IMPORTANT Info for cadets!

Major Bailey, Commander of Donaldsonville JROTC department has agreed to assist training our cadets in proper color guard procedures Monday December 14that 1900. It is important for all cadets to attend our Monday meeting December 7th when we will plan for participation in the December 12th Port Hudson ceremonyand trip to Donaldsonville.

Phil Collins / Commander

BUSINESS SPONSORS NEEDED

In order to outfit the cadets who qualify for Honor Guard with the additional uniform pieces for the Summer uniform, it will cost approximately $100. We are currently looking for local businesses to sponsor 1 or 2 cadet uniforms. If you or your employer would like to help out with this, please make check payable to Civil Air Patrol with Honor Guard in memo section.

Are you up to the Challenge?

We are proud that our cadets have expressed interest in forming an Honor Guard Colors Element. According to CAPP52-8, the Honor Guardsmen are considered "Ambassadors for Civil Air Patrol."
There are four elements in a CAP Honor Guard: Ceremonial/Demonstration Element; Color Element, Funeral Element and Drama Element. Our cadets are currently focused, primarily, on the Color Element in preparation for the upcoming Wing Competition. Successful Honor Guards will then compete at the Region level and then National (NCGC).
Obviously, there will be stiff competition along the way but with practice (individually and team), it is very possible that LA022 Cadets can go all the way. We are off to a good start but it will take hard work and dedication.
In addition to competition, the Honor Guard will perform ceremonies for the community. As the number of qualified guardsmen increases, the more we can do. BUT, are you up to the challenge? Participation in Honor Guard practice is open to all cadets; However, assignment to the guard will be reserved for those who achieve and maintain the high standards of conduct, professionalism, respect, grooming required under CAPP 52-8, those who show dedication to continually perfect the movements of every drill or ceremony. The more guardsmen who qualify the better, but as "Ambassadors for the Civil Air Patrol" quantity is not as important as quality.

"Honor Guard - Not to set the standards, but to exceed them!"

Helpful Links:
CAP Drill and Ceremonies
CAPM 50-16 Chapter 17 (Iowa Wing)
AF Regulations 50-14 Drill & Ceremony
CAP 900-2 Use of CAP Emblems and Display of Flag

Upcoming Meeting / December 7, 2009

Commander Collins requests a courtesy call or an email from Senior members and Cadet Officers who are unable to make it to the meetings. Cadets should call Cadet Commander or Interim Cadet Program Officer (Lydia Pike.) Knowing, in advance, the number of members who will be attending will make planning the meeting much easier and more effective. Hopefully, meeting efficiency will improve attendance as well.

Tentative Agenda for Meeting 12/7/2009

Business Meeting
+ Wreaths Across America Wrap up

• Total wreaths to be laid out Saturday morning
• Uniform of the Day
• Time of Arrival at Port Hudson
• Transportation from L38 to Port Hudson and back - Coordinating Officer?
• Fly-over (go/no go) - Coordinating Officer?

+ Airport work projects:

• December?
• January?

+ Trip to BTR Tower postponed until after first of year due to maximum of 4 people able to go according to Blog Poll.

+ Staff Reports:

+ Safety (Mark Attuso)
This agenda will be updated as I receive additional information from members

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We would like to provide the Cadets with ample time to meet and handle there activities, ensure that our meetings are efficient, effective and interesting and still communicate important information across all members. If you have a suggestion regarding how the meetings might be structured to better meet these goals, please speak up.

Sad news from the Nwokorie Family

Sadly, I have been informed that the Nwokorie Cadets' grandmother passed away Monday, November 23. Please remember our cadets and their family in your prayers. As you may know, the Nwokorie family is from Nigeria. Their parents will have to return to Nigeria soon to handle final internment.
Understandably, this has been quit a blow to the cadets and their family but Rophina assures me that everything is okay but they (the cadets) will be unable to attend meetings until after the first of the year.
I and Commander Collins have advised C/Commander Nwokorie and her parents that, when the time comes, we (the squadron) are available to be of assistance. As a parent, I can not imagine having to leave the country for ANY amount of time and leave my children of any age behind.

JROTC Color Gaurd Presentation

The Donaldsonville High School Color Guard is scheduled to be present at our next regular meeting on 16 Nov 2009. In additon to a demonstration of proper folding of the Flag, they will explain the meaning of each of the folds. The Color Guard will also demonstrate a formal Flag burning cermony.

