Arkansas Wing Civil Air Patrol

This morning we all got to sleep until 6:00 AM. Everyone got up and started preparing their blues. When the time came we put on our dress uniforms and headed for the drill field to start the pass and review which was followed by the graduation ceremony. When the ceremony was finished everyone was happy about graduating but saddened to leave their flight mates with whom you can develop a very close relationship in just a week. After sign-out there were hugs all around and even a few tears as friends and flight mates left for home.

Day 6

Thursday, June 26

The highlight of today was a tour of the base fire department where we observed a demonstration on two of the fire trucks. After this we split into two groups. The first group toured the control tower where they were able to watch while everyone did their jobs and got to go out on the catwalk around the tower. The second group went to the parachute simulator and got to try their hands at a virtual reality parachute jump. A third group went into a dark room and got to use military night vision goggles. For evening PT we had another volleyball competition.

Day 4

Tuesday, June 24

After wake up, morning formation, and PT everyone loaded into the vans to go eat breakfast and then walked across the road to see the pressure chamber. The pressure chamber is used to train pilots in high altitude emergency procedures and familiarize them with the signs of hypoxia. After which we saw a demonstration of the Air Force security forces dog teams. These dogs are very remarkable and highly trained and never attack unless handler orders them to. After the demonstration one of our own Cadet Finney put on the protective gear and find out what it feels like to be attacked by a dog. After lunch, there was an aerospace career education class followed by flight time and an ultimate Frisbee competition for evening PT.

Day 2

Sunday, June 22

Today the cadets day began at 5:30 AM with a wake-up call, shortly there after they fell-in for their first morning formation. Although most of the cadets where still tired, they the started the day with CPFT, cadet physical fitness testing. CPFT involves four things, sit-ups, sit-and-reach , and mile run. After it was finished everyone returned to the barracks for flight time before brunch. After brunch the cadets planning to attend the Catholic service got into their blues. After the cadets from the Catholic service returned those attending the Protestant service left. After all the cadets returned they had flight time until supper. After supper everyone had a good time playing volley-ball.

2008 Arkansas Wing Encampment Blog

C/2nd Lt. Kyler Selleck

Encampment Public Affairs Officer

Day 7

Friday, June 27

Today is everyone’s last full day. Getting up this morning was harder for everyone, but we managed. While most of the day was spent in classes after some flight time we went to the base intelligence building for a retirement ceremony for one of CAP’s officers. That was followed by a radio operator course so the cadets could earn their ROA certification. When the ROA was finished the Chaplain led a moral leadership exercise. The rest of our day was spent on the drill pad practicing for the next day’s graduation pass and review. For Evening PT we all went for a run.

Day 5

Wednesday, June 25

“The BIG day” -- Today we did what we’ve all been looking forward to doing --- rides in a C-130 cargo plane. It stated just like the other days with a wake-up call at 5:30 AM but there was no morning PT. We went straight to the vans so we could get to chow as soon as possible. From breakfast we went to the building where the drop bundles and parachutes for the planes are packed. While there we received our safety briefings and went in two groups to get our flights. While the first group was flying the second toured the facilities where the bundles are prepared to drop out of the planes and where the parachutes are stored and packed. After the first group finished flying the groups switched places. Everyone had a great time on the flights and surprisingly nobody got sick.

Day 3

Monday, June 23

As always the day began at 5:30 AM with PT. After PT they quickly changed into BDUs for posting of the colors before breakfast. When breakfast was finished we made a short hike to the weapons school for an orientation on the base’s mission, that was followed by a tour of the base’s command post, which was a restricted area so no cameras, cell phones, or ISRs (inter-squad radios) were allowed. Next everyone went to a welcome briefing from the deputy commander of the base, Col. Mark G. Vlahos. From there everyone went to the community center for a boxed lunch followed by leadership classes given by Captain Adams. When the classes where finished we had a flight to flight volleyball competition. Quickly followed by lights-out.

Day 1

Saturday, June 21

The cadets’ first day of encampment began with in-processing. While they were waiting to check in they got their first taste of encampment life, standing at attention while waiting in line. After they finished with in-processing they moved their gear into their respective barracks and met their flights. They had a few minutes to socialize with their new teammates and then fell in for the welcome formation. Next came flight time. Flight time is for the flights to work on marching and memory work and lasted until everyone’s favorite event of the day, chow. After they ate the cadets had PT and began winding down for the night. Although the cadets went to sleep at 10:00 it wasn’t long before the staff staged an 11:30 PM fire drill, in which the cadets performed very well. Once this event ended the cadets finally went to bed for the night.