waterbury squadron - nov 2011

7/31/2019 Waterbury Squadron - Nov 2011

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43rd Composite Squadron, Waterbury, CT NOV

Squadron Schedule

6DEC11 Squadron Meeting

ES/Safety/Character Dev.

Uniform: BDU/Polo


AE

Uniform: BDU/Polo


CPFT/Fitness Activity

Uniform: PT/BDU/Polo


Leadership

Uniform: Blues/Corporate

3JAN12 Squadron Meeting


Uniform: BDU/Polo


AE

Uniform: BDU/Polo


CPFT/Fitness Activity

Uniform: PT/BDU/Polo


Leadership



Annual Safety Day


7FEB12 Squadron Meeting


Uniform: BDU/Polo

4FEB12 Squadron Meeting

AE/ Character Dev.

Uniform: BDU/Polo

Cadet Great Start Weekend

The 143rd Composite Squadron teamed up

with the 103rd Composite Squadron, Thames

River Composite Squadron and the 399th

Composite Squadron to sponsor a Cadet Great

Start Weekend at Army National Guard Camp

Niantic.

This was the third Cadet Great Start Week-end sponsored by the 143rd and the first to be

held in the fall. Cadets stayed in the barracks at

Camp Niantic and for many this was their first

CAP overnight activity.

Cadets and Cadet Staff of the 2011 Fall Cadet Great Start Weekend.

Great Start is meant to be fun, yet challenging.

When working with new cadets who are not

yet invested in CAP, it is crucial that their first

experiences be positive. At the same time, ca-

dets are attracted to the challenge represented

The 143rd Composite Squadron

Squadron Commander: Maj Timothy McCandlessDeputy Commander for Seniors: Lt Col Richard LevittDeputy Commander for Cadets: Maj Joseph Palys

Cadet Commander: C/Capt Eric Testman

Cadet First Sergeant: C/SMSgt Cameron Foster

Regular Meetings every Tuesday 7-9pmConnecticut National Guard Armory

64 Field Street, Waterbury, Connecticut

by the uniform and the opportunity to dev

self-discipline. Creating such a training

ronment requires maturity on the part o

cadet cadre, and the wisdom to under

how to challenge cadets in a positive way.

Cadets stayed in the Army National Guard barracks at Camp Here Cadet Flight Commander C/TSget Gebhardt and CadeSergeant C/TSgt Bourque instruct their ight on the proper waup a locker for inspection.

Classes were taught by cadet officers and Nand covered a wide range of basic military

CAP subjects. Classes included military

toms and coutesies, drill and ceremonies

CAP core values and the CAP cadet progr

The weekend started Friday evening w

showing of the movie Kellys Heroes. Afte

movie cadets discussed the motivations o

characters and why a leader needs to un

stand what motivates members of the team


2/10

Cadet staff demonstate how to march to a ight.

Saturday evening cadets were treated to a

showing of the movie Flyboys. After the movie

cadets discussed the different leadership styles

of the characters.

Cadets were treated to ice cream brownie sundaes.

Sunday morning started with a Character De-

velopment forum on Core Values by 1st Lt

Lusterborghs from the Silver City Composite

Squadron.

Cadets then competed in a CAP version of theJeopardy! game. Cadet staff also completed a

CAP Form 50-1, Cadet Leadership Feedback -

Phase I, with each cadet. Cadets were also test-

ed on their ability to complete the drill tests

for the Curry and Arnold Achievements per

CAPT 78-2.

Cadet Trevor Sandors (center) was chosen by the cadet staff as HonorGraduate of the event. Cadets chose C/Capt Palys (left) and C/A1CPaquin (right) as honor staff members.

The weekend was a great success. The squad-

ron staff plans to conduct another Cadet Great

Start weekend in the Spring.

-Maj Palys

Cadet Great Start Weekend (cont.)

Cadets received briefcases coutesy of CAPs

Drug Demand Reduction Program. Questions

bout the DDR program were answered and

enior and cadet staff discussed the new DDRx

rogram.

adets enjoyed a Thanksgiving style dinner on Saturday night.

The Cadet Commander for this activity was

C/2nd Lt Wojcuk from the Thames River

Composite Squadron. Cadet staff included

adets from TRCS, the 103rd, and the 143rd.

