Anderson Composite Squadron

September/October 2010 Newsletter

Commanders Corner
Here we are, headed for the Holiday Season. Fall was just beautiful and no severe weather effected SC. That said CAP was not called upon to support any Hurricane search, rescue or evacuation emergencies. We should be grateful that no event occurred but also say thanks to all you who gave your time and talents to practice, upgrade your skills, and participate in local and state wide training to insure our readiness. On the Cadet side, we have been extremely busy bolstering our numbers with focused recruiting efforts. The results have been outstanding, we now have 8-10 new Cadets and each week we have new young men/women and parents showing up to check out our program. This is very exciting as a strong Cadet program is key to a vibrant Squadron and Core to our Mission. SAFETY - SAFETY SAFETY Everyones Responsibility Much effort over the past few weeks has been put into raising our awareness of Safe actions and maintaining a Safe environment. We had a Safety Down day in lieu of a regular meeting to survey our facilities, check our planes and vehicles and talk safety. In the usual manner, everyone participated and was fully engaged. The question then becomes, can we keep that mindset, will we think safety first, will we stop an activity if we think or see a potential safety issue, and most importantly will we accept responsibility for our personal safety and the people or property around us. If so the likelihood of an occurrence is greatly reduced or diminished completely. Be Safe

Sew Much Comfort

Captain Steve Askew led the effort raise money for Sew Much Comfort, an organization the purchases and adapts clothing for hospitalized military personnel. Usually, the patients only have hospital gowns to wear. This organization provides clothing that allows access for medical staff while allowing the patients to wear comfortable everyday clothes. Our funds were used to buy underwear that the seamstresses will alter. We raised $375.00 for this project

Wreaths across America

MJ Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery, 12 Noon, December 11, 2010 On October 15th Major General Amy Coulter, the CAP National Commander sent out an e-mail asking for 100 percent participation in the Wreaths Across America program.

General Coulter writes This program has been chosen as its premier annual community service event because it reflects CAPs feelings about America and its veterans as evidenced by its motto: Rememberthe fallen Honor.those who serve Teach..our children the value of freedom Senior Member Hugh Hanley is spearheading this event for our squadron with the assistance of 2nd Lieutenant Deborah Wayland. The Telephone Pioneers of America have purchased the 450 wreaths that will be placed on graves at the MJ Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery. Our squadron is working with the cemetery, the VFW, the Young Marines, and other community organizations to honor our fallen. All squadron members are urged to attend.

Holiday Squadron Party

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 7th. The Holiday Squadron Party takes the place of our regular meeting. All members and their families are invited. We will meet at the FBO* instead of the squadron building. For the new cadets FBO means Fixed Base Operator and its the terminal building.

Training
SAREX, Sumter Airport, November 20, 2010 A SAREX will be held on Saturday, November 20 at Sumter. Lieutenant Colonel George Roberts is designated as the Incident Commander for this exercise. Search and rescue operations are the backbone of CAP, and everyone needs to participate on some level. Colonel Roberts needs personnel to staff the Mission Base. As of October 21 only two members had volunteered. Corporate Learning Course to be held at SC Wing headquarters on 13-14 November 2010. Any who has taken the Squadron Leadership Course should attend this course which discusses the role of the Civil Air Patrol as a non-profit corporation. The roles of the Wings and Regions as a part of the corporate body are presented.

Flight clinic will be held at Florence on 13 November 2010. Ground School training and Form 5 check rides will be included. The emphasis will be on procedures and safety.

Cadets
Cadet Area Renovation
Captain Allen Burgess has created a set of plans for the renovation of the cadet area. They include building a partition with across the width of the current space and adding a HVAC system. The partition will include a window so that parents can observe while training is taking place. This will provide a better atmosphere for instruction and for ceremonial activities.

Aerospace Education Excellence Program 2nd Lieutenant Deborah Wayland and Captain Josh Cunningham took cadets to Discovery Place in Charlotte as a part of the Aerospace Education Program. The cadets started the AEX program in March fulfilling most of the requirements earlier this year as a part of the regular cadet program. The Civil Air Patrol provided books and hands on activities for the course. The last requirement was a field trip. Cadets Anthony Wayland and Luke Hanson accompanied the Senior Members and attended the showing of the Legends of Flight in the IMAX theatre. As a result the Anderson Composite Squadron received a beautiful wooden instructors plaque and the cadets each received a colored certificate of completion. Lt Wayland, as Aerospace Education Officer plans to present the program again in the spring of 2011.

Cadet Training Weekend

Fall CTW will take place on 12-14 November 2010 at Clarks Hill National Guard training facility near McCormick, SC. 1LT Jeff Parcell, Director of Cadet Programs to please refer to SCadets.org News for updates about the application procedure. Captain Joshua Cunningham will act as Commandant, and 2LT Deborah Wayland be on staff at this training event.

New Cadets
Welcome new Cadets West Vieau, Caleb Brock, Corbin Godfrin and Gabe Browning to the Squadron Cadet Promotions The following cadets have been promoted: Cameron Swathwood to Cadet Staff Sergeant; Robert A. Wayland II to Cadet Staff Sergeant; Hunter Strozier to Cadet Senior Master Sergeant and Levi G. Bell to Cadet Senior Airman.

Cadet Senior Leadership In his article for the Commanders Corner Captain Renz talked about the increase in interest of parents and young people in our program and in numbers of new Cadets. Besides the two young men mentioned above, there are several waiting to receive their ID numbers and become cadets. The increase is the result of hard work by three hard working and dedicated individuals. 1st Lieutenant Vicky Smith has worked tirelessly for more than a year to revive the Cadet Squadron. In addition she coordinated activities for the Change of Command Ceremony, and several fund raisers. Lieutenant Smith has had to take a step back from being Deputy Commander of Cadets to pursue a nursing degree. She has taken the position of Assistant Deputy Commander of Cadets. We wish her the best in the pursuit of her degree, and we are very happy that she has decided to continue giving her time and talents to the squadron. 2nd Lieutenant Deborah Wayland has traded jobs with 1st Lieutenant Smith and has become Deputy Commander of Cadets. She is building on the program started by Smith, emphasizing the military aspect of CAP as well as the educational aspect. She has been heavily engaged in recruiting with great results.

She is a tireless and dedicated worker who always has a pleasant smile for everyone. Under her leadership the cadet program will continue to grow. In the last few months Captain Joshua Cunningham has returned to the squadron and has taken the position of Squadron Leadership Officer. He has served as a cadet and brings that experience as well as his excellent personal leadership skills to the position. The squadron is fortunate have three such qualified persons working with our cadets.