Buchanan appointed Wing chief of staff

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Full Throttle
Monthly e-newsletter of Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302, Arizona Wing, Civil Air Patrol 302
Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona

Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan, Squadron Commander

Vol. 3 No. 5 May 2009

Mead assumes cadet command A

C/2Lt. William Mead (left) assumes cadet command

from Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302s commander, Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan, as outgoing cadet commander C/2Lt. Caleb Eaves stands at attention.

Inside Full Throttle

Buchanan appointed Wing chief of staff Cadet pictorial: Sunset Formation Mission pictorial: A Towering View Pictorial: Promotions/Flight Simulation

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See the Quarterly Training Schedule (QTS) for upcoming events and contact information plus http://azwg.us for the Civil Air Patrols Arizona Wing calendar. Be sure to visit the squadrons Web site at www.squadron302.org.

two-time member of the Civil Air Patrol's national championship cadet drill team who aspires to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) has assumed duties as cadet commander of Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302. C/2Lt. William Mead, 17, who says he is "eager and enthusiastic" about leading the squadron's cadets, was installed Monday, April 27. He assumed duties from the former cadet commander, C/2Lt. Caleb Eaves, who served in the post the last nine months. A 4-year squadron member, C/2Lt. Mead has served as the squadon's cadet executive officer, orientation officer in command, orientation instructor and flight sergeant. The new cadet commander has attended the CAP National Flight Academy where he soloed a powered aircraft and will attend CAP's Cadet Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. He was a staff member of the Arizona Wing Encampment in 2007 and is working toward earning his private pilot's license. (Continued on page 3) Semper Vigilans (Always Vigilant)

Civil Air Patrol: More Than Meets The Skies

Buchanan appointed to Wing post, will relinquish squadron command

t. Col. Chas Buchanan has been appointed chief of staff for the Arizona Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and will relinquish command of Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 upon the appointment of a successor. At press time, no successor as squadron commander formally had been appointed; Maj. Attila Szokol is the squadrons deputy commander for adults while 2Lt. Richard Shortridge serves as deputy commander for cadets. The appointment as chief of staff was announced by Col. John Eggen, commander of the Arizona Wing, and was effective May 1. Col. Eggen states Lt. Col. Buchanan brings to his new post an extensive working Lt. Col. Chas Buchanan knowledge of logistics, supply, safety, and maintenance and operations, having held those positions at the squadron level during his 22-year career as a pilot and senFull Throttle ior command officer in the U.S. Air Force. Full Throttle is the monthly e-newsletter for After retiring from the Air Force, Lt. Col. Buofficers, cadets and friends of Deer Valley Comchanan was named director of operations for the posite Squadron 302, Arizona Wing, Civil Air PaBarry M. Goldwater Range Management Office at trol. Its mission is to bolster communication with and among officers and cadets, enhance awareLuke Air Force Base. ness of squadron activities, and share news and He joined CAP in 2005 and assumed command information about the squadron and its personof Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 in Octonel. In addition, the newsletter also can be ber 2007. As commander, he has focused on viewed under the News link on the squadrons strengthening the squadrons emergency services Web site at www.squadron302.org. and cadet operations. He also led the squadron Story submissions can be forwarded by the through its most recent subordinate unit inspection 15th of the month preceding publication to Capt. Jerry Porter, squadron public-affairs officer, at that culminated in an overall excellent rating. civilairpatrolsq302pao@cox.net. The level of respect and admiration felt by the To guarantee receipt of the newsletter, readsquadron for Lt. Col. Buchanan is unbounded, ers should ensure their estates Maj. Szokol. He has an incredible ability to mail addresses and other work well and effectively with peers, subordinates contact information remain and command at any level, and we are confident current with the squadron the wing is gaining a highly qualified and forward and on national e-services at www.capnhq.gov. -looking new chief of staff. We wish him our best and thank him most sincerely for his excellent ser- Vol. 3, No. 5 vice to the squadron. He will be missed. May 2009 Full Throttle May 2009 Page 2

 Mead takes command of cadet program

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Brings championship credentials to post

(Continued from page 1) C/2Lt. Mead was a member the past three years of the Arizona Wings Sun-Gods Drill Team that won CAPs National Cadet Drill Team Championship in 2006 and 2008. His CAP honors include an exceptional service ribbon and a commander's commendation. A junior at Cactus High School in Peoria, C/2Lt. Mead serves on the student council and is enrolled in honors advanced-placement classes. He hopes to study biological sciences at the USAFA and be a scientist in the U.S. Air Force.

C/2Lt. William Mead

Sunset formation
Shortly after Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302s airplane returned from a flight, squadron cadets fell into ranks for inspection. In the inset photo below, Cadets Steven Cothran (left) and Alex Patocs help to push the airplane back into its hangar.

Full Throttle

May 2009

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A towering view
As part of the Arizona Wings April operational exercise (OPEX), members of Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 survey Towers Mountain as the site of new radio repeater towers. Inset: Pilot Capt. Michael Rich commands the flight. Below: The crew approaches Runway 7L for landing at Deer Valley Airport.

Full Throttle

May 2009

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Top Grade
Cadet Leanne Albillar (center) earned the highest current cadet grade in Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 when she was promoted April 27 to cadet first lieutenant. Pinning on her grade are her father, Joe Albillar (left), and 2Lt William Mead, the squadrons new cadet commander. Also promoted in April to the grade of cadet technical sergeant were cadets Ciaran Babcock and Tan-

ner Matheny.

Simulated flight
C/2Lt. Clifford Branch III (left) and C/CMSgt. Jacqueline Shortridge (below) were among
cadets from Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 who recently had opportunities as guests to pilot an F-16 simulator at Luke Air Force Base. (Photos by Senior Member

Christopher Shehi.)

I was never afraid of failure, for I would sooner fail than not be among the best.
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John Keats (1795-1821) English poet

Full Throttle May 2009 Page 5