Cadets learned how to use maps, contour lines, topographic symbols, latitude/longitude, magnetic declension, and how to orient the map and find their own location on the map.
The CAP Grid system was new to most of them.
In between all the map work, we worked on the rockets some more.
And had a few moments for some fun: line pushups!
Northeast Region Conference – LtCol Freeman and Maj Brechbuhl attended the Northeast Region Conference in Hartford, CT last weekend. There were hundreds of CAP members from ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, PA, and the National HQ. Participants were shown the CAP Strategic Plan http://www.capmembers.com/cap_national_hq/co-and-cc-national-briefing/), many awards were presented, two cadets were awarded the Spaatz Award and everyone got to meet Col Mary Feik.
Col Mary Feik is an aviation engineer, master mechanic, pilot, instructor and aircraft restorer. During WWII, she taught aircraft maintenance for the US Army Air Corps and is credited with becoming the first woman engineer in research and development at Wright Field, Ohio. Col Feik logged more than 6,000 hours as a B-29 flight engineer, engineering observer and pilot of P-51, P-47, and P-63 aircraft and designed high performance and jet fighter pilot transition trainers and aircraft maintenance trainers, pilot training manuals and technical engineering reports for the Air Force.
Although she has received numerous awards, in 2003 she commented that “My ultimate honor is the Civil Air Patrol cadet achievement created in my name.”
At the banquet, some CAP members kept up the venerable and ancient USAF “Party Shirt” tradition. Col Feik was the judge and Col Vazquez was the winner.
We had a fun Open House yesterday with many of our cadets demonstrating the public speaking skills they have learned at CAP. After C/1stLt Gavell spoke about the history of the Civil Air Patrol and our current mission, cadets told about their National Special Cadet Activities. Lebanon cadets have been to a wide array of NCSAs: Blue Berets, Powered Flight, Glider, Remote Control, Hawk Mountain, Pararescue and Survival, Civil Engineering, Advanced Technologies, and Honor Guard.
Afterwards, the cadets and visitors played Minefield. In this Leadership Exercise, one person closes their eyes and the other gives them directions to cross the “minefield” without stepping on the “mines”or “wires”.
Michael Lauria, a Flight Paramedic and medical student at Dartmouth, visited the squadron and spoke to us about decision making in emergency situations. The cadets got to ask questions about the decision-making process, operating under stress and his Pararescue (PJ) training and experiences in the USAF.
Come see our glider and aircraft on Saturday, 27 September at the Lebanon airport as part of the Wings and Wheels celebration.
