Delta Squadron - Apr 2009

8/2/2019 Delta Squadron - Apr 2009

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THE DELTA COMPOSITE SQUADRON QUARTERLY SECOND QUARTER 2009

PAGE 1

The Flight Line

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CHANGE OF COMMAND

Capt. Risher Lewis (left) congratulates outgoing Delta commander Capt. Dan Katen following the changeof command ceremony at the squadron’s Hooks Airport facility March 17. Katen, holding gifts of appreciation from the senior and cadet flights, had led the unit for the past five years.

Additional photos from the ceremony may be found on page four.




PAGE 2

Recruiting and Retention

Recruiting and retention could best bedescribed as human resource management,marketing, salesmanship and career development counseling.

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is constantly requiredto develop and maintain a strong membershipbase of volunteers that is well qualified, trainedand experienced.

The CAP Recruiting and Retention Officers areresponsible for introducing new and prospectivemembers to the many facets of our volunteer programs so they may gain an understanding of the dedication, professionalism and excellence

required of each member when training andperforming the Civil Air Patrol’s missions for

America.

The recruiting and retention program includesthe coordination of the prospecting, recruiting,orienting, involvement and renewal activitiesrequired to keep the number of qualifiedpersonnel in our squadrons and groups in theTexas Wing at optimal operational levels. It alsoincludes making presentations to civic groups,veterans organizations, school programs and at

public gatherings to gain public awareness,admiration and respect for the services that theCAP and its members provide the nation, stateand local communities.

The overall goal is to ensure that membership inCivil Air Patrol is worthy of the prospectivemember, active member and inactive member’stime and commitment.

While every member of Civil Air Patrol ischarged with the responsibility of recruiting new

members, appointed recruiting and retentionofficers carry the additional responsibility of thefull-time active pursuit of finding and retainingqualified individuals to fill the needs of the unitthey serve and, in an overall sense, the entireCAP organization.

As the Recruiting and Retention Officer for theTexas Wing and Delta Composite Squadron, Ihave a responsibility to find and bring more

members into our squadron, as well as thewing, so that we can accomplish our missionmore effectively. What I ask of every member of Delta Squadron is to assist me in finding newpotential members.

For senior members, that means that we lookfor identifying signs that indicate that a personmay be a good prospective member for our organization. It may be a T-shirt or a hat from aunit that he or she served with during their timeon active duty or from a veterans organization in

which they are members. You might be at asocial function that you are attending and,through conversation, find that they areveterans or people that have skills that would fitour mission responsibilities.

I would just ask for you to tell them about your involvement with CAP and how they can contactme for more information. Of course, if you canget them to fill out one of the contact cards that Ihave given you for your wallet, it would help therecruiting effort immensely.

Cadets can always talk with their friends atschool, or church, or if you know people whoare in scouting programs, they might beinterested in what we do. Some schools havemilitary clubs that meet on a regular basis.

Always look for an opportunity to tell peopleabout the types of things we do in CAP andinvite them to visit the squadron on a meetingnight.

In the near future, I will need some senior andcadet members to help me with the redesign of

our recruiting kiosk and to participate in somemiddle school and public recruiting displays. If you are willing to help please see me on anyTuesday night to let me know you are available.

Capt. Brian Callahan




PAGE 3

CADETS OVERNIGHT ABOARD USS TEXASC/2nd Lt. Jessica Willis

On March 14 a group of 17 Delta cadets traveled to San Jacinto Historic site where the

battleship USS Texas is berthed. The Texas was, for a time, the most powerful weapon in theworld. When it was commissioned in 1914, her 14 inch guns were the largest ever to be puton a battleship. Texas served with the British Grand Fleet during World War I and was the

flagship for the entire U.S Navy. During theSecond World War, the Texas led invasions of North Africa, Normandy, Southern France, IwoJima and Okinawa, earning a total of fivebattle stars. After her service was no longer needed, she was decommissioned, renovatedto restore her to what she looked like in her prime and moved to the San Jacinto Historic

Park. Three months and 225,000 dollars later she became the first historic ship museum in1948.

Delta cadets got a chance to tour theentire ship, including going as low as theboiler rooms! The tour guides were allmembers of the ship’s crew at some time and

they shared their one-of-a-kind insight intothe ship.

The cadets got to to go into many

areas that are closed to the public like thebrig, inside the turrets of the two 14-inchguns and the navigation room, at the highestpoint of the ship.

The first day of the visit, the tour tookplace in the bottom half of the ship, from thedeck down. The second day the tour tookplace on deck. Having the opportunity tospend the night aboard gave cadets anopportunity to not only read and learn aboutlife on the ship, but to actually experience it.

