2009 Encampment Special Coverage

By

Capt. Lisa Worthington

 

Saturday, June 20, Day 8

The 2009 Arkansas Wing Cadet Encampment came to a close today and the following awards were presented:

Honor Flight: Charlie Flight

Commandant's Award: C/MSgt Crystal Pitts (42nd)

Commander's Award: C/CMSgt Wesley Woods (95th)

Senior Member Award: Lt. Col. Loren Ainsorth (95th)

Honor Cadets:

    A Flight: C/MSgt Michael Deshanes (115th)

    B Flight: Cadet Zachary Ramirez (83rd)

    C Flight: Cadet Christopher Hogan (42nd)

    D Flight: Cadet Austin Sowerbutts (40th)

 

Friday, June 19, Day 7

Friday was another hot day and unlike previous mornings there was no physical training. Instead, Pass-in-Review practice began directly after breakfast.

Inspection was done after marching was completed. Lunch followed and then off for auditorium where Lt. Col. Allison led a discussion with the cadets about developing strong leadership skills.

 

After dinner, the cadets changed for a volleyball tournament. It was a fun time for all and a brief time to relax a bit. The end of the week is here and you can see it all that is done.

 

The last task for the day was taking the post-encampment test that will be compared to the pre-test they took at the beginning of the week to see how much knowledge they gained.

 

Tomorrow is graduation and time will be spent in the morning preparing for Pass-in-Review and in preparing for departure.

 

 

Thursday, June 18, Day 6

Day 6: Thursday was another early rise for the cadets. The day began as the others with some stretches and a light run.

After breakfast, uniforms were inspected and the cadets headed out for tours. The first was at the C-130 simulator where the cadets first learned about the cockpit familiarization room and then headed for the simulators where some of the cadets tried their hand at flying the C-130.

 

After that the cadets headed next door to the C-130 maintenance training center. This tour was divided into several parts that included working on the landing gear hydraulics, engine repair, and wheel and brake replacement.

 

After boxed lunches, there was drill time and then off to the theater for a DDR class led by Capt. Sharon Parrot. Following a movie demonstrating the long-term effects of driving drunk the cadets tried passing a field sobriety test with fatal vision goggles, which simulate the effects of alcohol on a person.

 

The last activity of the day was Pass-in-Review practice.

 

Wednesday, June 17, Day 5

Wednesday began, as with the first few days, with physical training.

After a good breakfast, the first activity of the day was a double tour. Squadron one went to the FATs (fire arms training) demonstration. Unfortunately, the computers were down, but there was still much too learn. The instructor explained the training the Air Force security force personnel receive and gave the cadets the opportunity to handle dummy weapons that are used in training.

 

After leaving there, they moved on to a static display of a C-130. The pilot, copilot, navigator, flight engineer, and load master all came out with the cadets to explain flying in the C-130. The load master showed us how the landing gear on the C-130 could be put down if the primary system failed. Everyone learned a lot about how each crew member works together to fly this plane safely and effectively. It was hot on the flight line, but well worth the heat.

 

Lunch followed with time afterwards for the cadets to work on their bunks or uniform. The next event featured an Air Force recruiter who discussed aspects of his job to bring people into the Air Force through enlistment, ROTC, or other avenues so that they are matched with a job that they are interested in. It was refreshing to hear him speak frankly of the benefits of college and education. This was followed by a demonstration by the base honor guard.

 

After that, there was a little bit of down time while the doctor did a blister check. Dinner was next and was followed directly with some pass-in-review practice. All the cadets worked on marching in a single formation, which is more complicated than the flight-based drill worked on up to this point.

 

Tuesday, June 16, Day 4

Tuesday started with great weather. The cadets were introduced to an interesting exercise this morning called the toilet flush. Afterwards there was a light run and inspection before breakfast.

The fire station was the highlight of the morning. The cadets had a chance to see the base equivalent of the 911 station. From there, they learned about the job and life of an Air Force fire fighter. While we were there, a real emergency call came in. One of the planes trying to land was having trouble with the landing gear. The fire department sprung to action, but fortunately, the landing was successful and their services weren’t needed.

 

After a period of drilling, it was time for lunch

In the afternoon several classes were held at the base theater. Capt. Lisa Worthington spoke about test taking and running techniques. The cadets really had some great questions and many had equally great suggestions. Next was radio operator’s training led by Cadet Capt. Vest and Maj. Wilson. The cadets were given real experience in using the radios in several different scenarios. The last class was about flying C-130 cargo planes and Lt. Col. Loren Ainsworth showed a few cool videos and discussed the incident at the fire station from the pilot’s point-of-view.

 

Following an early dinner the volley ball games between flights were held. The day ended a bit early so that some laundry could be done.

 

Monday, June 15, Day 3

Monday was much warmer day, but it began early with pt in the cool of the morning before the sun was fully up. The morning continued with inspection, chow, and a field trip to the small arms range where the cadets had a chance to talk with some of the trainers. They observed a Air Force class learning how to handle weapons safely. Finally, they were all given the chance to take aim with a laser at a body shaped target with sensors.

 

During drill time, basic cadets had the opportunity to give commands. The flights are really working like a team today and more is being learned all the time.

 

The heat of the day was spent in the classroom where many of the cadets shared past experiences at some of the national cadet special activities. They learned about aspects of the cadet program at the squadron, wing, region, and national level.

