Official Newsletter of Mount Rainier Composite Squadron

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The Vigilance
Service & Fun at Wilcox Farms
school house, chicken coop, and garage, the former filled with scores of memorabilia and antiques. Cadets and seniors arrived in the early evening and were tasked with setting up the squadrons surplus military tents for the cadets to use over the weekend. This was made more difficult by a lack of experience in raising such equipment and from a shortage of locking pins used to secure the erected structure. To overcome this obstacle, cadets commandeered the pins of the second tent. Compensating for this loss, the seniors donated a smaller civilian tent for the female cadets attending. Thankfully, more experienced cadets and seniors were on hand to guide the novice tent pitchers and successfully accomplish their goal. It was a valuable lesson on knowing the state of... cont. on page 2

Courtesy R.W. Bynum

Commander Jonquiere enjoys a moment with the Wilcox Chicken. By 2d Lt Bynum, P.A.O. association with The Rainier AnROY -- Mount Rainier Composite tique Tractor Club. Dozens of well Squadron was on hand for the an- preserved antique tractors were on nual Wilcox Farms June Jubilee display and competed in the pull. and Antique Tractor Pull. Held at Also on hand were several old the Wilcox Chicken Farm, the all- fire trucks of various vintage, inday event features antique tractors cluding an 1898 American Fire Enand fire engines, historical Wilcox gine Steam Pump, which originally antiques, great food, and much served in the San Francisco Fire more! About six senior members Department until 1909 and was feaand eight cadets volunteered their tured in the film Hello, Dolly! An time between 24-26 June 2011. In older yellow fire truck from South appreciation, Wilcox Farms donated Pierce County Fire & Rescue, literfunds towards the squadrons flight ally down the road, was on hand scholarship. Mt Rainier CS would with several fire fighting cadets to like to thank Wilcox Farms for this operate the classic steam pump. opportunity of community service, Miniature steam engines, small its generous donation, and ongoing tractor rides for kids, hay rides, and support of our squadron. a dozen classic vehicles completed The tractor pull and jubilee is the attractions. The Wilcox property put on annually by Wilcox Farms in also featured an original one room

Upcoming Events
10/16-24: National Staff College 10/22: Mt Rainier CS Open House 10/22-23: Western Cadet Academy 12/10: Wreath Across America Laying Ceremony 12/26-31: Washington Wing Winter Encampment

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Official Newsletter of Mount Rainier Composite Squadron

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Cadets at Flight Encampment

By 2d Lt Bynum, P.A.O. EPHRATA -- The Washington Wing of the Civil Air Patrol held its annual Desert Eagle Flight Encampment VIII at the Camp Boucher CAP facility from 20 July to 31 July 2011. Mt Rainier Composite Squadron was privileged to be represented by five of its cadets: C/SSgt Nathan Tail End Hutchison, C/ SrA Alex Dyachkin, C/SrA Benjamin Hayter, C/SMSgt Thomas Slim Shady Lenell, and C/SMSgt Nathan The Mouth Rojas. The quoted names refer to the cadets call signs, a unique identifying nickname given them that reflect the personality traits of each cadet. Cadet Hutchison was a member of the Advanced Glider Alpha Flight; Cadet Dyachkin was in the Basic Glider Bravo Flight while Cadets Hayter and Lenell were in Charlie Flight; and Cadet Rojas flew in the Powered Echo Flight. Mt Rainier CS is proud of its attending cadets and applauds their efforts, dedication, and achievements in this encampment. Mt Rainier CS was also represented by two senior members, Captain Eddie Rojas as Tow Plane Pilot and 2d Lt Scott Hayter as a senior staffer. Major Mike Talley acted as the Encampment Commander and C/Captain Walen Absent Moreno acted as its Cadet Commander. In total, seventeen seniors and nine cadets volunteered their time to run the encampment, in which twenty-six cadet students worked through the program. Student of a flight encampment get hours of experience in the air, about nine hours of flight training for airplane students, about twentyfive ground tows and five aero-tows for basic glider students, and about fifteen aero-tows for advanced glider students. In addition, the students get hours of classes and hands-on learning about the dynamics and physics of flight, the mechanics and operation of their machines, and ground training nuts and bolts. Slots for this remarkable educational and inspirational program are limited and competition to become a student is considerable. Besides the expense fees, cadets must first complete the second achievement of the Cadet Program, the General Arnold (the fourth achievement for Powered students, the Captain Rickenbacker). They also complete a Class A Encampment and submit an essay describing the their aviation goals and reasons for wanting to attend the encampment, as well as several other requirements. To find out more on how cadets can prepare for the next flight encampment, please contact your superior. Further information, including for those who want to volunteer their time as staff, please visit the Desert Eagles website at: https://sites.google.com/site/wawgd eserteagle/