At the end of the second day, departure day,the ship’s director led a graduation ceremony for all participants. Each cadet and senior member received a certificate and patch. But that’s not all the cadets left with that day -- theyleft with an abundance of historic knowledge and the experience of a lifetime.




PAGE 4

Photos From the Change of Command Ceremony

From top left: Capt. Bob Beeley, representing Group IV, passes the squadronguidon to new commander Capt. Risher Lewis; the squadron assembled onthe pad; C/Maj. Collin Carstens presents outgoing Squadron Commander Capt. Dan Katen a plaque of appreciation from the cadet flight; Capt. BrianCallahan presents Capt. Katen a plaque from the senior flight; Capt. Katenposes with C/Capt. Jamie Douglas and C/Maj. Collin Carstens; Capt. Katencuts a cake honoring his service as squadron commander following thechange of command ceremony.




PAGE 5

SAFE.

It’s not just another four letter word. It’s a change of mind that you develop through training,listening to safety presentations, reading about lessons learned and by experience.

In CAP we have to make it a way of life. A good number of our call-outs for actual searchand rescue missions are because the aircrew or pilot involved failed to operate their aircraftin a safe manner and have now suffered the consequences of that action.

The same holds true for call-outs for missing hikers and campers. Someonefailed to either get a map of the area, have acompass on hand, or got into an area of bad

weather because they didn’t use cautionwhen listening to the forecast.

If you are involved in an activity make sureyou think about safety. Take the extra timeto check fuel, look at the weather, gather thenecessary equipment and to think about thesafety aspects of your activity. Remember;“there are old pilots and bold pilots, but noold bold pilots.”

For those who don’t fly; “look in the mirror. The person most responsible for your safety isYOU!”

!

From the Safety Officer....

1st. Lt. Ray Watson

The Houston Flight Standards District Office (HOU FSDO) has moved. The new address is:

12650 N. Featherwood DriveSuite 230Houston, Texas 77034-4411

All telephone numbers will remain the same.Directions to the new building:· I-45, Exit #33, onto Fuqua Street· Turn East onto Fuqua Street (opposite Sam’s Club)

· Turn left at signal light onto N. Featherwood Drive

· The HOU FSDO is the white building on the right side.

Houston FSDO Moves to New Facility




PAGE 6

CAP History Quiz

1. Who was the Director of the Civil Defense that signed the formal order that created theCivil Air Patrol on 1 December, 1941?

2. One of the founders of the Civil Air Patrol dropped sandbags on industrial plants toprove that saboteurs could cause much damage to our industrial infrastructure by usinglight aircraft as bombers. Who was he?

3. How many hours did CAP aircrews fly during WWII?

4. How many CAP pilots lost their lives defending our country during WWII?

5. Where were the first CAP Coastal Patrol bases located?

6. How many coastal patrol missions were flown by CAP air crews during WWII?

7. How many special convoy missions were flown by CAP air crews for the Navy duringWWII?

8. How many CAP aircraft were lost during WWII?9. During WWII, which state began using horses with the ground search teams as the

preferred method of transportation?

10. What was the name of the flat bottomed boats powered by an aircraft engine that wereused by the Florida Wing ground search teams during WWII?

Answers on following page

Delta Cadets and Seniors Recognized at Group IV Banquet

Several members of Delta Composite Squadron were honored at the recentGroup IV awards banquet. 1st. Lt. Ray Watson was named Safety Officer of theYear. Watson is seen here receiving his award from Group Commander Lt. Col.Dennis Cima. 2nd Lt. Mark Allison, not pictured, was named Group IV LogisticsOfficer of the Year.

Also recognized were C/2nd. Lt. Jessica Willis, C/Capt. Jamie Douglas and C/Maj. Collin Carstens, pictured here with Deputy Commander for Cadets Capt.Joyce Kassai and then-Squadron Commander Capt. Dan Katen.

Willis was presented her Mitchell Award, whileDouglas and Carstens received their Earhart

Awards. Carstens also received his Silver Congressional Medal for volunteerism.

The banquet was held Feb. 28.




PAGE 7

Answers to History Quiz

1. Fiorello La Guardia2. Earle L. Johnson3. 500,0004. 305. Atlantic City, New Jersey, Rehobeth, Maryland, and Lantana, Florida6. 86,685 coastal patrol missions7. 5,684 special convoy missions8. 90 Aircraft9. Nevada10. Glade Buggies

Applications are now being accepted for the 2009 National Emergency Services Academy (NESA) to beheld at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Indiana from the 27th of June until the 11th of July 2009. There arecourses for all members interested in emergency services, and this is a great opportunity for both new membersas well as experienced members to come train with hundreds of their peers from across the country.