Maj McCandless volunteered to take charge of

he mess hall and with a cadet mess hall staff

made up of C/Maj McCandless, C/CMSgt

chultz and C/MSgt Major provided all five

meals and snacks for the forty CAP members

n attendance.

adet Commander C/2nd Lt Wojtcuk (right) meets with the mess all staff (left to right) C/CMSgt Schultz, C/Maj McCandless,/MSgt Major.

aturday concentrated on basic drill and ceremo-

ies, wear of the uniform, and followership. An

Aerospace Education class started with the ca-

ets stranded on the moon and ended with modi-

ying airplane kits to achieve better flight paths.

Special Promotion Ceremo

On November 29th the 143rd Comp

Squadron was privileged to witness a sp

promotion ceremony. Timothy McCandles

his son Matthew were both promoted to

rank of Major.

Tim McCandless (c.) is promoted to Major by his son Matt (r.) anVallillo, CTWG Chief of Staff (l.).

Timothy McCandless joined CAP in Augu

2005 and was one of the founding membe

the 143rd Composite Squadron. He has

steadily completing the senior member pr

sional development program. A promotio

Major requires completion of Level III o

senior program and service to CAP as a

tain for three years. Tim currently serves a

Squadron Commander of the 143rd as w

Supply and Transportation Officer. He has

cialty track ratings in Cadet Programs, Log

Supply and Emergency Services.

Matthew McCandless joined CAP in Oc

of 2007 and became one of the first cadet

cers of the 143rd after the unit was charter

January of 2007. He has attended the NortRegion Cadet Leadership Academy at Mc

AFB in New Jersey and the Advanced Tec

ogy Academy at Peterson AFB in Colorado

currently serves as the Cadet Deputy C

mander of the 143rd.

Matthew McCandless is promoted to Cadet Major by his father Ti

Due to the time and service requiremen

earn these promotions the odds of these

motions occuring in the same month were

small. The squadron was very pleased to

ebrate these promotions on the same night

promotion ceremony was held at the down

Waterbury Fire Department Headquarters


3/10

The 143rd Composite Squadron joined the

Royal Composite Squadron and the 103rd

Composite Squadron in participating in the

011 Hartford Veterans Day parade on No-

ember 6, 2011.

/CMSgt Belval and C/MSgt Foster carry a banner for USCG Reardmiral Sandra Stosc, Superintendant of the US Coast Guard Academy.

The Connecticut Veterans Parade is attended

y 40,000 spectators, more than 150 Military

nd Veterans groups and musical groups, and

lose to 4,000 marchers representing dozensf Connecticut towns.

he CAP formation salutes the reviewing stand. CAP was the nal unitmarch in the parade.

The Veterans Day National Committee in

Washington, D.C. recognizes the parade as

ne of the nations official 2011 Veterans Day

Regional Sites. This year, it is one of 57 enti-

ies in the entire U.S. and the only Connecticut

ecipient of this prestigious honor.

This is the largest Veterans Parade in New

England, and one of the biggest salutes to

veterans in the entire nation.

CAP marches through the Soldiers and Sailors Arch in Hartford. The archwas dedicated on September 17, 1886 to honor the 4,000 Hartford citi -zens who served in the Civil War and the 400 who died for the Union. It

is the rst permanent triumphal arch, as well as the rst permanent warmemorial, constructed in the U.S.

This year the parade found itself short of

volunteers, so CAP was asked to assign cadets to

carry the banners for the parades distinguished

visitors. Then CAP members spread out along

the route of march and at exactly 1330 hrs

stepped out into the parade and marked the

moment of silence. They then moved back to

the assembly area of the parade and fell in to

march. Timing was tight and in some cases

cadets had to run to return their moment ofsilence signs and then catch up to the CAP

formation already in motion, but all assigned

tasks were completed. The parades organizing

staff expressed their great appreciation for the

efforts of our members.

-Maj Palys

Hartford Veterans Day Parade Cadets AwardedCAP Achievement Awa

The success of the squadrons Cadet G

Start Weekends depends totally on the de

tion and professionalism of the senior and

staff. Planning the activity is divided into

riculum Planning and Support Planning. W

CAP Pamphlet 52-9, Cadet Great Start Pro

includes a weekend schedule and lesson plais up to the staff to create a schedule that

propriate for the local squadrons and imple

the final classes. The support planning inv

insuring that members are provided lodgin

meals in a safe and secure environment.

