We will NOT be meeting on 28 December, 2017

Friends,
In observance of the New Year we will NOT be meeting this week on 28 December, 2017. We hope you have an amazing start to 2018 and we invite you to join us for the first meeting of the year on 4 January, 2018.

Congratulations to Our Award Winners

Squadron 150 is pleased to announce that several of our members were recently presented with Commander's Commendation Awards by Squadron Commander Maj. David Powell (on behalf of the California Wing Commander Col. Alan Ferguson.)

(From L to R) 2d Lt. Craig Roalf, 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan, Squadron Commander Maj. David Powell and 2d Lt. Steven Schock (Photo Credit: 2d Lt. Carl Yoshioka)

The Commander's Commendation Award is awarded according to the following criteria,

"Outstanding duty performance where achievements and services are clearly and unmistakably exceptional when compared to similar achievements and service of members of like rank and responsibility...This award may be presented by a wing, region or National Commander."

2d Lt. Craig Roalf was presented with the Commander's Commendation Award (approved by California Wing Commander Col. Alan Ferguson) for his outstanding contributions and performance to Civil Air Patrol's efforts during the 2017 Huntington Beach Airshow.

2d Lt. Steven Schock was presented with the Commander's Commendation Award (approved by California Wing Commander Col. Alan Ferguson) for being the South Coast Group 7 Safety Officer of the Year.

1st Lt. Rommel Anacan was presented with the Commander's Commendation Award (approved by California Wing Commander Col. Alan Ferguson) for being the South Coast Group 7 Public Affairs Officer of the Year.

Congratulations to all!

Join us for Wreaths Across America this Saturday 16 December, 2017

Squadron 150 will be participating in a Wreaths Across America ceremony this Saturday, 16 December at Pacific View Memorial Park (3500 Pacific View Dr) in Corona Del Mar. The ceremony begins at 0900 at the Veteran's Memorial area. Following a few remarks (including remarks by Squadron 150 Deputy Commander 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan) participants will be able to lay wreaths at the graves of veterans.

We invite you to join us this Saturday! There is no fee and we think you'll find the experience meaningful and worthwhile. 

Veteran's Memorial Pacific View Memorial Park (Photo Courtesy: 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan)

A wreath at the grave of Bill Schock, the father of 2d Lt. Steve Schock (Photo: 2d Lt. Steve Schock)

Rendering a salute to a veteran 

Squadron 150 Members at the Ceremony (Photo Courtesy: 2d Lt. Steve Schock)

Yes! We are meeting this week!

After a couple of weeks off in celebration of Thanksgiving Squadron 150 will be meeting this Thursday 7 December. This week we will having out monthly Safety Briefing and our safety officer 2d Lt. Steve Schock will be conducting the briefing. 

If you're visiting Squadron 150 for the first time, please click on this link for information on entering Los Alamitos JFTB, as our squadron HQ is located on an active military installation. The meeting begins at 1930 (7:30pm). If you're visiting for the first time, we recommend that you plan on arriving by 7:15 pm so we have an opportunity to "meet and greet" you before the meeting begins.

No Meeting this Week (30 November)! In the meantime, here is a CAP update!

Happy Holidays! As a reminder Squadron 150 will NOT be meeting this week (30 November). Our next meeting will be on 7 December and we look forward to seeing you then.

In the meantime, here is a story from www.cap.news regarding Civil Air Patrol's assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
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October

13,

2017

Hurricane Maria Response Mission Wrapping Up; 239 From 21 Wings Participate

236 Flights, 496 Hours in Air Generate 62,000+ Photos

Twenty-two days into the massive federal response to Hurricane Maria, Civil Air Patrol is beginning to ramp down its air operations in Puerto Rico and the nearby U.S. Virgin Islands. CAP has been supporting flying operations for the full-scale disaster relief mission in Puerto Rico since Sept. 22, two days after Maria made landfall on the Caribbean island.

“We’re starting to wrap up our current mission in Puerto Rico,” said John Desmarais, CAP’s director of operations. Nearly 250 members from the Puerto Rico Wing and 20 other CAP wings and regions across the U.S. have been involved in the mission, providing local first responders, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other U.S. government agencies with aerial photography to document damage on the islands.

CAP planes from the mainland are expected to return home this weekend, but flights are expected to continue through the early part of next week – likely supported by Puerto Rico Wing aircraft and crews with minimal augmentation by mainland crews.

