pueblo eagles squadron - apr 2010

8/2/2019 Pueblo Eagles Squadron - Apr 2010

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Change of Command for Pueblo EaglesImportant Dates:

9 APR Military Affairs Commit-tee Meeting, Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, 1000 hrs.

10 APR Glider Flights, FremontCounty Airport, beginning 0800 hrs.

15 APR 26th Annual Space Sympo-sium, The Broadmoor, 0800noon.

17 APR Cadet PT and EmergencyServices ground team training,Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, begin-ning at 0900 hrs.

20 APR Pueblo Municipal AirportAdvisory Committee, Airport Con-ference Room, 1430 hrs.

23-25 APR Colorado Wing SAREX,multiple mission bases.

13 MAY Top Gun Day at SquadronMeeting. See squadron website for

details.

Inside this issue:

Eagle in Profile This Month

TSgt Brian Bissonnette

2

Lt. Brown Takes Flight! 3

Eagle News Briefly! 4

Eagles Observe, Assist Drill and Color Guard CompetitionStory and photos by 2LT Shad L. Brown

Cadet flight members with an in terest in advancedcolor guard techniques recently had the chance tosee the best teams that Colorado Wing has to offer up close and personal!

Squadron members traveled to Peterson AFB onSaturday, 13 APR, to observe the Colorado WingDrill and Color Guard competition. Five of the bestcolor guard teams in the state competed in the day-

long event, while two drill teams vied for the rightto represent Colorado at the Rocky Mountain Regioncompetition later this year.

Cadet Staff Sergeants Brian Bissonnette and CassiaBrown were drafted by competition organizers toassist in marshalling teams and ensuring compliancewith competition regulations. In some cases, thecadets were watching as judges scored teams!See Wing Drill And Color Guard Competition, Page 2

RMR-CO-179 Pueblo Eagles Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, Colorado Wing (USAF Auxiliary)Volume I, Issue 8 9 APR 2010

The Eagles EyrieThe Eagles Eyrie Citizens Serving CommunitiesCitizens Serving Communities Above and Beyond!Above and Beyond!

Squadron members sadly bid farewell to PuebloEagles Composite Squadron Commander MajorStephen Heffler on 1 APR 2010, and it was unfortu-nately not an April Fools prank. Major Hefflers

job duties required him to relinquish command of the squadron during a time of growth for both thecadet flight and the newly-expanded senior flight.

Group 3 Commander, Lieutenant Colonel DonaldThomas, was on hand to serve as the master of ceremonies, as the squadron flag was transferred toincoming squadron commander, 1LT Shad Brown.LT Brown was promoted during the ceremony inconjunction with assuming command of the squad-ron. 1LT Brown has served for the past year as thesquadron public affairs officer and is a deputy dis-trict attorney at the Pueblo District AttorneysOffice. Following change of command, 1LT Brownhonored MAJ Heffler with a certificate of apprecia-

tion for his two tours of duty as a squadron com-mander.

Major Heffler will continue to serve the PuebloEagles, resuming his prior role as the EmergencyServices officer and squadron Leadership Officer.He will be conducting ES training and physical fit-ness testing on Saturday meetings.

Following the change of command, squadron mem-bers and guests were treated to an array of refresh-ments and beverages while socializing and meetingthe incoming and outgoing commander. The change

of command ceremony was organized by CAPT AlixBrockman, 1LT Neva Heffler, and SM CatherineBellew.

Major Heffler had a final opportunity to do some-thing he loves presenting a well-deserved awardto one of his cadets. In this case, he awarded Ca-det Staff Sergeant Cassia Brown with her groundteam member badge and emergency services patchearned in January.

See Change of Command, Page 3

Colorado Wing Group 3 Commander LT COL DonaldThomas (center) presents the squadron flag toincoming Pueblo Eagles squadron commander1LT Shad Brown (left) , as outgoing commander MAJStephen Heffler (r ight) looks on.Photo by 1LT Joseph Thorn


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This month, the Eagles Eyrieprofiles newly promoted C/TSgtBrian Bissonnette.

EE: How long have you been amember of the squadron?

BB: Almost two years.

EE: How did you learn about theCivil Air Patrol and the PuebloEagles?

BB: I learned about them from afriend and former cadet from mychurch.

EE: What inspired you to jointhe squadron?

BB: The two greatest things thatinspired me were the emergencyservices and the military experi-ence, but there are too manyother reasons to name.

EE: What has been the mostdifficult challenge you haveovercome in CAP?

BB: Speaking in a crowd! Imstill trying to perfect it, but ithas gotten a lot better over thelast few years.

EE: What is the accomplishmentin CAP that you are most proudof?

BB: I feel that just being a mem-ber of CAP is my greatest accom-plishment.

