Vol.

1 Issue 8

Change of Command ceremony

By C/Captain Jason Nadle On April 2, 2009, Asheville Composite Squadron was subject to a change of Cadet Commanders. The outgoing Commander, C/Capt Jason Nadle, watched the Cadets march by one last time as Commander before passing the position, and all its responsibilities, onto C/Capt Nick Padleckas. It began as a formation and an announcement, followed by the ceremonious passing of the colors and wrapped up by a pass in review. The Change of Command occurs every six months when new cadet officers are given the chance to command the squadron with a new overall goal. C/Capt Jason Nadles focus was preparation for the Wing Cadet Drill Team and Color Guard Competition. C/Capt Nick Padleckass goal is getting twenty cadets their first ground team rating and his focus is Emergency Services. The role of Cadet Commander is not an easy one. The job requires

Gazette
the gumby
Semper Gumby

April & May 2009

much attention. The Commander must plan out the meetings so each month has Moral Leadership, Aerospace Education, DDR, and PT as well as the training the individual flight commander needs. That is but only a portion of the Commanders tasks. Want to know more? Ask one! While theyre not busy of course!

CAP on the Reservation with training

By 2Lt. Ralph Weber Can you hear me? -- not exactly what you might expect to hear if you are the victim of an accident, but those may be the words from someone who is about to save your life. Early one Saturday morning eight participants at Cherokee Central High School on the Reservation of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee took part in a Red Cross Heart Saver CPR/First Aid Certification Course. Instruction was provided by Asheville CAP member Major Butch Phillips Continued on page 4

HonorAir vets honored by CAP

By 2Lt. Clint Parker Cadets and senior members of the Asheville Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol honored returning participants of a Rotary Club Honor Air flight at the Asheville Regional Airport Saturday night (April 18). One hundred veterans of World War II were flown to Washington, DC to see the World War II memorial by the Asheville Rotary Club on Saturday morning spending the day at other Washington site including Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Memorial

and the Lincoln Memorial. soldiers of the greatest generation. Upon their return to the Asheville Airport, Smiles, teary eyes and returned salutes came from the veterans as they came through ...the color guard held pres- the main gate at the terminal. Cheers from the crowd and military music ent arms position for nearly from a boom box played while the color guard held present arms position for nearly 20 minutes as the unsung 20 minutes as the unsung heroes met their families. heroes met their families. Two additional members of the Asheville CAP and an Owen ROTC student stood on they were greeted by friends and family and a the opposite side of the color and salute the color guard that presented arm to the returned veterans.

HonorAir vets honored by CAP

Note from Wing SAREVAL

Whos got the cleans aircraft in the Wing? According to an email sent out Lt. Col. Jeff Willis ...in any contest their has to be a winner and in the one it is ASHEVILE. Though the competition was fierce and RDU gave them a run for their money, in the end they edged everyone out - but only by a little. Everyone did a great job and I appreciate it. Ashevile has Bragging Rights for a bit! Thats right Asheville Composite Squadron and its not because we dont fly the place. The reason is

because we have member who put time into what they do, whether its training or cleaning. It attention to details! So to all those who put time and effort into making our plane the cleanest in in continuing to make our that Bit the Colonel was talking about turn into the Wing, we salute you squadron shine. And lets try and make another bit the next time. for your outstanding effort

CAP on the Reservation with training

Army JROTC Major Bill Underwood gives compressions as English teacher April Riser and CAP Major Butch Phillips look on.

Continued from page 1 and hosted by the Cherokee High Army JROTC. The course was designed to give the fundamental skills to save a life in an emergency. In the class, participants learned the basic skills to properly determine the condition of a victim and the necessary steps to give them aid. In the event the victim isnt breathing, the class was given the opportunity to practice resuscitation and compressions with special manikins designed to mimic a person. Other skills learned included immobilization of injuries, how to stop bleeding, and how to treat shock. Mr. Ralph Patterson, an Aerospace Education Member with the Asheville CAP and high school Physics and Chemistry instructor, arranged for the course so students would be better prepared with life saving skills. He pointed out the life the students save may be that of his own or one of their fellow students or teachers. Ms. April Riser, one of Cherokee High Schools English teachers, took the course to re-certify prior to several upcoming school activities, as well as to be a better prepared teacher. Students participating in the event can add a valuable life saving skill to their resumes in what has become an ever increasing competitive job market.

CAP member up close with best seller

Above: Asheville Composite Squadron Deputy Commander Major Joe Weinflash sit in the Take A Stand studios with host Matt Mittan. Left: The Major with best selling author William Forestchen author of, One Second After, a griping tell of life after an EMP blast set in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Forestchen invite the squadron to join him and do some flying in his vintage WW2 L-3B.

Donor helps continue flight academy

By 2Lt. Clint Parker Last year, Civil Air Patrol Lt Col William Herman Eggers, age 74, of Mills River, North Carolina passed away only a few months after transferred to Asheville Composite Squadron. During that period before his passing he observed the active cadet program in the squadron and was so impressed by the cadet corps that he

has generously left in his will a $25,000 memorial scholarship fund to be used in flight training of cadets in the squadron. This Thursday (4/9/09) at 7 pm, members of Eggers family will be attending the Ashevilles squadron regular meeting to present the check to the squadron. Local member of the meeting are invited to attend to cover this event.

Asheville members recently winged

Them are wings! Two senior members and a cadet from the Asheville Squadron received their wings recently. 2Lt. Rheta Perkins (above left) was pinned by her daughter Cadet Theresa Perkins with Observer wings, while Asheville Commander Lt. Col. Bob Bauer pinned for 2Lt. Clint Parker. Cadet Christian Sluder grandfather, 2Lt. Chuck Sprinkle pinned solo wings onto his grandson.

Cadet show their Appreciation

Asheville Composite cadets turned out on a beautiful Saturday morning to put the spit and shine on William Eggers Piper Apache. Eggers left the cadet program a generous donation after his passing last year. His estate is fixing to sell his plane and the cadet, along with some senior member, what to make the plane look its best. So, a wash and wax were in order at the Asheville Airport. The estate executrix, Wendy Wise, brought out pizza, drinks and brownies for crew.