To date, CAP aircrews have flown nearly 500 hours on 236 sorties over the affected areas in both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On those flights, CAP photographers have taken 62,721 aerial images, which were provided to FEMA and emergency personnel to help focus on recovery efforts.

Puerto Rico took a direct hit from the Category 5 storm two weeks after a previous encounter with Hurricane Irma, another powerful storm that tracked just north of the island on Sept. 7. Irma greatly affected the U.S. Virgin Islands, much as Maria did Puerto Rico.

Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico’s infrastructure has posed challenges CAP members, particularly the local CAP wing’s nearly 400 adult officers. One is Capt. Luis J. Herrera, the wing’s inspector general, who lives in Bayamon, just south of San Juan.

“The last four weeks have been challenging, to say the least,” he said. “Power, water, cell phones, everything that we took for granted has been taken away from us. We did prepare for a hurricane, but we weren't prepared for a disaster.

“Hurricane Maria has been the worst event with the biggest devastation I have ever experienced,” Herrera said.

Slowly but surely, progress is being made toward recovery.

"My family and I are living within a schedule that we’ve created,” Herrera said. “We have a portable generator that can be run for several hours a day. So we run it several times a day to try to keep the fridge as cold as possible, to charge our electronic devices from time to time, and to turn some fans on to try to cool down the house a little.”

Herrera said his CAP training has prepared him and others to adapt and respond during such emergencies. “Some of our members lost their jobs, their houses were damaged, and others lost everything,” he said. “And yet they reported for duty, day after day, volunteering their time to help.

“In CAP, we train for situations like this, and when the time comes we are honored to step forward and be able to help. In a sense, serving with CAP in this emergency has helped me to focus my thoughts into productive ideas that can contribute to the mission's goals,” he said.

In addition to air operations, CAP members have also volunteered in shelter centers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. That work is expected to continue for weeks, even months to come.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! No Meeting this Week!

In observance of Thanksgiving Squadron 150 will NOT be meeting on Thursday 23 November or on 30 November! We hope you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving and start to the Holiday Season with those you love!

Please join us for our next Squadron 150 meeting on 7 December at 7:30pm. 

We are partnering with Wreaths Across America again this year!

Many of you have sponsored wreaths which will help us honor and remember our fallen Veterans this Holiday season and also help our squadron continue to perform "Missions for America"....THANK YOU for your support!

If you'd like to donate a wreath for a Veteran's grave at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona Del Mar, it's not too late to do so! Click on this link to donate a wreath: 

https://wreaths.fastport.com/donateLocation.html?page=22501&relate=14751

We'd also like to invite you to join us at to help place these wreaths on Veteran's graves on 17 December, 2017. The ceremonies begin at 9:00am. 

Calif. Wing Aircrews Applying New Technology to Wildfire Photography Mission

(This article originally appeared on www.CAP.news)

Sensor System Improves Image Quality

The California Wing is using new technology to help document the devastation from deadly October wildfires in California.

It’s called an Aeroptic Sensor Pod, a leading-edge tactical aerial imagery system attached to one of the wing’s Cessna 182s. The sensor system provides rapid access to visual and multispectral data of the damage wrought by the wildfires, which, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports, have destroyed 8,900 structures and claimed 43 lives.

“The Aeroptic Sensor we have as a demo for 45 days was installed by Ivan Air to support a test last week,” said John Desmarais, CAP’s director of operations.

The imagery mosaic provided by the new camera system has been well received by Federal Emergency Management Agency staff, and they have asked us to re-fly several areas,” Desmaris said,

CAP aircrews in California are flying again this week, as most of the fires are starting to be contained.

“This imagery from the plane equipped with the Aeroptic Sensor, as well as photos previously taken with the wing’s traditional Garmin VIRB cameras, will still be needed to assist with determining access to federal assistance,” Desmarais said.

The California Wing has been supporting FEMA’s recovery efforts at the behest of 1st Air Force, operating from a temporary incident command post at Livermore Municipal Airport to accommodate aerial imagery flights to the areas of the Combined Fire in Santa Rosa and Northern California, then moving to Riverside Municipal Airport to photograph the area affected by the Southern Fires in Orange County in Southern California.

