Big Month for Phantom Squadron Activity

The Phantom Cadet Squadron has had a big month- certainly no one can complain about being bored with CAP based on September!  There has been something happening in every CAP mission set: Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs, and Emergency Services.

We kicked the month off by having nine students and two faculty from our squadron participate in Squadron Leadership School on the 6-7th of September.  Major Kent Hopkins served as the Course Director for this important professional development activity.  Graduates include: Captains Wayne Manning, Rick Gabbitas, and First Lieutenants Bruce Connelly, Lavon Connelly, Paul Jensen, Tom Hopkins, Brian Smith, Clayton Forsythe, and Dan McNeece.  All are back in the squadron and serving in important leadership positions to help our squadron develop.  We were able to get a little blurb into the Provo Daily Herald on this: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/provo/local-air-patrol-participate-in-weekend-event/article_690e5c4c-760e-513a-9280-c088612f4d36.html

On the 14th, we had some members participate in the Utah Wing Pilot Clinic.  Not sure how that went as I was at another event.

The squadron gathered at Bonneville Elementary School on the 18th to help them kick off their new CAP ACES program.  Presentations by 1Lt Tom Hopkins and 1Lt Marc Robins helped to get things going, and the finale using the home made hover craft wowed the young crowd.   Here's the article that was in the Provo Daily Herald: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/education/bonneville-joins-cap-program-to-teach-technology/article_53614887-64f9-58e5-b0d9-a1dcdb78a199.html  This school is one of only fifty nationwide to join this program- and the only one in the Rocky Mountain Region.  Way to go Phantoms...and hats off to Tom Hopkins and the AE Gang!

Saturday, the 28th, found the Squadron at Provo Airport helping support the UVU Aviation Open House.  We had a two-aircraft static display, plus a desktop simulator, communications equipment, and other displays to help tell our story.

  

On a sad note, we lost a dear friend and squadron mate on 6 September 2013 when SM Jay Lessley flew west into the sunset at the controls of an experimental aircraft at Spanish Fork.  Many of us attended Jay's funeral events on the 13th and 14th to support his family.  We will miss Jay dearly.

October might be a bit slower, taking the federal budget uncertainties into consideration.  It looks like the aircraft and vehicles will be parked while everyone back east gets the money thing straightened out.  In the mean time, we will have plenty of self-funded training locally to keep things sharp.  Stay Safe!

PHANTOM GOES FOR WINGS OF GOLD

Second Lieutenant Tina Mosqueda is hoping to hit the mother lode in her aviation career: the golden wings of a Naval Aviator.  Mosqueda, a 2012 graduate of Utah Valley University, is a member of the Phantom Cadet Squadron in Provo.  She recently was selected as one of 125 people nation-wide for a Naval Aviation Cadet position in the United States Navy.

“I am really excited about this chance to serve my country as a Naval Aviator,” Mosqueda said.  She was honored by the Phantom Squadron at her induction ceremony on May 23, 2013, which was held at the UVU Fire Academy, where the squadron meets weekly.  “I have been interested in flying ever since I was a teen.  When I talked to my dad about my interest, he took me to the local airport the next weekend.  The flying bug bit hard and has been with me ever since,” she said.

2Lt Mosqueda still has a few challenges ahead.  First, she has to complete the eight-week Navy Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island.  Then it is off to famous NAS Pensacola in Florida to begin her transition to being a Navy pilot.  Mosqueda has a leg up on her peers however because she already holds a commercial pilot certificate from the FAA, and has been exposed to military structure through her experiences in Civil Air Patrol.  Mosqueda qualified as a Mission Scanner and a Mission Observer during her tenure with the Phantoms, and was preparing for a CAP Form 5 evaluation to become a Transport Mission Pilot when she was notified of her selection for the Navy program.  She served as the Assistant Aerospace Education Officer for the Phantoms. 

Her passion for flight and tenacity in pursuing her goals is a hallmark which will stand her in good stead.  Her father, Tony Mosqueda, said “When Tina sets her mind to something, just get out of the way.  She won’t give up.  I am really proud of her.”  1Lt Tom Hopkins, the Deputy Commander for Seniors in the Phantom Squadron, and a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, commented,  “The Phantom’s loss is certainly is the Navy’s gain because Tina is an awesome officer.  She has worked well in AE, and is a great role model for our Cadets.  Our wishes for fair skies and smooth seas go with her to OCS and beyond.”

Mission Briefing

Phantom Squadron Blog

Greetings, friends!  Welcome to Phantom Pages- an information channel for the Phantom Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.  This blog reports on the activities of members of the squadron which is located in Provo, Utah.  Our squadron has a composite structure- our members range in age from 12 years of age to...well, let's just say there are some grey hairs among us also!  Our ranks include students, musicians, computer experts, small business owners, physicians, construction tradesmen, aviation professionals, artists, law enforcement, and fire/rescue- a cross section of the community which we serve.  We are volunteer professionals in the civilian auxiliary of the US Air Force who are involved in three core missions:

• Aerospace Education
• Cadet Programs
• Emergency Services

This blog is hosted by the squadron Public Affairs Officer (PAO), and is a controlled blog- submissions must be reviewed and approved by the PAO prior to posting.  Submissions should address squadron or CAP activities/events, and should embody the ideals listed in the Civil Air Patrol Core Values:

• Integrity
• Volunteer Service
• Excellence
• Respect

Therefore, postings shall be respectful, professional, focused on CAP activities, and informative.  Postings shall be submitted in .doc or .docx format.  Illustrations or photos must be in JPG, GIF, or PNG formats.  Submit material via email to flytdocjim@gmail.com for review.  

Again, welcome!

James R. "Pops" Stewart
Lt Col, CAP
Public Affairs Officer