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TX-391 2016 Cadet Commander Change of command
Dallas Composite Squadron held the change of command ceremony for Cadet Commander on June 6, 2016. Cadet Captain Zachary Holub transferred command of the squadron to Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Madison Applewhite. The squadron celebrated with a reception after the ceremony. C/Capt Holub commanded the cadets for a little over than a year. He had just graduated from high school, and was leaving for college, so it was perfect timing for C/2nd Lt Applewhite to take over. C/2nd Lt Applewhite has been in CAP for three years. She started her leadership experience as First Sergeant under the previous cadet commander, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Luke Schlenker. She was eager to get leadership experience, and served as First Sergeant of the 2015 Texas Wing Summer Encampment. In August of 2015, she achieved the Billy Mitchell Award, and soon after she was assigned the Deputy Cadet Commander under C/Capt Holub. In that position, she learned how to run the squadron from C/Capt Holub. In recognition of his long service to the squadron, C/Capt Holub received a United States flag that was flown at the US Capitol Building. C/2nd Lt Applewhite ordered the flag from the Congressional office of Pete Sessions, Texas 32nd District, and presented it to Captain Holub at the end of the ceremony. C/2nd Lt Nathaniel Mars said, “Being the flag-bearer gave me the opportunity to see how happy the outgoing commander, C/Capt Holub, was to see a capable cadet take his place. C/2nd Lt Applewhite was definitely excited and had multiple plans for the squadron. C/2nd Lt Applewhite has done an excellent job in compiling her staff and helping them to work together. I can tell she has learned from her experience as Deputy Cadet Commander, and has a great future in the squadron.”  C/2d Lt Madison Applewhite presenting US flag to C/Capt Zachary Holub.  |
Texas Wing Glider Academy - North
Texas Wing Glider Flight Academy North, a Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Special Activity, was held at Bishop Field in Decatur TX from 8-18 July 2015. Twelve cadets participated in Basic and Advanced Glider Academy, achieving approximately 30 flights each. Four cadets soloed. The Texas Wing Cadet Glider Academy trains cadets beginning at age 14 on the basics of flying gliders. Ground subjects include aerodynamics, regulations, glider systems, and flight traffic patterns. Cadets also learn hand signals, launch procedures, and positioning behind the tow plane.
Tow planes take the gliders to 2000 feet above the ground. The glider instructors teach the cadets verbal call outs, straight and level flight, shallow to steep turns, wind correction, and traffic pattern entry among many other skills. Safe operations on the ground and in flight are paramount and highly emphasized.
Both
cadets and instructors gave glowing reports of this year’s event. “Glider Academy went well, the cadets did
great, and the weather cooperated” according to Texas Wing Glider Academy
Commander, Lt Col Tom Bishop. Cadet Sam
Kittlitz of Denton’s Nighthawk Squadron said, “I learned a lot! I’ll be very
prepared for powered flight academy.” Cadet
Brandon Winters from Sierra Composite Squadron in Stockton, California said “I
had fun flying, swimming, and eating great food!”  Cadets from Texas, California, and Utah attended Glider Academy. a NCSA
Cadet Alex Vanover from Denton Nighthawk Squadron was the first cadet to solo. “I was very nervous to start, but once I got up in the air, I became relaxed. Being by myself was a whole different experience because I had to make decisions on my own without the guidance of others.” To solo is the ultimate experience.
Civil Air Patrol, the official
auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than
61,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force Auxiliary role,
performs 90 percent of all continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions
as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the
AFRCC with saving 54 lives in fiscal year 2011.
Its’ volunteers also perform Homeland Security, disaster relief, drug
interdiction missions, aerospace
education and serve as mentors to nearly 27,000 young people currently
participating in the CAP cadet programs. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing
missions for America for 70 years. CAP
also participated in Wreathes across America, an initiative to remember, honor
and teach about the sacrifices of U. S. Military veterans. Visit www.gociviliaairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.
