At the recently concluded International Air Show, the Charlotte County Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol was responsible for the majority of Safety and Security Functions during the days of set-up and performance.
Prior to the weekend, squadron personnel provided security of the active taxiways to allow Air Show personnel to cross for show set-up. A photo mission, utilizing squadron developed ADIS, of the airport area was performed for orientation use by the Blue Angels. We also flew a mission at the request of the Blue Angels, focusing on the temporary 500’ sand extension of Runway 15/33 for use in their weekend performance.
During the show days, the following duties were performed: A temporary control tower was manned by a member of our squadron. Seniors and cadets provided flight line marshalling and parking of transient aircraft. We also provided van transportation for transient pilots from Runway 9/27 parking area. Security for the airport was provided at the Blue Angel’s hot parking area, the road behind the Angel’s parking, airline parking area, Rent-A-Car parking lot, long term parking, headquarters building, airport employee parking lot, General Aviation Terminal ramp, and the road leading to the airline terminal.
Radio communications was maintained to each security location by our radio facility. We also had on display a CAP 182 model Cessna aircraft for public information purposes.
Preliminary attendance figures indicate that over 70,000 people were at the airport. The CAP played a major role in their safety, security and enjoyment of the program.
The Charlotte County Composite Squadron of the CAP will observe the 67th Anniversary of this organization at their weekly meetings to be held on December 1 and 2. These will commemorate the rich history of vigilant service provided by the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force over the past seven decades.
The local Squadron got its start in 1949 as the Punta Gorda Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. In January of 1959, the squadron started adding cadets, ages 14 1/2 to 17 years of age. Currently cadets range in age from 11 to 21 years. When the cadets were added, the name was changed to the Punta Gorda Composite Squadron. The name change to Charlotte County Composite Squadron was made in 1974 to reflect more accurately the operation of the squadron as a county provider rather than a city entity. Today, we have 72 senior members and 32 cadets.
The all-volunteer, non-profit organization of 57,000 members was founded on Dec. 1, 1941, less than a week before the Japanese attack on Pearly Harbor led to America’s involvement in World War II. Its members soon proved their worth by conducting aerial patrols, vigilance that discouraged and eventually stopped deadly German U-boat attacks on shipping in American waterways. Fifty-nine heroic members died; 26 were lost at sea and seven others were seriously injured while carrying out CAP missions during the war.
“Our citizen volunteers have a proud legacy of selfless service to their country and their communities. They truly go above and beyond each day, giving their best as needs arise,” said Maj. Gen. Amy Courter, CAP’s national commander.
“This occasion provides citizens across America the opportunity to honor Civil Air Patrol and its members. Be sure to say “thanks” to these unsung heroes in your communities who provide such vigilant service, often without fanfare. Each day, through their volunteer efforts, our members helped save lives and preserve liberty for all.”
As the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, today’s Civil Air Patrol performs a multitude of missions in communities throughout the nation’s 50 states and Puerto Rico:
- • CAP responds day or night when planes are overdue and emergency locater transmitters go off. Its volunteers perform 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions, as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and were credited by the AFRCC with saving 90 lives in fiscal year 2008.
Twenty-three Air Force assigned missions were successfully by our squadron this year, consisting of Emergency Locator Transmitter air and ground searches, missing aircraft, man overboard in Pine Island Sound and a lost helicopter.
- • CAP provides disaster relief during hurricanes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes and countless other emergencies. In addition, members perform homeland security and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies.
We were heavily involved in Hurricane Charlie in 2004, having lost our hangar and headquarters building. We were also assigned missions during the 2006 hurricanes named Wilma and Ernesto.
- • CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education and mentors nearly 22,000 young Americans through its cadet program. By partnering with 900 educators nationwide, members nurture the talents of generations of the nation’s sons and daughters with cadet programs that stress leadership and moral responsibility and teach aviation and emergency response skills.
Fifteen of our cadets were sent to educational programs throughout the country (Westminster, MD; Oshkosh, WI; Starke, FL; Montgomery, AL and Hattiesburg, MS). Their education continues at weekly plus meetings held at our offices at the Charlotte County Airport.
The Charlotte County Composite Squadron is one of more than 1500 squadrons in the Civil Air Patrol. For more information on the squadron, contact Capt Earle Bretz, Public Affairs Officer at basehit01@comcast.net or call at (941) 830-0607.
Charlotte County Composite Squadron aircrew assists in the search for a helicopter, with 4 persons onboard, that went missing over Florida Bay. Read the full article here. The FL051 aircrew members were: CAPT Chuck Gerlach-PIC, CAPT Jim Bonello-Observer, and 1LT Sam Caines-Scanner.
With the help of Major Jerry Lewis, Cadet Captain Tom McMahon earned his Private Pilot license. Click HERE to read the article.
On 26 May, Chaplain (Ltc) Schrag and Cadet Groetzinger participated in a Memorial Day Ceremony at the La Casa Park (A resident owned manufactured home park of 900 homes.) Since 2003, every Memorial Day and Veterans Day, our Civil Air Patrol Cadets and Chaplain Schrag have been invited to participate in the ceremony, give an invocation and benediction and to make a speech.
