Full Throttle. Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302

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1 Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 Celebrating 50 years of service in 2007 Full Throttle Monthly e-newsletter of Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302, Arizona Wing, U.S. Civil Air Patrol Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona 50 years of service to Arizona and America Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan, Squadron Commander Vol. 2, No. 4 December 2007 Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan (third from right) and Group IV Commander Maj. Adam Such (right) are shown with squadron Commander s Commendation recipients (from left) C/2nd Lt. Robert Gassert, Capt. Jerry Porter, Capt. Ken Young, 1st Lt. Casey Young and Capt. Les Manser. Not shown are awardees Capt. Michael Rich and Capt. William Rogers. (Photo by Capt. J. Brandon Masangcay) Squadron members are honored Twelve members of Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 were among the more than 40 Civil Air Patrol (CAP) volunteers who were presented awards at the Arizona Wing s Group IV Dining Out in November at Luke Air Force Base. The 12 awards were the highest number received by any squadron in Group IV. More than 200 CAP officers, cadets and guests gathered for the formal gala at Club Thunderbolt where U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Noel T. Tom (Continued on page 3) Inside Full Throttle Color Guard helps to honor fallen hero 2 3 officers are appointed to squadron staff posts 4 DDR message: Drugs will destroy your life 5 Officer enjoys a most simulating experience 6 Cadets, seniors schedule holiday celebrations 6 Ten cadets gain advancement in grade 7 See the Quarterly Training Schedule (QTS) for upcoming events and contact information. Also, go to azwg.us for the calendar of activities within the Civil Air Patrol s Arizona Wing. Civil Air Patrol: More Than Meets The Skies Semper Vigilans (Always Vigilant)

2 Honoring a fallen hero Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 s Color Guard presented the colors on Veteran s Day at the renaming dedication of the Christopher J. Lapka American Legion Post 105 in north Phoenix. Formerly known as Westtown American Legion Post 105, the post was renamed in memory of U.S. Marine Cpl. Christopher J. Lapka, 22, of Peoria, who was killed in October 2004 in Iraq. The corporal have given up a full-ride scholarship to Arizona State University to fight in the War on Terror. Squadron Color Guard members include commander C/TSgt. Michael Padrick, C/SSgt. Kyle Corales, C/SrA Daniel Vogt and Kegan Edmondson, C/A1C David Matteson and C/Am Steven Cothran. Advisors are SMSgt. Del Rubi and Officer Mike Matteson. In the accompanying photos provided by Officer Matteson: 1) (from left) Cadets Padrick, Corales and Edmondson (back to camera) present the colors; 2) Cadets Corales, Vogt, Matteson, Cothran and Padrick march in for the ceremony; and 3) Cadets Corales and Matteson prepare the flag to be raised. Full Throttle Full Throttle is the monthly e-newsletter for officers, cadets and friends of Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302, Arizona Wing, U.S. Civil Air Patrol. Its mission is to bolster communication with and among officers and cadets, enhance awareness of squadron activities, and share news and information about the squadron and its personnel. Story suggestions and submissions can be forwarded by the 15 th of the month preceding publication to Capt. Jerry Porter, squadron public-affairs officer, at civilairpatrolsq302pao@cox.net. To guarantee receipt of the newsletter, readers should ensure their addresses and other contact information remain current with the squadron and on e-services at Vol. 2, No. 4 December 2007 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ National First-Place Co-Winner Newsletters 2007 Maj. Howell Balsem CAP Exceptional Achievement Awards Full Throttle December 2007 Page 2

3 Group IV recognizes squadron members (continued from page 1) Jones, 56th Fighter Wing commander at Luke AFB, spoke on the topic of leadership. Group IV consists of Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302, Glendale Composite Squadron 308, Goodyear Senior Squadron 313, Luke Cadet Squadron 356, Yuma Composite Squadron 508 and Group IV Headquarters. Following are Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 members who received awards for squadron service: Commander s Commendation C/2nd Lt. Robert Gassert, cadet commander; 1st Lt. Casey Young (center), deputy commander for cadets, receives her commander s commendation from Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan (left) and Group IV Commander Maj. Adam Such. (Top left photo): C/CMSgt. William Mead (left) and C/2nd Lt. Caleb Eaves enjoy dining at the Group IV Dining Out. (Top right photo): Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan takes a drink from the Grog Bowl. (Right photo): U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Noel T. Tom Jones was the evening s featured speaker. 1st Lt. Casey Young, deputy commander for cadets; Capt. Les Manser, cadet aerospace education officer, cadet test-control officer, flightoperations officer and flight-release officer; Capt. Jerry Porter, public-affairs officer; Capt. Michael Rich, mission pilot; Capt. William Rogers, mission pilot; and Capt. Ken Young, chaplain Gen. Chuck Yeager Aerospace Education Award Capt. Jerry Porter Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell Award C/2nd Lt. Caleb Eaves C/2nd Lt. Robert Gassert Certificates of Appreciation C/Amn (now A1C) Alethia Patocs C/A1C Alexander Patocs C/CMSgt. Clifford Branch III In addition, 2nd Lt. Ruben Kafenbaum, squadron professional-development officer (PDO), received a commander s commendation for his PDO service as a Group IV Headquarters staff member. Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan, squadron commander, received a certificate of appreciation from Group IV Commander Maj. Adam Such. Full Throttle December 2007 Page 3

