This month, we had the great pleasure of presenting two Billy Mitchell Award certificates to C/2d Lt Dave Truong and C/2d Lt Ronald Cervantes.  A video of the presentation by the Group 7 Commander, LtCol David Beohm is below.

We were also able to promote 6 cadets tonight.  They are:

• Cadet Joel Gamboa was promoted to C/CMSgt
• Cadet Matthew Rupprecht was promoted to C/SMSgt
• Cadet Philip de Castro was promtoed to C/SSgt
• Cadet Ryan Duran was promoted to C/SSgt
• Cadet Luigi Priore was promoted to C/SSgt
• Cadet Joshua Kim was promoted to C/A1C

While this time of year is a bit slow for activities, there are a few coming up, including:

• Non-Commissioned Officer School-North – 8-10 January 2010
• Advanced Communicator User Training – 30 January 2010
• Cadet Program’s Conference – 12-15 February 2010

Pre-registrations are required and are now being accepted.  There are now two ways to register (by email and U.S. Postal Service):

1. Completed and signed (by both you and your Unit CC) forms 17 or 150 may be mailed with a check in the amount of $10.00 (made payable to Civil Air Patrol) by way of the U.S. Postal Service.

2. Completed and electronically signed (by both you and your Unit CC) forms 17 or 150 may be emailed from your unit CC’s email address.  Checks may either be mailed prior to the registration deadline or submitted in-person on the day of the class.

“Walk-In” registrations will not be accepted, however.

The pre-registration deadline is 23 January, 2010.

Please submit the above items to me at:

1Lt. John Frerichs

13390 Cloudburst Drive

Corona CA 92883

Email: n6vcw@yahoo.com
Telephone: 562-882-6198

CAWG Form 150 may be obtained by going to the following web site: www.cawgcadets.org. Be advised that the CAWG Form 150 replaces the CAWG Form 31 for Cadets.  Senior Members will still use the CAP Form 17

• The student must have reviewed and agreed to the OPSEC/Non Disclosure Agreement.
• A check in the amount of $10.00 made payable to CIVIL AIR PATROL must be mailed or submitted in-person at the class.
• Forms 150 or 17 must be emailed or mailed to me no later than the pre-registration date listed above.

Please register now if interested.

Officers’ School

08 – 10 January, 2010

Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area,
Dublin, California

Get “Hands On” Experience in:

• Instructional Methods “Learn to Teach”
• Drill and Ceremonies “You’re in Charge”
• Instruction on Color Guard & Guidon
• NCO Responsibilities
• Interaction — New Faces and New Experiences
• Evaluation “tell’em what’s good”

Students: Pre-requisites—Must have a minimum grade of C/A1C or higher and should have completed BCS or Encampment. Prerequisites may be waived at the discretion of the Commander.

Save This Date! -  Applications Now being accepted, apply early

(Consideration will be made for Cadets who withdrew from theNCOS South).

COST: TBD

To Apply:
Cadet Staff: Graduates are encouraged to apply for Cadet Commander and seminar leaders. Please submit letter, resume and CAWG Form 150 to 1Lt Ken Sturgill at k.sturgill@comcast.net.  Due date is 07 DEC 2009.

Senior Staff: Seniors interested in attending should send a request to the Project Officer at k.sturgill@comcast.net.  Seniors who have not attended an NCOS are encouraged to apply and will be teamed with an experienced senior member.

Students: Email CAWG Form 150’s to 1Lt Tammy Sturgill atk.sturgill@comcast.net, when the cost of the event has been finalized you will be contacted with instructions for submission of payment. Due Date is 14 DEC 2009

Project Officer: 1Lt Ken Sturgill 775-771-0699k.sturgill@comcast.net

NCOS Commander: Lt Col Brett Dolnick brett@dolnick.net

One of the downsides of having the website down was that our steady trickle of new cadets stopped.  It might be coincidence that new cadets stopped coming just at the same time as the website was down, but more likely we’ve been getting the word out about Squadron 56 through the website.  Hopefully now that we’re back up and running, we’ll start to see some new faces.  But we’re not banking on it!  Instead, we’re starting to push for more recruiting within the squadron.

One great thing about the squadron right now is that we have many new Cadet Staff Sergent and Cadet Senior Airman.  Unfortunately, we don’t have enough staff positions for all of them.  The only way we’re going to open up new staff positions for these cadets is by growing the squadron and increasing the number of flights.  Hopefully we’ll be able to see this grown in short order.