EE: We understand you are in-terested in a future career in

law enforcement. What are youlearning in CAP that will helpyou achieve your career goals?

BB: I would have to say that CAPis helping me achieve my careergoals by teaching leadership andself-discipline along with pushingme to try to be my best.

EE: How did you convince yourfamily (dad 2LT Duane Bisson-nette and sister C/TSgt ChristaBissonnette) to join the squad-ron?

BB: I actually didnt have toconvince my Dad or my sister.My Dad and I came as a packagedeal and when my sister foundout she could fly, she joined.

EE: If you were the squadroncommander for one day, whatone thing would you like to seethe squadron do, and why?

BB: If I were squadron com-mander, the one thing I wouldlike to see the squadron do is tohave a drill team, because I feeldrill is a great source of disci-

pline and a lot of fun.

EE: What is better color guardor drill team?

BB: One is not better than theother, but when it comes tocompetition, drill team is defi-nitely my first choice becauseyou get to use drill in a way thatcan be very artistic.

EE: Finally, which senior mem-ber of the squadron should beprofiled in the next issue of theEagles Eyrie?

BB: I would like to learn moreabout our new squadron com-mander, 1LT Shad Brown!

next year at thewing competition,

and is enthusiasticto bring its knowl-edge back to thesquadron to beginworking now!

Continued from Page 2.

Senior members 1LT JosephThorn and 2LT Shad Brownwatched the competition alongwith C/SSgt Christa Bissonnetteand C/AB Megan Garcia, enjoy-ing intricate drill maneuvers andchallenging colors posting by theassembled teams.

The cadet flight now knowswhat it will take to be victorious

Eagle In ProfileEagle In ProfileEagle In Profile

Wing Drill and Color Guard Competition

Page 2 The Eagles Eyrie

C/TSgt Brian Bissonnette(right) discusses marshall ingtechniques with C/SSgt CassiaBrown at the Colorado WingCadet Competition on 13 MAR.Photo by 2LT Shad L. Brown.

The Eagles EyriePublished online

monthly by the Public Affairs Unit of the

Pueblo EaglesComposite Squadron.

Publisher / Editor

1LT Shad L. Brown

Contributors

1LT Joseph ThornC/TSgt Brian Bissonnette

Submit your stories or photos to:

[email protected]

Our monthly look at an interesting squadron member who also getsto pick next months subject (err, victim)! Squadron beware!

Eyrie: British variant of theword Aerie (Noun):

1. The nest of a bird on acliff or a mountaintop.

2. A brood of birds of prey.

3. An elevated, often se-cluded dwelling, struc-ture, or position.

Courtesy of Merriam-Webster.com onlinedictionary.


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Volume I, Issue 8 Page 3

Continued from Page 1

Another special visitor was in

attendance during the cere-mony. Former squadron com-mander CAPT Robert Sakamotocame down from Aurora to offerhis congratulations and advice toincoming commander 1LT Brown,and presented a challenge cointo C/SSgt Brown for earning herground team certification.

The change of command cere-mony kicks off an extremelybusy month of April for thePueblo Eagles Composite Squad-ron. Members will also be flying

(both gliders and powered air-craft), attending the 26th Na-tional Space Symposium in Colo-rado Springs, and participating inthe Colorado Wing SAREX at theend of the month. There willeven be time to relax, as squad-ron members will get together atthe end of the month to watchthe movie Amelia and seewhose popcorn reigns supreme!

Enjoy photos from the change of command ceremony on thispage!

Story by 1LT Shad L. Brown

he is now in charge of a compos-ite squadron with pilots on

board.

On the way up (literally) toPeterson AFB, 1LT Brown wasasked if he wanted to take thecontrols. He responded with animmediate, definitive, commandreply of No! Being his firstflight, filled with lots of sensoryinput, mysterious instruments,and unique radio language, hefelt it would be better to ob-serve the workings of the flight

By 1LT Joseph ThornDeputy Commander Cadets

No, he didnt take flight fromour squadron! Our new squad-ron commander flew with 2LTRich Thorn and 1LT Joe Thorn intheir Cessna 182 to the PikesPeak Senior Squadron meetingheld on Thursday, March 4th.With 2LT Thorn in the left seat(Pilot), 1LT Brown assumed theright seat co-pilots position.1LT Brown felt it was a goodidea to get some yoke time as

process his first time up. Goodcommand decision!

As we departed Peterson AFB onthe way back to Pueblo, wewere vectored right across thepath of a C-130 on approachback into Peterson AFB. As wepassed by the C-130 we wereclose enough to wave to thepilots, had it not been dark!

Congratulations to 1LT Brown onhis first, and not last, C-182flight!

Change of Command

1LT Brown Takes Flight!

Well-wishers enjoy refreshmentsprovided during the reception line aspart of the squadron change of command.

