 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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