marauder squadron - jan 2008

8/2/2019 Marauder Squadron - Jan 2008

1/3

Newsletter of the Marauder Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, Kingwood , TXtx409.com

SAREX: ChallengingBut Worth It

January 2008

The Marauder Memo

Twelve Marauder Composite Squadron cadets and

eight senior members took to the field for a realistic

search and rescue exercise (SAREX) on Saturday,

November 19. Their day began at o7oo as Squadron

Commander Maj Al Bryant briefed the scenario. An

Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was

transmitting somewhere east of Kingwood. Theirmission: find the beacons location.

Three ground teams were promptly dispatched to

the east shore of Lake Houston. Using urban direc-

tion finding (UDF) techniques the teams determined

that the signal was emanating from a heavily

wooded portion of East End Park in Kingwood.

The teams linked up at the Park to begin a ground

team search. There, an eyewitness who bore a re-

markable resemblance to Capt Engelhardt provided

information that enabled the team to focus theirsearch. Cadets used radio direction finding gear to

(Continued p. 2)

C/TSgt Kellen Bonnette observes as C/SrA Jacob Romero sta-

bilizes Maj Tony Martins fractured ankle prior to transport-

ing him to an emergency helicopter extraction site.

Rocket Launch Draws CrowdThe Marauder Composite Squadron was joined by over 115

guests for its annual October Skies rocket launch on Octo-

ber 27. The annual event was held on the grounds of the

Faith Family Baptist Church in Kingwood.

Fifty rockets were launched ranging in size from one foot

to over six feet long. Some rockets carried integrated

video cameras that providing air-to-ground videos. Spec-

tators became participants as cadets helped young guests

assemble and launch quick build rocket kits.

The October Skies launch is one of the ways the squadron

fosters aerospace education within the community. Build-

ing and launching the rockets encourages young men and

women to learn about aviation and space activities and

careers.Cadet Isaac Acay and his brothers

Gabriel, Jonas and Levi.


2/3

Page

narrow the search to a heavily wooded area near the west

shore of the lake. Methodical search techniques finally

revealed a simulated aircraft crash site, the aircrafts ELT,

and a severely injured pilot.

Team members stabilized the pilot, recovered the ELT,

and proceeded to a suitable emergency helicopter landing

zone. Transporting the injured pilot proved challenging as

the extraction site was over a half a mile away, and much

of the terrain was dense brush and wooded areas. The

value of teamwork became increasingly evident as the

exercise progressed. The mission concluded with a de-

briefing and discussion of the days events with the

focus on lessons learned.

Squadron members frequently train in search andrescue techniques. The CAP is an auxiliary of the U. S.

Air Force. Consequently, emergency services, disaster

relief, and search and rescue comprise a major portion

of its mission. In any given year, the CAP is responsible

for saving approximately 100 people.

Lake Houston SAREX Training (contd.)

Marauder Color Guard Stays SharpMarauder Composite Squadron cadets kicked-off a recent Fri-

day afternoon Longhorn pep rally at Riverwood Middle Schoolin Kingwood. The cadets presented the U.S. and Texas flags in

military fashion for the benefit of over 500 students and teach-

ers. The team also presented the colors at Timberwood and

Creekwood Middle Schools in recent weeks.

The Color Guard is a team of five cadets who practice through-

out the year to maintain their edge in drill and ceremonies. The

Color Guard is available to local organizations who would like

to open their meetings with a formal presentation of the colors.

The team looks forward to participating in the annual Texas

Wing Color Guard competition held at Camp Mabry in Austin,Texas. The competition includes inspections, indoor and out-

door drill, written and oral examinations, and a timed one mile

run.

Air Show: Work and Rewards

CAP: SERVICE BEFORE SELF PERFORMING MISSIONS FOR AMERICA

Cadets Daniel Shellhouse, Matthew

Burrell, Jacob Romero and Kellen

Bonnette present the colors.