Apply online at: https://ntc.cap.af.mil/ops/nesa/ or download an offline application form from: http://

nesa.cap.gov/Documents/2009_NESA_Offline_Application_Form_-_Fillable.dot. Slots will be filled on a firstcome first served basis through the 17th of May 2009 or until slots are filled, whichever comes first. Personnelare encouraged to apply soon to get into the course or courses they desire. Some courses fill up faster thanothers and there are a few that are nearly full already. The following fifteen courses will be offered this year atNESA:

National Ground Search And Rescue School (NGSAR)

NGSAR Basic Course – 28 June to 4 July 2009

NGSAR Basic Course – 5 to 11 July 2009

NGSAR Advanced Course – 28 June to 4 July 2009

NGSAR Advanced Course – 5 to 11 July 2009

NGSAR First Responder Course – 4 to 11 July 2009

NGSAR Ground Team Leader Course – 4 to 11 July 2009

Incident Command System School (ICSS)

ICSS Basic Course – 28 June to 4 July 2009 – Includes ICS-300 Training

ICSS Advanced Course – 5 to 11 July 2009 – Includes ICS-400 Training

ICSS Mission Communications Course – 28 June to 4 July 2009 – New in 2009

Mission Aircrew School

MAS Basic Course (Mission Scanner & Airborne Photographer) – 28 June to 4 July 2009

MAS Intermediate Course (Mission Pilot or Observer Track) – 27 June to 4 July 2009

MAS Intermediate Course (Mission Pilot or Observer Track) – 4 to 11 July 2009

MAS Advanced Course (Mission Pilot or Observer Track) – 4 to 11 July 2009

MAS ARCHER Course – 28 June to 4 July 2009

MAS ARCHER Course – 5 to 11 July 2009

Additional pre-requisites and information about NESA and the above courses can be found at: http://nesa.cap.gov/.

National Emergency Services Academy

http://www.mmsend3.com/ls.cfm?r=153923116&sid=6009024&m=676011&u=CivilAir&s=http://nesa.cap.gov/





http://www.mmsend3.com/ls.cfm?r=153923116&sid=6009023&m=676011&u=CivilAir&s=http://nesa.cap.gov/Documents/2009_NESA_Offline_Application_Form_-_Fillable.dot




http://www.mmsend3.com/ls.cfm?r=153923116&sid=6009022&m=676011&u=CivilAir&s=https://ntc.cap.af.mil/ops/nesa/

http://www.mmsend3.com/ls.cfm?r=153923116&sid=6009022&m=676011&u=CivilAir&s=https://ntc.cap.af.mil/ops/nesa/




PAGE 8

Aerospace Education Algebra: Friend or Foe?

Lt. Col. Steven Mathews

At some point, some of you havetaken algebra, are taking algebra, or will be taking algebra. Many peoplewho encounter algebra believe theyare receiving first-hand knowledge of purgatory. This article is to show youthat algebra is your friend, not your enemy.

The word "algebra" is named after

the Arabic word "al-jabr”, meaning“union” . This mathematical process was written in a book in 820 by theIslamic Persian mathematician,Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizm ī (also considered “The Father of

Algebra").

Elementary algebra is the mostbasic form of algebra. It is taught to

students who are presumed to haveno knowledge of mathematics beyondthe basic principles of arithmetic. Inarithmetic, only numbers and their arithmetical operations (such as +, −,×, ÷) occur. In algebra, numbers areoften denoted by symbols (such as a, x , or y ).

The most common complaintagainst algebra is that it has norelationship to everyday life. Consider this situation. You ar e on the dancecommittee, and you’re in charge of providing the balloons. The committeehas decided that they want to haveblue and red balloons. However, thecommittee wants twice as many blue

balloons as red balloons. You have abudget of $100.00. The balloons are 5cents apiece. How many blue and redballoons can you buy? How muchmoney is left over? Assume a salestax of 7%. You can start with a wildguess and take 5 to 10 frustratingminutes to get the correct answer. Or,you can use elementary algebra to

get the correct answer in 1 minute.Most jobs require using tools.

Algebra is a tool, just like a hammer and saw; it is a different type of tool.Many technical jobs, inside andoutside of the military, use elementaryalgebra. A pi lot, navigator,maintenance officer, avionics officer,logistics officer, jet engine mechanic,radio operator, nurse, dentalassistant, doctor, dentist, accountant,etc., will use some amount of elementary algebra in their occupation. Your mastery of elementary algebra will enable you tobe the outstanding performer in your future job. At the very least, you canbuy the correct number of blue andred balloons for the next dance.

