Arkansas Wing

(March 29) The Texarkana, Texas fire department used some of its new equipment to help teach members of the Texarkana Composite Squadron the proper technique for using a fire extinguisher to put out a fire. Fire Marshall Christopher Black and Investigator Christopher Black showed a movie, then demonstrated without discharging the extinguishers, and answered questions from the audience.

The first thing to do is call or appoint someone specifically to call 911. Then the acronym P.A.S.S. helps to remember the proper steps in using the extinguisher. This stands for PULL the pin to unlock the lever. AIM the nozzle low at the base of the fire. SQUEEZE the lever to discharge the extinguishing agent. And SWEEP the nozzle back and forth across the base of the fire.

The instruction also involved the identification of types of extinguishers and what type of fire they may be used on. After the instructional part, the meeting moved outdoors where several cadets got to practice what they had learned.

42nd Conducts Ground Team Training During March SAREX

1st Lt. Garrick St. Pierre

(March 19) The 42nd Composite Squadron kicked off a new era of Emergency Services participation with the 2010 Spring FTX. 12 cadets and 7 senior members of the squadron arrived in the Ozark National Forest on Friday, March 19th and established a base camp and a forward mission base. The next morning kicked off with a 17 point navigation course. They enjoyed a five minute breakfast before a CAP aircraft, from the 102nd, arrived overhead, located an ELT, and then directed the ground team to a simulated crash site. Under the instruction of Maj. M. Jones (102nd) Capt. T. Rea, and SM P. Thorburn (AR Wing), the team treated injured parties, practiced ground team tasks, and departed to a second ops area for some delicious MREs.

The squadron had to leave late Saturday afternoon due to arctic temperatures moving into the area, returning the squadron headquarters. However, the team began again Sunday morning on another ELT sortie. All hands went home Sunday evening tired, but mission accomplished.

115th Receives Donation from

Military Order of the Purple Heart

Capt. Jonathan VerHoeven

(March 16) The 115th Composite Squadron received a $750 check from the Military Order of the Purple Heart Charter 633 at a recent squadron meeting. Dr. Jesse Cocker presented the check to squadron commander Maj. John McDaniel, who has designated the funds for the squadron’s cadet program. The 115th’s cadets assisted the veterans organization with its national convention in Rogers last August by welcoming attendees as they arrived at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.

83rd Cadets Lead the Way

1st Lt. Bill Hobbs

(March 13) For the first time ever, the cadets of the 83rd Composite Squadron lead the way in the Fort Smith Saint Patrick's Day Parade. Carrying the national colors of The United States and Ireland, the cadets led the parade down Garrison Avenue in Downtown Fort Smith.

The morning started off rather cool with a brisk wind that cause a few of the cadets to wish they had been able to acquire service coats prior to the parade. As the start time drew near, the luck of the Irish prevailed and the sun made a warming appearance that made the day one to remember for many years to come.

The 83rd filled the role normally filled by the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Fighter Wing Honor Guard. Due to deployments to Southwest Asia and other training commitments, the 188th Honor Guard was unable to participate in this years parade. Not only did the cadets represent the squadron well but they also served as ambassadors for the Air Force family!

Arkansas Wing members participate in Falcon Virgo

Falcon Virgo is a nationwide collection of exercises that sharpen the skills of the U.S. Air Force’s North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the Civil Air Patrol, in its role as the Air Force auxiliary, participates in this exercise from the El Paso area by simulating aerial targets for the U.S. Army and Coast Guard. It is a real-world opportunity for CAP personnel to help in the defense of the homeland.

Lt. Col. Loren Ainsworth of the 95th Composite Squadron in Texarkana, Ark., and Capt. R. H. Henderson of the 83rd Composite Squadron in Fort Smith, Ark., participated in this exercise along with 42 other CAP members, including 11 other CAP aircrews and aircraft from Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.

An aircraft from the 83rd along with other CAP aircraft and a variety of general aviation and military aircraft simulated potentially hostile civilian aircraft penetrating a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) area. Targets flew routes crossing over the TFR center point and, depending on Army training objectives, were intercepted or engaged by Blue Forces. The Blue Forces consisted of U.S. Coast Guard HH 65 helicopters and Army Air Defense artillery batteries.