There are a number of activities coming up in the next few months.  They include:

• Non-Commissioned Officer School (NCOS)-North – 8-10 Jan 2010
• Basic Cadet School - 4-6 Dec 2009
• National Cadet Special Activities – Various

Directions: From I-405N: Exit North Cherry Street, then turn right on 36th Street go, .3 miles, gate will be on your left.
From 91 West: Exit Cherry Street, turn left on 36th Street, go .3 miles, gate will be on your left.

This SAREX is hosted by Long Beach Senior Squadron 150; over 40 personnel are expected to participate. All Customs and Courtesies should be observed. As the operations building is compact and busy; participants should be aware of their weekend chain of command and ask all applicable questions during the mission’s general briefing. (take notes!)
Questions: Call Sgt. Shope @ 562-221-3706

Now please don’t let all that great training go unused. Get yourself in CAP’s emergency services today. The phony rumor that has been circulating throughout the wing is that cadets do not participate in ES. This is an unfortunate rumor that is very much untrue. A month after joining the Civil Air Patrol, I immediately got involved in ES; I had my ACUT as a basic and earned my mission radio operator qualification a week later as an airman!  So….do something different this summer!

Training-
SAREXs: Search and Rescue Exercises are held nearly once a month. This where the bulk of training takes place. Under supervision you will perform tasks as requested by your supervisor. When he feels you are competent in the area, you will receive his signature certifying you could perform that task on an actual mission.
After attending a SAREX, take your training to the next level and attend NESA or Hawk Mountain. The training received at these popular schools will help you inside and outside of CAP.
But the first step is to complete these easy tests to obtain your General ES rating. (must complete and print ES card prior to attending the SAREX)
Training manuals and ES regulations can be found here → http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/member_services/publications/indexes_regulations_and_manuals.cfm
ES tests may be taken here →   https://tests.cap.af.mil/newtests/test.cfm?grp=dos
Bring with you to the SAREX: Proof of OPSEC completion, ROA card (if you have one), SQTRs (Specialty Qualification Training Record) of the qualification you want to pursue, and your CAP 101 card.
All items listed above can be printed off of eServices @ www.capnhq.gov

Paperwork-
Oh no! Not paperwork! Unfortunately, the reason most people don’t participate in ES is because there are discouraged by the monotonous paperwork. I will not lie to you; there is a lot of paperwork involved in earning and keeping your credentials. It really isn’t that much once you know what it all entails. First you have your SQTR signed off as you work towards completion, have the form signed by your squadron commander (or his designee), and finally enter the information on eServices (www.capnhq.gov) under the emergency services tab on the operations screen.
- C/SSgt. Matthew Shope, 2213706@gmail.com

24 Hour Pack
•    First Aid Kit, stored in zip-lock bag or other waterproof container (and a guide to first aid)
•    Any personal medication (your teamleader should know about any medication you may need)
•    Survival Kit, stored in zip-lock bag or other waterproof container, (I have a Captain Naugle “Naglene Bottle” and find it very practical)  consisting of
o    Duct tape, 5-10 feet (10 feet does not go very far. I carry a minimum of 50’ rolled around an old camera film bottle)
o    Leaf bag, (as proven at the March Calico FTX, these bags are very valuable, I have 5 large leaf bags that I carry)
o    8 wooden matches (it takes some people 8 matches just to get ONE fire started! Lol. For Pete’s sake, just take the whole container)
o    Match container, waterproof, with striking surface
o    1 Chemical Light Stick, Green (the $2 light stick holders are very helpful)
o    50’ of parachord
•    SAR Equipment stored in zip-lock bags, consisting of:
o    Change of socks (you always want to keep your feet dry)
o    Flagging Tape, 1 roll
o    Flashlight (with red or blue lens), with spare bulb and batteries
o    Spare flashlight
o    Insect repellent
o    Lip balm (another comfort item that doesn’t way too much)
o    Sunscreen lotion (the last thing you want is a painful)
o    Tissue Paper
o    Work Gloves, leather (I like the nomex flight gloves)
o    Interviewing Form(s), blank (you as a cadet shouldn’t have to worry about this)
o    4 Moist Towelettes, clean, in foil wrapper
o    Change for phone calls, calling card, or cellular phone to call mission base (Keep in mind, most areas outside of the suburbs do not have cell phone reception. As I do a lot of sailing in the ocean in addition to CAP ES, I’ve been considering investing in a cheap satellite phone) (It would be hue of you to carry at least 1 extra battery for cell phone; the same goes for radios, lights, and any other electronics you carry)
o    2 meals
o    Shelter Material, preferably 8 X 10’ (your trash bags would do just fine)
o    Coat for appropriate climate, if necessary (the daytime temperature is not always proportional to the nighttime temps)
o    Poncho (one of your trashbags would also do just fine here also)
o    Canteen(s) to carry 2 quarts of water (or your camelback)
o    Compass Pouch, containing compass, lensatic or orienteering (orienteering preferred).

