Sq. 45 mourns Capt. Edward Casem

It is with great regret the announcement of the passing of Captain Edward Casem, Civil Air Patrol, Squadron 45 of Riverside, California, and Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at the Community Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Captain Casem was a Korean War Veteran, serving in the U. S. Army, 6th Infantry Army band from 1952 through 1954, where he played the clarinet. He was honorably discharged in 1954. His decorations are the National Defense ribbon and the Army honorable service ribbon. Capt. Casem was a musician and an educator. He became a member of March Field Composite Squadron 45 in August 2008.

While serving SQ. 45 as an assistant Aerospace Officer and assistant Testing Officer he received the Membership Ribbon, the Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Award, Red Service ribbon and a First Find ribbon. He enjoyed his time with the Civil Air Patrol, looked forward to the meetings and events, and will be very much missed by all who knew him.

Memorial services were held on Friday, August 12th led by Captain Robert Harris, CAP, led a memorial service.

The family is encouraging people to make a donation to the Riverside Dickens Festival (P.O. Box 113, Riverside CA 92592-0113) in memory of Ed Casem. This is a cultural event Capt. Casem really enjoyed and looked forward to each year.

-Sq. 45-

NASA $1,000 contest entries due today

Today is the day! Cadets, be sure to get your entries in today by email or regular mail with a 5 August postmark, for NASA's "Because it Flew" competition.

NASA and USA Today are giving away six $1,000 prizes to students ages 9-17 in the art competition. To enter, students submit a piece of original art depicting the space shuttle's impact humanity during its 30-year career. Entrants also submit a 250-word essay.

For more information, check out the competition's website at the link below.
http://usatodayeducate.com/wordpress/index.php/because-it-flew-competition

This is not a CAP contest and is open to youth nationwide.

Good luck cadets!

Two days left to win $1,000 from NASA

The deadline is just days away! Cadets, be sure to get your entries in by this Friday, 5 August, for NASA's "Because it Flew" competition.

NASA and USA Today are giving away six $1,000 prizes to students ages 9-17 in the art competition. To enter, students submit a piece of original art depicting the space shuttle's impact humanity during its 30-year career. Entrants also submit a 250-word essay.

Complete entries must be submitted via email or postal mail postmarked no later than Friday.

For more information, check out the competition's website at the link below.
http://usatodayeducate.com/wordpress/index.php/because-it-flew-competition

This is not a CAP contest and is open to youth nationwide.

Good luck cadets!

Mattson named Sq. 31 commander

Congratulations to Capt. Chris Mattson who accepted command of Rialto's Billie L. LeClaire Cadet Squadron 31 this month.

Capt. Mattson also serves as the Inland Empire Group 3 Director of Operations. His personal decorations include the Benjamin O. Davis and Grover C. Loening professional development awards as well as the General Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager Aerospace Award. He holds a master rating in the Logistics and Finance specialty tracks and technician ratings in both Safety and Cadet Programs. He is a graduate of Squadron Leadership School, Corporate Learning Course, and the Unit Commanders Course.

NASA to give youth six $1,000 prizes

NASA and USA Today are giving away six $1,000 prizes to students ages 9-17 in the "Because it Flew" art competition. To enter, students submit a piece of original art depicting the space shuttle's impact humanity during its 30-year career. Entrants also submit a 250-word essay.

Complete entries must be submitted via email or postal mail postmarked by 5 August, 2011.

For more information, check out the competition's website at the link below.
http://usatodayeducate.com/wordpress/index.php/because-it-flew-competition

This is not a CAP contest and is open to youth nationwide.

Good luck cadets!

LOCAL TEEN HONES LEADERSHIP SKILLS AT PREMIER CIVIL AIR PATROL COURSE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cadet Zack Lynch graduates from Cadet Officer School

(VICTORVILLE, CA) – Cadet Maj. Zack Lynch of Voyager Composite Squadron 120 in Victorville, CA, graduated from the Civil Air Patrol's Cadet Officer School, one of the top professional development opportunities available to youth. Cadets compete for selection, and only the top 15 percent of cadets nationwide are invited to attend. The course was held July 9-19, 2011, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., home of the Air University and professional military education for the U.S. Air Force.

