Maj Russell Smith has been appointed the new El Paso Composite Squadron Commander.
This year will mark the 17th anniversary of Worcester Wreath Company donating Maine wreaths to adorn the headstones of our Nation's veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition to 10,000 wreaths destined for Virginia, Worcester Wreath will again donate 7 ceremonial wreaths to over 200 state and national cemeteries across the country. In addition, wreath-laying ceremonies are being coordinated in 24 foreign cemeteries and aboard naval ships in all 7 seas.
In response to the many voices who wanted to share in the project, the non-profit Wreaths Across America organization was formed (EIN: 20-8362270) to expand the program by offering supporters the opportunity to sponsor a wreath. Wreaths Across America goal is to honor 2500 veterans' graves at each of the over 286 participating locations in 2008 - and to honor every veteran during the holidays.
The El Paso Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol is partnering with Wreaths Across America to honor 5,000 veterans in Ft. Bliss National Cemetery and to do so we need your help. You can find more information at our El Paso Wreath's website.
Sponsorships are $15 per wreath. Proceeds will place a wreath on a veterans' headstone at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, help support the local CAP squadron, and educational and veterans service outreach programs throughout the country.
To sponsor a wreath, please use the form at El Paso Wreath's website. Please be sure to use group ID# TXCAP215 and cemetery sponsored: Ft. Bliss National Cemetery.
Additional information on the national Wreaths Across America by clicking this link.
Please place orders by November 15, 2008.
BIVOUAC at “Area 51.5”
Cadet Senior Master Sergeant William White, CAP
As the sun broke through the stormy clouds after a long cold rain in El Paso, Texas, the Desert Aces of the Texas 215th Composite Squadron made their way out to the middle of nowhere to begin the long awaited BIVOUAC. With Flight Officer Zach Crandall in the lead and Captain Rolando Torres driving the van, they drove down the long bumpy dirt road to the campsite. The journey seemed to never end, it kept winding into the wilderness 30 miles west of Sunland Park, New Mexico. The Lonely and desolate place brought only one name to the Desert Aces unsure minds, Area 51.5.
With a catchy name for the campsite, the cadets broke out there tents and began to build Area 51.5. There was already a fire pit so it was decided camp will be around that. As cadets slowly and nervously picked their camping spots, a problem arose, who was to be the center of the arch around the fire? It was soon decided that the biggest tent would be the center of the arch. The tent was later renamed Hotel De California for being able to fit 8 cadets rather than the other tents could only fit 2 cadets.
As the sun set behind the hills, the Desert Aces soon realized it was time to build a fire. Being the Staff, Cadet 1st Lieutenant Kenneth R. Griffing III, and Cadet Senior Master Sergeant William R. White, was the first to hunt for wood. With fire, comes a fire guard shift. The first shift was manned by Cadet Airman Manny Garcia later to be known as “Fire Man” for his amazing ability to keep the fire burning. The following shifts were manned by Cadet Airman Basic Bradford Clements, Cadet Airman 1st Class Mario Contreras, Cadet Senior Master Sergeant William White, and finally by Cadet 1st Lieutenant Kenneth Griffing.
After a long night of performing CPR on the campfire and only collectively 30 minutes of sleep, the cadet staff woke up at 04:30. At 05:00 the Cadets were awoken by the loud high pitch scream of Cadet Senior Master Sergeant White’s Fox 40 Whistle and the loud megaphone of Cadet 1st Lieutenant Griffing. The cadets snapped to attention outside their tents unknowing what the day had in store for them.
The day started off with Physical Training. Normally PT is hard by itself, but the Desert Aces faced a whole new enemy, darkness. After running a mile and waiting for the sunrise, the cadets filed in to the van to get their very first MRE (Meals Ready to Eat).With a mix of different menus, cadets carefully picked their meals. Captain Rolando Torres and Flight Officer Zach Crandall proceeded to teach the Desert Aces how to use the new and odd MRE’s. With the MRE’s gone cadets changed into their BDU’s and proceeded to the classroom area. The day consisted of First Aid and Search Techniques and many SAREX’s. The Search and Rescue Exercises were basic missing person searches. Flight Officer Crandall and Cadet 1st Lieutenant Giffing took turns “getting lost” and the 4 other cadets had to find them. There was a total of 4 SAREX’s across the desert throughout the afternoon. After the work was done, the Desert Aces played a game of Capture the Flag.
After a long day learning the second fire was started, and a second fire watch began. What the exhausted cadets did not expect was a Search Rescue Operation only hours from lights out at 02:15. This was to be a simulated realistic mission. Flight Officer Zach Crandall was to recon Rattle Snake Tank for a Test the next day and was 2 hours over his ETA. A perfect story for a realistic mission at Area 51.5. Unfortunately, the long day did not only affect the cadets but also the cadet Staff. The Staff slept through the alarm clock, so the SAREX was postponed until the morning.
Once again the cadets woke up to the scream of C/SMSgt. White’s Whistle only to learn that a lost aircraft with one pilot was within an 8 mile radius from our camp. The Desert Aces were confident with their newly polished skills, and set out to find the objective. The Cadet Staff were the only ones that new that this was a SAREX; to the cadets it was a real mission. The objective was Flight Officer Crandall’s truck as the airplane and Flight officer Crandall as the Pilot. With a few minor detours due to wildlife, the Desert Aces secured both objectives within the hour, passing their final exam.
The Cadets packed up and headed back to the Squadron building. The Desert Aces left Area 51.5 tired, hungry, and dirty, but had a smile on their faces from the sense of accomplishment. They went in to Area 51.5 with no experience in Search and Rescue or in survival. They left with the knowledge that if God forbid, an airplane or person went missing, they had the skills, training, and confidence to save lives.
CAP visits DPS Chopper
Cadet Airman 1st Class Mario Contreras, CAP and TFO Eduardo H. Apodaca, CAP
On Monday, June 28, 2010, El Paso Composite Squadron members got a first-hand view of how technology can render assistance to many people. It can be used for different purposes, and Criminal Justice is one of them.
On a cloudy day, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) awaited the El Paso Composite Squadron for their visit to their helicopter. The squadron's amazed cadets were able to identify many examples of new technology being used in aerospace design and implementation. Cadet Airman 1st Class Mario Contreras was one of the first to hop inside the helicopter and play with technology. He later said, “I had a good experience going to the hangar. The technology on the Texas DPS chopper was incredible. I thought that type of technology was only available to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
The DPS pilot explained that because of advanced crime, the department had opted for installing not only heat-sensitive cameras but also a state-of-the-art Global Positioning System (GPS) that easily enables State Troopers to search for addresses, just like with the Trooper Cruiser. This field trip gave cadets a greater understanding of what aerospace education is all about.
Senior members enjoyed the small but interesting tour of the DPS helicopter too. They were able to compare the helicopter's instruments and equipment to that of the CAP plane. The helicopter soon became a sort of senior members’ ice cream truck; they wouldn't let go of it.
As always for squadron members, time flew, the presentation was highly successful, and it was conducted safely. Finally, an approaching weather system forced the DPS pilot to conclude the visit.
Everyone had a great time, and squadron members thanked Capt. Rolando Torres – current DPS Investigator and the squadron's Deputy Commander for Cadets – for having arranged this visit and educational opportunity.
El Paso Squadron
El Paso's Civil Air Patrol Squadron is located at 8025 Boeing Dr., El Paso, TX 79925. They can be contacted at telephone number (915) 772-6868. Click for TX-215 website. For directions, click here.
|