In addition to everything listed above I typically carry binoculars, leatherman, ColdSteel Survival knife, back-up folding pocket knife, a toothbrush (a small comfort item that will not take up too much room in your pack) and many other things. (Too many to list here) But even with all my “stuff” I manage to keep it under 15 lbs. in a camelback backpack. If you would like to see my bag, or more details about it, feel free to contact me at the email below.

When putting your gear together, keep asking yourself “what will I use and what will be dead wait?” Just like the bears of Charmin say, less is more!
CAPF101
PRINT: Form 101 can be printed off eservices @ www.capnhq.gov. Log on or create account
-“My Operations/Qualifications”
-“Emergency Services”
-“Click here to Obtain your 101 Card”
…and print. By CAPR the barcode and picture are not necessary. But don’t be afraid to pimp up your 101 by adding those.

GETTING YOUR GES: Go to https://tests.cap.af.mil/newtests/test.cfm?grp=dos
-Select “CAPT 116” from the drop down men
-Enter CAPID
-Open up the manual (it’s an open book test) in another window. CAPR 60-3 http://level2.cap.gov/documents/u_082503073358.pdf
-Follow the above procedure for ALL 3 CAPT117 and Skills Evaluator Training (optional)
-Take the FEMA IS-100 Course and Final Exam. http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is100.asp
-After completing IS-100, bring certificate to next meeting and present to Capt. Henninger. Then, it is your responsibility to enter it [your completions] on eServices just like the other SQTR entries. (Refer below)

ENTERING QUALIFICATIONS: Log onto www.capnhq.gov
-“My Operations/Qualifications”
-“Emergency Services”
-“SQTR Entry”
…and enter qualifications. Be sure you have the mission number, date completed, and trainer’s CAPID.

UPLOADING PICTURES to ESERVICES: Log onto www.capnhq.gov
-“CAP Photo Upload”
-“Browse”
-Select the file to upload and click “Continue”
*Be sure your picture is pre-cropped to 1 inch wide and 1.5 inches tall.
*Be sure your picture is against a white background.
-Now, email Capt. Corbell and let him know your picture is awaiting his approval.

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS
CAP Home @ www.cap.gov
California Wing Home Page @ www.cawg.cap.gov
Wing Management Utilities @ http://wmu.nat.cap.gov
SQTR form downloads @ https://ntc.cap.af.mil/es/sqtrs/sqtrs.cfm
National Publications @ http://level2.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeID=5285
FEMA IS-200 (This replaces NIMS G193; required for advanced ES qualifications) @ http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/is/is200.asp
FEMA IS-700 (This will eventually (not yet) be required for all ES personnel) @ http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/is/IS700.asp
OPSEC @ https://tests.cap.af.mil/opsec/main.cfm

QUESTIONS or PROBLEMS?
Don’t be afraid to email me 2213706@gmail.com (email are forwarded to mi PDA, so expect prompt response)
Or in an emergency (562) 221-3706

C/TSgt. Matt Shope
Emergency Services/Communications NCOIC

ATS Inspection

June 19-21 was the Group 3 BCS/ATS. BCS is Basic Cadet School. There were cadets in that school who had only been in CAP for 2 months. ATS is Airmen Training School. ATS if for more advanced cadets. One cadet who went was given her Wright Brothers Award the next day. Squadron 56 had 3 cadet staff members go: C/1st Lt Philp (ATS Flight Commander), C/SMSgt Swanson (Charlie Flight Sergeant), and C/MSgt Schuster (Echo Flight Commander). There was also one cadet from the Squadron who went, C/A1C Araujo.

Morning PT

This weekend was meant to be intense to prepare these cadets for Encampment this summer. The cadet staff that went had to face many challenges to make this last weekend possible and to the proper standards. In addition to these challenges, the cadet staff also had to face difficulties in training and ensuring the safety of the flight at all times.

Congratulations to the cadet who made it through this program. Other cadets are encouraged to go to future BCS/ATS.

The Senior Members that received promotions were 2d Lt Andrew Hong and FO Jeffery Blomgren.

