Deer Valley Squadron - Nov 2007

8/2/2019 Deer Valley Squadron - Nov 2007

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FullFullThrottleThrottle

Monthly e-newsletter ofDeer Valley Composite Squadron 302Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302, Arizona Wing, U.S. Civil Air PatrolDeer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona

50 years of service to Arizona and America50 years of service to Arizona and America 19571957--20072007Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan, Squadron Commander Vol. 2, No. 3 November 2007

U.S. Civil Air Patrol: More Than Meets The Skies Semper Vigilans (Always Vigilant)U.S. Civil Air Patrol: More Than Meets The Skies Semper Vigilans (Always Vigilant)

Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302Celebrating 50 years of service in 2007Celebrating 50 years of service in 2007Celebrating 50 years of service in 2007Celebrating 50 years of service in 2007

New leadership takes command

age. The former cadet commander, who also hadbeen installed in January, relinquished the role to

(continued on page 2)

InsideInsideFull ThrottleFull Throttle Group IV Dining Out 3 Fiscal 07 flight hours 3 Open-house highlights 4 ISS contact attempt 5 Thanks keys success 6

See the Quarterly Training Schedule (QTS) and page 5of this newsletter for upcoming events and contact in-

formation. Also, go to http://azwg.us for the calendarof activities within the Civil Air Patrols Arizona Wing.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~Buchanan to guide squadron;Gassert takes charge of cadets

A new squadron commander plus a new ca-det commander have assumed the reins ofleadership within Deer Valley Composite

Squadron 302.Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan, a retired U.S. Air

Force lieutenant colonel and current director of

My vision is to sustain the

squadrons No. 1 ranking within

the Arizona Wing.-- Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan

homeland security for the Arizona Wing of the

U.S. Civil Air Patrol (CAP), has assumed squad-ron command, announced Maj. Adam Such,Group IV commander. The new squadron com-mander succeeds Capt. Paula Ramage, who hadserved in the post since January.

Taking the reins of leadership as the squad-rons new cadet commander is C/2Lt. RobertGassert, who succeeds C/Lt. Col. Matt Ram-

Overdue dues 6 Getting to know 7 Think safety 8 DDR overview 9 Promotions 10

Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan C/2Lt. Robert Gassert


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New commandassumes leadership(continued from page 1)

devote more time to his university studies.Lt. Col. Buchanan joined CAP in October2005 after retiring from a 22-year Air Forcecareer during which he accumulated 3,700hours as an F-16 and T-37 pilot. His militarycareer included flight training in Columbus,Miss., and service as an F-16 instructor pilotin Misawa, Japan; Ankara, Turkey; and twiceat Luke Air Force, where he was operationsofficer for the 425th Fighter Squadron whenhe retired. His service also included three

years working in international affairs at thePentagon.Lt. Col. Buchanan is a recipient of the Air

Force and U.S. Defense Department Meritor-ious Service medals. A graduate of the Air Forces Squadron Officers School and Air CommandStaff College, he also earned a bachelor of arts degree in business from the University of Texas at ElPaso and is near completion of his masters degree in aviation science from Embry-Riddle Aeronauti-cal University.

Since retiring, Lt. Col. Buchanan continues his work with the Air Force as director of operationsfor the Range Management Office at LukeAir Force Base where he oversees the airspace used in training and operations in stra-tegic planning and electronic combat.

Im excited to be here (at the squadron),Lt. Col. Buchanan says. My vision is to sus-tain the squadrons No. 1 ranking within theArizona Wing. The dedication to CAP by thesquadron members is reflected in the qualityof the people here. What they do the effortthey put forth says a lot, and I marvel attheir abilities and accomplishments.

Lt. Col. Buchanan lives in Glendale withhis wife, Sheila, a teacher at ScottsdalesNew Way Learning Academy for the learningdisabled; a 20-year-old son, Blaine, who isstudying within the Maricopa County CollegeDistrict to be a paramedic; and a 16-year-olddaughter, Cara, who attends Deer ValleyHigh School.

(Continued on page 3)

Full Throttle November 2007 Page 2

Full ThrottleFull Throttleis the monthly e-newsletter for offi-cers, cadets and friends of Deer Valley Composite

Squadron 302, Arizona Wing, U.S. Civil Air Patrol.Its mission is to bolster communication with andamong officers and cadets, enhance awareness ofsquadron activities, and share news and informa-tion about the squadron and its personnel.