Cadets and senior members from the Marauder

Composite Squadron joined other Houston area

squadrons in providing ground support for the

annual Wings Over Houston Air Show. Cadets

provided water to aircrews and guests, and

assisted in directing pedestrian traffic.

The volunteers enjoyed an outstanding view of

the air show, and a chance to mingle with the

pilots and crew of military and vintage aircraft.

Cadets were provided back stage passes to

meet the crewmembers of the Canadian Air

Force Snowbird Demonstration Team (431

Squadron), and were encouraged to ask

questions and inspect the aircraft at close range.

Top: Cadets Thomas LaBurt, Joshua Hansen, Matthew Burrell,

front: Isaac Acay, Jacob Romero, Jamie Paul, Ralph Green, Daniel

Shellhouse, and Juan Florez in front of a Snowbird CT-114 Tutor.


3/3

Page 3

Civil Air Patrol: An Auxiliary of the U.S. Air force

Cadet Thomas Power was recently awarded the Civil Air

Patrols prestigious Billy Mitchell Award and promoted to

Cadet Second Lieutenant. C/2d Lt Power currently serves

as the Cadet Commander of the Marauder Composite

Squadron. The award was presented by CDR AnthonySpindler, an honored guest of the squadron, who recently

returned from a tour in Iraq.

The Mitchell award recipients must pass a comprehensive

examination which tests their leadership and aerospace

knowledge. Since its inception over 30 years ago, less then

ten percent of all cadets have earned the award. It also

marks the movement of the cadet from the senior enlisted

ranks to the CAPs cadet officer corps, and is an entry point

to advanced leadership responsibilities.

Lieutenant Power joined the squadron in July 2002 and

has served in a variety of billets during his tenure. As theCadet Commander, he is responsible for the cadet

squadrons overall operations and serves as the chief

advisor on cadet operations to the Squadron Commander,

Major Al Bryant. Cadet Power is a decorated Senior Ground Team Member and a certified instructor in search and rescue

operations, land navigation, search methods, emergency transponder detection, first aid, and extraction and evacuation.

Additionally, he earned his solo pilot wings CAPs Powered Flight Academy.

Cadet Power Receives Mitchell Award

Cadet Power receives his Billy Mitchell Award. From the left, hisfather Lt Col Power, CDR Anthony Spinler, Maj Al Bryant, C/2d Lt

Power, and his mother Beth Power.

Marauder Cadets Conduct Holiday Food DriveDuring December 2008 Marauder Composite Squadron cadets knocked

on doors throughout Kingwood asking residents to contribute canned

foods during their annual food drive. Their efforts were rewarded with

over seven hundred food items which Christ the King Lutheran Church

of Kingwood will distribute to families in need throughout the holiday

season.

Christ the King allows the Kingwood based Marauder Squadron to use

their church facilities as a headquarters and meeting place. We are very

thankful for the churchs generosity. By helping to restock their food

bank, the squadron can give something back to the community, noted

Major Al Bryant, the Squadron Commander. I am very proud of these

young men and women. This is the sort of thing they will remember

later in life.

Volunteers from left to right: Cadets DanielShellhouse, Jamie Paul, Matthew Burrell,Thomas Laburt, Jaime Hernandez.

Kneeling: Isaac Acay, Alex Barrett.

Can I send the MCS Memo to a friend?Absolutely! If you know a young woman or man aged 12 to 18 who

might be interested in the Civil Air Patrol, send them a copy .

Are they interested in flying aircraft and aerospace topics? Do they

enjoy challenges and opportunities to excel? Would they like to

become skilled at emergency services such as first aid, CPR, and

search and rescue? Would they benefit from gaining self discipline,

leaderships skills, and physical fitness? Or are they simply a good

friend who would make a great team member?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, send them a

copy and tell them to visit our website at tx409.com.

Send a copy to friends and relatives too. They will pleased to

see what you have achieved and how you are serving the

community.

COMMUNITY SERVICE INTEGRITY SELF DICIPILINE

marauder squadron - jan 2008

Documents