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Texas CTEP Spring 2015
March, 2015 Nacogdoches, TX, Texas Wing Headquarters Cadets from the Dallas Composite Squadron TX-391 attended the Texas Cadet Training & Education Program. CTEP is designed to give cadets both the knowledge and skills to lead as they progress through the Civil Air Patrol program. The focus is Leadership, both in CAP and in the community. C/SrA S. McGreer had this to say about his experience: "NCOA was a fun, challenging, and exhausting experience. It helped me improve my writing, speaking, teaching, and drilling skills and I look forward to apply what I have been taught to our squadron. I would say the most valuable thing I learned informally was the importance of note taking. If I didn't take as much notes as I did, the assignments would've been difficult for me. CTEP was amazing!" C/SMSgt M. Applewhite commented. "My SNCOA was amazing. I learned to better my skills as first sergeant, which will improve our squadron. I had so much fun, but was so exhausted afterwards. Overall, CTEP is a great program to attend, and I plan to attend OTS next." The Cadet Training & Education Program is made up of four different cadet schools: Non Commissioned Officer Academy, Senior Non Commissioned Officer Academy, Officer Training School, and Cadet Command Staff College. While CTEP is a Cadet led program, adult CAP members, Senior Members, provide guidance as mentors. NCOA is designed to prepare the new cadet NCO's to teach drill, motivate new cadets, and help them learn servant leadership, team dynamics, critical thinking skills and creative thinking processes. SNCOA is designed to prepare Senior NCO's for leadership positions within Civil Air Patrol as well as in the community. SNCOA focuses on public speaking, writing, and business communication. The goal of SNCOA is to enhance cadet training to encourage them to function mentally and physically on a much higher level than expected of them. This is done through physical activity, rigorous homework assignments, teaching tools, leadership forums, and classroom presentations. OTS introduces several techniques needed for effective performance as a cadet officer. Students are instructed on how to effectively manage, serve in various officer positions, and facilitate their squadron meeting. The instruction given in class is coupled with group leadership projects and planning sessions in order to apply what they have learned during their training. CCSC takes cadets to the strategic level teaching the skills required to plan and execute a wing level event such as an encampment. Often the ideas generated from CTEP are implemented into actual encampments.  CTEP is coupled with Training Leaders of Cadets (TLC). Training Leaders of Cadets is the premiere venue for Cadet Programs Officers to learn how to become better mentors of cadets and more effective managers of cadet squadrons. The 2-day course is a component of the Cadet Programs Officer Specialty Track in the Senior Member Professional Development Program. Pictured above is Lt B. Applewhite, TLC graduate, C/SMSgt M. Applewhite, SNCOA graduate, C/SrA N. Mars and C/SSgt S. McGreer, NCOA graduates, and Capt L Holub, OTS mentor. |
Emergency Services Training Fairfield Lake State Park
October, Fairfield Lake State Park, Texas Biannually, in the spring and fall, Cadets and Senior Members head to Fairfield Lake State Park, two hours south of Dallas, for a weekend to receive Emergency Services training. Fall, 2014, eleven Cadets and nine Senior Members from Black Sheep Composite Squadron, Dallas Composite Squadron, and Red Oak, participated in the event led by Black Sheep Composite Squadron of Mesquite, TX-214. Capt Jerry Barron, Commander, began the weekend with a Safety Briefing followed by a hike to the camp site. Saturday
morning after breakfast, Cadets and Senior Members contributed time towards
community service by removing debris from around the lake. The group was rewarded for their efforts with
an archery class taught by Park Ranger, Mr. Tim King.  After lunch,
Emergency Service Ground Team training commenced. Ground Team training included
lessons in First Aid taught by Commander Capt Jerry Barron, compass/orienteering
led by Chaplain Smalley, and man tracking using line search taught by Lt James Moye
and Lt Lynn Middleton. Capt Opal McKinney conducted Emergency Locator Beacon
training.  To wrap up
the weekend, a night time real world search and rescue exercise was executed,
putting to the test what the cadets learned.
The search and rescue exercise is dubbed “Rescue 51”. Cadets and Senior
Members searched for “Kevin”, a lost boy mannequin. “Kevin” was found and rescued in the woods by
searching for clues and using latitude and longitude coordinates!
C/Amn A.
Morgan from Dallas Composite Squadron, pictured second from left below, had this to
say, “I had a great experience at Lake Fairfield,
especially doing the rescue 51. I also enjoyed the hike in and out. I highly
recommend it to all the cadets.” 
