forward to the looks on their faces the first time a CAP aircraft is made available to them for such rides.”

The Kingsville Cadet Flight is in its second official week of existence. The Flight is an element of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron and is garrisoned out of Memorial Middle School in Kingsville, Texas. The flight is currently made up of four cadets and is slated to add one more whose application is in to National Headquarters at Maxwell A.F.B. in Alabama.

Initial projects for the unit will be to uniform every cadet, commence a model rocketry program and insure a solid implementation of the CAP Cadet Program as well as growth. SEMPER VIGILANS

Kingsville Cadets Begin Training

By Major Joe Ely Carrales, CAP

Kingsville, Texas— Cadets of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron’s latest project, the BRAHMA CADET FLIGHT, in Kingsville, Texas began training its first elements of its cadet program at Memorial Middle School in Kingsville, Texas. Major J.E. Carrales has been an employee of that facility for 9 years and recently took the plunge to form a unit there. Initial exploratory meetings seemed favorable for the formation of a small unit.

“To date four have joined,” said Major Carrales Corpus Christi Squadron Commander, “I’m holding out for about six if all goes well.”

Cadets began study of their materials and Major Carrales began the process of locating, collecting and issuing uniforms. These will be in place until the cadets can obtain a uniform via the FREE UNIFORM PROGRAM from AAFES. Additionally, Lt Col Eddy Billman of Group V is slated to provide additional support in the way of uniforms.

The First Official meeting was documented in this Almanac’s last issue (26 March 2006) where cadets were instructed in an initial Leadership Lesson based on Chapter 1 of the Leadership curriculum and brainstormed activities for April and May.

On Tuesday 29 March 2007 cadets practiced Drill and Ceremonies and had a moral leadership forum based on the“GROUND SCHOOL” materials and will continue this at upcoming meetings by making a “Flight Log Book” to record their entries as per the CAP Core Values

Meetings will be on Tuesdays from 1605-1700 hrs and Thursdays from 1605-1930.