The Phoenix Flyer

SAN DIEGO CADET SQUADRON 144
CHARTER # PCR-CA-441
The Phoenix Flyer
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
SAN DIEGO CADET SQ. 144, CIVIL AIR PATROL, P.O. BOX 600864, SAN DIEGO, CA 92160 -0864
SQ144.CAWGCAP.ORG
ANOTHER GREAT YEAR!
I NS I DE T HIS ISS U E:
End of Year Recap
1
Astronomy Night
2-3
Cadet Recognition
and Awards
4-5
Miramar Air Show
6-7
Orientation Day
8
Events & Snapshots
9
Wreaths Across
America
10-11
Visitor Information & 12-13
Cadet and Senior
Staff Listing
UPCOMING EVENTS
Winter Bivouac
5-7 February 2016
Mtn Palomar Fry Creek
Campground
1Lt Laurie Bresnahan
Another great year in Civil Air Patrol has come and gone. San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
personnel participated in some outstanding events and activities with enthusiastic
participation. We benefited from: Emergency Service Training Bivouac, Palomar
Mountain; Orientation Rides all year long at Gillespie Field; Air Show San Diego, Gillespie
Field; Miramar Air Show, Marine Corps Air Station; Los Angeles County Air Show,
Lancaster, CA; Non-Commissioned Officer School, March Air Reserve Base; California
Wing Encampment, Camp San Luis Obispo, CA; Pararescue Orientation Course
(PJOC), Phoenix, Arizona; National Emergency Services Academy (NESA), Camp Atterbury,
IN; Cadet Officer Basic Course, Dublin, CA; Night Search and Rescue Exercise
(SAREx), Salton, CA; Astro Nite Bivouac, Terra Del Sol, CA; Wreaths Across America, Ft.
Rosecrans Nat'l Veterans Cemetery; Radio Controlled Model Aircraft Training, Escondido,
CA; Chino Air Show, Chino, CA; San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego, CA; & the numerous 2015 Aerospace Education guest speakers. We finished up the 2015 year at our
Annual Awards Banquet held 15 January 2016. Congratulations to the following recipients:
2015 Cadet Airman of the Year: C/SrA Derek Tingey
2015 Cadet NCO of the Year: C/TSgt Michael Becker
2015 Cadet Officer of the Year: C/2dLt Madeleine Angquico
2015 Cadet of the Year: C/TSgt Russell Woo
2015 Most Improved Cadet of the Year: C/SrA Chad Lawhorn
2015 Enthusiasm Award: C/A1C Jackson McCluskey
2015 Senior Member of the Year: 2Lt Eric Ferdinandwalters
2015 C/2Lt Bobby A Coeur Sports Award: C/TSgt Mark Ferdinandwalters
Air Force Association Cadet of the Year: C/2dLt Madeleine Angquico
Air Force Sergeants Association Cadet of the Year: C/CMSgt Michael Bresnahan
Riverside Air Show
2 April 2016
Save the date!
March Air Fest 2016
16-17 April 2016
March Air Field
Save the date!
Check cawgcap.org for
future events
1
What an outstanding group of cadets! We
look forward to another great year!
C/2dLt Haddon William, former Cadet
Commander, giving out going speech.
November/December 2015 Issue
Congratulations to the
The Phoenix Flyer
C/2dLt Madeleine Angquico, new 2016
Cadet Commander for Squadron 144.
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
ASTRO NIGHT
Cadets View the Heavens During the 9th Annual Astro Nite
On Saturday, 10 October 2015 ten members
and two guests of our squadron drove out to
Terra del Sol (TDS) where the San Diego
Astronomy Association (SDAA) dark sky
viewing site is located. Weather permitting,
this is an annual autumn event to learn about
astronomy from the members of this fine
organization.
TDS is a one hour drive
located about five miles SW of the Golden
Acorn Casino and one mile from the Mexican
border, well away from the city lights where
one can still see part of the Milky Way.
Cadets Madeleine Angquico, Matthew
Angquico, Zachery Fletcher, Brian Vogel,
Mark Ferdinandwalters, and Alex Davenport were present plus Senior Members Jennifer
Davenport, Eric Ferdinandwalters, Reginald Angquico, and Dennis Ammann. This year we
had two guests, Gary Vogel, father of Cadet Vogel and Annette Brown, sister of Dennis
Ammann.