Maj McCandless presents C/Maj McCandless (left) and C/Ca(right) with the CAP Achievement Award.

Novembers Cadet Great Start Weekend

privileged to have an exceptional staff who

in long hours planning and implementin

Cadet Great Start Program. Several mem

of the Cadet Staff were nominated by the s

staff for special recognition for their ef

Maj McCandless, as Squadron Commander

proved CAP Achievement Awards for thelowing staff members:

C/Maj Matthew McCandless - CT0

C/Capt Margaret Palys - CT011

C/2nd Lt Alexis Wojtcuk - CT075

C/CMSgt Drew Daniels - CT075

C/CMSgt Adam Hocutt - CT004

C/CMSgt Brendan Schultz - CT075

C/MSgt Douglass Gebhardt - CT00

C/MSgt Megan Major - CT011

C/TSgt Jeffrey Bourke - CT075

C/A1C Barbara Paquin - CT075

The Cadet Staff choose a Cadet Honor Gr

ate from the cadets that attended the week

After a lengthy deliberation, Cadet Tr

Sanders of the Thames River Composite Sq

ron (CT075), was chosen as the Honor Gra

of the 2012 Fall Cadet Great Start Weekend

self motivation and ability to quickly lear

material presented in the classes was cited a

deciding factor in this decision. Maj McCan

has also approved awarding Cadet Sander

CAP Achievement Award.

CAP Achievement Award

The CAP Achievement Award

is presented for outstand-ing service to the unit, group

or wing. This award is usually

a Group level award, but

because Connecticut does

not have groups Col Huchko,

the CTWG Commander, has

designated that authority to

approve this award be given to

Squadron Commanders.

Cadet Staff Recognized

/Capt Johnson is awarded a CAP Achievement Award for serving asadet Commander. The citation commends Johnson for building an effec-ve cadet ofcer corp at the squadron. The 143rd held a Cadet Change of

ommand Ceremony in October.


4/10

November Promotions

The following members of the 143rd Comp

Squadron were promoted in November:

Timothy McCandless has

promoted to Major. This prom

requires completion of Level III

Senior Member program and

years time in grade as a Captain

Paul Beliveau has been promo

2nd Lt. This promotion req

completion of Level I of the S

Member program and six m

time in grade as a Senior Memb

Matthew McCandless has

pleted the Operations O

Achievement and has been prom

to C/Maj.

Eric Testman has complete

Amelia Earhart Achievement an

been promoted to C/Capt.

Cameron Foster has complete

Gen Jimmy Doolittle Achieve

and has been promoted to C/SM

Devin Moore has completed

Wright Brothers Achievement an

been promoted to C/SSgt.

Tomas Ramirez has complete



Veronica Ramirez has complet



Celine Abassi has complete

Gen Hap Arnold Achievemen

has been promoted to C/A1C.

Carlos Aponte has complete

Gen Hap Arnold Achievemen

has been promoted to C/A1C.

Christian Tynan has complete

Gen J F Curry Achievement an

been promoted to C/Amn.

The Wright Brothers AwardThe first milestone in the Cadet Program is

he Wright Brothers Award. It is earned after

ompleting the first three achievements and

assing a challenging test of leadership knowl-

dge and drill and ceremonies performance.

The Wright Brothers Award was introduced

n 2003, during the centennial of the Wrights

istoric flight.

This milestone award marks a cadets transi-

ion to Non Commissioned Officer as they are

romoted to the grade of Cadet Staff Sergeant.

The Wright Brothers rst powered ight, December 17, 1903 at KittyHawk, NC. (U.S. Air Force photo)

.

Squadrons First DDRx Activityhe Drug Demand Reduction Excellence (DDRx)

rogram rewards a CAP cadet for successful-

y completing activities related to making good

hoices, choosing good role models, avoiding sub-

tances that have a negative effect on human per-

ormance, and striving to live a drug-free lifestyle.

he squadrons first DDRx activity, led by C/Capt

alys, was Task 36 React with a Kiss. This activity can

how how an impairment makes it almost impossible toerform the task quickly. C/Amn Moran (l.) and C/SSgt Moore (r.) race to unwrap a HersheysKiss candy while wearing gloves to simulate impaired motor control..

adet Cameron Foster was promoted to C/SMSgt by his motherM Kelly Foster.