The CAP photographic coverage in California has resulted in about 140 flights over the past 11 days, providing roughly 6,000 photos using the VIRB cameras, mounted under the wing of several CAP aircraft.

“All feedback I have received directly from FEMA is that they are very happy with our work and the product we have been supplying them,” said Lt. Col. Joe Brickman, operations director for the California Wing. “Our photos have been instrumental in helping FEMA make their damage assessments of these burn areas.”

Both CAP and FEMA officials believe will provide the next generation of aerial photos.

”The Aeroptic Sensor is mounted on the step of the right strut of the aircraft,” Brickman said. “The camera can be flown at varying altitudes, ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 feet, depending on the ground covered. The camera imagery is also orthorectified (adjusted to eliminate any distortion) to make it easier for FEMA to analyze the data and … be more effective for their damage assessment.”

Flying with the Aeroptic Sensor Pod does require some practice, Brickman said, adding that aircrews from the California Wing are “humbled” to be the first to test the new system and to participate in the mission.

“The devastating fires here in California have affected everyone in some way, but we all came together to do our part,” he said. “Everyone is working to achieve one goal — to help FEMA support the communities that have been so devastated. I am so proud of the airmen of the California Wing.”

Congratulations Maj. David Powell!

The members of Squadron 150 would like to congratulate our squadron commander David Powell on his recent promotion to the grade of Major! Major Powell was promoted during the recent South Coast Group 7 awards banquet by Group 7 Commander Lt Col. James Robertson.

Lt Col. James Robertson (L) pins on Maj. David Powell's new grade insignia

Congratulations Major Powell and thank you for your service to Squadron 150 and Civil Air Patrol!

Semper Vigilans!

Group 7 Awards Banquet

South Coast Group 7 (of which Squadron 150 is a subordinate unit) held it's annual awards banquet on 15 October, 2017 at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Fullerton, with members from all six Orange County-based Group 7 squadrons in attendance.

Congratulations to the following members from Group 7 squadrons that received awards-members from Squadron 150 are in bold:

Cadet NCO of the Year: C/SSgt. Joseph Peter Pellerin (Sq 153)
Cadet of the Year: C/2d Lt. Kendal M. Grossgold (Sq 153)
Character Development Officer of the Year: 1st Lt. Randy Nielsen (Sq 153)
Col (Bud) Payton Public Affairs Officer of the Year: 1st Lt. Rommel Anacan (Sq 150)
Inspector General of the Year: Maj. Craig Newton (Sq 40)
Maj Gen Jeanne M. Holm Aerospace Education Officer of the Year: Capt. Jonathan M Grossgold (Sq 153)
Professional Development Officer of the Year: 1st Lt. Scott Decker
Property Management Officer of the Year: 1st Lt. Brian Cole (Sq 68)
Safety Officer of the Year: 2d Lt. Steven Schock (Sq 150)
Senior Member of the Year: Maj. Craig Newton (Sq 40)
Mission Observer of the Year: 1st Lt. Kerem Yogurtcugil (Sq 40)
Pilot of the Year: Maj. Scott Dineen (Sq 40)
Recruitment and Retention: 2d Lt. E. Buesing (Sq 150)
Counter Drug Officer of the Year: Lt Col. Eric Krause (Sq 40)

Composite Squadron of the Year: Squadron 68
Cadet Squadron of the Year: Squadron 153
Senior Squadron of the Year: Squadron 40

Certificates of Achievement were also awarded to:

C/Maj. Leon Shi
Capt. Jeffrey Goeggel
2d Lt. Joshua Derby
Maj. Jerry Civalleri
1st Lt. Rommel Anacan

2d Lt. Steven Schock
1st Lt. Brian Cole
Capt. Richard Benson
Maj. Nathan Van De Brake
Maj. Craig Newton
Capt. Ricardo Dimartino

1st Lt. Rommel Anacan (L) receiving the Group 7 Public Affairs Officer of the Year award from
Group 7 Commander Lt Col. James Robertson

2d Lt. Steve Schock (L) receiving the Group 7 Safety Officer of the Year award from
Group 7 Commander Lt Col. James Robertson

Civil Air Patrol Achievement Award recipients

CAP Exceeds 100,000 Flying Hours for 2nd Straight Year

(This post originally appeared on www.CAP.news)

Photo Credit www.CAP.news

For the second straight year, Civil Air Patrol has amassed 100,000 flying hours for its 560-plane fleet, which is recognized as one of the largest assemblages of single-engine aircraft in the world.

