Members of the Greenville Composite Squadron, the Carolina Soaring Association and the Triple Tree RC Club came together August 7 - 10 for a weekend of camping and flying at the Triple Tree Aerodrome. The event was primarily a CAP Cadet activity, with a total of 16 Cadets flying in both the CAP's Glider and the CSA's two place trainer. Gliders were towed aloft by the CSA's AgCat Tow plane, and launched using a Winch. Cadets also received 'Radio Control Ground School' when not flying. Most Cadets also had the opportunity to fly the RC aircraft under the guidance of Club members using the 'Buddy Box' system. Several Cadets showed a great deal of promise as RC Pilots.
Elements of all three organizations arrived at the aerodrome early in the afternoon of Friday, August 7 and immediately went to work. Camp was established near the main hanger, and then everyone 'broke out the gear' and started flying. Five O-Flights, 4 cadets and one Senior Member, were conducted before the 'lift' died out in the evening. Cadets also began flying the RC aircraft almost immediately.
Senior Members were also well represented. A total of five non-pilot Senior Members got their first ride in a Glider. Several Seniors also joined the Cadets for the RC Ground School. Other members worked Safety, Operations and Logistics. SM's Blanca Roman, Myra Mcrumm and Sponsor Member Becky Anderson ran the kitchen for this outing, feeding members of all three organizations, and the Aerodrome staff all weekend.
Saturday evening the event was visited by Wing Commander Col. Emerson Smith, and Mrs. Smith. The Smiths attended the events Bar-b-que and received a tour of the Triple Tree Facility. Cadets and Senior Members also had the opportunity to talk with Col. Smith in an informal setting.
This was the Greenville Squadron's second 'Glider Weekend' at Triple Tree this year. At the earlier event 19 Cadets were flown, but there was no RC training. All involved agreed that the RC Training was a welcome addition, and it will be continued at future events.
O-Flights were provided by 'newly minted' O-Flight Pilot Stuart Jackson, of Greenville and James Wasness, of Spartanburg. Also in attendance, in her capacity as a member of CSA, was Cadet Sarah Sill of Spartanburg. Cadet Sill was working as part of the winch crew and, a Glider Pilot, managed to get some flying of her own in.
The Greenville Squadron has had an on-going relationship with the Triple Tree Aerodrome, which is owned by Mr. Pat Hartness, since the first 'Triple Tree Fly In' was held in 2007. Since then the Squadron has provided man power at all 'Fly In's' and at the Joe Nall RC Flying In. The Joe Nall event is the largest RC Aircraft event in the world.
The next 'Triple Tree Fly In' will be September23 - 27. The Greenville Squadron is already scheduled to help with show logistics. In addition, the Squadron will contribute major elements to 'An evening with Hero's' at which several veteran airmen will be honored. The Squadron will present the Colors, will perform a Flag Folding and will be actively involved in the presentations.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 04 November 2009 23:10 )
Its 5:30 AM, October 31st, 2009, Halloween Saturday, most teenagers would be sound asleep, dreaming of their plans for acquiring candy or a final touch for their scary costume. But a group of wide-awake and chilledyoung men and women are at McCrady training center, their candy taken from them and their dreams drowned out by shouted commands and banging lockers. As stern officers herd the teens outside for exercise, a passer-by would be right in wondering, “Who are these kids who gave up their holiday weekend for this ‘boot camp-like’ experience?” To find an answer, you need look no further than the blue patches on their camouflage, “Civil Air Patrol.”
My name is Jared Buniel. As a Cadet Chief Master Sergeant of the Civil Air Patrol’s South Carolina Wing, I have been given the honor of chronicling the events of the fall 2009 Cadet Training Weekend (CTW). Our story actually began on the night of October 30 as the cadets climbed out of their vans, they were greeted with harsh shouts and brought into line. As the “Basics” waited to turn in their papers and have their bags searched, various sergeants and officers prowled among them, correcting verbally but zealously on any who made mistakes or diverted from the position they were in. The frequent loud commands and correction seem harsh and senseless at first glance, but the intent is noble on all counts. By teaching the cadets to think and act under pressure and as a team, they gain skills useful not just in the military, but in everyday life.