Cadet Eric Testman is awarded the Amelia Earhart Award byLt Col Tony Vallillo.

adet Devin Moore is promoted to C/SSgt by his grandfather,nd Lt James Keaney, and Maj McCandless.

Cadet Veronica Ramirez is promoted to C/SSgt by Lt Col Levitt andMaj McCandless.

adet Celine Abassi is promoted to C/A1C by her mother, SM Lisabassi, and Maj McCandless.

Cadet Carlos Aponte is promoted to C/A1C by Lt Col Levitt andMaj McCandless.


5/10

National Cadet Special Activities

America needs todays young air and space enthu-

asts to become tomorrows aerospace profes-

ionals. Through career exploration opportunities

n Civil Air Patrols National Cadet Special Activi-

es program, teens are investigating what it will

ake for them to perpetuate our nations global

eadership in aviation, space, and technology.

r Force Pararescue Orientation Course, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.his high-adventure activity is a one-week introduction to the rigorousission of the pararescueman, an Air Force specialist devoted to rescuingldiers in potentially perilous situations.

The program enables the cadets to spend a week

est-driving a career that interests them. Hands-

n learning bridges the gap between academic

tudy and what the career fields are like in real life.

Civilian aerospace professionals, college faculty, and

members of the U.S. Air Force mentor the cadets.

pecialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course,olumbus AFB, Miss. Simulation ying gets cadets off to a ying start.variety of digital readings adds to the exper ience.

or example, instructor pilots show cadets what

t takes to fly Air Force jets. Meteorologists teach

adets how to analyze weather patterns and spot

torms. Space systems operators explain how they

aunch satellites into orbit. Engineering professors

how cadets how to design, build, and test airfoils.

Engineering Technologies Academy, Auburn, Ala. Lab time at AuburnUniversity includes many hands-on projects for cadets.

Cadets attending National Cadet Special Activi-

ties have invested a year or more in CAP. Having

progressed through a curriculum that has taught

them fundamentals of leadership and the basics

of aerospace science, they are ready to take the

next step by investigating career opportunities. Ashigh-achieving youth, cadets are disciplined, eager

to learn, and serious about choosing good

futures.

Cadet Ofcer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. Cadet Ofcer School (COS) is thepremier leadership development program for CAP cadets since its begin-ning in the late 1960s.

Civil Air Patrols National Cadet Special Activities

provide fabulous opportunities for young people

to have fun while preparing for exciting careers.

How To Apply for Nationa

Cadet Special Activities

All National Cadet Special Activities are list

www.ncsas.com with the dates, costs and

requirements. All activities require cade

have completed an encampment and most

age requirements. Read through the activitfind those you qualify for.

To apply to an activity you must:

1. Locate the Special Activities Applica

Go to E-Services and click the NCSA

Menu link on the left hand side of the sc

As you follow the instructions for ent

your request, you will also get to check

correct if necessary) your address, co

information, and personal characteristic

National Headquarters (NHQ) has onApplications are accepted for most acti

from 01 December - 15 Janauary.

2. When you have completed, reviewed

printed (save as a PDF file on your com

er) your application, it will automatical

transmitted to NHQ electronically.

Learn To LeadVolumes III & IV to be releasedn the summer of 2010, CAP published the Learn to

ead textbook, Volumes 1 and 2, for Phase I and II

adets, respectively. Now CAP is readying volumes 3

nd 4 for Phase III and IV cadets, respectively.

Volume 3 will follow the same format as volumes 1

nd 2. The volume will be a traditional textbook of

ey concepts, principles, terminology, etc., supported

y lots of sidebars and examples from the military, his-

ory, business, politics, and pop culture. Volume 3 will

onsist of three chapters to be completed in sequence,

ne chapter for each Achievement in Phase III.

Volume 4s format will differ considerably from the

other three volumes. It will be a collection of read-

ings that have been published elsewhere. However,

the volume will be organized into five chapters, one

per Achievement, with the chapters being completed

sequentially. Within each chapter, cadets will find a

handful of articles, each written by a different author.

Learn to Lead Volume 3 and 4 will be available elec-

tronically by 31 December 2011. CAP will send every

cadet unit and DCP a print edition in February.

