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News - Group V Holds Training Exercise in San Antonio, 16 August 2010
STINSON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, Texas – On Aug. 13-15, Group V, Texas Wing came together for a training exercise in the San Antonio area. To some it was a gathering of old friends; to others, an opportunity to take another step towards earning a new Civil Air Patrol (CAP) qualification. To Texas Wing staff members, it was an opportunity to see and hear about the generous gift from the City of San Antonio: a no-cost lease on about two acres of land next to a taxiway on Stinson Municipal Airport. It was going to be a very nice weekend.
The Incident Command Post was set up inside a warehouse, in a string of six rooms with marginal air-conditioning. There was room for the staff, but aircrews and others had to use of the roomier outside, where tables and chairs had been set up; the warehouse's big doors, open at both ends, allowed a breeze to sweep through. It was in the high eighties outside, and only about ten degrees cooler inside.
As the Public Information Officer (PIO) re-positioned batteries and chargers in the communication room, the group commander, Lt. Col. Ed Billman, commented, “This was not meant to be office space.” The PIO had no room in the air-conditioned space, but the breezy desk was almost enjoyable, albeit somewhat cluttered with radio equipment.
The PIO moved from room to room, greeting old friends and making new ones. He was introduced to Maj. Joshua (Josh) Schmidt, a one-time cadet from Wisconsin and Washington State, who was the Incident Commander trainee under Capt. Lorrie Tetlow “We expect every success,” said Schmidt. “There will be lots of re-certifications and new qualifications. It promises to be a very productive weekend.”
The PIO found and was greeted by Wing Commander Col. Smith and his Vice Commander Lt. Col. Jack Jackson. He saw the wing Director of Emergency Services Lt. Col Brooks Cima talking with Billman in the building's open section. Maj. Cheri Fischler, the Maintenance Officer, was there too. “How are things in Round Rock?” She laughed.
Inside, Tetlow introduced him to Capt. John (Jack) Calhoun, the new wing Finance Officer. Knowing that Calhoun had witnessed the unanimous decision of the San Antonio City Council to give CAP a long-term lease, the PIO asked him to describe how it had come about. Calhoun warmed up to the subject, “I have known several people of influence for a long time, and the time and circumstances came together just right for a request. It just seemed to grow better and better during the discussions until they decided to lease us [for free] a corner of the airport. It was a special moment.”
As the PIO was about to prepare the evening press release, Maj. Henry R. (Bob) Cole asked to be signed off on three items on his Specialty Qualifications Training Record (SQTR) for the PIO rating. Cole showed him his record for one of the items and the PIO signed off on it. The second required two press releases, the PIO showed him what was needed. “That’s your assignment for tonight," he said. "Bring them to me in the morning and I’ll look at them.” On the previous evening, Tetlow had asked him to help any PAO who wanted to advance, and he was ready for them.
On Saturday morning, the crew gathered at 7:30 a.m. The 8:00 o’clock briefing went well. The PIO reminded everyone that only he and the Incident Commanders were to answer questions from anyone not on the mission. Any media or member of the public who showed up would be met by either the PIO, or the IC unless otherwise engaged.
The mission staff made assignments and briefed crews, then directed the aircrews to sit tight until the cloud cover lifted enough for it to be safe to fly. The Brownsville Composite Squadron carried out the ground crew assignments. Most of the Texas Wing staff were not participating on the exercise and had finished their business on the previous evening, so they were not there on Saturday.
Many mission staff members dined at the terminal cafe. "Things are going well," they said. The PIO was happy about a call from a local TV station, promising a visit on Sunday.
The evening press release was sent out about the time aircrews were returning from their last sorties of the day. Col. Smith was out in the warm open bay, wouldn't he be more comfortable inside the air-conditioned part of the building?
“This is where the people are,” answered Col. Smith. Indeed, there were others out there. Col. Smith introduced the PIO to Capt. Israel Perez, the new Texas Wing Director of Operations. The PIO was delighted to be invited to share supper with them. The food was good, but the conversation was even better.
On Sunday morning the weather had improved, and the remaining sorties left the runway earlier. Tetlow was glowing about how many qualifications and re-qualifications had been accomplished. Radio communications had been good, the data had flowed to the national database in good time, and there had been no injuries or incidents.
The PIO, expecting a visit from a TV station who wanted a CAP interview, asked the IC to hold a plane and crew for the cameraman, and also requested people who could answer questions on camera. Smith agreed at once, “Yes, just tell me when.” So did Billman, “What would you like me to talk about?” but unfortunately he couldn't wait long enough and had to leave.
The IC wanted to launch the plane and make the cameraman wait, so it was a relief to see “Rudy,” the cameraman, show up with his heavy burden. Maj Craig Goodrich, the pilot, was interviewed in depth. He chairs the building committee for the new Wing Headquarters to be built on the leased land. Smith’s interview was short and up-beat. The event went off without a hitch, and the PIO thanked everyone profusely.
The mission was winding down. Cole submitted a press release, the IC accepted it, and it was sent out to the San Antonio media. The PIO signed Cole off on his last task, packed up, and prepared his paperwork for his sortie back home. It had been a good weekend, with Lorrie Tetlow declaring him him "a member of the family."
He took home many good memories.
Maj. Robert Brecount, CAP, Texas Wing PAO