los alamitos squadron - nov 2010
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WORDS FROM THE
TOP
Squadron Commander
Maj. Mark Wong
It has been a fun and
exciting – and busy! – year
for our squadron. Besides
our routine Wednesdaymeetings and Foxhunts, we
have participated in several
Orientation Flights, the Race
on the Base, the 4 th of July,
Wings, Wheels, & Rotors
Expo, conducted a mountainand a desert Field Training
Exercise, built and launched
model rockets, begun
training a Color Guard and
an Honor Guard, enjoyed a
squadron pool party, a
Halloween party, and so
much more.
Many of our
squadron family have also
distinguished themselves this
year. We sent personnel to
staff the joint CA/NV Wings
Encampment, Cadet NCO
School, Cadet Programs
Conference, Squadron
Leadership School, and the
Corporate Learning Course.We sent seniors and cadets
to nearly all training
provided this year by Group
7 or CAWG – including all
of the aforementioned
activities.
Our numbers have
also grown! We began the
year with seven senior
members and 15 active
cadets. We are ending theyear with 9 senior members
and 23 active cadets. Let’s
continue this growth!
I anticipate this new
year to be particularly
exciting, with more activities
and fun. Let us all strive to
make this year better than
last – Trained To Lead!!!
My Experience at the Los
Alamitos 4th of July
Celebration
by C/SSgt Michael Quintana
My experience atthe 4th of July celebration
was awesome because we
got a certificate from the
commanding general of the
base and this has been my
third time working for the
4th of July at the base. The
food that the American
Legion Hall provided wasfantastic the pizza was great
and they only gave me and
Cadet Van de Brake
popcorn to us only. It was
fun working with the MP’s
they were making sure that
the people were listening to
us and they were directing
traffic to.
4th of July
by C/MSgt Daniel Clay
The cadets (and
seniors) who were involved
in the 4th of July did a very
good job, and thankfullythere were no problems or
accidents that occurredduring the day. It was a
good idea for 2dLt. Goodwin
to bring his air-conditioned
RV. The only problem with
the event was that the cadets
did not put safety first and
forgot to bring whistles or
flashlights to the event.
Over all the day went by
very well and the base is
very grateful to have us at
their disposal for theseevents.
Glider Flights
by C/AB Nicholas Pio
On August 1st we
had Glider Flights for thefirst time in a while, and it
was great. We first had to
assemble the glider, putting
on the wings and elevator.
After we did that we had totow it behind a truck all the
way to the other side of the
runway. Next we all had
some training on how to be a
wing runner (walker), and
then we launch the gliders
via a tow plane. Watching
the glider from the ground
was great too because it
looked so graceful in the skyOnce it was your turn they
asked your weight and to put
in ballast weight for me and
also had to bring the rudder
pedals as close as they could
Once we detached from the
tow plane it was great
because the pilot told you
how to fly the glider andthen gave you control of the
glider. Once the pilot had
control again he made a 45
degree turn, which was
really steep, and created a lot
of G forces. Then he asked if
I had a pen and when I
pulled it out steeply lowered
the nose of the plane and toldme to let go of the pen and it
floated in the air before he
pulled back up. It was myfirst time being in a glide
and it really act much
differently than a powered
plane. This was a really great
experience and I hope to do
it again soon.
Gliding
by C/Amn Colton Priest
August 1st of this
year was the first time my
fellow cadets and I have ever
been two thousand fee
above the ground with no
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¤ U. S. Air Force Auxiliary ¤ Civil Air Patrol ¤ Squadron 153 ¤ Charter #PCR-¤ U. S. Air Force Auxiliary ¤ Civil Air Patrol ¤ Squadron 153 ¤ Charter #PCR-CA-CA-345 ¤ Jan-Dec 2010345 ¤ Jan-Dec 2010 ¤¤
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engine supporting us. It was
also the first time that I have
ever been weightless (I felt
like an astronaut) or weighed
twice as much as my normal
weight. I really didn’t know
what to expect when I pulled
the lever to release the cord
that connected me to the tow
plane, but once I released the
cord I had the coolest feeling
in the world knowing that I
was soaring above the earth.
The experienced pilot was
showing me a few of the funmaneuvers that the glider
could do. One of my favorite
parts was when we dove then
pulled up (we felt positive g
force) then, when the
instructor pushed on the
stick, we dove again and we
felt the negative g force and
it was the very first time I
have ever been weightless.