John Desmarais, CAP’s director of operations, said the milestone was met during a flight Thursday morning in Puerto Rico, in which a CAP aircrew was taking photographs of damage by Hurricane Maria throughout the island.

“I really didn’t think we were going to make it to 100,000 flying hours a month ago,” said Desmarais, who had set the lofty goal for the 2017 fiscal year, which ends Saturday.

An increase in Air Force-assigned disaster relief missions in the wake of recent hurricanes in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands contributed greatly to accomplishing the 100,000-mark again. In fiscal 2016, CAP flying hours totaled 104,525 hours — the highest in the last five years.

Disaster relief flights have totaled 2,830 more hours this year than last, Desmarais said. He cited dozens of disaster relief missions and other federal, state and local agency support missions across the country, ranging from the massive rainfall that accompanied Hurricane Matthew in the fall of 2016 to recent support for the responses to hurricanes Harvey, which also wrought historic flooding; Irma; and Maria. Harvey, Irma and Maria all made landfall during the past five weeks, prompting CAP aircrews to take to the skies in support of emergency responders.

Maj. Gen. Mark Smith, who took over as CAP national commander at the 2017 National Conference during the organization’s response to Hurricane Harvey, said he’s was not surprised CAP’s recent disaster relief flights help put the organization over the 100,000 mark for the year.

“Our aircrews are the best, always training and always ready to serve,” Smith said. “And CAP’s large fleet of Cessna aircraft provides these professionally trained aircrews with the perfect platform to provide quick and reliable reconnaissance to the Air Force as well as emergency responders on the ground.”

In addition to the uptick in disaster relief flying hours in fiscal 2017, CAP also saw an increase in homeland security missions, which included its more than 600 MQ-9 remote piloted aircraft escort flights in support of the Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing. As part of the U.S. Air Force Reaper Training Program for pilots and sensor operators, CAP aircrews accompanied MQ-9 Reapers to and from Military Restricted Airspace in central New York state for training exercises. This support has helped save taxpayers over $1 million and has increased MQ-9 training by 25 percent.

“CAP is always looking for new opportunities for our members to fly in support of their communities across the country,” Desmarais said.

Smith agreed, adding, “We don’t often know when our next mission will come, so we must be prepared at all times.”

2017 Huntington Beach Airshow was a success!!

The 2017 Huntington Beach Airshow was an unqualified success and members of Squadron 150 (and from our South Coast Group 7 squadrons along with other squadrons from California Wing) played a key role in helping make the show a success!

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) members helped with airshow operations by assisting the aircrews at both Los Alamitos JFTB and at John Wayne Airport, manning the parachutist drop zone area along the beach, helping with the volunteer and VIP parking lots, escorting the parachutists from the drop zone and other tasks.

CAP senior members and cadets also manned two booths, one located on the beach near show center and one located on the main festival area telling visitors about CAP, what we do and why we matter. We had approximately 150 people (from all over the area) express an interest in CAP and we're excited to see them at an upcoming meetings in squadrons in their area.

Did we mention that we also had some of the best "seats" in the house for the airshow? We are already looking forward to the 2018 show!

CAP Booth at Festival Area (Photo: 2d Lt. Rommel Anacan)

CAP Glider from Squadron 41 at show center (Photo: 2d Lt. Rommel Anacan)

CAP booth at show center (Photo: 2d Lt. Rommel Anacan)

A selfie moment with 2d Lt. Rommel Anacan (L) and SM Erika Soto (R)
 (Photo: 2d Lt. Rommel Anacan)

More Pictures from the September Search and Rescue Training Exercise (SAREX)

Photo Credit: San Diego Group 8

Photo Credit: San Diego Group 8

2d Lt. Rommel Anacan (L) with his fellow crew members during the SAREX
Photo Credit:San Diego Group 8

Photo Credit:San Diego Group 8

Photo Credit: 2d Lt. Rommel Anacan

Photo Credit: 2d Lt. Rommel Anacan

Join us for the Huntington Beach Airshow this weekend!

We are very excited that Civil Air Patrol (CAP) will be a part of the 2017 Breitling Huntington Beach Airshow! CAP Senior Members (adults) and Cadets will be playing key roles in HB Airshow operations and also representing CAP at booths located in the main "Festival" area and also on the beach, near a CAP glider!