As soon as we arrived, a safety brief was conducted,
CAP tent city was erected, and everyone was invited
to SDAA’s annual BBQ dinner. After dinner we visited
SDAA’s VP, Mr. Greg Farrell, who told us all about
how he built his small observatory. We continued to
tour the entire ten acre complex until sunset. About 30
minutes after sunset, our host, amateur astronomer,
Jerry Hilburn gave us his wonderful walk across the
sky, using his laser pointer to point out the various
constellations, center of the Milky Way, and Andromeda Galaxy, the farthest object one can see with the
unaided eye at 2.5 million light years away.
Armed with red light flashlights, the cadets were given
free rein of the facilities, viewing through the various
high power telescopes of the club members along the
two 60 foot cement slabs. Saturn was the first stop
because it would soon be setting with the sun. The
SDAA members are more than happy to share their vast
knowledge of the universe and telescopes with us. The
club opened their Lipp Observatory to all who wanted to
see the planets, nebulae, stars, etc. through their giant
22” reflecting telescope. This is the best view of the
heavens one can obtain through this giant light bucket at
TDS.
2
November/December 2015 Issue
The Phoenix Flyer
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
ASTRO NIGHT
Since there is no turn-in time (taps), most of the cadets
went to sleep about midnight. Cadets Madeleine and
Matthew Angquico were the most enthusiastic, laying
awake most of the night flat on their backs watching the
stars and constellations drift by.
At 05:15 hours, I woke up as many CAP members as I
could for the grand finale:
a thin crescent moon just
above the eastern horizon,
with Mercury right above,
next was Venus, Jupiter,
and Mars, all blazing away
in a line above us. Each
cadet was able to view
each planet and the moon
through my 10” reflecting
telescope. This is a rare
sight, especially to see Mercury because it never rises very
far above the horizon before the sun’s light erases it. With
Neptune and Uranus visible in the early evening, we had the
opportunity to view every planet in the solar system this visit
with our SDAA friends.
As the sun rose above the east, we started to break down CAP tent city, and stow our gear
back in the cars. We conducted a FOD walk-down, picking up trash, then emptied the trash
cans, and took most of it back with us to show our appreciation to SDAA for allowing us to
camp out each year. We then thanked Mr. Jerry Hilburn for his hospitality by opening up his
observatory to us, and sharing his knowledge of astronomy.
Looking back over the nine trips we’ve made out to
SDAA’s dark site, this might have been the best
astronomical experience we had, with a clear dark sky,
no moon, dry atmosphere, free BBQ, telescopes big
and small galore, and an opportunity to get to know
each other better while sitting at CAP tent city under
the stars.
By Maj Dennis Ammann, AE Officer
3
November/December 2015 Issue
The Phoenix Flyer
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
CONGRATULATIONS
BASIC TRAINING FLIGHT GRADUATES:
C/SSgt Jacob A Colton
C/SSgt Jacob M Richards
C/TSgt Mark A Ferdinandwalters
C/TSgt Michael P Becker
C/MSgt Matthew Angquico
C/2Lt Terence J Belprez
CADET John Lindsey
C/Amn Andrew Vasbinder
CADET Brian Vogel
PROMOTIONS:
RECOGNITIONS:
C/A1C Nicholas Adams
C/A1C Bryce B Braxmeyer
C/A1C James P Braxmeyer
C/A1C Jonathan M Chabot
C/A1C Jackson Paul McCluskey
C/SrA Bryant Y Chanthirath (not pictured)
C/SrA Archer C Lai
C/SrA Damon M Schubert
C/SrA Derek J Tingey
C/SrA Amber R Webb
C/SrA Aaron M Williams
CADET John Lindsey
C/CMSgt Barrett Lo was selected to be our squadron’s
Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) representative who will
report to the group CAC, C/2dLt Madeleine Angquico.
There are also California, Pacific Region, and National
representatives. Congratulations all the cadets for these
promotions, recognitions, and prestigious positions.
WAY TO GO EVERYONE! SO PROUD OF YOU!
