TAMPA, March 21, 2010: Though nature offered a promising weekend and provided a stormy end, more than 180 Civil Air Patrol members from across Florida assisted active-duty Airmen for MacDill Air Force Base’s showcase public event March 19-21.
The CAP members -- who came from 21 squadrons of five groups -- supported MacDill AirFest, which included all branches of the military with airplanes both past and present. More than 140,000 visitors attended the Saturday-Sunday event, with the bulk of visitors attending on Saturday.
The base in south Tampa is home to U.S. Special Operations Command and U.S. Central Command. Its host unit is the 6th Air Mobility Wing, which partners with the 927th Air Refueling Wing of the Air Force Reserve. Many units representing the Air Force’s counterparts are also on the base.
Six flights of cadets were deployed to key airplane displays on the base’s flight line, assisting ground crews and security teams as they provided safe zones around the aircraft and answered visitors’ questions about the displays. They also fielded questions about Civil Air Patrol.
A cadet flight prepares for rotation to its next duty assignment on the tarmac at MacDill Air Force Base March 21 during the base's 2010 AirFest. (Florida Wing Group 3 Photo).
For many of the cadets, the air show was their first CAP assignment in a public setting. They quickly learned to describe the aircraft to which they were assigned, as well as explain CAP.
"We had an outstanding cadet staff this year,” said the event’s cadet commander, Cadet Capt. Landon Meahl of the West Citrus Cadet Squadron. "They did a fabulous job and quickly adapted to crises such as the inclement weather on Sunday. The Air Force was very pleased with CAP's role during Airfest and had nothing but positive things to say about the part we played this year.”
The air show’s headline act was the U.S. Navy’s "Blue Angels” demonstration squadron. MacDill showed its resources, to include simulated combat maneuvers by a C-17 heavy-lift cargo plane, which also included a 20-man paratroop drop.
"Seeing the Blue Angels, that was the best part,” said Cadet Airman 1st Class Desiree Jenkins, 13, of the North Tampa Cadet Squadron. "They would fly right at each other and just miss hitting each other.”
Because of the large CAP turnout, cadets were afforded free time to enjoy the show as spectators. Even as they were on break, cadets were stopped for questions about the air show, about CAP and its contributions at the base.
CAP’s rollout for the air show was successful because of early planning.
"We were part of the planning process going back to January”, said First Lt. Joyce Lampasona, who coordinated the event for CAP. "We attended meetings each Tuesday at MacDill, which helped to organize the event from our end of things.”
CAP personnel were deployed in various other tasks, to include medical, communications, recruiting, public affairs, logistics and support.
The medical staff had its hands full with the sore feet of newer cadets, who were new to a flight line that stretched more than half a mile.
Recruiters gave visitors brochures in the main hangar, and with on-site access to the CAP Web site via wireless internet, the recruiters could easily show visitors more about the organization and better answer questions.
The communications staff played a key role in the flow of information via portable radios, using the Florida Wing communications trailer as a command base.
CAP communications played a vital role when a spectator suffered an injury requiring attention. Static-display pilots were first to see the injured civilian, but had no quick way to notify emergency medical personnel. With an assigned radio, Mr. Dan Spence of Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron sent an emergency call for medical help to the CAP communications trailer. At the same time, Ms. Christina English of West Citrus Cadet Squadron sent two cadets to bring a base medical team that was close by.
Three hot meals a day for CAP personnel were provided by the logistics staff. Even as stormy weather threatened on the show’s second day, meals were provided on-time at a quick alternate location. The logistics staff also maintained an orderly camp environment for the weekend.
Seven members, both adults and cadets, recorded the CAP presence as a public affairs staff. They were given access to base activities alongside local media, participated in television coverage of the show’s opening, and interviewed the Blue Angels crew.
A CAP air mission ended each show day, as pilots flew oil samples across the state as part of a post-flight regimen.
CAP air crews flew the samples, taken from F-15 fighters from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., to Titusville so a nearby Air Force oil testing laboratory could measure wear on the fighters’ engines. The tests are required before the fighters can fly again, and because of the show, the oil-sample flights were time-sensitive.
Some cadets were recognized for their help, one of whom was Cadet Airman basic Brandyn Gonzales of Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron. Gonzales was one of three cadets presented a challenge coin by the air show safety officer, Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Wolf, for a job well done.
Second Lt. Ernest Lee, and cadets Zachary Dawson, Thomas Clyde, Kayla Papp, Brandon Papp and Armando Cuesta contributed to this story.