January: A financial campaign was begun with mailings to individuals and businesses, presentations to clubs, organizations and schools that throughout the year generated approximately $7500.
February: Successful negotiations with the County approved a Grant of $28,000 to equip our Squadron with a Satellite Digital Imaging System. Cadet and Senior Members volunteered 592 hours to Charlotte County Airport for Aviation Exposition Weekend for crowd control, aircraft Marshalling, pilot transportation and color guard.
March: Funding for our Sundown Patrols was received from the Marine Advisory Committee for $7500. Funding approved for SDIS equipment. Our proposal for Cadet Funding from County was accepted and moved forward for approval. 796 volunteers hours were put in by the members for the Florida International Air Show.
April: Four cadets attended the Sarasota Military Academies Flight Program. Two of them have since soloed in CAP aircraft.
May: In conjunction with the Charlotte County Airport and the Experimental Aviation Association, we participated the annual Cardboard Boat Races.
June: We continued to negotiate with County for additional funding. We were awarded the Composite Squadron of Merit Award from Florida Wing. Captain Jim Kaletta, Squadron Commander, received the Exceptional Service Award.
July: Mssion Training Flights were continued for Mission Pilots, Scanners and Oservers. Four members completed their specialty training. The Squadron provided air support for the 2007 Freedom Swim held in Charlotte Harbor on July 4th.
August: By the end of August, all CAP pilots had completed training and checkout flights in the recently assigned Cessna 182R-9386X.
September: Mission training continued with 4 MS and MO’s being qualified. Discussed with County personnel the matter of unspent SDIS Grant money. We were advised that Grant money could be carried over to next year as it did not have to be spent in the year it was granted. County approved $7500 for Cadet program for BY 2008. The CAP was represented at the reopening and dedication of the Fisherman’s Village site of the Military Heritage and Aviation Museum.
October: Mission training continued to qualify members of our Squadron and others. Plans were formulated to move our operation to new facilities provided by the Airport. They plan to locate CAP in the General Aviation Terminal. A milestone was reached this month in that we went over 100 Cadet and Senior Members in the Squadron.
November: The move to new quarters was completed. Antennas installed and the radios operational within two days. Backup Tait radio was set up to cover our needs. In conjunction with the EAA Chapter, we provided 90 hours of volunteer hours of duty for the two day visit of the EAA’s Flying Fortress B-17G. During the year, Squadron FL-051 supplied 1628 hours of volunteer time to the Airport for three shows and road clean-up.
December: Senior Member Christmas Party was held. A separate party was also held for the Cadets. Classes were held for CAP Radio Cut A&B covering 20 members.
Throughout the year, we coordinated seven separate activities with the US Coast Guard, Including two boat fires, one hazard to navigation – sunken boat, one Mayday, two oil slicks in Charlotte Harbor. These were all established on our normal Sundown Patrols. There were also two missions flown for the Freedom Swim. Five ELT Missions were also flown with three of them involving ground teams. It should be noted that on all air missions, we were flying within 45 minutes of notification. Our ground teams were on duty within 30 minutes.
On Saturday, the Charlotte County Composite Squadron received CPR and First Aid training for Cadets and Officers from Capt. Curry, CAP. We had four Cadets and ten Officers attend the training, including one member from the Southeast Region! We would like to give a big thanks to Capt. Curry for her time and effort to make this training a success!
On Saturday, the Charlotte County Composite Squadron conducted Urban Direction Finding training on the field at the Charlotte County Airport. Lead by Lt. Colonel Ed Smith, ELT simulations were used to train both Seniors and Cadets in the art of direction finding at an airport amongst metal hangers and other aircraft.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Charlotte County Composite Squadron conducted Mission Scanner training flights from the Charlotte County Airport. Four new scanners were trained during a busy two days, they were SM John Osborn, SM David Blair, SM David Jones and 2LT Robert Furleigh. Congratulations men!
On a warm Saturday morning, Capt. Weber, Lt. Dobbins and myself, SM Caines, installed 3 antennas at the CAP building to improve our radio reception and performance. Installation was trouble free, although we had to rearrange the comm room, and a great success! We now hear you loud and clear.
Laughs, smiles and promotions! All at the 2005 Cadet Banquet that was held at the Charlotte County Airport in Punta Gorda. Check out the Photos page for more.
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The Charlotte County Composite Squadron brought home several awards at this year's Wing Conference held in Orlando on June 10th - 12th.
Charlotte County Composite - Composite Squadron of Merit Award
Capt. Eric Jensen - Commanders Commendation Award
SM Kathy Suggs - Parent Support Award Cadet Programs
1st Lt. Bill Dobbins - Certificate of Appreciation, Sun N Fun Mission
The Blue Angels were at the Charlotte County Airport this weekend to participate in the 2005 Southwest Florida International Air Show. The cadets of 051 helped direct guests to seating areas and marshal the flight line. At the end of the day's activities, the cadets were given a personal meet and greet with the Blue Angels pilots.
Related Links:
Southwest Florida International Air Show