All in all though I would call
my first glider flight with
squadron 41 very fun and
exciting, and it was a good
first entry into my sailplane
logbook to start off my
flying career.
My Experience at the Big
Bear FTX
by C/SSgt Michael Quintana
My experience at the
FTX was ok because I got
sick at the FTX I didn’t like
the fact that I got sick but the
FTX was steal great I had
fun when we did the hike
and when we played TA for
two hours in the night time.But next time I’m going to
be prepared for next FTX.
Big Bear FTX
by C/MSgt Daniel Clay
The FTX, I thought,
went over well. There could
have been a better cadet/staff
ratio but other than that it
was great. There was a good
hike, but there could have
been more of the cross
country rather than following
the road. The chow was ok
(mine was better) and it was
on time. TA was fun (could
have used a bigger field) and
the classes were fine. There
could be some different ones
than shelter building and
escape and evasion. Over all, I believe that the cadets
had a fun and safe time on
the FTX.
FTX
by C/AB Nicholas Pio
On July 9th we left
for Big Bear, and we
returned on the 11th. It was a
long ride there since we did
get a little lost on the dirtrode leading up the camp site
but when we got the there
the two cadets that made it
up early had already set the
tents up. This was my first
time going to an FTX, so it
was my first time doing the
Fire Watch. I liked the FireWatches more than I thought
I would because you could
see so many stars. The many
activities that we did weregreat too. The hike was fun
because we had to find
checkpoints and answer the
questions. Next we did a
camouflage class, which was
my favorite class because
some of us had to hide in the
brush while the others tried
to find us using a FOD walk.
The shelter making class was
definitely fun too because we
made our shelters only out of
what we could find on the
ground. Once it got dark we
played Tactical
advancement, which I
thought was one of the best
parts of the trip. Having to
sneak up to the other team to
take their glow stick was
just really fun. We also
learned a lot of teamwork
because we had to cooperate
together to reach the
common goal of taking their glow stick. At the end of the
last day having a s’more
during Fire Watch was a
good way to end the trip.
Cadet Programs
Conference
by C/MSgt Lester Adea
This is my fourth
year in Civil Air Patrol
Squadron 153 and I am still
having a good time attending
different events. Recently, a
couple of cadets and I
attended the Cadet Programs
Conference (CPC) of 2010
located at Camp San LuisObispo. CPC is a casual
event where cadets from all
over the nation are invitedand gather together to take
seminar classes. These
classes focus on educating
the cadets in what CAP is
about: aerospace education,
leadership, emergency
services, drill teams, and so
much more! These seminars
are not only educational butalso fun. Personally, I took
firearm safety, color guard
class, dance class,
emergency services class,
and survival gear.
After the seminars
comes the party: games,
pool, sumo wrestling, and
food are available. Then
finally, after all the seminars
are completed followed by
the party, there comes the
banquet. Cadets either wea
their blues uniform or class
A uniforms in order to look
nice. It’s sort of like a
military ball or prom. What
happens is an awards and
recognitions ceremony
memorial for those who
served and made the ultimate
sacrifice and of course, the
feast. After the feast, the fun
part comes – the danceOverall, CPC is a great event
to learn about CAP, make
friends, and have fun. It’s
hard to miss the good times I
had at each CPC I went to.
Merchant Marine
Memorial
by C/SSgt Daryl Leach
On May 24, 2010 in
San Pedro the Merchant
Marines held a memorial for
all of the fallen merchan
marines. I was requested to
play TAPS for them and
accepted. I had the pleasure
of meeting people such asCouncilwoman Janice Hahn
Captain Roger Laferriere of
the US Coast Guard, JohnPitts the president of the
American Merchant Marine
Veterans Memorial, and
several World War II vets
The program consisted of the
introductions of specia
guests, speakers, the
memorial service, the
recognition of those whoserved, a moment of silence
and lastly a luncheon. I
played TAPS after the rifl
salute in the recognition of
those who served.
During the luncheon
I sat with John Pitts, his
daughter, a few vets, and
Captain Roger Laferriere. I
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was served a salad, a
wonderful prime rib, and I
lovely cheese cake. I talked
to John Pitts about the
Merchant Marines and their
history. As it turns out the
Merchant Marines carried all
of the supplies for all of the
wars and 1 out of every 26 of
them died in service. The
marines only had 1 out of
every 36 die in service but
they also had more people. I
also heard exciting stories
from the vets and CaptainRoger Laferriere. Overall it
was an amazing event and I
am glad I was a part of it.