Summer Quarter 2011 Promotions

Cadet:!! ! ! John W. Cheung! ! Stuart M. Emery ! ! Benjamin S. Hayter! ! Casey M. Hunter! ! Benjamin Lam! ! Zachary Lam!! ! Thomas M. Lenell! ! Derek T. Pegram! ! Josiah Pollock! ! Madelin N. Potter! ! Conner W. Roland! ! New Rank:! C/Amn! C/MSgt! C/SSgt! C/A1C ! C/MSgt! C/MSgt! C/CMSgt! C/Amn! C/SSgt! C/A1C ! C/Amn! Date: 11 Jun 22 Aug 06 Jun 22 Aug 20 Aug 01 Aug 01 Aug 13 Jun 20 Jun 06 Sept 20 Jul Senior:! ! ! Martin S. Jonquiere!! New Rank:! Date: 1st Lt! ! 01 Jul Promotions are an important part of the cadet and senior programs. They not only help to advance your CAP achievements, but build yourself into a better person. If you have problems reaching your next rank, or questions on a specialty track, feel free to contact your superior for assistance. Summer is over. For those returning from an extended absence, welcome back! Your next rank is waiting, and achieving it is easier than you think.

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Official Newsletter of Mount Rainier Composite Squadron

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cont. from page 1 ...your equipment before deployment, and how to overcome obstacles in a timely and effective manner. A review of our equipment has since been proposed to prevent similar occurrences. Over the two nights, cadets organized fire watches to secure the camp site. They created and implemented patrols in scheduled, paired intervals to assured the safety of their fellow cadets. They also patrolled the larger event grounds, where many vehicles and other campers, primarily owners and participants, camped nearby. They conducted themselves vigilantly during their patrols, as witnessed by 2d Lt Bynum, who accompanied the first watch. On the event day, the cadets and seniors ate a hardy breakfast generously provided by Wilcox Farms.

All agreed it was one of the best meals anyone had, especially the eggs and omelets, which featured the farms liquid egg product. After this, the cadets corrected and edited the event brochures on short notice before deploying to their primary assignment. The main task for Mt Rainier CS was the directing of traffic to

Your Feedback Counts!

As editor of The Vigilance, I am always looking for new ideas to improve the quality and content of this newsletter. If you have any suggestions, comments, questions, or concerns, please contact me via e-mail at: PAO@MtRainierCAP.org -2d Lt Bynum, Editor

various parking zones. Cadets answered questions, directed historical cars and antique tractors to their designated areas, and motioned the visiting public to parking stalls and onsite shuttles. They also passed out event brochures and informed those who inquired about the Civil Air Patrol and its missions. A very filling lunch was provided, along with superb free omelet samples. The event went smoothly and was by all accounts a rousing success. Cadets spent the next night on the property before disassembling their tents the next day and departing. The cadets proved themselves by working diligently while still having fun. Mt Rainer CS looks forwards to working with Wilcox Farms in the future and remains ever grateful for their past, present, and future support.