After an intense session of drill, the cadets enjoyed a hearty meal of hot dogs, beans, and coleslaw, then got a good night’s sleep. The cadet staff had a meeting to iron out the next day’s details, then turned in for their own rest. Seven hours later, the cadets endured the somewhat rude awakening detailed above, then took part in a short but challenging session of Physical Training (PT). Before the sun had risen, the cadets were done with PT and back in their barracks, putting on their uniforms for morning formation. The planned events for the day went quickly. The cadets went through constant drill to teach teamwork, discipline, and listening skills; balanced by classes on Customs & Courtesies and Dress & Personal Appearance. During these classes, chosen officers would give a short talk, then the cadets would compete to prepare and perform the best skit on their favorite aspect of that subject.
A pan pizza lunch came next, followed by “Flight Time”, where the “Flights” (somewhat like Platoons or Squads), work together on maintaining their uniforms, smoothing out their drill, or taking care of any other issues. As I watched from my concrete seat, the heat seemed to intensify as the sun glared down on the pavement and grass drill pad. Tempers flared and mistakes were made as everyone’s energy began to wane, yet the real test of the cadets’ abilities was still to come. At 1430 (2:30 PM), the flights gathered for the long-anticipated Drill Competition. Each flight was given a chance to show how well they’d learned by carrying out a set of drill movements while staying within certain boundaries. This event tested not only the Basics, but their leaders as well. After the contest and a surprise drill performance from the staff, we changed into PT clothes again for sports.
The sport events were a chance for the cadets to loosen up and have fun, while competing with the other flights for domination. The relays, ultimate Frisbee, and capture the flag went on for a couple of hours, until the flight commanders and sergeants marched their weary cadets back for evening formation, then dinner. Dinner was spaghetti, a homemade recipe by 2nd Lieutenant Olga Buniel (who happens to be my mom). This was followed by practice for the ornate closing ceremony that would be held on Sunday, and then the cadets got to enjoy snacks and music in a short party. As the music died down and the staff tidied the dining hall, the basics cleaned up on their last night at CTW.
The cadets received an extra hour’s sleep thanks to Daylight Savings Time, but they soon worked it off in a special PT session held in their barracks due to rain. Once the exercises were done, both staff and basics began the process of preparing the barracks and dining hall for return to the base and packing their various belongings. Once finished, everyone moved to the drill pad, where the Advanced Training Flight and Support Staff, including myself, had a short drill competition. We passed the time waiting for parents to arrive with some team-building exercises, until the clock struck noon. With each flight arrayed in one last formation, the Cadet Commander, Cadet Captain Jamal Suber, and his staff reviewed their command and congratulated the Honor Cadet, Honor Staff Member, Honor Flight and Sports Flight. Finally, Captain Suber thanked all who had given up this weekend to better themselves, assured them that their efforts would pay off in the long run, and released the cadets to their waiting families and squadrons.
By Senior Airman David Minor 20th FW/PA October 28 2009 -- Shaw AFB S.C--Boy Scout Frankie Slemmer starts his project on the T-33 Shooting Star, but due to lack of material he hasn't started on the restoring part for his Eagle Scout project. Once the completion of his project he will receive the title of Eagle Scout. Notable Scouts who have received the rank of Eagle Scout are Medal of Honor Receipt Leo K. Thorsness, Astronaut Neil Armstrong, and Former President Gerald Ford, Jr. Mr. Slemmer became interested in planes when he joined the Civil Air Patrol in 2007. Upon joining he decided that he wanted to join the Air Force, and become an F-15 pilot. That passion led him to make many model airplanes, and play combat flight simulators on his computer. After taking a trip to Paris Island Marine Corps training center with Civil Air Patrol, his passion changed to the Marines. "I still love flying, but I would like to fly for the Marines," said Frankie Slemmer. "I especially love helicopters, and I may become a helicopter pilot. I plan on making the military my career". Restoring a T-33 will be a daunting task for Mr. Slemmer to accomplish. Painting, sanding and polishing are some of the things that will require him to complete his mission. In hopes of completing his project he has teamed up with the Darlington County Airport Commission, the Celebrate Freedom Foundation, Boy Scout Troop 476, and Civil Air Patrol. The Shaw Air Force Base Corrosion Control Department also pitched some guidance and assistance by giving the logistical list of what the aircraft will need for the restoration. When finished, the aircraft will stay on static display at the Darlington County Airport. "I decided that this would be a great contribution to all of the Air Force pilots past and present Mr. Slemmer said. "I think this would be a great way to honor those who are serving." For those wishing to donate or would like to volunteer on the project please contact Frankie Slemmer at
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or 843-673-9262.