After an early dinner, the cadets prepared for the evening physical training. They all had the chance to run the mile, do push ups, practice the sit and reach, and perform sit ups.

Since the day ended early, the cadets were able to do laundry and prepare for the morning.

 

 

Sunday June 14, Day 2

The cadets began the day with uniform and room inspections. Each flight earned merits (for something extra special) and demerits (for something they have already been instructed to do) as was warranted.

After a good breakfast, the cadets were given an opportunity to attend a church service organized by Chaplain Seaman.

From there, the cadets regrouped for flight time with a focus on marching in columns and flanks. A few flights also took some time to try some jodies.

 

Flight time was followed by some classroom work in the 62nd Airlift Squadron auditorium where Chaplain Seaman gave a moral leadership presentation that was well received. The cool air was definitely a welcome break for all.

 

 

Our medical officer, Maj. Wilson, gave a class on the dangers of drinking and driving, prolonged sun exposure, and other hazards.

After a meal, the flights traveled to the static displays for flight photos.  From there, there was additional flight time and a rest period to study their SUI’s. After dinner the cadets returned to Camp Warlord for flight classroom time, cleaning, and preparing for tomorrow.

 

Saturday June 13, Day 1

The 2009 Arkansas Wing Encampment began early with cadet in-processing at 1000 until almost 1300. All the cadets were given time to check in and find their hooch where they would be staying for the week. Basic cadets (first-time attendees) were given instructions in their hooch as to how things were to be kept. Each flight took some time to make sure the place was clean.

 

From there, they began to learn the basics of marching, giving the flight sergeants a chance to evaluate cadets. The flights will begin to perfect team work through their marching. Later in the week, the flights will combine to learn even bigger teamwork skills.

 

After some time, we loaded up and headed to our class. Here the cadets were introduced to the staff and what the week would be like. We heard from Lt. Col. Applegate (USAF, Reserve) about the job of the liaison officer’s. The new chow hall was next and cadets were ready to eat some well prepared food.

 

Back at Camp Warlord they took their entrance exam which will help the staff know what the cadets as a whole know and where they need to put some work. They will be given a post-encampment test to see how much they learned over the week. Progress from the entrance exam to the post exam is usually very high. Lights out comes not too early for the tired cadets and another great day will be happening tomorrow with an early rise.

 

 

115th Cadet Recognized for Reaching Milestone

By

Capt. Jonathan VerHoeven

 

(June 2)  Jeffrey VerHoeven, a Springdale resident and cadet in the 115th Composite Squadron, received his Amelia Earhart Award and a promotion to Cadet Major Tuesday night at the squadron’s Rogers hangar. State Rep. Mark Martin (R-Dist. 87) presented the award to Cadet VerHoeven, whose parents, Jon and Teri VerHoeven of Springdale, presented his new rank insignia to him.

 

Cadet VerHoeven joined the Civil Air Patrol in June 2006 and now commands Tango Flight, a sub-unit of the squadron dedicated to training new cadets. Among the other roles he has filled are supply officer and flight sergeant for Tango Flight. Cadet VerHoeven is home-schooled and will be a junior this fall.

 

Cadets earn the Amelia Earhart Award by completing the first eleven of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program’s sixteen achievements. It is one of five “milestone awards” that require cadets to pass comprehensive exams and are usually presented by elected officials or senior military officers. Amelia Earhart Award ceremonies also usually coincide with promotions to cadet captain, but scheduling conflicts delayed Cadet VerHoeven’s ceremony until he had already completed the program’s fourteenth achievement.

 

115th Participates in Northwest Arkansas

Memorial Day Events

By

Capt. Jonathan VerHoeven

 

(May 25)  Members of the 115th Composite Squadron participated in two Memorial Day events in Fayetteville Monday. A four-cadet color guard, eight other cadets, and four officers attended Fayetteville National Cemetery’s annual ceremony before moving on to Drake Field and the Memorial Day Troop Train event hosted by the Arkansas Air Museum. The color guard presented and retired the national and CAP colors at both locations. Color guard members were Cadet Staff Sgt. Andreas Kofler, Cadet Master Sgt. Adrian Flores, Cadet Airman 1st Class Aaron Barlow, and Cadet Amn. Sarah Malmo.

 

At Fayetteville National Cemetery, keynote speaker Vic Walker, the senior vice commander of VFW Post 2952 and a former Marine and soldier, expressed his disappointment with current American society’s use of Memorial Day as a recreational holiday. He challenged his audience to motivate others to remember the true purpose of the holiday—to remember fallen veterans who sacrificed their lives for the United States.

 

In a Drake Field hangar, Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan addressed the gathering of roughly 290 veterans and their relatives who had just disembarked the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad “Troop Train” for lunch and a special ceremony. Special remarks were also delivered by retired Air Force Lt. Col. Steve Gray, an aide to Rep. John Boozman (R-Ark.). The “Troop Train”, which is intended to replicate the cross-country travel experiences of servicemen in the two World Wars, left Springdale Monday morning and traveled to Chester in Crawford County, where passengers visited a military gravesite before heading back north and stopping at Drake Field along the way. This is the second year that the 115th has provided a color guard for both events as well as helped place American flags in front of the headstones at Fayetteville National Cemetery on the previous Saturday.

 

 

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