Story suggestions and submissions can be for-warded by the 15th of the month preceding publica-tion toCapt. Jerry Porter,squadron public-affairsofficer, at [email protected].

To guarantee receipt of the newsletter, readers

should ensure their e-mail addresses and othercontact information remain current with the squad-ron and on e-services at www.capnhq.gov.Vol. 2, No. 3 November 2007

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

National First-Place Co-WinnerNewsletters2007 Maj. Howell Balsem

CAP Exceptional Achievement Awards

C/2Lt. Robert Gassert (left) accepts the post of cadet

commander from 1Lt. Casey Young (right), deputy com-

mander for cadets, as outgoing commander C/Lt. Col.

Matt Ramage looks on.


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Registration deadline is Nov. 2

Group IV Dining Out seeks camaraderieRegistration forms are due by Friday, Nov. 2, for the upcom-

ing Dining Out event being hosted for all cadets and adult of-

ficers of Group IV of the U.S. Civil Air Patrols Arizona Wing.Scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Luke Air Force Base Of-

ficers Club (Club Thunderbolt), the event is open to members ofSquadrons 302, 308, 313, 356, 508 and Group IV Headquartersstaff. A social hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m.The menu includes filet, chicken, vegetables, potato, rolls, salad, icecream, and water, tea or coffee.

Dining Out represents an opportunity for members of fivesquadrons and Group 4 Headquarters staff to develop camaraderie,be recognized for achievements before their peers and to enjoy finedining as part of a formal social gathering in the best military tradition, says Maj. Adam Such,

Group IV commander. It will be a gala event you wont want to miss. Please complete your registra-tion form quickly and make sure Deer Val-ley Composite Squadron 302 is representedwell.

Attire is a mess dress, blues or formalCAP corporate blazer. Guests should wearbusiness dress. It is recommended atten-dees bring a spouse/date and for cadets tobring their parents.

The price is $27.50 per person. Guestscan stay overnight at the Visiting Officers

Quarters for $27. Registration forms areavailable from commanders and are re-quired by the Nov. 2 date in order to sup-ply Club Thunderbolt with an accurate at-tendance count.

Full Throttle November 2007 P age 3

Gassert installed as squadron cadet commander(Continued from page 2)

Installed in October as the new cadet com-mander, C/2Lt. Gassert previously served as thesquadrons cadet executive officer in charge of thecadet support staff.

The four-year squadron member is past flightcommander of both Alpha and Bravo flights andserved as commander of the squadron color guard.

My goal is to rebuild our cadet corps into oneof the premier cadet units in the Arizona Wing,

Squadron pilots fly222.5 hours in 07

Pilots flew Deer Valley Composite Squadron302s Cessna 182 aircraft (N9370X) a total of 222.5hours in the 2007 fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.The total significantly exceeded the 200 hours man-dated by U.S. Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters.

The total does not include numerous additional

hours flown by squadron pilots in loaned aircraft whileN3970X underwent extended maintenance. The Ari-zona Wing ranks No. 9 nationally in total flight hours.

Pilots are encouraged to log proficiency hours as thenew fiscal year gets under way.

the new cadet commander states.C/2Lt. Gassert is a recipient of the Red Ser-

vice Award, Cadet Volunteer Service Award,

Wright Brothers Award and Mitchell Award.In addition, he has soloed as a glider pilot andis continuing his training to become a pow-ered-aircraft pilot.

The Mountain Ridge High School seniorseeks to become either a fighter pilot or trans-port pilot in the U.S. Air Force.


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Note these dates of squadron eventsOfficers, cadets and parents are encouraged to note these November

activities involving members of Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302:

Nov. 3 U.S. Air Force-evaluated SAREX. Nov. 5 Cadet meeting (BDUs); orientation

begins. Nov. 10 First Aid & CPR class (8 a.m. to 12

noon).Nov. 12 Cadet meeting (BDUs); DDR over-

view.

Squadron attempts space-station contactDeer Valley Composite Squadron 302 attempted to establish radio contact with the three-

member crew of the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday, Oct. 22, as the orbiting labo-

ratory passed more than 200 miles overhead. The attempt was unsuccessful, which is not unusualconsidering other duties the astronauts might have been performing.