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CTEP Fall, 2014
October 2014 Nacogdoches, TX Cadets from the Dallas Composite Squadron TX-391 attended the Cadet Training & Education Program. CTEP is designed to give cadets both the knowledge and skills to lead as they progress through the Civil Air Patrol program. The focus is Leadership, both in CAP and in the community. Pictured from right to left, C/CMSgt Z. Holub attended SNCOA and C/TSgt M. Dykes and C/TSgt M. Applewhite attended NCOA. C/CMSgt Z. Holub states, "It was great meeting new people and it definitely helped build my leadership skills." C/TSgt M. Dykes had this to say, "CTEP was a great learning and leadership opportunity. I learned a lot and met a lot of people I will hopefully meet again in the future. I improved my ability to write essays and to give good speeches. Overall it was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't gone." C/TSgt M. Applewhite commented, "I felt like it was a great experience and helped make me a better NCO and 1st Sergeant. I definitely plan to go again in the spring!"  The Cadet Training & Education Program is made up of four different cadet schools: Non Commissioned Officer Academy, Senior Non Commissioned Officer Academy, Officer Training School, and Cadet Command Staff College. NCOA is designed to prepare the new cadet NCO's to teach drill, motivate new cadets, and help them learn servant leadership, team dynamics, critical thinking skills and creative thinking processes. SNCOA is designed to prepare Senior NCO's for leadership positions within Civil Air Patrol as well as in the community. SNCOA focuses on public speaking, writing, and business communication. The goal of SNCOA is to enhance cadet training to encourage them to function mentally and physically on a much higher level than expected of them. This is done through physical activity, rigorous homework assignments, teaching tools, leadership forums, and classroom presentations. OTS introduces several techniques needed for effective performance as a cadet officer. Students are instructed on how to effectively manage, serve in various officer positions, and facilitate their squadron meeting. The instruction given in class is coupled with group leadership projects and planning sessions in order to apply what they have learned during their training. CCSC takes cadets to the strategic level teaching the skills required to plan and execute a wing level event such as an encampment. Often the ideas generated from CTEP are implemented into actual encampments. |
Cadets Relate their First Orientation Flight!
SPR 01-10-14 391st Dallas Composite Squadron Group III Texas Wing Civil Air Patrol FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dallas- The cadet orientation flight program
shares with cadets the thrill of flying. Every Civil Air Patrol cadet under age
18 is eligible for five flights in a powered aircraft at no cost and an
unlimited number of backseat flights when conditions allow. Each flight has a theme. Flights focus on basic maneuvers, aircraft instruments, weather, etc. A detailed syllabus guides the pilot. The O-Flight Program Motto: Safe, Fun, Educational. Dallas Composite Squadron cadets E. McLaughlin and S. McGreer describe
their first flight.
“Flying for the first time was really amazing. It wasn't like commercial flights, because you could see the ground thousands of feet below and you could feel the cold air. Learning about avionics and how everything works made the experience better, and I wish I could have stayed up in the air longer.” C/Amn E. McLaughlin
“I had an amazing experience flying up in that airplane, and the view from that perspective is beautiful. I had a blast learning about all the controls on the airplane and learning that to move the airplane only requires very slight movements. Lt. Giacomino did a great job teaching me how the air plane works and how to fly it. I am very grateful and happy for having this opportunity and I look forward to advancing my education more in this area.” C/Amn S. McGreer
And a word from their pilot, Lt. Giacomino, “I had the privilege of flying orientation rides for Cadets McLaughlin
and McGreer early on a Saturday morning. The weather was
terrific for some scenic flying, with low scattered clouds around the
Metroplex. Navigating around the clouds to get to Mesquite involved a few
detours and altitude changes, but we were able to get views of cloudscapes from
an entirely different perspective. Cadet McLaughlin was first to fly, and
this flight was the first on her syllabus. I was impressed with her
control of the airplane and aeronautical knowledge. Her time on Flight
Simulator has paid off! After switching seats in Mesquite, Cadet McGreer
flew us home, north over Lake Ray Hubbard and close to downtown Dallas.
Overall, he did a great job of maintaining a stable altitude and I could tell
he was becoming quite comfortable with flying the airplane. I look
forward to flying with both cadets again soon.” 
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Encampment Experience
 SPR 9-7-14 391st Composite Squadron Group III, Texas Wing Civil Air Patrol Dallas FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DALLAS-Cadet Senior Airman Madison Applewhite, from Dallas Composite Squadron, participated in the New Mexico Wing Summer Encampment from June 28 to July 4, 2014 at the Oñate National Guard Complex in Santa Fe. Following is Cadet Applewhite’s experience of her first Basic Encampment in her own words. Thousands of cadets have attended their first Encampment. I’m just one of them. I attended my first Basic Encampment on June 28, 2014. I enjoyed it so much, and I plan to go again. When I first arrived to the military complex, I sat in the car and cried for thirty minutes worrying about the yelling we are told to expect; plus, it was my first time away from home other than 2 days for ALS. Once I finally walked in, my nervousness had made my pulse race and the medic sent me to an urgent care clinic to make sure I was not in “tachycardia” (abnormally fast heart rate). By the time we found a clinic open on Saturday afternoon, I realize how relaxed everyone seemed at Encampment and I couldn’t wait to be approved to get back. Luckily, the doctor told me I was just nervous and sent me right back. When I got there, I had an awesome time and ended up getting the award for “Most Improved Female Cadet.” Before I went to encampment, we downloaded the Encampment Handbook and I read over it a couple of times. At encampment, the staff would quiz us and I always got the correct answer. I’m one who takes a lot of notes, so I always asked to get my pen out and annotate my Standard Operating Instructions. By the end of the week, my flight staff answered before I even asked….”YES, you may take notes!” As a senior airman, I knew a lot of drill and was appointed third element leader and a road guard. My flight sergeant explained to all three element leaders that he chose us because of our strength in drill. Throughout encampment, I strived to be my best in drill and shouted my loudest. Near the end, we had a drill-off and I was my flight’s winner. When I competed against the other flights, I ended up in third place, but was still very proud. We also got to rappel, got an up-close look at Blackhawk helicopters, and played “capture the flag” during daily sports. I loved the experience.  |
Cadet Krupa's words on Orientation Flight Day with Group III
SPR 9-5-14 391st Composite Squadron Group III, Texas Wing Civil Air Patrol Dallas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DALLAS-Cadet Senior Airman Joseph Krupa, from Dallas Composite Squadron, participated in the Texas Wing Group III “O-flight Day” on February 22 at Terrell Municipal Airport. All Civil Air Patrol cadets are eligible to fly orientation flights in CAP aircraft, piloted by FAA licensed pilots, and funded by the United States Air Force. Following are Cadet Krupa’s thoughts as they happened that day.