While at the school cadets have a unique opportunity to learn about the Air Force, airpower history, leadership, teamwork, communication skills and problem solving. Patterned after the U.S. Air Force Squadron Officer School, Cadet Officer School is an academically challenging program combining lectures, seminars and hands-on training. Cadets practice what they learn through a series of writing and speaking assignments that will culminate with a group project that tests their ability to overcome obstacles through planning and teamwork.

This leadership opportunity is one of 30 National Cadet Special Activities sponsored by the CAP this summer. These activities allow cadets to hone their skills in a variety of areas, including search and rescue, flight and emergency services, science, citizenship and military courtesies, and to explore aerospace technology and aviation careers. Over 1,000 youth participate in CAP-sponsored summer activities annually.

Through its cadet program, CAP builds strong citizens for the future by providing leadership training, technical education, scholarships and career education to young men and women ages 12 to 20.

Cadet Maj. Lynch has been a CAP cadet since November 2007. In nearly four years of membership, Cadet Lynch has attended three week-long cadet summer encampments, including two as a staff member. He in an active member of the Cadet Advisory Council and has represented his unit, group, and wing at each level. His personal decorations include the Amelia Earhart Award presented for completion of Phase III of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program; this award is earned by an estimated 15% of CAP cadets. Cadet Lynch is also a recipient of the General Billy Mitchell Award and Wright Brothers milestone awards. He has been presented the Civil Air Patrol Achievement Award in addition to a Commanders Commendation Award.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 61,000 members nationwide. CAP, in its Air Force role, performs 90 percent of 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 112 lives in fiscal year 2010. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the more than 25,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for 68 years.

Inland Empire Group 3 consists of ten individual squadrons geographically dispersed throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Group 3’s membership is comprised of cadets ages 12-20 and adult members 18 and older. For more information about Civil Air Patrol in the Inland Empire are, phone (877) 504-1316 or visit us online at gp3.cawg.cap.gov or www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com.

-30-


CONTACT INFORMATION:
LOCAL
Crystal Housman, Capt., Civil Air Patrol
Public Affairs Officer
Inland Empire Group 3
(760) 485-0832
group3pao@gmail.com

NATIONAL
Julie DeBardelaben
Deputy Director Public Affairs
Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters
W: (877) 227-9142 Ext. 250
C: (334) 868-0198
jdebardelaben@capnhq.gov

Sq. 25 Cadet Recounts UBWC Experience

"I Challenge YOU!"
By Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Jon A.P. Henderson
Cable Composite Squadron 25 (PCR-CA-193)

Summertime in Civil Air Patrol is synonymous with Encampment- just about every cadet in California wing, even nationwide anticipates the biggest event in the Summer, which some regard as the only Summer activity open to all cadets. Not anymore.

Only recently has a new event stepped into the spotlight of California- that is the Ultimate Bear and Wings Challenge, a weekend of Summer fun and friendly competition which names the winning squadron champion of the California Wing. The first ever was held June 24-26, with a turnout of eight competing teams each respectively represented by four cadets and a senior member escort.

The first day kicked off with in-processing and a detailed explanation of the upcoming weekend. Day two was the premier day of the Challenge, starting with physical trials ranging from the classic 100-meter sprint and a specially-designed agility course on the ground, to an underwater brick-toss and other aquatic contests in a swimming pool.

The grand finale came on day three with a cumulative team Aerospace test, a UDF compass course, and a group leadership reaction course. When all was said and done, the champion named, every participant unanimously agreed that the event was extremely successful, and highly entertaining.

Cable Composite Squadron 25 team member Cadet Senior Airman Desirae Grumbine, when asked about her views on the UBWC, gave a very common affirmation of its success, "... the experience as a whole was amazing, and I look forward to competing next year."

All competition aside, the social interactions at UBWC were also regarded as positive. "I really got to know everyone,” said fellow team member Cadet Technical Sgt. Dylan Keetle, "...and I can't wait until next year!"

While the whole event was outstanding fun, the Author, however, does not want to "spill the beans" about the specific activities. But, to find out about them one only needs to sign up for next year's Ultimate Bear and Wings Challenge.

Photo caption: The inaugural Ultimate Bear and Wings Challenge competitors and staff are photographed as a group during the competition at Vandenberg Air Force Base. (Photo by Eve Higgins, courtesy CAWG Cadet Programs)