night. The classes that were taught were very useful. The hike was fantastic.

There were many stops due to blisters and or hotspots. Many had really horrible blisters some had mild blisters. The T.A. was awesome. A Cadet from squadron 3 had fell into a cactus. It was funny and sad at the same time. It was sad because its hard to imagine the pain that struck him when he fell and when they pulled the remains of the cactus out. Then again it was fun. When we left I was glad to be gone but upset to leave. The FTX was a wonderful experience and I was glad to be there. Owl Canyon FTX
by LtCol Michael Skullr

The end of summer and just cool enough for an FTX in the desert. Owl Canyon is the destination and we're going to do some training and have some fun with another cadet squadron. (Sq. 3 out of Group 1). We like to share our ideas and see how other squadrons do things. It's a great learning process for both cadets and seniors. A few of us got there early on Friday to claim the campsites. While we were there, the early cadets (C/MSgt Clay and C/SSgt Quintana) and I set up a compass course for the rest of the group on Saturday. It was raining off in the distance when the rest of the group arrived, lightning all around and heading our way but that never stopped us before. We had a shelter

to cover us, a fire to keep us warm all night, and good company to boot. The storm shifted slightly to the north and missed us by about a hundred yards. The rest of the weekend couldn't have been better with clear skies the rest of the weekend. Got up early on Saturday, had breakfast and the group got ready for a nice hike back into the canyons. Since it was our first time at that site they stayed near the roads. I could never understand why some cadets choose to take everything they own on a hike when they're coming right back and they're all whipped out. Go figure. Solar stills were made in the river bed to see if we could draw up some water. After lunch, the cadets tackled the compass course. Not as easy as some thought. There's a lot more to setting up and reading a compass course than you might think. Going in a straight line over rough terrain is more difficult because nobody takes the same path from point to point and they don't check to see if they're staying on that line. Anyway, while on one course, C/MSgt Clay found a small rattlesnake and was smart to leave it alone. He came back to camp and told the seniors. We went out to check it out and it was about 20" long. I cut off the head and buried it and brought the rest back to camp to show the group how to skin and clean it. We had some for dinner that night. The cadets played some games the rest of the

night and we had some good conversation. Sunday, we had breakfast, checked the solar stills and started cleaning up the campsite. We wanted to leave a little early to see if we could beat the traffic. It was a nice relaxing weekend and I'm looking forward to the Big Bear FTX this spring. I had a good time! A-CUT
by C/SrA Michael Quintana

BCS
by C/AB Colton Priest

My experience at the A-CUT CLASS was exciting because I passed the test and know I could work with CAP radios. When we arrived I was kind of nervous and so was C/A1C GOODWIN because other cadets that took it before and they said it was hard I got worried that I wasnt going to pass the test because the class they taught was long. I was wrong because everything on the test was the answers and on the manuals they gave us. I am excited know because I get to use CAP radios at events for instance the FTX that is going to be at BIG BEAR in June. At the A-CUT CLASS I was sad because I thought I failed the test but I didnt it was accidently corrected wrong.

Discipline. Teamwork. Leadership. These are some of the traits that I learned the other weekend at the Basic Cadet School (BCS). The second I got out of the car I had a C/Chief Master Sergeant right in my face asking me if i had any contraband. I replied no and the next thing I knew I was dashing off to the School Commanders office to sign in. The second I signed in I was again dashing off to the classroom for instructions and the procedures of the school. After that we marched back as a flight to the barracks. Wow. That was one of the most productive 30 minutes I have ever spent! At 0515 the camp staff came into the barracks screaming, "Let's go cadets! Wake up, its time for PT!" I jumped to the foot of my rack just by pure reaction. Before I knew it our flight was marching to go to PT. While were marching, I was thinking to myself, "That was AWESOME!". That was also one of the most productive mornings I have ever spent. At that momment I felt a sense of pride because I have always wanted to be a marine since day 1 of my life and I was finally getting a taste of the military lifestyle.....it was sweet! After doing some drill that morning, our flight commander realized that we were missing a guide, so she called out, "Who has ever been a guide?". No hands went up. Then she asked,
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Navigator, January December 2010