Come and see the US Navy's Blue Angels and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds perform and MORE the weekend of 29 September-1 October in Huntington Beach. And be sure to stop by one of our CAP booths and say "hello!"

For more information on the 2017 Breitling Huntington Beach Airshow click here:

Squadron 150 Participated in San Diego Training Exercise

Two members of Squadron 150 participated in a recent training exercise hosted by San Diego Group 8 and held at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, California. Squadron 150 Deputy Commander and SM Craig Roalf are already qualified Mission Scanners and are now in training to be Mission Observers.

Mission Observers sit in the right hand seat of Civil Air Patrol aircraft and handle radio communications, assist with navigation, flight and mission planning and conduct visual search when in the search area.

Other CAP members were training in Emergency Services (ES) qualifications such as Mission Scanner, Airborne Photographer, Mission Pilot, Mission Radio Operator, Mission Safety Officer and more.

(L to R) 2d Lt Rommel Anacan and SM Craig Roalf

Mission Briefing (Photo Credit: San Diego Group 8)

We are thankful to the leaders and members of San Diego Group 8 for organizing and putting on a very successful Search and Rescue Training Exercise (SAREX)!

Don't miss our next meeting!

During this week's Squadron 150 meeting (21 September) we are hosting the South Coast Group 7 Joint Emergency Services Training for members of the six Orange County-based Civil Air Patrol squadrons in the cities of Los Alamitos, Fullerton and Costa Mesa.

The subject of this meeting is "Getting Form 5 Completion Credit in FAA Wings and as Your Flight Review." We will also cover airspace related topics and have time for Q &A. Our presenter will be Nate Morrissey of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

As a reminder Squadron 150 meets at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base from 7:30pm-9:00pm (1930-2100 hours). The building address is 3976 Constitution Ave. Los Alamitos JFTB is an active military installation so there are some things you should know, prior to visiting. Click here for more information. 

We look forward to seeing you here on Thursday the 21st of September!

NO Squadron 150 Meeting this Thursday 31 August, 2017!!

Friends,

Squadron 150 will not be meeting this week (31 August, 2017) since it is the fifth week of the month and our squadron is typically "dark" during the fifth week. 

In the meantime we hope you have a great week and we will see you on 7 September, 2017 for our next Squadron 150 meeting.

Join us this Thursday!

If you're considering joining the Civil Air Patrol and want more information about CAP in Orange County, we invite you to join us this Thursday 24 August, 2017 for our next Squadron 150 meeting. The meeting begins at 7:30pm and will end around 9:00pm. We meet at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB) in Los Alamitos. Click here for more information about entering Los Alamitos JFTB.

What to expect:

When you arrive let us know that you're visiting and a member of our squadron will connect with you. Our meetings generally start with a few announcements and then incorporate some type of teaching, training or hands-on activity. Thursday night's meeting is aircrew focused and we'll be discussing the VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) and distance measuring equipment (DME) equipment on an airplane. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Just sharing some squadron photos this week!

Thank you to these valued members!

Squadron 150 Commander Capt. David Powell recently awarded Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Certificates of Appreciation to the following squadron members for their assistance and willingness to serve our squadron:

• Maj. Alexander Smith (for his assistance and leadership as Logistics Officer during the recent HQ clean-up and organization project)
• Maj. Jerry Civalleri (for serving as a Wing Mission Alerting Officer-WMAO)
• SM Craig Roalf-(for serving as a Wing Mission Alerting Officer-WMAO)

(L to R) Maj. Alexander Smith, Maj. Jerry Civalleri, SM Craig Roalf, Squadron 150 Commander Capt. David Powell

Thank you to these members for their service to CAP and Squadron 150!

Flight Planning Training Exercise

During a recent meeting Squadron 150 members participated in a tabletop training exercise, where members were tasked with planning a simulated flight from Fullerton Airport (KFUL) to Chino (KCNO) and then continuing the flight from KCNO to Bermuda-Dunes (KUDD) to conduct a "Route Search Pattern" for a simulated missing aircraft. 

Members of all experience levels received valuable training and practice during this tabletop exercise-practice that will be useful during an actual mission. 

Photo by Capt. Gary Mathieson

Photo by Capt. Gary Mathieson

Photo by Capt. Gary Mathieson

Photo by Capt. Gary Mathieson