2Lt. Ruben Kafenbaum, squadron professional-development officer and an amateur ham-radiooperator, was surrounded by squadron cadets who peered heavenward as he attempted contact. TheISS appeared low in the northwest sky and arced upward to 70 degrees. It shone with the approxi-mate brightness of a first-magnitude star as the spacecraft quickly traversed the sky.

Lt. Kafenbaum used a frequency specified as part of Amateur Radio on the International SpaceStation (ARISS), an educational program through which amateurs can attempt radio contact with theISS crew. More information about ARISS is available at http://www.rac.ca/ariss/faqariss.htm.

In the accompanying photos, Lt. Kafenbaum is shown as he attempts contact (below left) andpoints to the ISS (right) as it rises above the horizon. Among the cadets looking upward (far-right

photo) are C/TSgt.Jarrett Dunbar andC/2Lt. Jessica Bayne.The orbiting ISS (bottomright photo) is shown asphotographed from thespace shuttle.

.

Nov. 14 Adult officers meeting. Nov. 17 Check-pilot School at Pan Am

Academy; Group IV Dining Out at LukeAir Force Base.

Nov. 19 Cadet meeting (PT). Nov. 26 Cadet meeting (Blues).


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Open-house highlightsAn audience of approximately 60 parents and guests gath-

ered on the evening of Monday, Oct. 1, for Deer Valley Com-posite Squadron 302s open house. Promotions (see page 10 fora complete listing) and certificate presentations highlighted theevent.

Shown in the following photos: (1) Chaplain Capt. KenYoung addresses the gathering. (2) Peggy Shortridge pins newgrade on her daughter, C/A1C Jackie Shortridge. (3) Cadet C.

Schmitt takes the oath of membership. (4) C/Lt. Col. MattRamage, outgoing cadet commander, pins the first stripe onC/Amn Alethia Patocs. (5) Capt. LesManser (right) promotes Lt. Jerry Porterto the grade of captain.

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Thoughts at Thanksgiving

Key to success: Thanks for everythingby Capt. Robert Smith,

Squadron MoralLeadership Officer

and CAP ChaplainHave you ever had

someone say to you,Thanks for every-thing? This expres-sion is usuallyprompted by some fa-vor granted, somekindness expressed,some help given inmany different ways.Perhaps these three

words are keys to living a successful life.Isnt it true we all have a tendency to give more

to someone who is thankful than to someone whois ungrateful?

Giving thanks and being thankful are powerfulwords that work like magic on anyone, anywhere.It excites our heart and promotes us to act withgoodwill as well as encourages good deeds. Attimes of thankfulness, both our lives and lives of

those around us are affected for the better.Giving thanks is an act that sets in motion the

power of spirit, a power that works for good in our

Capt. Robert Smith

lives. Whenevergood comes tous, no matterhow it looks, italways is ac-companied by afeeling of grati-tude.

Here I would like to share with you what Idiscovered: Because good always is accompa-nied not followed by gratitude or thank-fulness, it also must follow gratitude always isaccompanied by good. These are inseparable.A principle you and I can practice, then, is tobe grateful and give thanks for what we desire.

That for what you are grateful and desirealready is there in spirit waiting to be calledforth. There can be no doubt Thanksgiving isrelated closely to faith. It certainly requiresfaith for things hoped for when there is no visi-ble evidence of them coming. Giving thanksbeforehand also builds our faith as well asprompting cheerfulness and optimism. Thanks-giving actually makes the world a better placeto live. Let us therefore be thankful for ourblessings that are present and coming.

Amen, and have a great Thanksgiving!

Unpaid squadron dues 1-month overdueAnnual dues of $40 that have not been paid by cadets and officers of Deer Valley Composite

Squadron 302 are one month overdue. Immediate payment is required for members to remain ingood standing.

Checks payable to CAP can be mailed to the squadron at 932 W. Deer Valley Road, Phoenix, AZ

85027, or delivered in person at cadet or officer meetings. Because the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a501(c)3 non-profit organization, dues and other CAP-related expenses such as mileage to andfrom meetings and other activities are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Officers, parents, grandparents and others also might wish to consider making the squadron thebeneficiary of end-of-year charitable contributions that will reap financial benefits during tax sea-son. Charitable gifts should be made via a separate check, also made payable to CAP, and noted asdesignated for the squadron.