4 3 officers assume squadron staff posts Three officers have assumed staff positions within Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302, announced Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan, squadron commander. Officer Kristine Kamleiter is serving as the squadron s personnel officer and administrative officer and will coordinate fundraising efforts as assistant public-affairs officer. Officer Lisa Albillar is serving as administrative officer for cadets and assistant testing officer while Officer Mike Matteson is heading the squadron s drug-demand-reduction (DDR) program. All three officers are relative newcomers to the squadron who became involved to help Officer Kristine Kamleiter support cadet family members. Officer Kamleiter, who joined the squadron in November, is as a selfdescribed former Army brat whose father was a sergeant major in the U.S. Army. The San Bernardino, Calif., native has resided in Germany and Texas in addition to Phoenix. Employed as a fraud investigator for Scottsdale Insurance Co., the Officer Lisa Albillar northwest Phoenix resident graduated from Deer Valley High School and has taken computer courses at Paradise Valley Community College. Officer Kamleiter and her husband, David, a Scottsdale police officer, have a son, John, who is a member of the current cadet-orientation class, and a younger daughter, Kayla, who is a future cadet. Officer Albillar joined the squadron in March and is working to become a mission radio operator, having assisted in base operations during squadron missions. A native of Phoenix, Officer Albillar lives in New River with her husband, Joe, and home schools her daughter, C/SSgt. Leanne Albillar. On a part-time basis, Officer Officer Mike Matteson Albillar works at a boarding kennel caring for dogs. The Thunderbird High School graduate studied elementary education for two years at Harrisburg Community College in Pennsylvania. She has a black belt in Tae Kwan Do. Officer Matteson, who joined the squadron in April, hails from a military family. His father was in the U.S. Navy, an uncle and his grandfather served in the U.S. Army, and another uncle was in the Army National Guard. Officer Matteson wanted to continue the family tradition but was denied enlistment because of a hearing impairment in one ear. A Phoenix native, Officer Matteson graduated from Sunnyslope High School and completed several college courses while working for Motorola. He currently is a local-area truck driver delivering building bulk materials. He and his wife, Alisha, are the parents of C/A1C David Matteson and a daughter, Jessica. In addition to serving as DDR officer, Officer Matteson has assisted with radio communication and base operations during squadron missions plus is advising the squadron s cadet color guard. Full Throttle December 2007 Page 4

5 DDR message: Drugs will destroy your life Approximately 40 cadets, officers and parents gained insights into the effects of various drugs during an overview presented in November as part of Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 s ongoing Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) program. Presented by SSgt. Jeffrey Burch, who presents to various groups as part of the Air National Guard of Arizona s DDR program, the overview examined the dangers of drug use, the warning signs of SSgt. Jeffrey Burch, who serves as part of the DDR program for the Arizona Air National Guard, discusses drug abuse during the recent DDR overview presented by Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302. drug involvement, intervention procedures and assistance, and how to remain drug-free. Drugs range from caffeine, alcohol and tobacco to recreational substances and other illegal substances were discussed. Officer Mike Matteson, the squadron s newly appointed DDR officer, says the overview provided valuable information that both cadets and parents need to know because he has seen the effects of drug usage. I had a friend who went down that road, Officer Matteson says. He was quite well off but became involved with crystal meth and lost his family, his kids and his job in 18 months. Drugs will destroy your life. If any of the cadets ever want to go into the military and they have any type of prior drug abuse, then the military won t touch them. The overview followed the observance of National Red Ribbon Week, when students and members of various community organizations including the Civil Air Patrol demonstrate a personal commitment to a drug-free lifestyle. Squadron cadets respond enthusiastically to engaging questions posed by the speaker during the squadron s recent DDR overview. Full Throttle December 2007 Page 5

6 A most simulating experience 2nd Lt. Susan Porter had a most simulating experience when she recently collected her grand prize from May s 50th anniversary celebration of Deer Valley Com- posite Squadron 302 an opportunity to pilot a 737 full-motion simulator at the US Airways Training Center in Phoenix. She completed two successful takeoffs and landings, including one under conditions of low visibility. (Upper left inset): Lt. Porter is assisted by Maj. Attila Szokol, squadron deputy commander and a first officer/simulator instructor for the airline. (Below left inset): Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport runways are seen through the simu- lator window. Cadets, seniors schedule holiday celebrations Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 cadets and senior members will share the cheer during separate Christmas/holiday parties during early December: Cadets - The party featuring Mexican cuisine begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the home of cadet parent Michelle Branch, N. Second Place, Desert Hills. Take I-17 north to Carefree Highway, go east on Carefree Highway to North Seventh Street and turn north to Desert Hills Drive. Turn west on Desert Hills Drive to North Second Place and turn south. The Branch home is the third house on the left. Bring a gift not exceeding $15 to exchange. (Note: There are no cadet meetings on Dec. 24 and 31 because of the holidays.) Seniors - Members will gather at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at squadron headquarters for libations before proceeding to a dining room at the Deer Valley Airport Restaurant for a self-pay dinner. Full Throttle December 2007 Page 6

7 10 cadets earn grade advancements Congratulations are extended to the following 10 cadet members of Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 who have earned grade advancements through their concentrated studies and perseverance: To Cadet Technical Sergeant: Kristopher Glocksien To Cadet Staff Sergeant: Leanne Albillar and Kyle Corales To Cadet Senior Airman: Kenny Baker and Jacqueline Shortridge To Cadet Airman First Class: Alethia Patocs To Cadet Airman: Ciaran Babcock, Steven Cothran and Trevor Pacion To Cadet Airman Basic: Tanner Matheny Study Test Promote Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission. Zig Ziglar Self-help author and motivational speaker MAY YOUR HOLIDAYS BE FILLED WITH LOVE, PEACE, FAMILY AND FRIENDS! Full Throttle December 2007 Page 7