The Cadet Oath

The Cadet Oath symbolizes how serious c

are about becoming leaders. Cadets are expto be able to recite the Cadet Oath from m

ory. More importantly, cadets need streng

character to live up to its noble tenets.

I pledge that I will

serve faithfully

in the Civil Air Patrol

Cadet Program,

and that I will attend

meetings regularly,participate actively in

unit activities,

obey my officers,

wear my uniform properly

and advance my education

and training rapidly

to prepare myself to be

of service to my communit

state, and nation.


6/10

Senior Member Profession

Development Awards

The following members of the 1

Composite Squadron were awa

Senior Member Professional Develop

Achievements in November:

Timothy McCandless has

pleted Level III and is awarde

Grover C. Loening Award.

Joseph Testman has comp

Level III and is awarded the Grov

Loening Award.

Daniel Hanle has complete

Aerospace Education for Se

program and has been awarde

Charles Chuck Yeager Award.

Richard Levitt has completeAerospace Education for Se

program and has been awarde

Charles Chuck Yeager A

Dawn Levitt has earned a TecRating in the Personnel Specialty T

Joseph Palys has earned a Tech

Rating in the Drug Demand R

tion Specialty Track.

The Grover Loening Award

he Grover Loening Award is given to Civil Air

atrol (CAP) members who complete Level III

f the Senior Member Professional Develop-

ment Program. It recognizes those members

who have dedicated themselves to leadership

nd personal development in the CAP. This

ward was first given in 1964 and honors the

ate Grover Loening. A noted aviation pioneer,

e was the first civilian member of the National

Air and Space Museums Advisory Board.

The third milestone in the CAP Senior Mem-

ber Professional Development Program is the

Loening Award. Members must have received

the Benjamin O. Davis Award and have served

in staff or command assignments over at least

one year. Members must also complete the

Corporate Learning Course, and attend two

wing, region, or national conferences.

Of CAPs 35,000 senior members, only about

350 earn the Grover Loening Award each

year. Receipt of the award and completion

of rank and time-in-grade requirements also

makes the member eligible for promotion to

CAP Major.

The Charles Chuck Yeager Award

The Aerospace Education Program for Senior

Members (AEPSM) is a self-paced study based

on the CAP text, Aerospace: The Journey of

Flight. Passing the 50 question online test earns

he Charles Chuck Yeager Award.

During World War II, General Yeager distin-

guished himself in aerial combat over France

and Germany during the years 1943-1945 by

hooting down 13 enemy aircraft, five on one

mission, including one of Germanys first

jet fighters. On March 5, 1944, he was shot

down over German-occupied France but es-

caped capture when elements of the French

Maquis helped him to reach the safety of the

Spanish border.

General Yeager made world history on Oct.

14, 1947, when he became the first man to

fly faster than the speed of sound. During his

nine-year assignment as the nations leading

test pilot, he also became the first man to fly

more than twice the speed of sound in level

flight, flying the Bell X-lA on Dec. 12, 1953.

Brigadier General Charles E. Chuck Yeager

retired from the US Air Force after a long and

distinguished career on March 1, 1975.

Senior Member Profession

Development Classes

Connecticut Wing will conduct the follo

classes at wing headquarters in Middlet

These are sixteen hour classes split over

days. There is a fee for lunch and expenses.

Unit Commanders Course 04-05FE

UCC discusses the traits and skills new

commanders will need to develop to effec

manage their units.

Squadron Leadership School 10-11MA

SLS teaches basic understanding of CAP oper

at the squadron level and how those opera

affect CAPs national missions.

Corporate Learning Course 21-22AP

CLC discusses how wing-level operations

to accomplish CAPs three missions of aero

education, emergency services, and cadet prog

apt Glen Dains, CTWG Director of Professional Development, presents The Grover Loening Award to Maj TimothyMcCandless (left) and Capt Joseph Testman (right) while Lt Col Tony Vallillo, CTWG Chief of Staff, looks on.


7/10


8/10

General Benjamin O. Davis

Civil Air Patrol has named the Level II achievement ofhe senior program after General Benjamin O. Davis.

enjamin O. Davis, an aviation pioneer, is one ofhe most famous Tuskegee Airmen of World War II.