O-rides
by C/Amn Colton Priest
This Saturday, a few
of my fellow cadets and I,
from both cadet squadrons
153 and 138, went to
Fullerton airport for
orientation flights with a few
pilots from squadron 150.
This was my second
orientation flight and I had
high hopes for it. Once we
settled into the plane, the pilot taxied onto the runway
for a very smooth takeoff.
We started our ascent to four thousand feet. Once we
reached the 4000 mark and
got away from all the other
planes, the pilot turned the
controls over to my friend,
Andy, who was sitting in the
copilots seat. He told us that
there will be a competition to
see which cadet had thesmoothest flight. The first
cadet had a VERY smooth
flight with some very good
turns. Once he was done
flying we landed, and then it
was my turn to take the
controls. Not to brag but I
also had a good flight, and I
never let our altitude get 50
feet above or below our goal.
I had lots of fun flying and at
the end of the day the pilot
said that all of our flights
were so smooth that he
couldn’t decide between us
so we all won the title of a
very good and smooth flyer.
O-rides
by C/AB Nicholas Pio
On July 31st we had
orientation flights out of Fullerton airport, and it wasgreat. They showed us all
around the plane (Cessna
182), and what each part
does. Next, they showed us
the cockpit, telling use what
all the instruments tell the
pilot while he is flying. It
was amazing because the
plane had really advanced
instrumentation, with
computer displays. Once we
got in the air the greatest part
of the experience happened
when the pilot actually letyou have control of the plane
and fly it. While flying he
had us do turns, climbs, and
descends, while looking
outside for other traffic. It
was not a disappointment
when you had to switch seats
and the other cadet fly
because then got to just sit
back and watch the view,
and also feel a lot of Gs
when the other cadet pulled
up to steeply. This was one
of the greatest experiences I
have ever had because it was
my first time flying a plane,
and I will never forget it.
Squadron History
by Maj Mark Wong
Our squadron waschartered in September 1969.
We have very little
information, however,
regarding these early years
of the unit. In fact, we don’t
begin to put bits and pieces
together until almost 1990!
This emblem
belonged to the “153rd Air
Rescue Sqdn.” Who are
they? Well, simply put –
they used to be us! We have
no record of this emblem,
who designed it, when, and
what it means. So, in early
1991, the cadets of Squadron
153 designed our current
squadron emblem. (A little
known secret: The artwork
for our current squadron
emblem was generously
donated by the Walt Disney
studios!)
I believe this clearly
highlights the need for our current Squadron Historian,
FO Matthew Kamei, to keep
a detailed record of squadron
events, activities,
promotions, and other such
milestones.
Cadet Non-Commissioned
Officer School (NCOS)
by C/TSgt Anistasha Wilhelm
Once per year, the
California wing of Civil air
patrol hosts a weekend-long
school designed to train the
CAP cadet program’s future
leaders. Cadet non-
commissioned officer schoo
(NCOS) is the third
stepping-stone in the
California wing integrated
leadership program, the fis
being Basic cadet schoo
(BCS) and Airman training
school (ATS). California
wing requires that potentia
NCOS attendees obtain
grade of cadet airman firs
class and graduate from
either BCS or Encampment.This past year
NCOS was held the weekend
of November 13-15 at March
Air Reserve Base in
Southern California. Upon
arrival, cadets were
partitioned into sever
separate “seminars.” These
groups were similar to the
flights, the only differences
being the nature of th
instructional course that se
for alternating leaders of the
group and a deeply relaxed
atmosphere. Cadets were
held accountable to “seminar
leaders” for their actions as
well as for verification of theattendance of the classes and
workshops that were
required attendance for the
school. Individual seminars
were given charge of their
own schedules, entrusted to
take it upon themselves to
meet set times for reveille
be present at meals on time
and attend workshops and
classes punctually.
