Squadron News

11/14/2009 - IT WAS AWARDS GALORE – at the annual squadron banquet at Hodels.  Our thanks to the guest speaker, Mickey Bowen, engineering outreach and education officer at Edwards Air Force Base. He is a familiar face at the annual Group 6 Aviation camp.

CADET PROGRAM SENIOR MEMBER LEADERSHIP – Casey Schaubschlager has been, and is, an inspiration, especially to cadets, but also to senior members. Despite his combat wounds in Iraq, he continues his service in uniform, bringing the best of his Marine Corps mental rigor and physical discipline to the young people who will be our future leaders.

AEROSPACE EDUCATION OFFICER – Troy Hightower is the Assistant Aerospace Education officer charged with helping carry out one of the Civil Air Patrol’s three congressionally mandated duties: Promoting public understanding of aerospace. As part of his duty primarily guiding our cadets he publishes the squadron’s aerospace education newsletter.

SENIOR STAFF OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Sue Lewis has taken on the vital duty of aircraft manager, overseeing the use and maintenance – and thereby partly the safety -- of the squadron’s and Civil Air Patrol’s most vital asset, our Cessna-182 aircraft. She ensures that it is prepared for any mission to which we are assigned. In pursuing that duty she materially assists Air Operations Officer Rob Custer in his running the squadron’s air wing.

OBSERVER OF THE YEAR – Awarding Samantha Lack Observer of the Year award grossly understates her contributions to the squadron as Deputy Commander for Cadets, but there is no question that given the chance, she’ll fly – and does for all kinds of missions. In and of itself, that would be contribution enough. Her command of the cadet program, a demanding day job and family responsibilities demonstrate how understated this award is.

PILOT OF THE YEAR – For his services as a pilot and overall manager of the squadron’s air wing and its ability to carry out our diverse missions, but even more as the Air Operations Officer responsible for mentoring pilots and moving them up the pilot duty ranks, the Pilot of the Year award went to Rob Custer.

SENIOR MEMBER OF THE YEAR – was awarded to Mike Lynch. His unassuming title is character development officer. But his tireless efforts include being a chaplain, homeland security officer, advisor, and his increasing role in Critical Incident Stress Management at Wing and Pacific Region levels. He has been called to participate in national CISM deployments as well. Rarely does a week go by that he doesn’t call and ask what he can do.

COMMANDER’S COMMENDATION – This squadron could not function adequately without the diverse and talented efforts of our Deputy Commander for Seniors Patrick Bergin. He not only is a trusted advisor, but is a fundraiser, finance officer, assistant safety officer, pilot and teacher who has brought great repute to the squadron. His talents are in demand at Group and Wing level, all of which he manages with grace despite a demanding job as a corporate executive and active family man.

In addition to these awards, the squadron has presented several certificates of appreciation to our members and to groups in the community that have helped us in so many ways. Our members (or their spouses and children) who were cited included Tricia Bergin, Casey Schaubschlager, Marcia Feldman, Elliot Feldman, Shawn Steward, Emily Golleher, Ellen Ferguson, Danica Staggs, Ricardo Ybarra, Sue Lewis, Michael Sullivan, Michael Lynch, Richard Kutzner, Vince Brown, and, of course, our speaker, Mickey Bowen.

Community groups that were cited were the Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Starbuck’s Coffee on Olive Drive, IFTA, and Atlantic Aviation.

CADET LEADERSHIP AWARD went to C/MSgt. Grayson Stewart, who has exceeded the expectations and demonstrated his willingness and sacrifices to lead.

MOST IMPROVED CADET went to C/Amn1c Daniel Frizell, who was voted by the cadet staff as the one who most improved in time and experience.

CADET OF THE YEAR was awarded to C/SSgt. Brad Frizell. His citation read in part, “who stood out, gone beyond what is asked of him, over and above his required duties. …” That’s a good example for us all!

DC/C Samantha Lack also presented to richly deserved special awards to her key senior assistants, Brandon McNamara and Casey Schaubschlager. Kudos to both.

Last but very importantly, was the squadron’s rarely issued Community Support Award. This year it was given in to the Airport Department in “gratitude for years of support and assistance that have been crucial to Civil Air Patrol’s ability to serve Kern County.” It would be difficult to think of an organization that has meant more and contributed more to Civil Air Patrol than the County of Kern, specifically the Department of Airports. It is especially fitting that we make this award at this time. No less than for some of us personally, many businesses and almost all governments, the Department of Airports that is supposed to operate without county taxpayer general fund support, has been devastated by the economy. Meadows Field has been our home for 35 years – and we hope to continue that mutually beneficial relationship without which this squadron would have great difficulty being the valued operational unit that it is, a point not lost on California Wing.
 

11/8/2009 - Six members of Squadron 121 handled escort and perimeter security duty as part in the airport’s FAA mandated disaster drill last week. There were some of the 80 “casualties” from a simulated B-757 crash on the taxiway of 30L take their places – some were “trapped” in the fuselage – before first responders were activated to come to the scene to help “injured” passengers. Airport, Bakersfield and County fire departments, Hall Ambulance, among other agencies, and various hospital personnel took part. Nearly 200 people were involved in the drill.