"Who wants to learn?". Still no hands, so i thought to myself, "I might as well get my moneys-worth out of this camp!" so my hand went up. "Priest! Get up here!". I screamed, "YES MA'AM!" and raced to the front of the flight. Once I was taught the basics of being the guide, I was put at the actual position at the front of the flight. It felt pretty cool being up in the front leading the flight, I thought to myself. After 2 more days of drill, classes and PT, it was finally time for graduation. "That flew by fast!" I thought to myself. When the actual ceremony began the C/Captain was reading off some cadets who won awards. I was surprised to hear my name when the honor cadet for Alpha Flight was called. I was even more proud of my flight who won the honor flight though. After closing formation and some good byes the the cadets I got to see my family and after a few good handshakes and congratulating, we finally went home. Wings, Wheels, & Rotors
by C/2dLt Kristofer Schumacher

moving and our people safe. Nellis Air Force Base. This Every cadet got an was his last requirement for opportunity to work on the flightline, and see the many great booths and attractions present at the event. I am very pleased with our volunteer turnout, especially since there was a threat of rain that day. Wings, Wheels, & Rotors
by C/CMSgt Devon Butler

bed. But that didn't stop the cadets from jumping out of the vehicles and helping set up the launch pads to shoot off those rockets.

We arrived expecting the worst, but left with the confidence of a job well done. This last Wings, Wheels, and Rotors event not only showcased several on-duty aircraft, but also showcased Civil Air Patrol leadership and cooperation at its finest. The cadets of three squadrons worked together seamlessly in cooperation with the Sunburst Youth Academy to keep traffic

Wings, Wheels, and Rotors, simply referred to as WWR, are perhaps one of the most iconic events in the year where Civil Air Patrol demonstrates its involvement to local communities. The event occurs annually at the Joint Force Reserve Training Base in Los Alamitos and is open to the public. Festivities include air tours in both airplanes and helicopters, vehicle displays ranging from antique cars to C-130s, as well as dozens of vendors. Civil Air Patrol, Squadron 153 in particular, is the first group that the base turns to for assistance to help manage the security and parking throughout the day. Being a member of Civil Air Patrol for just under four years, I have not missed this event in part of the fact that my fellow cadets, as well as the base, rely heavily on one another to show their commitment to their community, state, and nation.

completion of Level IV of the Senior Member Training Program (aka Professional Development). He is only the third SQ153 senior member to attend this challenging course! Model Rocketry
by LtCol Michael Skullr

We went to Lucerne Valley dry lake-bed last weekend (05Dec2010) to set off some rockets that the cadets have been making for the Aerospace Education part of Civil Air Patrol so they can work toward getting their Model Rocketry Badges. I think some of the cadets weren't quite sure what to expect being their first time shooting off a rocket especially rockets that they made with their own two hands and a little classroom time with Mr. Schumacher. Each cadet has to make three different types of rockets and shoot his or her rockets off using some different rocket motors and have them deploy their parachutes and land safely on the ground with little to no damage so they can be reRegion Staff College used again. LtCol Michael We left for Lucerne Skullr attended the Pacific Valley around 0400 hours Region Staff College at and arrived around 0630 hours to a very cold dry lake-

With jackets zipped up tight and frozen fingers, the cadets managed to load the motors in their rockets and head over to the launch pad. One at a time, they inserted the igniter, loaded their rocket onto the pad, and clipped the ignition wires to the igniter. When coming back to the firing box, they inserted the safety pin and checked for continuity. When the light came on it was ready to go. I heard the cadets count down the numbers, 5,4,3,2,1 blastoff. The Ooh's, Aah's, and Wow's were great to hear. Some of the cadets had no idea that model rocketry could be so much fun and couldn't wait to shoot off another. It was nice to see the cadets working together and helping each other launching and retrieving the rockets that landed downwind. C/2dLt Schumacher and I brought a couple of larger rockets to show the cadets that there are bigger