Graduating from West Point in 1936, he became one

f only two black line officers in the U.S. Army at theme -- the other was his father.

nitially assigned to the infantry, in July 1941 he

oined 12 cadets in the first flying training programor blacks at Tuskegee, Ala. He received his wings in

March 1942 after becoming the first black officer toolo an Army Air Corps aircraft. These Tuskegee g rad-

ates went on to form the core of the 99th Pursuitquadron, which entered World War II in June 1943

with Lt. Col. Davis in command. After four months

f flying P-40s in the Mediterranean Theater, he re-

urned to the States, took command of the 332ndighter Group and deployed with his unit to Italy

n January 1944. By summer, the Group had transi-

oned to P-47s and began scoring their first kills. Onune 9, 1944, Davis led 39 Thunderbolts escorting B-4s to targets at Munich, Germany. Near the target,he 332nd took on more than 100 German fighters,

estroying five Me-109s and damaging another. Foris leadership and bravery on this mission, Davis waswarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

ater, flying the distinctive 332nd Red Tail P-51

Mustangs, Davis led the first Italy-based fighter groupo escort bombers to Berlin, a distance of 1,600miles. Approaching Berlin, they were attacked by

5 Me-262 jets, but the 332nd downed three of thenemy fighters. Under Davis command, the Groupew more than 15,000 sorties against the Luftwaffe,hot down 111 enemy aircraft and destroyed anoth-

r 150 on the ground, while losing only 66 of theirwn aircraft to all causes. Most noteworthy, not oneriendly bomber was lost to enemy aircraft duringhe Groups 200 escort missions. The unique success

f this all-black outfit highlighted Davis leadership,

long with the courage and discipline of his Airmen.

Benjamin O. Davis (U.S. Air Force photo)

Following the European War, Davis returned to the

United States to command the 477th CompositeGroup and the 332nd Fighter Wing. In 1953 he againsaw combat when he assumed command of the 51stFighter-Interceptor Wing and flew the F-86 in Korea.With his promotion to brigadier general, Davis be-

came the first black to earn a star in the USAF.

Davis retired as a lieutenant general in 1970 andserved under President Nixon as Assistant Secretaryof Transportation for Environment, Safety and Con-

sumer Affairs. He was advanced to general Dec. 9,1998 by President Bill Clinton. Davis died July 4,2002 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Wash-ington at age 89.

Taken from nationalmuseum.af.mil

XF-91 THUNDERCEPTOR

Republic XF-91 at the National Museum of the United StaForce. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The XF-91, a high-speed experimental inte

tor, was Americas first rocket-powered com

type fighter to fly faster than the speed of so

The airplane had a number of unusual d

features -- an inverse taper wing (wider a

tips than at the roots), a variable incidence

that could be varied in flight (high angle o

tack for takeoff and landing and low angle

tack for high-speed flight), a main landingthat retracted outward with the tandem w

being housed in the wing tips and a ro

engine that augmented the standard jet en

to provide an outstanding rate of climb.

The airplane made its first flight on May 9,

Numerous other test flights were made, pr

ing valuable research data, but the airplane

not put into production because it did not

sufficient fuel for a flight of longer than 25

utes and did not incorporate the latest ty

fire control system.Taken from nationalmuseum.af.mil

Women Take Flight

The New England Air Museum hosted its sev-

enth annual Women Take Flight event on No-

vember 6th. The program featured extraordi-

nary women who have pioneered new careers

for women in aviation and aerospace engineer-

ing. Special guests shared their experiences

one-on-one with Museum visitors, at presenta-

tions, and at panel discussions. Impersonators

portrayed famous women aviators from bygone

eras. Opportunities women now have working

in the aviation and aerospace industries and ex-

amples of their work in the Museums collection

were highlighted. This exciting, educational and

inspirational program was presented in coopera-

tion with the New England Chapter of the Nine-

ty-Nines (International Organization of Women

Pilots) and supported by girls RISE, Wolf Avia-

tion Fund, and Hallmark.

Cadet Captain Margaret Palys and her sister Katie with Mary at the Women Take Flight event. Mary gave a presentation that ered her career in aviation. The restored B-29 Jacks Hack is inbackground.

Located at Bradley International Airport

Windsor Locks, the Museum is the larg

aviation museum in New England.