The very numerous cadet promotions were:

• C/1st Lt Samuel Philp
• C/SMSgt Payton Swanson
• C/MSgt Joel Gamboa
• C/TSgt Matthew Rupprecht
• C/A1C Justin Araujo
• C/A1C Owen Dirks
• C/A1C Everett Montano
• C/A1C Luigi Priore
• C/A1C Ryan Duran
• C/Amn Joshua Kim
• C/Amn Michael Byon
• C/Amn Philip De Castro
• C/Amn Harold Lee

Two of our cadets received their Billy Mitchell Awards: C/2d Lt Dave J Truong and C/2d Lt Ronald S Cervantes.

Three of our cadets received their red service ribbons:

•C/2d Lt Dave Truong
•C/SMSgt Nicholas Iacovelli
•C/SSgt Geoffrey Mathews

Several of our senior members received certificates of appreciation:

• Chap (LtCol) Chuck Ingram
• Maj Shelley Holbrook
• Maj Chris Storey
• Maj Chris Taylor
• Maj Daniel Gwaltney
• 1st Lt Darryl Gamboa
• Randy Holbrook

Two cadets received a Cadet Recruiter Ribbon:

•C/1st Lt Micah Gamboa
•C/2nd Lt Dave Truong

The NCO of the year is C/SMSgt Payton Swanson. The Officer of the year is C/1st Lt Micah Gamboa. The Senior member of the year is Maj Daniel Gwaltney.

This next year we, as a squadron, would like to train and develop our Cadet Program Officers, increase the number of activities, and increase the number of junior NCOs in our squadron.

The first section of this module is about the basic factors that affect weather. The first is the radiation from the sun. This causes the air to heat up and rise, making air currents. Because of the way the Earth rotates around the sun, the amount of heat that each part of the Earth gets is different. In addition to the winds we feel everyday, there are winds that are at approximately 30,000 feet MSL. This is called the jet stream, which travels from the west to the east between 120-150 miles per hour. This affects mainly military and commercial aircraft, while at cruising altitude. The surface winds affect all aircraft during take off and landing, and private aircraft at cruising altitude.

The next section is about the main elements of weather, wind, temperature, and pressure. Wind is measured by miles per hour and the Beaufort Scale. The Beaufort scale makes a comparison of wind speed and affects on the surrounding environment. One way that wind affects us on the ground (besides blowing our stuff and hair all over the place) is by wind chill. Wind blows warm air away from our bodies, thus making us feel colder. Temperature is another thing that affects weather. Heat is basically the energy within a molecule or substance. Temperature affects airplanes, because heat causes the air to become thinner, which causes the engine to have a richer mixture. This causes the airplane to use much more runway than usual. High temperatures can cause heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration in humans. Cold temperatures can cause frostbite and hypothermia. Cold temperatures cause icing within airplane carburetors’ and on the body of an airplane. Carburetor icing can occur at temperatures as high as 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The last basic element of weather is pressure. Atmospheric pressure is measured with either an aneroid barograph or a mercurial barometer. In an airplane the atmospheric pressure must be entered into the altimeter, because it affects how high the altimeter thinks the airplane is.

The next section talks about the various types of clouds. Clouds affect airplanes in such ways as visibility, icing, and precipitation. Clouds keep VFR (the kind of flying were one looks outside of the cockpit for guidance) pilots grounded. If the clouds are thick enough, they can even keep IFR (the kind of flying where one only uses the instruments to fly the plane) pilots on the ground. A pilot should never fly anywhere close to thunder clouds. Thunder clouds and the things that go with them (lightning, hail, strong winds) will literally tear an airplane to pieces. Various science companies will fly airplanes into thunderstorms, very few make it out alive.

The last section talks about fronts and extreme weather. Fronts are the boundaries between two air masses. Two colliding air masses cause many of the weather changes we see every day. Extreme weather includes such things as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

This event was very stressful, as was it’s purpose. All attendees has to go through rigorous testing. They were review boards, two inspections, motivational speeches, improvised speeches, instructing drill, instructing physical training, essay prompts, several tests, and physical fitness testing. This was all so that the executive staff could properly choose the 2009 Encampment staff. Squadron 56 was very luck to have 6 members on staff. Here is a list of the positions our cadet staff received:

C/1st Lt Gamboa- Deputy Officer in Command of Mess

C/CMSgt Cervantes- Mess Staff

C/2d Lt Philp- Alpha Flight Commander

C/Msgt Swanson- Public Affairs NCO

C/Tsgt Gamboa- Logistics NCO

C/SSgt Rupprecht- Juliet Flight Sergeant

Congratulations to all of the cadets who got on staff for CAWG/NVWG Encampment 2009!