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C/2Lt. Caleb Eaves recently earned hisGen. Billy Mitchell Award and gained promo-tion to the grade of cadet second lieutenant.

Following are questions and answers intendedto acquaint squadron officers, cadets and sup-porters with this newly commissioned cadet offi-cer:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~Q: How long have you been a member of the

squadron and Civil Air Patrol (CAP)?

It will be three years this upcoming December.Q: What is your current position in the

squadron and what are your responsibilities inthis role?

I am Alpha Flight commander. My role is toprovide leadership of the flight in squadron ac-tivities and serve as a leadership laboratory toinclude proper wearing of the CAP uniform,military courtesy and discipline, drill, ceremo-nies and formations. Im also an advisor to flightmembers. In addition, I perform related duties as

required.Q: What positions have you had previously

in the squadron?I have served as an orientation instructor,

Bravo and Alpha flight sergeant, and Bravoflight commander.

Q: How has CAP helped you in everyday

life?It has helped to improve my levels of maturity

and responsibility.Q: What advice do you give to newer cadets?

Just keep trying your hardest and don't giveup. The most challenging and difficult times willbe during your first couple of months. Once youmove up the ranks and get used to the disciplinethe squadron requires, new positions and activi-ties will be available. How much you put in ishow much you get out.

Getting to knowCadet officer aims to be

laboratory of leadershipQ: What isthe one thing

you want to getfrom CAP?

I would liketo be selectedfor the Interna-tional Air CadetExchange(IACE) and earn scholarships.

Q: Where do you attend school, and are youinvolved in any extracurricular activities?

I am a home-schooled sophomore. I play base-ball at Greenway High School

Q: What are your career plans?I wish to either become an architectural drafter

or engineer.Q: Who in the program do you consider to

have been the most instrumental in your ad-

vancement within CAP and why?Sean Whisenhunt, a former squadron cadet

who now is in pursuing a college degree in Okla-homa, has given me lots of advice and knowl-edge. C/Col. Cameron Philips and C/Col. Ja-mie Hurley gave me the opportunity to be a partof the Sun God Drill Team three years ago, whichtremendously has improved my experience. Allthree are great people from whom to learn.

Management is doing things right;

leadership is doing the right things. Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005)

C/2Lt. Caleb Eaves


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Think

think

think!

Safety first

Develop mindset: Think think thinkby Maj. Tim

Beckwith,

Squadron SafetyOfficer

At every squadronactivity and throughoutCivil Air Patrol(CAP), we talk, hearand look to preserveprecious resources andeliminate suffering our own and those weserve. We help people

in distress and must doso professionally and efficiently at the same timewe perform our duties.

Safety is a precious resource. We know weshould practice safety constantly and routinelyboth in our CAP duties and in our daily activities.Whenever something we do presents a higher-than-normal risk or is out of the ordinary, wetend to be especially safety-conscious. This iscalled risk management, or more formally, ORM operational risk management. An example of

ORM is when we complete the risk-assessmentform before each mission sortie).

We also have to thinkabout safety. For exam-ple, take a look at the trailing edge of a Cessnawing or elevator on the tail the next time you arenear an aircraft. Notice how easily it could sliceopen your scalp because of the indentations thatstrengthen the wing surface. Most of us are notaround high-wing aircraft on a daily basis, so itwould be easy not to thinkenough to avoid walk-ing into the wing because we arent usedto

watching for it.Likewise, tripping over the landing-gear legs,

staying away from the propeller, and handlinggas and oil are just a few items that make thisactivity potentially hazardous and deserving ofextra thought and attention. It is perfectly safeto be around an airplane but only if your dili-

Maj. Tim Beckwith

gence makes it so and that of other peoplewho are with you.

During a practice or actual mission, we per-form tasks we dont do day after day, which iswhy our focus is on safety training and the needfor a safety officer to work directly for the inci-dent commander (IC) or unit commander of theactivity.