Thanks to Mike Sullivan (photographer), Sue Lewis, Kent Greer, Bill Keith, Alan Ferguson and Chris Bagdikian for volunteering.

11/4/2009 - Lt. Mike Lynch has been appointed to the Pacific Coast Region staff as the CISM Officer by Region Commander Col. Larry Myrick. He has been tasked with reviving the system that has been partly dormant in recent years. Mike has also served on NHQ CISM operations.

SQUADRON 121 members were among officers from throughout the Wing who attended the FEMA/Emergency Management Institute’s Incident Command System 400 class (Command and General Staff in Complex Incidents). Among the attendees were LTC. Gail Mizner, LTC. Alan Ferguson, LTC. David Mish and Capt. Chris Bagdikian. This was the second Wing-wide activity hosted by our squadron in as many weeks. But this time we moved the event to the International Flight Training Academy thanks to the good offices of LTC. Steve Asche and Lt. Tim Schaubschlager, who sacrificed his weekend to make the transition possible. And our gratitude to Lt. Ellen Ferguson who handled logistics for the 400 class and the previous week’s Mountain Flying Course.

AND TWO OF OUR CADETS – Josiah Caploe and Leendred Perey attended Basic Cadet School in Fresno. It is dedication to these kinds of activities that make our squadron what it is.

10/26/2009 - The squadron was host last weekend to a Wing-wide Mountain Flying Course (used to be called Mountain Fury) with aircrews from throughout the state (photos attached). Our own Capt. Rob Custer got certified as a mountain flying instructor -- so our congratulations to him. My thanks to those hard working members who helped pull the base portion of the operation together: LTC. Alan Ferguson, 1LT Ellen Ferguson, LTC. Dave Mish and LTC. Steve Asche. Thanks, too, to Atlantic Aviation for free tie-downs and rapid fuel delivery for numerous aircraft flying multiple sorites.

This coming weekend we will be the host squadron for a FEMA/Emergency Management Institute Incident Command Structure 400 class. This is a follow-on to the ICS 300 class held at the squadron last year. Although we will provide logistics/transport for the class, thanks to the good offices of LT Tim Schaubschlager and LTC. Asche, the actual venue will be at IFTA.

9/19/2009 - Today is Civil Air Patrol Volunteer Day in Bakersfield!  Here is the proclamation.

9/5/2009 - Our very own Lt. Michael Lynch was honored in San Antonio, Texas today at the Civil Air Patrol Annual Conference & Board.  Lt. Lynch was named Character Development Instructor of the year!  Click here to see the conference program, page 11 for Mike.

7/15/2009 - We will be hosting an open house for parents and friends of our cadet flight and spouses of our senior members on July 21. Headed up by the cadet staff, refreshments will be served and tours will be given. UOD will blues. The 18th (the preceding Saturday) will be a clean-up day, and as many people as can should come and help out.

7/14/2009 - The Group 6 Aviation Camp held June 26 through July 5 was a spectacular success. Our cadets who attended (Elliott Feldman, Jose Perez, Anthony Rodriguez and Grayson Stewart) got their rocketry badges and took their basic Operational Risk Management exams. But the real fun was Dryden Space Flight Center, a ride in a C-17, time in F-16 simulators, a tour of Jet Propulsion Labs, the Spitzer Space Telescope Center, among other things, and O-rides.

7/14/2009 - Lt. Mike Lynch won the national Critical Incident Stress Management award of the year for his tireless efforts at counseling during several tragedies involving CAP members. But we all know his contributions go well beyond that – with his work as an MLO, testing officer and staff member at Wing and Region cadet-oriented functions.

6/22/2009 - Congratulations to Commander Capt. Greg Williams as he soloed a couple of weekends ago after only 11 hours of dual instruction.  Greg soloed in an Ercoupe and his instructor was Capt. James Foster. Seeing two six-foot or taller dudes in one of the smallest general aviation planes around must have been something else!

6/22/2009 - It is time to start thinking about the CAP Wing Conference to be held at the Doubletree on Rosedale Sept. 18-20 (see the attached flier). Attendance at Wing conferences is both a requirement for promotion and a chance for training and networking. New will be a series of training sessions for specialty tracks to be held Friday, the 18th, as well as the normal Saturday workshops. Vendors also will be there, certainly including uniform supplier Vanguard (you usually can place an order online – www.civilairpatrolstore.com -- for pickup at the conference to save shipping costs). Also new is that online registration is being handled on a new California Wing Web site, www.cawgconference.org, instead of at national HQ.

6/8/2009 -  Congratulations to our very own Cadet Commander, C/2Lt Jessica Waldrop, who graduated with honors from Turner Christian Academy. She was among 40 graduates from various home schooling efforts that were recognized at Calvary Baptist Church. In addition to her cadet commander duties, Waldrop is the cadet safety officer.

