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Volume 8, Issue 4. UAA/AFROTC Detachment 001 Unofficial Newspaper April

The Flight Line is an unofficial cadet newsletter published monthly in the interest of personnel at Det 001 University of Alaska

Cool Under Fire

By Capt. Maze

The other morning I was watching TV while you need to do as new Lts. Spend as much time
running on the treadmill and they played the flight as possible reading the manuals, talking to the
recordings from flight 1549. In case you don’t experts and any other thing you can do to gain
remember, minutes after taking off from knowledge about your job. Become an expert.
LaGuardia, flight 1549 lost both engines due to
The second thing you can learn from Captain
bird strikes and Captain Sullenberger was forced
Sullenberger is the importance of being cool
to land the plane in the Hudson River. The flight
under fire. Having ice water in your veins does a
recordings had the pilot and tower talking back
couple of things for you. First, it greatly increases
and forth about where to land the plane. When
the odds that you and the people around you will
the pilot knew he couldn’t make it back to
survive the dire situation. If you’re panicking,
LaGuardia or the alternate airport, he told the
you’re not thinking, you’re not taking the steps
controller he would have to land in the river. What
necessary to right the situation. Second, it will
impressed me was how calm Captain
help calm the people around you so they are more
Sullenberger was, knowing he was going to have
likely to take the correct actions as well. How
to crash land on a river. There was zero sign of
many of flight 1549’s passengers were able take
panic, stress or fear in his voice. None. While his
the necessary steps to save their lives because
words told you the plane was going down, his tone
they heard a cool, calm and collective Captain
gave away nothing.
telling them what to do? How would things have
As future officers there are two things you can been different if he instead ran down the aisle,
learn from Captain Sullenberger. First, you need waving his hands in the air yelling “we’re all going
to be an expert at your job. I don’t know how to die, we’re all going to die?”
much experience Captain Sullenberger had, but
You have two choices when you show up at your
I’m fairly certain he had never landed an Airbus
first duty station. You can do the minimum while
320 with 155 passengers in a river before. So,
learning your job or you can try to gain the
how did he do it? He let his training kick in. He
maximum amount of knowledge/experience
probably spent many hours in the simulator
possible. I know 155 people who are glad Captain
training for just such an emergency. That’s what
Sullenberger wasn’t a minimalist when it came to
learning his trade.
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Detachment 001 Lounge Clean Up

By AAS C/2nd Lt. Duncan

The Lieutenant General Air Society Members, or “Arnies” from the McCloud Squadron showed this
David J. McCloud Squadron dedication by renovating the Detachment lounge found on the University
at University of Alaska of Alaska Anchorage campus.
Anchorage has shown the
local community their
dedication to service time
and time again. The
McCloud Squadron has lead
many events over the past
year, including the 9/11
Memorial Run and the
regular maintenance of the
11th Air Force
Memorial. Despite how
busy it has been, the
Squadron has shown their
dedication to Detachment
001 at University of Alaska
Anchorage and to the local
community. The Lieutenant
General David J. McCloud
Squadron is part of Arnold
Air Society. Arnold Air
Society is a professional,
Cadets fumble through impossibly tangled wire to make way for the clean-up crew
honorary, service
organization advocating the
support of aerospace The Detachment lounge had been in need of some cleaning up for quite a
power. Recently the Arnold while. While it was not in terrible condition, it obviously needed some
work to make it better for the cadets who used it on a regular basis. The
McCloud Squadron had recognized the need and decided to act upon
it. Not only was it a show of dedication to the local cadets, it was also a
show of their dedication for Detachment 001.

Some of the things that the Arnies decided they needed were new, more
comfortable furniture. The cadets had expressed a need for a more
relaxed setting in the lounge. It was set up like an office, with tables and
chairs taking up most of the space. Although this was not a bad set up,
the cadets had been saying that they wanted somewhere to relax and
hang out. The Arnies used their resources to find a new couch and a
coffee table with no cost to them at all. On their own free time they went
in and fixed up the coffee table, organized the new furniture, and
organized the bookshelf, further showing their dedication to service.

Not only did the McCloud Squadron succeed in the lounge clean up, they
also used their outstanding leadership skills to delegate the tasks of the
clean up out to the cadets of Detachment 001. In the end all it took was
a little initiative and elbow grease by the McCloud Squadron to get the job
done. The McCloud Squadron will continue to lead the way at University
of Alaska Anchorage.
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Being A New Cadet

By C/S. Hood

Well about that… Being a new cadet coming in the second semester is challenging, no doubt, but it has its
rewards - doesn’t it?