Answer: 1,240 blue balloons, 620red balloons; 0 cents.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number%22%20%5Co%20%22Number

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arithmetic%22%20%5Co%20%22Arithmetic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematics%22%20%5Co%20%22Mathematics


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematics_in_medieval_Islam%22%20%5Co%20%22Mathematics%20in%20medieval%20Islam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic%22%20%5Co%20%22Arabic


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Musa_al-Khwarizmi%22%20%5Co%20%22Muhammad%20ibn%20Musa%20al-Khwarizmi

















PAGE 9

SQUADRON ENJOYS ‘FIFTH TUESDAY’ WITH COOKOUT

Delta Composite Squadron members gathered at the unit’s

David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport facility March 31 to celebrate

the fifth Tuesday of March with a cook out.

Squadron Commander Capt. Risher Lewis (pictured, left)

and Deputy Commander for Seniors Capt. Tim Ragulsky (bottom,

right) served as chief cooks. Cadets furnished beverages and

Senior Members brought chips and desert.

Additional activities included touch football and volleyball.

The highlight of the evening came when Lewis presented a plaque

of appreciation to airport General Manager Jag Gill (below).




PAGE 10

The Power of HeritageCapt. Brian Callahan

When I was first interested in joining the U.S. Navy, there was a recruiting poster that was verysimple but carried a very powerful message. With three images and two words it connects the historicalbirth of our nation with the USS Constitution and conveys the idea that the heritage of serving in theU.S. Navy will be passed from one generation to the other through the figures of the sailor and childholding hands.

One of the first things I noticed, after I had gotten over the initial shock of being processed into mycompany in boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, was that the first weeks of trainingincluded a thorough orientation that included the history of the United States Navy, its organization andits customs and traditions. All of that could be summed up in oneword; Heritage.

Our heritage included the heroism of all those who served sodistinctively since the founding of our nation, but moreimportantly, it connected all of us to that heritage and fostered inus an appreciation for the service we were now part of andinstilled in us a resolve to become faithful stewards of thatheritage.

Our company commanders, our instructors and all personnelinvolved with our training at Great Lakes made it abundantlyclear to us that we were ambassadors of the U.S. Navy 24/7.They impressed upon us that everything we did, from the waywe wore our uniform, performed even the smallest task, or

conducted ourselves in public was all a reflection how weintegrated the Navy traditions, customs and heritage into our habits and lives.

They also made it clear that, no matter how well we did inother training subjects, if we couldn’t prove that the values thatreflected our adherence to the Navy’s heritage were part of our everyday conduct, we would notgraduate from basic training and would be released from the service.

As a member of the Civil Air Patrol, we also have a proud heritage that connects us with our corevalues, customs and traditions. As the officers in our organization, we are the stewards of that heritage.

More importantly, just as in the picture of the sailor holding the child’s hand, we are responsible for connecting the cadet members of our program to our heritage, our core values, our customs andtraditions and our humanitarian mission. We are the ambassadors of the Civil Air Patrol and now, withthe eyes of more governmental agencies on us, the manner in which we adhere to our customs andtraditions, wear our uniforms, communicate with others and demonstrate our professionalism incarrying out our missions is a reflection of our desire to be honorable stewards of our proud heritage.




PAGE 11

Contributors

C/2nd Lt. Jessica Willis

Capt. Brian Callahan

Capt. Risher Lewis

Lt. Col. Steven Matthews

Capt. Ray Watson

Photography

Capt. Jim Douglas

C/2nd Lt. Jessica Willis

1st. Lt. Brandy Willis

2nd Lt. David McCollum

Laurie Green

Editor

2nd Lt. David McCollum

FROM THECOMMANDER...

It doesn’t take long to

realize why our operational

tempo has been slowly

increasing over the past 24

months. Just read the

headlines in the news and

compare them to the ongoing

operations the Texas Wing isbeing tasked to do. We know

what they are and understand

the importance of each

tasking, relevant to our

emergency services mission.

In order to keep up the pace,

we need to continue to train

for new skills and stay

proficient in the skills we have

already developed.

T h e r e a r e m a n y

opportunities being offered

within our unit and at the

group and wing levels, too.

Much of the training at Delta

is geared toward ai r

operations; however, I have

initiated a new Ground Team

Training Unit to meet the

i n c r e a s i n g m i s s i o n

requirement for ground team

operat ions. Del ta has

struggled in this area in the

past but I think we can

develop a number of qualified

teams to meet the operational

needs of the Texas Wing. I

encourage everyone to hold

minimum qualifications in both

air crew and ground team

specialties in order to enlarge

the pool of recourses that

WILL be required in the event

of an emergency.

In order to fulfill the current

mission requirements from the

wing, we need highly trained

resources capable of planningand executing tasks from the

Incident Commander. Our unit

has the resources and training

to do just that. Please make

every effort to take advantage

of the opportunities offered so

that when our unit (squadron,

group and wing) is tasked for

a mission, we stand ready

and equipped to act quickly

without delay.

Simper Vigilans,

Capt. Risher Lewis

Delta Squadron - Apr 2009

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