The loss a couple of months ago of two news-helicopter crews among five that were cover-ing a car chase in central Phoenix was anotherexample. While still under investigation, whatthey were doing was done per agreements and

approved operating instructions. It will be inter-esting to see if the National TransportationSafety Board addresses ORM. How did ORMfigure, or not figure, into the equation thatbrought these aircraft closely together in anarena of see and be seen when most attention isplaced on the ground activity rather than thepilot fixating on just keeping separation fromthe other helicopters? Was it an accident wait-ing to happen? When we search in CAP andfind a possible target, there are specific actions

the flight crew must follow to minimize therisks in such a critical situation.

For more than 10 years, a sign over the doorof the main entrance to the 302 building hasreminded all of us that Safety is No Accident.Have you seen the sign? A second one on thedoor of the hangars aircraft-storage locker saysSafety is Awareness. Cute perhaps, but thinkabout these two items: Rather than being cute,these signs remind us of the need to think safetyin all we do, especially when doing things we

dont do ordinarily or when doing tasks thathave increased hazardous potential and requirewe be even more alert.

Aircrews use checklists for this very reason.Whenever the order or routine of the checklistitems is interrupted, our focus is broken and

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Parents, cadets invited to DDR overview~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Presentation is scheduled for Nov. 12Parents are encouraged to join Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302

cadets on Monday, Nov. 12, for a special presentation that examines thedangers of drug use, the warning signs of drug involvement, interventionprocedures and assistance, and how to remain drug-free.

A Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) program overview will be presentedfrom 7:30 to 9 p.m. by SSgt. Jeffrey Burch, DDR for the National Guard ofArizona, at Pan Am Academy at Deer Valley Airport. Cadets will meet at 7p.m. at squadron headquarters for opening ceremonies and then march to PanAm Academy for the program.

Also participating in the program will be 1Lt. Casey Young, deputy com-mander for cadets; SMSgt. Del Rubi; and C/MSgt. Aaron Massengale, whois the cadet DDR leader.

This is a valuable and informative presentation thatprovides both cadets and parents what they need toknow about staying free of drugs, says Officer MikeMatteson, the squadrons newly appointed DDR offi-cer. Involvement by parents is recommended stronglythrough their attendance plus their ongoing vigilance bycommunicating openly and regularly with their cadetsand others about the dangers of drug use.

The presentation follows the Oct. 23-31 observanceof National Red Ribbon Week, when students and mem-bers of various community organizations including the

U.S. Civil Air Patrol demonstrate a personal commit-ment to a drug-free lifestyle.

The Red Ribbon campaign was started after drug traffickers murdered Enrique Kiki Cam-arena, a special agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration, in 1985 in Mexico City. This trag-edy began the continuing tradition of displaying red ribbons as a symbol of unity and visible commit-ment of intolerance toward drug use.

A flyer that has been distributed to cadets to share with their parents includes a space to indicatethe number of family members who will be attending the overview presentation. Responses are re-quested by Monday, Nov. 5, to plan for seating. Appreciation is extended to John Olshock, managerof Pan Am Academy, for allowing use of the facility for the meeting.

Kiki Camarena

Maintaining safety requires continuous thought(Continued from page 8)risk is elevated as is the need for even addedattention. This is why we have a sterile cockpit(no conversation) during take-offs and prior tolandings so the crews attention is not interrupted

by items having no bearing on those tasks.So always remember to keep safety first and

practice this valuable routine: Think think think!


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16 cadets, 1 officer advance in gradeSeventeen members of Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 have received grade advance-

ments. Congratulations are extended to these 16 cadets whose studies and perseverance haveearned them promotions to the following grades:

To Chief Master Sergeant: **Clifford Branch III and **William Mead

To Cadet Technical Sergeant: *Matthew Karnes and **Michael Padrick

To Cadet Staff Sergeant: *Kristopher Glocksien

To Cadet Senior Airman: *Leanne Albillar, *Kyle Corales, *Kegan Edmondson,**Alexander Patocs and *Samantha Hansen

To Cadet Airman First Class: *Zachary Dieman, *David Matteson and *JacquelineShortridge

To Cadet Airman: **Trevor Pacion, *Alethia Patocs and *Arturo Uzurraga

In addition, the following adult officer has been advanced in grade:

To Captain: *Jerry Porter

* Promoted Oct. 1

** Promoted Oct. 29

Advancement only comes with habituallydoing more than you are asked.

Gary Ryan Blair

Motivational speaker, author, strategic thinker

StudyStudy TestTest PromotePromote

Deer Valley Squadron - Nov 2007

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