C/Amn Andrew
Vasbinder
C/A1C Bryce B Braxmeyer
C/A1C James P Braxmeyer
4
C/2Lt Terrence Belprez received his Mitchell Award
November/December 2015 Issue
CADET Brian Vogel
C/A1C Jonathan M
Chabot
C/A1C Jackson
Paul McCluskey
The Phoenix Flyer
C/A1C Nicholas
Adams
C/SrA Archer C Lai
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
CONGRATULATIONS
SepTember-December Promotions
C/SrA Damon M Schubert
C/SSgt Jacob A Colton
C/MSgt Matthew
Angquico
C/SrA Derek J Tingey
C/SSgt Jacob M
Richards
C/2Lt Terence J Belprez
C/SrA Amber R Webb
C/SrA Aaron M
Williams
C/TSgt Mark A
Ferdinandwalters
C/TSgt Michael P
Becker
C/CMSgt Barrett Lo, reC/2Lt Terence J Belprez
ceiving green cord to
receiving the Mitchell
Award.
representing
our squad1st Lt Reggie Angquico
ron for CAC.
Administration Officer
5
November/December 2015 Issue
The Phoenix Flyer
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
Miramar Air Show, the Ultimate in Aviation Action
Miramar Air Show, the Ultimate in Aviation Action
By Maj Dennis Ammann, AE Officer
This year’s three day Miramar Air Show
hosted by Marine Corps Air Station,
Miramar was back to its top rated performance, having been cancelled two years ago
and almost no USAF presence last year. It
was a three ring circus again with civilian
aerial acts, military air demonstrations
from all branches of the service, and tons
of aircraft to view and walk around inside
the static display area.
Again, Maj Roy Knight, Commander, Fallbrook Senior Squadron 87 arranged for their
Cessna C-182 Skylane to be part of the CAP ‘Recruiting Magnet’ for this year’s recruiting
booth. This is a real crowd pleaser as
this aircraft is one of the few civilian
aircraft where people of all ages are allowed to sit inside and learn what it’s
like in the pilot’s seat and learn what the
various instruments and flight controls
do. This also gives our new cadets and
potential cadets a hands-on learning
laboratory about light aircraft too.
Added to the CAP static display area
was the squadron’s CAP vehicle, prepositioned by Maj Ross Veta. This was
the first year a CAP vehicle was provided next to the CAP aircraft to show
the public the complete picture of how a
ground search is conducted using both air and ground assets. This was our largest exhibit to
date.
CAP personnel from all San Diego County squadrons were represented this year. In
particular was 2Lt Kenneth Bobby from San Diego Senior Squadron 57 who is an active
duty Marine Maintenance Officer with a V-22 Osprey squadron. He gave a few of our
cadets an excellent walk-around tour of one of these tilt rotor aircraft and their mission.
6
November/December 2015 Issue
The Phoenix Flyer
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
Miramar Air Show, the Ultimate in Aviation Action
The two highlights of the air show are: the
Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF)
demonstrating how this tactical force
secures an inland enemy target. Pyrotechnics
and ear plugs are the order of the day for this
demo and near supersonic fly-bys of F/A-18
Hornets. The other aerial presentation was
the Navy’s Blue Angels Flight Demonstration
Squadron with their close formation flights
and low pass fly-overs.
Even Robosaurus returned after a long absence
from Miramar, destroying cars by blowing
flames on them and cutting them in half with his
claws.
CAP receives three benefits from this annual
air show here in San Diego: (1) Positive public
relations where the public can see and sit inside
a CAP aircraft or vehicle and learn about our
three missions. (2) Show the public how
well their taxes are spent and how we search
for missing aircraft/personnel. (3) How this
air show provides an aerospace education
show case for both cadets and senior members with so much aviation history, aircraft,
and aviators to learn from.
Here at Squadron 144, we are so fortunate to be
located next to such a great American military
asset and attend the Miramar Air Show each
year.