9/10

Tobacco Addiction

What Is Tobacco Addiction?

When people are addicted, they have a compulsive need to

eek out and use a substance, even when they understand

he harm it can cause. Tobacco productscigarettes, ci-

ars, pipes, and smokeless tobaccocan all be addictive.

veryone knows that smoking is bad for you, and most

eople that do it want to quit. In fact, nearly 35 million

eople make a serious attempt to quit each year. Unfortu-

ately, most who try to quit on their own relapseoften

within a week.

s Nicotine Addictive?

es. It is actually the nicotine in tobacco that is addictive.

ach cigarette contains about 10 milligrams of nicotine.

ecause the smoker inhales only some of the smoke from a

garette, and not all of each puff is absorbed in the lungs,

smoker gets about 1 to 2 milligrams of the drug from

ach cigarette. Although that may not seem like much, it isnough to make someone addicted.

nce addicted, your body craves more nicotine.

s Nicotine the Only Harmful Part of Tobacco?

No. Nicotine is only one of more than 4,000 chemicals,

many of which are poisonous, found in the smoke from

obacco products. Smokeless tobacco products also con-

ain many toxins, as well as high levels of nicotine. Many of

hese other ingredients are things we would never consider

putting in our bodies, like tar, carbon monoxide, acetalde-

hyde, and nitrosamines. Tar causes lung cancer, emphyse-

ma, and bronchial diseases. Carbon monoxide causes heart

problems, which is one reason why smokers are at high risk

for heart disease.

How Is Tobacco Used?

Tobacco can be smoked in cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. It

can be chewed or, if powdered, sniffed. Bidis are an al-

ternative cigarette. They originally came from India and

were hand-rolled. In the United States, bidis were popular

with teens because they come in colorful packages with

flavor choices. Some teens think that bidis are less harmful

than regular cigarettes, but in fact they have more nico-

tine, which may make people smoke more, giving bidis the

potential to be even more harmful than cigarettes. Hoo-

kahor water pipe smokingpracticed for centuries in

other countries, has recently become popular among teens

as well. Hookah tobacco comes in many flavors, and the

pipe is typically passed around in groups. Although many

hookah smokers think it is less harmful than smoking ciga-

rettes, water pipe smoking still delivers the addictive drug

nicotine and is at least as toxic as cigarette smoking.

Bidis came from India.

How Many Teens Use It?

First, the good news: Smoking is at historically low levels

among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, according to NIDAs

Monitoring the Future study. The bad news is that the de-

cline in youth smoking appears to be leveling off. In 2010,

rates for smoking in the past month were reported as 19.2

percent for 12th graders, 13.6 percent for 10th graders,

and 7.1 percent for 8th graders.

Use of smokeless tobacco had been showing a decline over

the past decadeuntil 2009, when use began to rise. Ac-

cording to the study, in 2010 current use of smokeless to-

bacco among 8th graders was 4.1 percent and 7.5 percentamong 10th graders. Among 12th graders, 8.5 percent re-

ported using smokeless tobacco in the last month, a num-

ber not seen since the late 1990s.

What Happens When Someone Uses Tobacco for

Long Periods of Time?

Long-term use of nicotine frequently leads to addiction.

Research is just beginning to document all of the changes

in the brain that accompany nicotine addiction. The behav-

ioral consequences of these changes are well documented,

however.

The way that nicotine is absorbed and metabolized by

the body enhances its addictive potential. Each inh

brings a rapid distribution of nicotine to the brain

ing within 10 seconds and then disappearing quickly

with the associated pleasurable feelings. Over the

of the day, tolerance developsmeaning that high

more frequent) doses are required to produce th

initial effects. Some of this tolerance is lost overnigh

people who smoke often report that the first cigar

the day is the strongest or the best.

When a person quits smoking, they usually expe

withdrawal symptoms, which often drive them back

bacco use. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include

bility, cognitive and attentional deficits, sleep disturb

increased appetite, and craving. Cravingan intens

for nicotine that can persist for 6 months or longer

important but poorly understood component of th

tine withdrawal syndrome. Some people describe

major stumbling block to quitting.