Each crew was assigned three routes per sortie but usually flew many more. The flights were conducted around the clock with aircraft departing and returning to El Paso every two hours, weather permitting.

This flying tested the skills of the participants in an effort to conduct the flight within mission parameters while dealing with a wide range of weather conditions. The exercise concluded on Feb. 22. This particular exercise qualified 92 more Army specialists as in past Falcon Virgo culminating training exercises and managed to bring the exercise to a conclusion a full 24 hours ahead of schedule.

Those missile crews that were certified at El Paso during this exercise will be deployed to Washington, D.C., to relieve those currently on duty.

115th Wins Wing Color Guard Competition

Lt. Col. Bobby Allison

(February 27) This year's competition brought three squadron color guards from across the state together at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock in an effort for one to become the Wing's representative and competitor in the 2010 National Cadet Competition.

The 42nd, 95th and 115th of Little Rock, Texarkana and Rogers respectively, brought outstanding teams who competed in uniform inspections, color guard standard drill and presentation events, mile run, written leadership and color guard exam and an aerospace panel quiz. Every cadet was very professional and sharp and made a lasting impression on the Honor Guard judges who came from Little Rock AFB for this competition. Everyone performed well, especially in some challenging events made more so by wind and gusts.

Congratulations to the 115th Composite Squadron of Rogers, winners of the 2010 Arkansas Wing Color Guard Competition. They will represent the Arkansas Wing at the Southwest Region Cadet Competition April 9-10 at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.

Cadet Dakota Swearengin, Team Commander for the 115th, achieved the highest score on the written exam, and was also the Fleetfoot award winner, with the fastest mile-run time of 5:29. C/CMSgt Dakota Swearengin, Other members of the winning team were: Commander C/CMSgt Mike Deschenes, Flag Bearer C/A1C Alisha Deschenes, Guard C/SSgt Abby Talarski, Guard C/A1C Sarah, and Malmo, Alternate.

West Memphis Color Guard Event

Lt. Col. Larry Webster

(February 22) Cadets from the 99th Composite Squadron provided a color guard for the annual West Memphis Chamber of Commerce Banquet today. This is the fourth year in a row the cadets supported the request from the Chamber of Commerce. Cadets C/A1C Sam Stuckey, C/SrA Jonathan Duncan and C/MSgt Matt Brooks presented the colors. Chamber members, the Mayor of West Memphis and other dignitaries where present to see the cadets present the colors.

40th Conducts DDR Program

Capt. Sharon Parrett

(February 6) The 40th Composite Squadron recently presented an information night to residents of Hillcrest Childrens Home. The movie “Getting Stupid” was viewed followed by a discussion session and role playing exercises. Tips on saying”no” were shared. Members participating in the event included C/Amn Hagen, C/A1C Rabalais, C/AMN Kennedy, C/A1C Hughey and C/Maj Vest. and Capt. Riccio. Hillcrest Childrens Home, a division of AG Family Services, has recently joined the Civil Air Patrol as an aerospace education member, thus allowing their residents benefits of aerospace education, peer leadership and Drug Demand Reduction education.

Jonesboro Cadets Receive Awards

By
Maj. John Brandon

(January 25) In an unusual awards ceremony, two cadets from the Jonesboro Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Squadron received two of the higher awards given to cadets. On Monday night, C/Capt Graham A. Bozarth received the Amelia Earhart award, and C/2Lt Carson A. Benton received the General Billy Mitchell award. Lt. Col. Bobby Allison, Arkansas Wing Director of Cadet Programs, presented the award.

C/Capt Bozarth joined CAP in May 2006, and has progressed through the first 11 achievements of the Cadet Program. C/Capt Bozarth has served in various command and staff positions. He attended the National Flight Academy in Nebraska in July 2008, and has accumulated several flight hours toward his private pilot license. He has attended, and held leadership positions, at CAP encampments at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. He is second in command of cadets in the Jonesboro squadron, and is a senior at Westside High School, where he also participates in the Air Force JROTC program.

C/2Lt Benton joined Cap in June 2006 and is a junior at Valley View High School, and participates in the ROTC program at Valley View. He has also held various squadron staff positions and has attended Arkansas Wing encampments at Little Rock AFB where he served in staff positions. He currently is the 3rd highest-ranking cadet in the Jonesboro squadron, and is expected to assume command positions in the near future.