Since this is a formal cermony, we ask that the squadron members wear the most appropriate uniform they have available. Senior members who do not have the USAF or CAP Distinctive are fine to wear the Blue/Grey standard. Cadets will wear USAF Blue if complete, otherwise complete BDU is fine. Cadets, if you do not have a complete uniform, dress slacks are recommended.

Since we are having guests, and it is likely we will have potential recruits as well, Commander Collins suggested we provide refreshments. Please comment below (or email Lydia) if you are able to help.

Mark Attuso and Family

Mark Attuso's Aunt was killed in an auto accident this past weekend. We extend our sincere condolences to Mark and his family during this difficult time. Visitation for Ann Cloninger is scheduled for Wed. Nov. 4 from 5pm until funeral service at 7pm at St. Isadore catholic Church in Baker. More information can be found at 2theadvocate.com

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THE BLOG:

In order to get the most out of the use of the Blog and the calendar, you will need to sign in to Google. David Miles described this in his comments on the very first post.
Logging into Google is as simple as entering your current email address (does not have to be gmail) create a password and that is it.
Once you can log into Google, you should be able to comment on the blog and see the Calendar. If you can not do one or the other, Email me directly from the email address you used to sign in and I will fix it.

COLOR GUARD NEWS

On Sunday November 1, our cadet officers met with the C/Airmen and C/NCO who have expressed an interest in establishing a Color Guard and working toward participation in Competition in early Spring 2010. Thus far, the Color Guard element includes: C/Sargent M. Pardue, C/Airman J. Phillips, C/Airman C. Blank, C/Airman N. Delbasty, C/Airman C. Pike and C/Basic J. Nworkorie. Any other cadets wishing to participate should contact his/her superior ASAP.
Practices are tentatively scheduled for every other Sunday but planning is still in progress. Practice equipment should begin to trickle in.
{Does anybody have a picture to post here?}

O - Flight!

Congratulations to Cadet Basic D. Kelly, who completed his first orientation flight! Sunday afternoon, November 1, 2009, Cadet Kelly along with Cadet Flight Commander 2nd Lt. P. Nworkorie, took to the skies with Commander Phil Collins.

Commander Collins stated that Cadet Kelly "...expressed a strong desire to be a pilot while asking questions about some of the cockpit items. He demonstrated above average ability to fly and control the aircraft and seem relaxed and enjoying the flight. He is looking forward to his next flight."

One of the most exiting thing about Cadet Orientation flights is the chance to actually take control of and FLY the aircraft during safe situations. We congratulate Cadet Kelly and encourage him to move onward and upward. "Semper Escendo"

GROUND TEAM TRAINING

Those Seniors and Cadets needing to qualify or be updated on Ground team procedures should plan to attend training with Pontchartrain Squadron on November 7th and 8th. Please place your name on the list in the Squad room.

CADET TESTING:

We have been amiss in assisting our cadets in the testing process and are trying to rectify that situation. Any cadet needing to take a written test should let Sargent Pardue know ASAP. He will in turn give the list to his commanding officer. The C/Commander or her designee will coordinate with a Senior member to ensure testing is done. Cadets should persue this matter to esure it does not get missed. If you do not get a response to your request, follow-up.

We are certainly at a disadvantage with Deputy Commander of Cadets, Major Moeller's absense; However, just as a cadet's schoolwork must take priority, work takes presedence as well. LTC Collins is doing his best to ensure that things keep rolling. He has tapped one of our newer members to assist. Mr. Gary Gutermuth, has graciously agreed to step in and help with the Cadet program. He is not replacing Major Moeller by any means but will be learning everything he can and doing his best to help things keep rolling. Upon, the Major's return, Mr. Gutermuth will continue as his assistant. I will also be assisting the Commander Collins with the Cadet Program.

Lydia Pike, PAO

SAFETY STAND DOWN.......

SO what is it? A stand down is a method used by the military to correct an issue that has been identified as a problem throughout its ranks. As long as one person gets injured, a near miss occurs or even "it almost happened," we have something that needs to be addressed. We overlook safety, not because we don't care but because of the "it'll never happen to us" syndrome.