Withdrawal symptoms usually peak within the fir

days and may subside within a few weeks. The with

syndrome is related to the pharmacological effects o

tine, but many behavioral factors also affect the se

and persistence of withdrawal symptoms. For ex

the cues associated with smokingthe end of a me

sight or smell of a cigarette, the ritual of obtaining

dling, lighting, and smoking the cigarette, the peop

hung out with when you smoked, and alcohol use

be powerful triggers of craving that can last or re-e

months or even years after smoking has ceased.

nicotine gum and patches may stop the pharmaco

aspects of withdrawal, cravings often persist.

Using advanced neuroimaging technology, scientists can see the ic effect of cigarette smoking on the brain and body and are

marked decrease in the levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO B), antant enzyme that is responsible for the breakdown of dopamine. Fowler et al., 2003)

Taken from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (N

website: www.drugabuse.gov

NIDAs mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the

of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. This

has two critical components. The first is the strategi

port and conduct of research across a broad range

ciplines. The second is ensuring the rapid and ef

dissemination and use of the results of that research

nificantly improve prevention and treatment and to

policy as it relates to drug abuse and addiction.


10/10

Carbon Monoxide:The Invisible KILLER

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is produced by burning fuel.

Therefore, any fuel-burning appliance in your home

a potential CO source. When cooking or heat-

ng appliances are kept in good working order, theyroduce little CO. Improperly operating appliances

an produce fatal CO concentrations in your home.

Running a car or generator in an attached garage can

ause fatal CO poisoning in the home. So can run-

ing a generator or burning charcoal in the base-

ment, crawlspace, or living area of the home.

Carbon monoxide clues you can see...

Rustingorwaterstreakingonvent/chimney

Looseormissingfurnacepanel

Sooting

Debris or soot falling from chimney, fireplace,

or appliances

Loosevent/chimney,fireplaceorappliance

Loosemasonryonchimney

Moistureinsideofwindows

Carbon Monoxide SafetyTaken from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website: http://www.cpsc.gov

Carbon monoxide clues you cannot see...

Internal appliance damage or malfunctioning

components Improper burner adjustments

Hiddenblockageordamageinchimneys

Only a trained service technician can detect hidden

problems and correct these conditions!

CO poisoning symptoms have been experienced

when you are home, but they lessen or disappear

when you are away from home.

Warnings...Neverleaveacarrunninginagarageevenwiththe

garage door open.

Never runa generator in the home, garage, or

crawlspace. Opening doors and windows or using

fans will NOT prevent CO build-up in the home.

Whenrunningageneratoroutdoors,keepitaway

from open windows and doors.

Never burn charcoal in homes, tents, vehicles,

or garages.

Never install or service combustion appliances

without proper knowledge, skills, and tools.Neveruseagasrange,oven,ordryerforheating.

Neverputfoilonbottomofagasovenbecauseit

interferes with combustion.

Never operate an unvented gas-burning

appliance in a closed room or in a room in which

you are sleeping.

What should you do?

Proper installation, operation, and maintenance of

fuel-burning appliances in the home is the most im-

portant factor in reducing the risk of CO poisoning.

Make sure appliances are installed according to themanufacturers instructions and the local codes.

Most appliances should be installed by professionals.

Always follow the appliance manufacturers

tions for safe operation.

Have the heating system (including chimney

vents) inspected and serviced annually by a tr

service technician.

Examine vents and chimneys regularly for imp

connections, visible cracks, rust or stains.

Look for problems that could ind

improper appliance operations:

DecreasedhotwatersupplyFurnaceunabletoheathouseorrunscontinu

Sooting,especiallyonappliancesandvents

Unfamiliar,orburningodor

Increasedmoistureinsideofwindows

Every home should have a CO alarm in the ha

near the bedrooms in each separate sleeping

Test your CO alarms frequently and replace

batteries. A CO alarm is no substitute for p

installation, use and upkeep of appliances th

potential CO sources.

Symptoms of CO poisoningThe initial symptoms of CO poisoning are simi

the flu (but without the fever) They include:

Headache

Fatigue

Shortnessofbreath

Nausea

Dizziness

If you suspect that you are experiencing CO po

ing, get fresh air immediately. Leave the hom

call for assistance from a neighbors home. You

lose consciousness and die from CO poisoning

stay in the home. Get medical attention imm

ately and inform medical staff that CO poison

suspected. Call the Fire Department to deter

when it is safe to reenter the home.

waterbury squadron - nov 2011

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