5 Squadrons Join Forces for Recruiting
Group Photo – Members of Squadrons 201, 47, and 144 pose in front of Sq. 87’s Cessna C-182 Skylane
By Capt Dennis Ammann, San Diego Cadet Sq. 144 PAO
San Diego – Five San Diego County CAP Squadrons combined to support Civil Air Patrol recruiting at the largest air show in California, the Miramar Air Show at Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, San Diego on 13, 14, and 15 October 2006. The squadrons participating were: Fallbrook Squadron 87, Skyhawk Composite Squadron 47, San Diego Senior Squadron 57, San Diego Cadet Squadron 144, and South San Diego Cadet Squadron 201.
Although various CAP squadrons have set up recruiting booths in the past, this year was different with every San Diego County squadron participating. With Fallbrook Squadron 87’s “Recruiting Magnet”, a Cessna C-182 Skylane, this set-up presented a better presentation to the public than the usual card table tucked away inside a hangar. Various out of state CAP members gravitated to the CAP bird to say hello and meet the local squadron personnel.
LtCol Gerald Rohles, Sq. 87, was able to secure an excellent tie-down spot for his aircraft near the bleachers and among the civilian static display aircraft. Maj Tom Buscemi, Sq. 87, was responsible for flying the CAP aircraft in on Thursday afternoon. As they say in the real estate market, “location, location, location” and what a location it was. Just behind the CAP aircraft was a fine example of the largest bi-plane in the world, the Russian AN-2 Colt which is nothing more than a “flying pick-up truck” belonging to the Commemorative Air Force. In front was a beautifully restored DC-3 airliner from the Heller Air Museum, and off to the right was a CH-21 Shawnee Korean/Vietnam War vintage U.S. Army helicopter from Classic Rotors Museum. Finally to the immediate left and right were two North American AT-6 Texans WWII advance trainers.
On Friday a small advance party from Sq. 144 set up a small table under the wing and talked to the various people in passing between the bleachers and other aircraft. Senior Member Chris Houkom and Cadet Alex Ramos both from Sq. 144 spearheaded the recruiting effort for the next three days.
Senior Member Haukom, a Marine Corporal Reservist attached to Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron 134 “The Smoke”, escorted about twenty cadets from Squadrons 47, 144, and 201 to hangar two for a walk around tour of his twelve F/A-18 Hornets letting each cadet view the cockpit of a Hornet and explaining the various aspects of the fighter.
Not only was this an excellent opportunity to recruit, the five squadrons were able to converse with each other and exchange ideas and thoughts. The Group 7 Squadron Commander, LtCol Randy McClure dropped by on Saturday afternoon to see how the effort was going.
As for the air show itself, the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstrated various aspects of battle ground attack, i.e., aerial photo recon, recon team insertion, strafing, low level bombing, helicopter assault, combat Marine deployment, helicopter heavy lift, and in-flight refueling. This year the MV-22A Osprey, a hybrid fixed wing/rotary wing transport aircraft flew for the crowd demonstrating its unique flight characteristics. There was an F-117 Nighthawk flight demo and various civilian aerobatic acts, such as The Patriots flying Czechoslovakian L-39 Albatross; the Red Bull, a Russian MiG-17 Fresco fighter flown by Bill Reesman; Sean Tucker’s Oracle Challenger; Bret Willat sailplane show (probably the best sailplane pilot in the world, right here at Warner Springs); John Collver and his AT-6 Texan, just to name a few. Always saving the best for last, The Navy’s Blue Angles performing their famous formation flying and aerobatics second to none.
Prior to the twilight program, the cadets were allowed free access to this night show by cleaning up the bleachers after the afternoon show secured. Various aircraft perform aerobatics with pyrotechnics with the “Wall of Fire” as the grand finale, turning the night into day for one second.
This recruiting effort turned out to be very productive and a great opportunity to show the public a CAP aircraft and explain the three missions of CAP. Stop by and say hello if you happen to visit the Miramar Air Show held each October in San Diego.