“I do not expect any sandbaggers during PT, whatsoever!” shouts Cadet Amico.

Boy, did I think I was in for it. But my relationship and perspective has changed with many of the first
impressions or opinions I conceived. After all, we are only human, right?

I thought joining AFROTC would be a fun challenge and I wanted to

leave my options open and try the military route, something I had seen
throughout high school but always had a negative outlook. I met Major
Pearson as well as some of the other cadets as a senior in high school
when I was invited by some of the JROTC cadets to the UAA open
house. I thought a lot about it, after talking to lots of recruiters from all
different branches, almost joining the Air Guard, I figured this semester I
would join the other cadets and find out for myself what ROTC is all
about.

I wanted to keep a positive attitude about my new experiences this semester; after all I jumped into this with
both feet and have tried anything and everything to learn as much possible from the program, including AAS,
Color Guard, volunteering at the ROTC events, and was given the chance to try my hand at guidon bearer. I
am thankful to the other student cadets and the current cadre for being so patient with me in this program
because even though it may look like I goof off half the time, the other half of me is really serious about
trying my best. It is not easy being new, trying to fit in and catching up with the other 100s that have been in
a semester, but I have managed with everyone’s help.

Being in the AFROTC program, as well as going on the base visit to

Colorado Springs, has really opened my eyes to new opportunities with the
Air Force. I have learned about how important volunteer work is for the
community, honed my drilling skills, learned that being a follower first is a
must in order to be an effective leader, and about how to develop a team
from a group. How to start by forming the group of people first, then the
storm process comes with its full glory and vigor, which I am still in.

“Don’t worry,” I just tell myself, “I’ll find my place amongst the group of friends, strangers, followers,
leaders, and the confusion and chaos in my head will clear up eventually.”

I value Major Pearson’s lectures about the different aspects of leadership because it’s what I most want to
succeed in. I enjoy drilling and PT, mostly because it is all new to me and a challenge to my norms. Ever
since Lt Col. Gilliland talked to us about teambuilding, what stood out to me the most and I have been
pondering is whether our AS100 class is a group or a team. A group being more separated mob of people
formed but not all reaching for the same goal. A team being a group of cadets that have formed and
stormed and have become what we are, many individuals with our goals not yet insight but with an ultimate
goal of becoming officers for the United States Air Force. There you have it! I think we answered that
question on the base visit. We are definitely more of a team!
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Field Training Preparation

By C/ Toomey

As you’ve all seen (and many of you have been The trick to all of this
through), Field Training Preparation Flight is a is a phrase Major
separate entity during Leadership Laboratory. We Pearson says to our
march on our own, sit on our own, hold our own Aerospace Studies
meetings during the week. We are forced to solve 200 class frequently,
problems quickly and under pressure, with the “time management,
infamous Cadet Blahut hanging over our task prioritization.”
shoulders. This isn’t, against popular belief, for the It’s all about how you
amusement of the Professional Officer Corps use your time and
cadets. It’s for ourselves to see how we function prioritizing the
under pressure, to get used to the stresses, and important things;
just get the assigned tasks done. As a flight, we’ve field training, school,
had to come together and pool our resources to and most
more effectively get through the weekly challenge significantly, your
of Leadership Laboratory. personal well-being.

Field Training The most rewarding part of Field Training

Preparation is the Preparation is, hands down, the team I’m
hardest task I’ve had to privileged to work with. It took a lot of time but
complete in my Air we have learned to look out for one another; not
Force Reserve Officer just ourselves as individuals. We have come
Training Corps career together in the past weeks as a cohesive unit. We
(“remember, no have become willing to accept and give feedback,
acronyms” echoes in help out fellow flight members, and even have fun
my head as I write together when time permits. Teamwork is just one
this). It’s not the of the many traits we are learning in order to be
hardest because of the successful as future officers, and more short-term,
yelling or because of successful at field training.
the memorization of
numerous pages of Although Field Training is still weeks away, it’s
warrior knowledge. It’s because of the time going to be very full of more preparation. The 1st
management skills needed and the incredibly Cadet Wing is attending the Dining Facility, having
small amount of time we have to prepare for such a Field Training Exercise, and the Skeeter Cup
a future-determining event. With all of us holding where all aspects of our training thus far will need
positions within the wing, going to school, and to be utilized. In the coming weeks, whether it’s
some holding jobs or participating in physical fitness, warrior knowledge, buying
extracurricular activities outside of all that, the supplies and packing, or mentally preparing
challenge is balance. I didn’t even mention the ourselves, Field Training Preparation Flight is up
bills, family time, house cleaning, sleeping, and for the challenge.
other nominal aspects of our days. All of these
things take time and as we all know too well,
there’s a limited amount in a day.
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Colorado Base Visit – Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs

By C/T. Hood

Onward to adventure, upward and soaring towards the sky…we are off and away to Colorado Springs with
AFROTC Det. 001 cadets ready to explore new horizons. After several hours of flying, we finally arrived at our
destination: Peterson Air Force Base, where we spent the afternoon settling in and getting familiar with the
area. Our evening resulted in a long bus ride to the mall where
we made our way to the long awaiting Olive Garden, which with
much running around in circles and stopping for direction, at
last we found it! The food at the Olive Garden was fantastic, not
to mention the cordially courteous and exceptionally dashing
waiter who entertained us with basket after basket of delicious
bread sticks and Italian salad, and who also had a knack for
pink being the color of his tie.

The next day we ventured by tour bus with our detachment

along with our loving cadre to Schriever Air Force Base, home of the Super Duper Space Program. There we
learned all there was to know, or possibly only some, since most of the information was either classified or
top secret, about satellites, their operation and the building and maintenance process. With the generator
back-up system at Schriever, not to mention the impressively monstrous sound they made when activated, or
the immense capabilities of a train engine; there is enough power to start up New York City in an
emergency! After our visit we made sure to have our detachment photo by the glorious “Welcome Det. 001”
sign by the gate of the base keeping close watch so as the Security Forces didn’t see us.

The following bus ride was filled with anticipation for the awaiting Academy visit and the magnificent Chapel
of many colors, or should I say flavors of worship. It was astounding the number of religions represented at
the Air Force Academy Chapel but each was beautiful and
brought meaning. The Catholic Chapel was downstairs and I
have never heard the wind wail that intensely in all my born
days! It shattered my nerves! The Protestant Chapel was
absolutely breathtaking. The man who designed the stain glass
patterns designed it so that at each joint or intersection, the
glass became lighter and in-between the light points, the glass
became darker. It was sad when we had to leave the Academy,
but following along the white squares kept us from getting too
far very fast. We all felt like we were playing a live game of
battle ship or something like it.

Unfortunately when we visited The Garden of the Gods, Cadet

Morthorpe was expecting huge vegetables and plants of
exquisite and exotic grandiose, but all he saw was giant red
mountains. Really what he was viewing was age-old sand
stone standing on end performing handstands for all of its
viewers. There was one very interesting big Mac rock
formation as well as a lovely rock fish and a Santa Claus
face. Those were all fabulous displays, but what really
amazed us all was the balanced rock. No matter how hard
we huffed and puffed, even working as a team, we could not
blow the rock down. It proved that it was really balanced!
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Later that night, some of the cadets decided to take it upon themselves to find the PT building on Peterson
so we could walk off all those free meals given to us by the dining staff. Thanks to Cadet Jorgenson for your
fearless leading skills, you went one way, and we went the other and made it before you. How did that
happen? Hmmm. We’ll never know what building you were going to, but we were going to PT!

The next morning, we woke up again at the crack of dawn,

oh wait, actually before that, to prepare for the long day
ahead of us. We were going on the Peterson Air Force
Base Tour. As it turned out, we were able to get up close
and real personal with the base in which we were lodged.
We went to the altitude testing chamber, which I learned
that pilots and navigators have to go through during pilot
training. The Peterson museum tour was fascinating, and
we actually learned a lot about the original AWACS
aircraft by a pilot who put over 400 hours into that
plane. We also visited the Fire Station, the Security
Forces K-9 unit, and the C21A Lear Jet business operation. Who would have known that Cadet Smith aka
“Princess” would get down and dirty with the fire suit contest and later fight off Woden, the 100 pound
dog! She impressed us all!

Once again that evening after a tiring day a few hard-core cadets decided to go to
PT, while most of the POCs and a few select GMC’s went to kick up their heels at
the local country club. Basketball was sure a blast, but I heard Cadet Stites stayed
on the bucking bull the longest! Well, sounds like everyone had their share of
fun. Cadet Sonya Hood and I saw Top Gun for the first time and it was an
outstanding 80s movie.

The next morning was spent packing and lazily getting ready for the long journey
home. Since this was our last day at Peterson we were given some free time to
walk around the base one last time. Thanks to Cadet Vigilante for finding a
random Security Forces hat under her bed; to Cadet Bolt “it is an omen.”