7
November/December 2015 Issue
The Phoenix Flyer
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
C/Amn Andrew Vasbinder and Pilot David Jardine
Pilot David Wallace and C/A1C James Braxmeyer
Pilot Virgil L Hathaway and C/A1C Chabot
C/Amn Noah Turner and Pilot Virgil L Hathaway
Orientation Rides
otherwise known as “O” Rides were offered on 24
October 2015 at Gillespie Field to cadets in order to expose them to a small single
engine aircraft. Cadets are offered 5 free “O” Rides before the age of 18 in hopes to
instill a love to fly. Each “O” Ride is tailored to educate the cadet on specific flight
training objectives. This is where the love of flying really begins. To learn more,
read CAPP 52-7 Flight Syllabus on e-services. Thank you volunteer CAP Pilots for
your time and expertise! We appreciate you!
2dLt Eric Ferdinandwalters,
Super Star “O” Ride Coordinator
8
November/December 2015 Issue
The Phoenix Flyer
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
SOCIAL FUN AND SNAPSHOTS
SOCIAL TIME: Non-CAP EVENT AT KROC CENTER: ICE SKATING ON 19 DECEMBER 2015. Super great fun! Join us next time! Great time with all the following families: Fletcher, Lawhorn,
Davenport, Angquico, Adams, Chabot , Williams, Colton, Woo , and Zeigler.
Snapshots from the Annual Awards Banquet 15 January 2016
9
November/December 2015 Issue
The Phoenix Flyer
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
Three CAP Squadrons Lay Wreaths at Fort Rosecrans with Wreath
Across America
By Dennis Ammann, Maj, CAP
On Saturday, 12 December 2015, three CAP squadrons were represented at Fort Rosecrans to assist with laying wreaths upon the graves of
Veterans who have passed on. Members of San Diego Cadet Sq. 144, South San Diego Cadet Sq. 201, and San Diego Senior Sq. 57 were
represented among the other organizations who were present. A total of 16 cadets and 8 senior members were present.
The organization titled, ‘Wreaths Across America’ (WAA) provides the wreaths for hundreds of volunteers across America to conduct ceremonies
and lay them on the graves of our dearly departed Veterans who either died in combat or of natural causes on this day across the nation.
Maj Dennis Ammann filled in as CAP Project Officer coordinating this event with the WAA director so that the Civil Air Patrol would be there
helping behind the lines. Lt Dina Swift represented South San Diego Cadet Sq. 201, and Maj David Wallace represented San Diego Senior Sq. 57.
Each year, CAP is called upon to arrive two hours early in order to wipe down the chairs so that they will be clean and dry for the general public.
Cadets also hand out programs at the entrance to the ceremonial area. Just before the ceremonial programs starts, CAP personnel formed ranks
next to the Navy contingent to listen to the dignitaries speak at 09:00 hours.
The ceremony started with the presentation of the colors by the USMC Color Guard, followed by a Revolutionary War Color Guard, complete
with muskets. The colors were posted and the National Anthem was played by the Navy Band. A dignitary spoke about our veterans who served
our country so valiantly in the defense throughout the years. Then two representatives, one officer and one enlisted from each branch of the
service present a ceremonial wreath and place it in front of the podium. Also included each year is the Merchant Marine and a representative for
the POW/MIA veterans. A three-volley rifle volley was fired by the Marine Honor Guard, saluting the departed Veterans there. After the
benediction, the cadets broke ranks and proceeded to their next task, laying of the wreaths.
Each year we are given nine special gravesites to attend to. Five Veterans were Killed in Action (KIA) during combat actions in Iraq as follows:
Sgt Alejandro Dominguez, U.S. Army; Capt Brian Freeman, U.S. Army; Pv2 Devon Jones, U.S. Army; Cpl Jorge Gonzalez, USMC; and Sgt
Cody Legg, U.S. Army. We also laid wreaths on four Medal of Honor recipients’ gravesites: Lt(jg) Albert David, USN; Cpl James Day, USMC;
Capt Jesse Dyer, USMC; and VAdm Middleton Elliott, USN.
Each cadet was given a wreath and instructions how to lay the wreath at a 45 degree angle next to the white headstone and salute the departed
veteran. It’s always a very touching evolution to go through, to show our gratitude and respect for them, and in some cases, a written placard was
placed next to their tombstone informing all just what they did.
After we were finished laying the wreaths, we gathered next to Master-at-Arms Petty Officer Second Class Michael Monsoor, USN gravesite to
reflect about what our Veterans have sacrificed throughout America’s history. MA2 Monsoor was a Navy SEAL who received the Medal of
Honor in Iraq by shielding his shipmates from an exploding hand grenade by laying on top of it, receiving mortal wounds while in combat in Iraq.