Photo by 1LT Joseph Thorn

A cake that was good enoughto eat!


New squadron commander1LT Shad Brown shows theold hands how the Cessna182 should be flown, fromthe safety of the ground!


Top: Cadet Commander MirandaAbbas (blue coat) reports thatthe squadron is all present andaccounted for.

Center: New commander 1LTBrown presents a certificate of appreciation to MAJ Heffler forhis service as a two-time squad-ron commander.

Bottom: Charlie Flight preparesfor inspection prior to the changeof command ceremony.

All photos by 1LT Joseph Thorn.


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Recent Promotions:

First Lieutenant: Shad Brown, promoted on 1 APR 2010 in conjunction with his promo-tion to squadron commander. Lieutenant Brown served most recently as squadronpublic affairs officer and will continue to serve in that role.

Second Lieutenant: James Bellew, promoted on 8 APR 2010 for his rating as a privatepilot. 2LT Bellew will begin training towards orientation, transportation, and missionpilot status. He was recently appointed assistant aerospace education officer andassistant operations officer.

Armstrong Achievement: Awarded to C/CMSgt Jonathan Montgomery on 18 MAR2010. Chief Montgomery has completed his last requirements to move on to PhaseIII of the cadet program once he earns his Mitchell Award! We wish you the bestof luck in testing for Mitchell and as you become a new cadet officer!

Cadet Senior Master Sergeant : Duc Tran, promoted at the squadronmeeting on 18 MAR 2010. Sergeant Tran is also rapidly closing in on theMitchell Award, before he moves on to Colorado Technical University thisfall and puts his CAP skills to good use as part of CTUs ROTC program.

Cadet Technical Sergeants: Brian and Christa Bissonnette, both pro-moted at the squadron meeting on 18 MAR 2010. This brother-sisterteam continues on the path to Spaatz and to earn their diamonds.Keep up the outstanding work, sergeants!

Cadet Airmen First Class : Matthew and Tadeusz Nitka, both promotedat the squadron meeting on 18 MAR 2010. Two brothers who are alsorapidly progressing in Charlie Flight! Congratulations on earning yourArnold Achievement.

Cadet Airmen: Stephen Crandall and Derek Miller, both promoted atthe squadron meeting on 18 MAR 2010. Our next generation of squad-ron leadership! Nice job earning your Curry Achievement. Next stop,cadet staff sergeant and beyond!

Awards:

Level I: Congratulations to 2LT James Bellew and senior member CatherineBellew for completing their Level I professional development and being awardedwith the Membership Ribbon!

New members: Welcome to new senior members Paul Crandall and Don Henderson, and new cadetmember Dominic Pacheco. Senior member Crandall is a lieutenant colonel in the USAF, serving atDoss Aviation as the primary flight instructor. Major Henderson is transferring into our squadronfrom Group 4 and will serve as the squadron chaplain. Cadet Pacheco cant wait to get into the airand fly, and hopefully will get his wish soon, either in a Cessna or a glider!

Confirmed Encampment Attendees: Cadet Technical Sergeant Brian Bissonnette, Cadet AirmenFirst Class Matthew and Tadeusz Nitka, and Cadet Airmen Stephen Crandall and Samuel Nitka areall confirmed participants in the 2010 Colorado Wing Encampment to be held 12-19 JUN 2010 atthe United States Air Force Academy Prep School. First Sergeant Brady Russells application is

pending as well. This may be one of the largest encampment classes ever for the Pueblo Eagles,which bodes well for our future officer corps! Congratulations, gentlemen!

Certificates of First Flight: Awarded to Cadet Airmen First Class Matthew and Tadeusz Nitka, andCadet Airmen Stephen Crandall and Derek Miller at squadron meeting on 25 MAR, recognizing theirfirst powered flight in a Cessna 182 during orientation flights on 13 MAR. May this be the first stepon your journey of flight, cadets!

Eagle News Briefly!

C/AB Megan Garcia, C/SSgt Brian Bisson-nette, C/SSgt Christa Bissonnette, C/SSgt Cassia Brown, and 2LT Shad Brownobserve the Colorado Wing Cadet Com-peti t ion at Peterson AFB on 13 MAR.Photo by 1LT Joseph Thorn

2LT Richard Thorn (in BDUs, left) and 1LTJoseph Thorn (BDUs, right) show off theirPueblo Eagles style while visiting a meetingof the Pikes Peak Senior Squadron on 4 MAR 2010.

Photo by 2LT Shad L. Brown

Oh, did a promotion come with that? New squadron commander Shad Brown is promoted to

first lieutenant by MAJ Stephen Heffler (left) and LT COL Donald Thomas (right) during the change of

command ceremony on 1 APR 2010.


pueblo eagles squadron - apr 2010

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