Navigator, January December 2010

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targets to go after and they CAP Achievement Award could come up with different designs. And, yes, we had to Capt Andrea Wong fire them off with great 2dLt Tommy Goodwin style, I might add. We like C/TSgt Daryl Leach to have a good time too. C/SrA Andy Goodwin We were out at the lakebed a little longer then Paul E. Garber Award we had planned but I don't think anyone was in a hurry to leave. Everyone had a LtCol Michael Skullr great time and wanted to know when we were going Benjamin Davis Jr. Award (Leadership Ribbon) to go out again. RocStock is definitely in the plans for this coming June and more Capt Andrea Wong rockets are definitely on the 1stLt Steven Covarubias agenda. 1stLt Nathan VanDeBrake Thank you for TFO Cynthia Martinez letting me be a part of this. Gen. Billy Mitchell Award My Promotion
by LtCol Michael Skullr C/2dLt Kristofer Schumacher

Congratulations to the Newly Promoted!

Seniors:
LtCol Michael Skullr Capt Andrea Wong 1stLt Steven Covarubias 1stLt Nathan VanDeBrake 2dLt Andrea Covarubias 2dLt Tommy Goodwin TFO Cynthia Martinez FO Matthew Kamei SM Timothy Leach

Hoppes) and to C/CMSgt Butler for winning the PieEating contest!

Past Squadron Events

February 2010 Race on the Base July 2010 4th of July Celebration Big Bear FTX Orientation Flights Cadets:
C/2dLt Kristofer Schumacher C/CMSgt Devon Butler C/SMSgt Anistasha Wilhelm C/MSgt Daniel Clay C/TSgt Daryl Leach C/SSgt Michael Quintana C/SrA Jacob VanDeBrake C/SrA Andy Goodwin C/A1C Colton Priest C/Amn Nicholas Pio C/Amn Nicholas Benson C/Amn Benjamin Russell

September 2010 Squadron Pool Party October 2010 Owl Canyon FTX Wings, Wheels, & Rotors Squadron Halloween Party December 2010 Model Rocketry Day Squadron Holiday Party

The evening of my promotion was a very special day for me and it lasted for days afterward. I was surprised when all of my family, CAP friends, and even some past CAP cadets showed up for this occasion. This really touched me in a way I can not express. And to have LtCol Mike Watkins promote me put the icing on the cake. This is a man I am very proud to have known for many years and have the highest respect and a great person too. Maj Mark Wong, our Sq. 153 Commander, and his staff did a great job keeping this a secret. It really was a surprise. I really didn't get it until my family walked in with some cadets from the past. I just thought there was a special Group meeting or something. I really appreciate everyone for all that was done to make this a special day for me. Thank you again!

Wright Brothers Award

C/SSgt Michael Quintana

Command Service Award Maj Mark Wong Red Service Award

Maj Mark Wong (4th award) 1stLt Steven Covarubias C/SSgt Michael Quintana

Coming Events
January 2011 Senior Team-Building Day CPR/First Aid Training February 2011 Race on the Base Cold Weather Survival

Encampment
Maj Mark Wong (13th award) 2dLt Tommy Goodwin C/SrA Andy Goodwin Navigator Jan-Dec 2010 Publication produced by CAP Squadron 153 2dLt Andrea Covarubias Publisher/Editor Maj Mark Wong Co-Editor

Our congratulations to C/AB Hoppes for winning the Costume contest! Also, congratulations to the Wong & Covarubias families for winning the Pumpkin Carving contest (ceded to the 1st Runner Up, C/AB

Be sure to check out our new squadron website: http://capsq153.org it now has a calendar and a bulletin board!!
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Navigator, January December 2010