Chaplains Corner
The Quarterly Thoughts of 2d Lt Eric Turner
Is Faith Really Important ! According to people who live by faith, it affects everything they think, say and do. Others, however, see faith as a crutch for those too weak to handle their own problems. ! As a chaplain and pastor I encounter people of both persuasions all the time. I accept them as they are, not as I wish they were. I do wish, however, for those who question faith, that they would experience it for themselves. ! The Bible says to all of mankind, Taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8) I believe thats sound advice.
Historic Flights:

! I remember when I was little that I didnt want to eat fresh strawberries. The problem was that I had never tasted one. ! I loved my moms homemade strawberry jam, but I was suspicious of those funny looking berries. My mother kept telling me, Try it. Youll like it, but I kept resisting. ! One day she persuaded me to taste one. It was big and fat and juicy red delicious! Now I cant get enough. ! Its that way with God. Taste and see that the Lord is good. You might nd that hes better than you imagined.

Arnold envisioned the bomber in 1939 and On 21 September 1942, the B-29 Superfor- Boeing got the contact. The plane required tress made its inaugural flight over Seattle, four main-assembly factories nationwide to from Boeing Field. General Harry Hap design it. The famed Enola Gay is a B-29.

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Official Newsletter of Mount Rainier Composite Squadron

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Mt Rainier CS Stays Airborne

alike have had over a dozen days of glider and powered orientation flight opportunities. Former Commander Captain Eddie Rojas, along with others from various Washington squadrons have worked hard to get as many flight hours in for the cadets as possible. From the squadron-centric O-Rides in 00Z over Thun Field to multisquadron glider days at ChehalisCentralia Airport, Mt Rainier CS is taking full advantage of the Puget Sound regions great flying season. In addition, five of its cadets attended the Desert Eagle Flight Encampment VIII this year. (See Cadets at Flight Encampment article, Page 2). Cadet Hutchison soloed in his glider during encampment and Cadet Hayter followed him in mid-September. The remaining cadets are quickly catching up. Though the season is wrapping up, Mt Rainier CS will strive to get in as many flight days as possible. The squadron hopes through its continuing endeavors that another

Courtesy E.F. Rojas

CAP aircraft will find a permanent home at Thun Field, Pierce County Airport. Regardless of what the future brings, Mt Rainier CS will always being looking up and ready to take to the skies. Watch your email for future flight opportunities and be sure to have your qualifications in order.
Courtesy E.F. Rojas

Cadet Hayter shaking with Capt Rojas.

By 2d Lt Bynum, P.A.O. SOUTH HILL -- For a squadron that has lacked a stationed Civil Air Patrol aircraft of late, Mount Rainier Composite Squadron has been very active in the skies. The transfer of beloved 00Z (pronounced ooze) to another squadron was a difficult transition but the squadron endured and quickly acquired a replacement. With the crash of this aircraft in March and its own-going investigation, acquiring yet another squadron plane remains uncertain. True to its flying heritage and spirit, Mt Rainier CS has refused to let these changes keep it grounded. Since March, seniors and cadets

Cadet Pollock ying 00Z southward.

Courtesy E.F. Rojas

Cadet Roland condently at the wheel.

The Vigilance Contributors

2d Lt R.W. Bynum: Editor, Writer & Photographer; 1 photographs, 4 articles 2d Lt E.B. Turner: Resident Columnist; 1 article Capt E.F. Rojas: 3 photographs

Wreaths Across America is an annual memorial started in 1992 to remember those who have served the United States by laying wreaths at national cemeteries countrywide. The Civil Air Patrol has again partnered with the WAA organization to collect wreath donations this year. By sponsoring a wreath though the squadron, a portion of your donation will benefit Mt Rainier CS. We have two big donation drives at

W.A.A. Coming Soon!

Joint Base Lewis-McChord every year, but you can donate today and at any time through late November! A wreath only costs $15.00. Our goal is to lay as many as possible in Tahoma National Cemetery for the holidays. The laying ceremony will be held on 10 December 2011. For more information on dates, donations, and volunteering, please contact 2d Lt Eric Turner, Mt Rainier CS Chaplain.

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