Maj Ammann explained why there were pebbles placed on top of his tombstone and the various items his shipmates would leave behind on top of
the grave.
This concluded our annual support of WAA and our traditional visit to MA2 Michael Monsoor’s gravesite. A very worthwhile event each year to
take some time off and reflect who these people were and why we have the freedoms now and should never take them for granted.
10
November/December 2015 Issue
The Phoenix Flyer
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
11
November/December 2015 Issue
The Phoenix Flyer
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
SAN DIEGO CADET SQUADRON 144
COLOR GUARD
The San Diego Cadet Squadron 144 Color Guard were invited to the 147th Combat Communication Squadron retirement party for Major Morabe on Saturday, 9 January 2016 at the VFW in Kearny
Mesa. They asked them to post the colors, fold the flag, read the folding of the flag ceremony and present
the flag to Major Michael Morabe. It was beautiful and very moving. The cadets were outstanding! Major
Morabe was very grateful. He presented each cadet with a Challenge Coin to show his appreciation for
their dedication to Civil Air Patrol and honoring him with posting the colors and folding the flag.
Thank you C/2dLt Madeleine Angquico, C/CMSgt Barrett Lo, C/MSgt Matthew Angquico, C/TSgt
Alexander Davenport, and C/TSgt Mark Ferdinandwalters for volunteering your time for this event. And
thank you Maj Dennis Ammann, Capt Reggie Angquico and 1Lt Jennifer Davenport for coordinating and
supporting the cadets.
12
November/December 2015 Issue
The Phoenix Flyer
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144
BRING A VISITOR
Visitors must notify Maj Dennis Ammann NO LATER THAN
Monday before 12:00 PM to be placed on the security gate
roster for entrance into the military base.
Drivers must be preapproved to be allowed on base and must
show their Driver’s License or CAP ID to the Gate Guard.
General Contact: Maj Dennis
Cell: (619) 247-2457
Ammann, Security Officer,
Email Address: [email protected]
Meeting Location: 147TH Combat Communications Squadron,
CA Air National Guard Base, 7288 Convoy Terrace, San Diego,
CA 92111-7901.
Map Note: Please check the squadron calendar for the most current information about the meeting location,
http://sq144.cawgcap.org/
Mailing Address: San Diego Cadet Sq. 144, Civil Air Patrol,
P.O. Box 600864, San Diego, CA 92160-0864
NEW CADET STAFF FOR 2016
SENIOR MEMBER STAFF
CADET EXECUTIVE STAFF:
Maj Ross Veta, Commander & Emergency Services Officer
Cadet Commander: C/2dLt Madeleine Angquico
1st Lt Jennifer Davenport, Deputy Commander & Public Affairs
Cadet Deputy Commander: C/SMSgt Ryan Ziegler
Capt Reginald Angquico, Admin/Personnel Officer
Cadet Executive Officer: C/CMSgt Barrett Lo
CADET LINE STAFF:
First Sergeant: C/MSgt Michael Bresnahan
Maj Dennis Ammann, Aerospace Education & Security Officer
1st Lt Laurie Bresnahan, Leadership Officer
2d Lt James Bankston, Character Development Officer
2d Lt Eric Ferdinandwalters, Communications Officer
Alpha Flight Commander: C/TSgt Marco Jewell
2d Lt Edward Lai, Testing & Leadership Officer
Alpha Flight Sergeant: C/SSgt Michael Becker
Senior Member Octavius Blackwood, Safety Officer
Bravo Flight Commander: C/TSgt Russell Woo
Bravo Flight Sergeant: C/SSgt Jacob Colton
AEM Philip Blanco, Aerospace Education Training Support
Cadet Sponsor Member Scott Becker, Support Staff
Cadet Sponsor Member Mattawan Lai, Support Staff
NCO Flight Instructor/Commandant: C/1st Lt Everett Costello
Cadet Sponsor Member Marty Richards, Support Staff
Cadet Sponsor Member Ralph Zeigler, III, Support Staff
Thank you to all who submit photos for the newsletter!
13
November/December 2015 Issue
The Phoenix Flyer
San Diego Cadet Squadron 144