The journey home was peaceful, I was trying to read and sleep, while mostly
reflecting on the fun we all had, bonding with one another and learning more about each and every one of
our unique personalities. I cherish the time we had with Major Pearson and Sergeant Link, and are grateful
to them and the Air Force for their guidance and support. AFROTC; what an awesome program!
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SCIDM - Southern California Invitational Drill Meet

By C/Herman

It couldn’t have been a more perfect day for a Drill Meet outside. We Our turn to show our stuff
arrived on this sunny day at the Anaheim Stadium in Service Dress came all too quickly that
ready for the opening ceremonies. Let’s rewind a little bit though, to morning, immediately after
the day before the competition. As a team, the Honor Guard chose the Drill Team was finished
the best place I could possibly imagine to practice the day before a performing the teams pulled
competition… on the beach! This day though didn’t come with all together to ensure the Color
play. We practiced our routines meticulously making sure every step Guard was immaculate as we
was perfected and every motion was crisp. We finished off the day were going to be inspected
with two hours of fine tuning our uniforms and equipment. thoroughly. At this point the
nerves were overwhelming,
and we had no other choice
The next day was when all the nerves really set in. As an AS100
then to form up and do what
and a new member of the Honor Guard, I wasn’t sure what to expect
we had been practicing for
from this caliber of competition. Once every team competing was
months. Just in time we were
there and formed up for the morning announcements, it really set in
formed up and glided through
just how many people we would be competing against. There were
the routine. Personally, I just
sixteen teams competing in just the Color Guard portion and fourteen
went through the performance
in the Drill Team exhibition, with names such as the Air Force
not thinking, just doing what I
Academy and West Point.
knew and had trained for. The
whole thing was over in less
than five minutes and all we
could do was sit and wait for
the results. Although we
didn’t place in the top three,
the Color Guard placed 7th. We
felt as though we had given
our best and we are all looking
forward to returning to the
competition next year and
taking home 1st.
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A Day in the Life of a Nanook Battalion Cadet

By CDT Jordan Gambrell, UAF Army Rotc Cadet Battalion Commander

0445, the vibration of my cell phone wakes me up before I hear the

sound go off. I roll out of bed and turn off my actual alarm clock and my
backup alarm in case something goes wrong with the first. It’s the
beginning of another long day. Classes, training meetings, studying, trying
to get a bite to eat when I can, but one thing at a time. First is PT, or
physical training. I give myself plenty of time to get ready, in case I forgot
something the night before. Shave, get dressed, grab my uniform for the
day and the books and binders I’ll need. I’m heading down the driveway
by 0515. The gym doors open at 0530 and there’s already a line of
cadets forming at the door. PT formation isn’t until 0555 but we give
ourselves plenty of time just in case, always remembering the rule, “If
you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re late,
you’re screwed!”

PT lasts an hour, from 0600 to 0700. Afterwards, pertinent information is put out
for any upcoming activities. Equipment checks and uniform inspections are
conducted if necessary. There’s only an hour after PT to complete any tasks and get
ready for our MS402 class. Our class time, from 0800 to 0930 is either spent in
lecture or working on the Military Decision Making Process in order to prepare for
our Spring FTX. For another hour after class our staff gets together for a training
meeting to complete any planning and preparation that we have for any upcoming
training events. This weekend is the Arctic Warrior Survival Lab.

I have another hour, from 1030 to 1130 to read and study for my upcoming class.
That time is always interrupted with a phone call or a text message, usually
something someone forgot to put out at PT that morning. At 1130 there is another
hour and a half long lecture for Geology, followed up once a week with a quiz! After
that, a one hour break for lunch in between classes, when I spend my time cramming food and cramming for
the next classes almost guaranteed pop quiz.

My History 100 class is actually pretty entertaining, but there’s no skipping this class, EVER! He always
gives an “unscheduled” quiz. There’s a two hour break after that gauntlet of classes, followed up by my 3
hour night class. History 476, Senior Thesis! After learning the research methods and procedures, the do’s
and don’ts of writing a 25 page history research paper, I
spend the next two hours in the library trying to find
documents and judge their relativity to my research topic.

Finally, it’s time to head home! Grab some dinner and

relax for half an hour and unwind in front of the TV. 2330
and its time to get things together for the next day;
uniforms, books and binders are squared away and make
a quick checklist of the most important things to cover the
next day at either PT or the Training Meeting. Lastly, right
around 2400, I make sure my alarm is set for 0445 and
my back up alarm is nice and loud. I wouldn’t want to miss
another exhilarating day of pushing myself physically and
mentally. Everyday becoming a little more Army Strong!!!