Sq. 11 Cadet Promotions - September 2009

Congratulations to the following Squadron 11 cadets who promoted to the grade noted during the month of September!

16 Sept: C/Amn Megan Roberson
16 Sept: C/SrA Dakota Whidden
21 Sept: C/CMSgt Ashley Mayo
23 Sept: Armstrong C/CMSgt Dylan Mayo
30 Sept: Armstrong C/CMSgt Ricardo Villalta
30 Sept: Ach 9 Flight Commander C/2Lt Casey Hutcheson

Congratulations CLC Graduates

Eighteen senior members graduated from CAP's Corporate Learning Course (CLC) on 13 September 2009. The two-day professional development course was hosted by Group 3 at March ARB. Group 3 members are noted with squadron numbers.

Congratulations goes to CLC graduates:
Joe Alverio, Squadron 5
Ken Benner, Squadron 45
Peter Blisse
Alfred Buschek
Merri Lynn Casem, Squadron 45
Amnon Charash
Crystal Chatham, Squadron 11
Ivonne Felix
Alex Goude, Squadron 45
Robert Harris, Squadron 45
Eric Krause
Paula Mangum, CAWG
Chris Natwick, Squadron 144
Paul Saba, Squadron 29
Dennis Sheehan, Squadron 59
Kevin Shellman, Squadron 45
Michael Swift, Squadron 5
Mark Wong, Squadron 153

Thanks to CLC instructors:
Maj. Dan Hough (Sq. 59), Lt. Col. David Clyde (Sq. 5), Capt. Tom Hoekstra (Sq. 25), Maj. John Findley (Grp. 3), Maj. Ben Edwards (Sq. 5), Maj. Alex Ross (CAP-USAF), Lt. Col. Charles Wiest (CAWG), 1Lt Jeff Cable, Capt. Robert Noble, and 1Lt. Frank San Pedro (Sq. 25).

Sq. 11 Cadets featured in Community Newspaper

A story which ran last weekend featuring cadets from Squadron ran again this week in the Palm Springs Sun community weekly newspaper.

Civil Air Patrol cadets stay busy at summer programs
Friday, September 11, 2009 • Palm Springs Sun and MyDesert.com

Civil Air Patrol cadets stay busy at summer programs
Terria Smith • terria.smith@thedesertsun.com • September 11, 2009

Before 17-year-old Leandra Lee got her California driver's license last month, she had already piloted an aircraft.

“It was a lot of fun. It was very stressful. You had to be constantly paying attention. There wasn't any room for error,” said Lee, a resident of Landers and student at Copper Mountain College.

Lee, a cadet chief master sergeant, was among one of the nine cadets with the Civil Air Patrol U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Palm Springs Composite Squadron 11 to attend a National Cadet Special Activity during the summer.

Cadets are chosen for these activities through an application process, which includes age, rank, their Civil Air Patrol resumes and whether they have attended an encampment.

Lee spent two weeks in the National Flight Academy in Camp Ashland, Neb.

Three additional youths, including 13-year-old Joshua Tree resident Joshua Huntington, went to the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Basic Encampment in Marana, Ariz.

The Cadet Airman First Class spent a week at the program, waking up at 5 a.m., doing at least 30 minutes of physical training a day and spending his free time showering, ironing and making his bunk.

“Our days were pretty plain and straight,” Joshua said.

Denice Huntington, Joshua's mother, said she saw a positive difference in her son upon his return.

“(I) just felt it changed him and matured him and gave him a sense of purpose,” Huntington said.

Joshua, who hopes to become an Air Force pilot some day, said he is looking forward to participating in a special activity next year.

“Next summer I get to do the fun stuff,” Joshua said.

Don Cook, commander of the cadet squadron, said the group starts fundraising to send youth to summer programs at the beginning of the year.

“I think the kids are extraordinary in the fact that they're highly motivated. They have a community purpose to achieve,” Cook said.

Group 3 Staff Meeting

We had another great meeting last night. Capt's Goude and Goude hosted it at their home, centrally located in the Inland Empire, in Yucaipa.
We had a large turnout, which encouraged discussion, sharing observation, opinions and vision.
One of the great outcomes of the meeting is this blog.
Thanks to 1LT Chatham for having the vision.
I'm new to blogs, which means this is my first time. But I see a lot of potential.
Please share with me, the staff and your Commanders and most importantly each other.

Thanks for opportunity to serve, Your Commander, Maj. John Findley

Sq. 11 Cadets featured in Newspaper, Web

Air Force hopefuls attend training camp
Sunday, September 6, 2009 • The Desert Sun and MyDesert.com

Sq. 11 Cadet Promotions - August 2009

Congratulations to the following Squadron 11 cadets who promoted to the grade noted during the month of August!

20 Aug: C/SMSgt Cody Premus
26 Aug: C/A1C Joshua Huntington
26 Aug: C/SSgt Karl Hofmann, Wright Bros. #12435

Group 3 Newsreel Launched!

Welcome to the Group 3 Newsreel where Squadrons can share good news and activity information to members throughout the Inland Empire.