Preparedness is a large part of Safety। Mark Attuso, Safety Officer, invited Richard "Rick" Weber of the Office of Emergency Preparedness to talk with our squadron about preparedness and what he envisions our role to be in coordination with his office during a disaster. Rick reports that the imagery obtained after the hurricanes in the past were and still are being used and this is the type of thing he really sees C.A.P. working with them on.

John Welds who frequently handles the job of Flight Line Marshal during missions spoke about flight line safety। He pointed out how important the "F।O.B. Walk" or Foreign Object Debris removal is. Even the smallest pebble can damage propellers.

Finally, Mark and Ken Brummett took some cadets for a ride on the Bárány chair to demonstrate the effect of disorientation. Once an aircraft enters conditions where the pilot can no longer see a distinct visual horizon, he/she becomes disoriented, no longer able to discern rates of turn or axis, these errors can eventually result in loss of control of the aircraft, usually in a steep, diving turn known as a graveyard spiral, all the while believing he/she is in complete control of the aircraft.

Mark did an excellent job putting together this "Safety Stand Down" meeting. Let us all remember: "Semper Vigilans"

It's a CHALLENGE!

Oh yes he did! Lt.Col. Collins issued this challenge to the Cadets at last nights meeting: "The cadet who gets the most wreaths sponsored will get a special prize from me personally!" He's not telling what it is but he promised it will be "something really special."

I'm not one to gossip, but I heard it through the grapevine that one cadet already has 5 sponsored. I'm just saying, you guys need to take the Commander up on this challenge!

What'cha think?

Stennis Space Center Trip

On 10 October 2009, the Cadets took a trip to NASA's Stennis Rocket Test facility. C/2nd Lts. Agnes Nworkorie & Placid Nworkorie and C/Airmen Phillips & Pike and C/Basic Nworkorie & Kelly hit the road early Saturday with Major Phil Smith and 2nd Lt. Lydia Pike. Undaunted by the inclement weather, the element departed at 07:00 and headed east for the 1.5 hour drive across the state line into Mississippi. From the welcome center, they boarded a bus bound for Stennis.

NASA Stennis Space Center was established in 1963 in order to test the stages of the rockets that took Man to the moon. After an informational bus tour around the facility where they saw several test pads, including one that will be complete in 2011 and will be used to test the J2 engines that will power the Ares 5 rocket in the “Constellation” project that will take man back to the moon.

Unlike Apollo, the Aeries V will house the payload while Aeries II will be the crew module. Each of the modules will be launched separately and rendezvous in orbit then continue to the moon.

After the tour, the cadets experienced the space center museum, the StenniSphere. Full of interesting exhibits such as Naval Meteorology & Oceanography Command exhibit, International space station and 3-d visualization lab, by far, the most intriguing was the Space Shuttle Cockpit which contained a simulator that provided an idea of what it might be like to land the shuttle. All the cadets were successful but I understand Major Smith got the highest score of the day.

All of the cadets reported having a good time and extend their appreciation to Major Smith for organizing and seeing this trip through.

Wreaths Across America Campaign in full swing!

Commander Collins says he has been beating the pavement, following up with people and businesses who participated last year. Leave a commment and let us know how YOU are doing in your efforts.

If you do not have the forms yet, check your past emails from Lt.Col.Collins. If you can't locate them, let me know and I'll send them to you. Print them and be sure to add the following important information.

ID # LACAP 022
Location: Port hudson
Cemetery ID # ; LAPHNZ

Remember, we need a copy of the completed form, even if the sponsor will be mailing a check directly to Wreaths Across America (some businesses will do this) or if they are paying with a credit card online (no, we don't need the cc#.)

Thanks for supporting this very worthy cause and don't forget to leave a comment on how this is going for you!

Welcome to our new Blog

Greetings all!

Well, communication seems to be the topic of concern lately. Everybody is so busy with their lives, Cadets with there school work and such, meeting attendance is down. All totally understandable, of course.

The question we are faced with is "How do we keep everyone in the loop and make sure they know what is going on and that they are missed?" Well, I thought I give this a shot.

Now, this is a VERY ROUGH draft and a work in progress! But before I put too much time into it, I thought I'd try to get some feedback from you all (Positive AND Negative) so I take it in the right direction or I shut it down now.

Thanks Guys!

Lydia Pike