5/22/2009 - Capt. Samantha Lack has been named Deputy Commander for Cadets in the wake of Jim Lopez’s recent retirement. Replacing Sam as Deputy Commander for Seniors is Capt. Pat Bergin. It is a testimony to our squadron that we had so many great members to choose from in filling these two vital positions. Sam has been associated with the cadet program in many ways during her previous duty assignment as DC/Seniors. She helped fill in for Jim when he was running for Congress. In addition she will continue her duty as Aerospace Education Officer, yet another duty in which she has excelled. Similarly, Pat will continue in his duty as one of the best finance officers in California Wing. As DC/Seniors he will be the liaison to the aircraft side of the squadron and in his role as a mission pilot. His broader role will be in keeping track of ES qualification of members, as a mentor, and working with professional development personnel.

5/21/2009 - Lt. Rene Lopez’s role as transportation officer will be expanded. To make time for that, Lt. Kent Greer will become the new Logistics Officer and Supply Officer, two vital roles in CAP. He will continue his pilot duties. We will be formally announcing some more staff changes shortly, but we still will have some remaining staff positions open. Members who would like to have a more active role should contact the commander.

5/17/2009 - CAWG will be opening an auxiliary office in the Bay Area at the former Hayward Air National Guard Base. The Wing Commander – who works in Oakland – will be at the base on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from approximately 1900 to 2100 hrs until further notice. The 1st Wednesday of the month the Wing Commander will be in Van Nuys. The new facility is at 1525 W. Winton Ave., in Hayward. It is co-located with Pacific Region Headquarters and Squadron 18.

4/25/2009 - Our very own Troy Hightower, pilot and aero ed officer, was highlighted by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for his role in AOPA’s nationwide Airport Support Network program.  Hightower, a private pilot and longtime AOPA member, was appointed as the ASN volunteer for Meadows Field in Bakersfield. He said he volunteered because he was concerned about the management of his home airport and because protecting airports helps more than just pilots.”
 

3/30/2009 - Congratulations to Capt. Rob Custer who has been named one of Kern County's Real Heroes by the Red Cross!  Click here to read the article.

3/29/2009 - Challenge coins from the Air Force team have been given to two of our members during the recent exercise: Lt. Samantha Lack in air operations and Cadet Anthony Rodriquez.

Also crucial in the success of the mission were: Danny Lack (ground team) Mike Lynch (food unit leader and critical incident stress management), Bill Ambrosecchia (comm), Brandon McNamara (ground team and transport), Chris Ince (comm), Troy Hightower (air crew), Sue Lewis (air crew), Rob Custer (air crew), Ricardo Ybarra (base support), Dave Mish (finance), Pat Bergin (air crew), and Mike Sullivan (transportation).
 

3/29/2009 - Congratulations to Lts. Sue Lewis, Mike Clark and Rene Lopez on their graduation from Squadron Leadership School that was held this past weekend at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Capt. Chris Bagdikian and Lt. Samantha Lack were instructors at this event.

3/16/2009 - Squadron 121 welcomes Ezekiel Martin, a fixed-wing commercial multi-engine pilot with an additional category rating that has to be pretty rare in CAP: blimp pilot! (I wonder if he gets his tires at a discount).

2/15/2009 - MEMBERS IN THE NEWS: Congratulations to Professional Development Officer Ricardo Ybarra, who has been promoted to 1LT. And senior member 1LT Michael Lynch and Cadet 2LT Jessica Waldrop represented the squadron at the CAWG Cadet Program Conference at Camp San Luis Obispo this pas weekend. Our thanks to both of them.

2/9/2009 - Literally and figuratively our cadets have shined this past week. SM Tony Perez and C/Amn Basic Tony Perez Jr. and Anthony Rodriguez working with Lt. Lack and Lt. Jim Lopez collectively spent two days partly renovating and thoroughly cleaning our HQ – sometimes literally on their hands and knees. They did a phenomenal job, and should never have to do it again. It is everyone’s duty to clean up after every meeting. If we all pitch in each night, we can maintain much more easily what is one of the best squadron HQs in California Wing. If you see something that needs to be picked up, cleaned up, straightened up, do it – don’t leave it for somebody else to do.

1/18/2009 - Welcome to new member Jose Perez, who joined the squadron last week. Stop by and introduce yourself the next time you see him.

1/17/2009 -  Congratulations to Cadet Programs Officer Christopher Ince on his promotion to 1LT. Chris joined our squadron following the deactivation of Squadron 33 in Porterville.

Archived News

Sq 121 in Print/Online

3/14/2009 - Watchful Eye: Air patrol does attack drill (w/video)

5/10/2007 - Calif. squadron promotes 8

9/29/2005 - A Grid 1/3 the Size of Rhode Island

9/22/2005 - R22, Where Are You?

2/11/2005 - Perseverance on Pause

11/11/2004 - Searching from Top to Bottom