It is 0800 hours, and we are preparing the plane for takeoff from our home airport, Love Field. We are taking the boots off and checking every bolt; anything to make sure we have a safe flight. There is a beautiful sunrise this morning. The breeze feels amazing; like it is almost springtime. Our great plane, N4817C, is getting ready for takeoff, and we can see Fort Worth through the fog in the distance. The captain teaches a new cadet how to depart from the airport. On our way into Terrell Airport, I take aerial photography of the city and of the cockpit. It looks like we are the second plane to land. We check in and hear all about what we will be doing. We gather outside and review the rules, safety, and make sure anyone on the flight line wears an orange safety vest. Instructors teach a class of cadets how to marshal and direct the planes and helicopters correctly. All the pilots get the Ops plans and flight plans. The senior member in charge says” have fun…but be safe”!
At the end of the day, everyone flies the first of five o-flights provided by CAP. When we get back to Love Field, we have an amazing jet in front of us. It looks nice, clean, and well taken care of. I suggest to any cadet: go to Group III O-Flight Day. Do it because it keeps you motivated to progress in Civil Air Patrol and you will never
quit!
 
  
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Cadet Flight Fest and Ground Team Extravaganza 2014
 MCKINNEY-Another successful Cadet Flight Fest and Ground Team Extravaganza! Cadets and adult senior
members from as far away as Arkansas, San Marcos, and Austin attended the third
annual Cadet Flight Fest. Originally focused on orientation flights for cadets and emergency services training at Thunderbolt Composite Squadron, "Flight Fest" has expanded into a much larger event sponsored by Texas Wing. It was held March 21-23 in Anna, TX, at the YMCA Collin County Adventure Camp where the cadets and senior members camped out in tents and lodged in cabins. There were 84 participants, 50 of which were cadets. Cadets spent time training
in Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief exercises, focusing on Ground
Team and Urban Direction Finding (UDF) tasks as part of the National Emergency
Services Curriculum. Some cadets participated in the Aerospace Education
Program building and launching rockets. Others traveled to McKinney National Airport for
flight line marshaling and orientation flights. Cadets flew a Cessna
182 with the guidance of a trained pilot. Newly joined cadets participated in
the Great Start Program, which introduces concepts of character development,
leadership, physical fitness, and drill. At the end of the
day, airport officials graciously provided a tour of the control
tower. Plans are already in effect for next year, introducing additional activities for certification, training, and fun! How is success defined? Twenty-one participants
achieved Ground Team 3/UDF certification, nine received Ground Team 2
certification, three achieved Ground Team Leader status, three individuals
completed Introductory Communications User Training (ICUT), and five cadets completed the Great Start
Program for their first stripe, promoting to Airman! Lt Lana Holub of Dallas Composite Squadron proclaimed, "Congratulations to everyone, and a very special THANK YOU to Lt Sandra Lacasio of Texas
Wing, Group II, Thunderbolt Composite Squadron TX-295 for all of her hard work
putting this fabulous event together for our cadets!" 
Physical Fitness: Great Start Program For more information contact:
Blanca Applewhite, 2nd Lt CAP Assistant Public Affairs Officer Group III Texas Wing Civil Air Patrol
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Tower Tour
Upcoming Events for Cadets
Mark your calendars! ALS (Airman Leadership School) is May 9-11. Please see http://www.txwgcap.org/calendar/ for more information. Flight Academy: Powered Flight: 6-13 June 2014 Glider Flight: 9-19 July 2014 LESA: 12-24 June 2014 Summer Encampment: 29 June - 6 July 2014 Camp Swift |
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