Over the course othe three-day school
students were subjected to
curriculum designed to
expand leadership
capabilities and teaching
skills. Between publicspeaking classes, learning to
teach and lead drill and
ceremonies, and gaining an
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education on how to operate
as a cadet NCO, students had
little time for rest. The days
at the school started early
and ended late, and there was
always more learning to be
had. Something as simple as
marching the seminar to the
next scheduled class or meal
became an invaluable
learning experience. Among
the most important of
imposed lessons, students
were taught the importance
of command presence,feedback, and area-
awareness while holding
authority over a flight or any
number of cadets.
The hard work and
the jam=packed schedules of
the weekend did not prove in
vain. Upon graduation, each
student of the 2009
California Wing NCOS took
with it the knowledge that
they had received a
leadership education unlike
any other. It was now up to
the student to take what
he/she learned back to his or
her own squadron.
SQ153 NCOS Graduates:2009
• C/CMSgt Devon Butler
• C/TSgt Anistasha Wilhelm
• C/SSgt Daryl Leach
• C/SrA Michael Quintana2010
• C/SrA Andy Goodwin
• C/MSgt Daniel Clay
2010 Non-Commissioned
Officers School
by C/SrA Andy Goodwin
This year’s
California Wing Non-
commissioned Officers’
School (NCOS) took place at
March Air Reserve Base in
Riverside. It started on
Friday, October 22 and
ended on Sunday, October
24. To be eligible to attend
NCOS, you must be at least
a cadet senior airman and
have attending either Basic
Cadet School (BCS) or
Encampment. Most cadetsare between technical
sergeants to master
sergeants. While at NCOS,
we learned to drill a flight, but we learned even more.
We learned to become
leaders. Some of the few
other things we learned were
how to teach a class, which
we presented to our fellow
seminar cadets, learning to
teach new drill movements
to our flight, and proper
color guard procedures. I
would recommend anycadets who have not attended
NCOS before to definitely
go to NCOS next year. Ilearned more information
from the three days at NCOS
than my entire CAP career
so far.
Owl Canyon FTX
by C/AB Colton Priest
This October my
Civil Air Patrol squadron
had an FTX out in the desert.
I’m really not the camping
type but since we only have
a few a year, I decided to
give it a try. It turned out to
be really fun and I learned a
lot like map and compass
reading. During the second
day we found a snake by one
of the cadets tents and we
were hungry so we decided
to make it dinner. It was
pretty cool watching Lt Col.
Skullr skin the snake. I will
never forget the first time I
had rattlesnake though! On
the way home I looked back
on the weekend and I had a
pretty good time, eager to
attend the next FTX.
Owl Canyon FTX
by C/AB Sebastian Seibert von
Fock
This was my first
FTX so I had no idea what to
expect. When I came to our Squadron headquarters we
first helped pack the cars.
Then we were divided into
different cars. I was able to
drive in the RV where therewas a couch with seatbelts.
We had driven for about 3
hours before we were at the
campground which was
about 11 miles if you follow
the road from Barstow.
When we got out it was
pitch-dark and we had to
turn on our flashlights. Thenwe helped people set up
tents, had a safety briefing,
and were scheduled into firewatches duties. Finally wewere allowed to go to our
tent.
The next morning
we were woken up early and
had to do physical exercise
which was grueling
especially in the hot desert
sun and the heavy leather
boots. I only did about half
of the exercises before I had
to quit because of
exhaustion. We then broke
our fast and were taught how
to get water in the desert
Then we went for a compass
hike (in which we also ate
our lunch), had a radio class
and finally went for a very
long hike where half of the
squadron was suffering from
blisters including mysel
When we had come back we
first rested and ate dinner
The rest of the group thenhad camouflage class while I
had kitchen duty (cleaning
the dishes). We all had
s’mores and also grilled a
rattlesnake which we had
caught and killed earlier on
in the day. Then we played
TA which was capture the
flag with glow sticks. Our
team lost miserably, but it
was still fun. We retired after
this game and were woken
up early again the next day
On the last day we mostly
prepared for leaving th
campsite and on our drive
back ate at Carl’s Jr.®
Overall, I did not enjoy theFTX while I was there
because I was sore and had a
lot of blisters. In the end
though I was glad that I went
since I learned many new
thin (like how a rattlesnake
tastes), and I was able to
experience many grea
things.
Desert FTX
C/AB Rashid Taquir
The dessert FTX
was an extraordinary
experience. To some it was
boring but to others it wasn’t
that bad. When we got there
it was hectic, it was “do this
do that.” We didn’t go to bed
until about midnight that
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