Mount Vernon Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol

Back to Detour #1

Maj Cathy Collom — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:46:39 +0000

It seems the road that was recently washed out has been repaired in a very timely manner. This is the entrance, aka Detour #1, before our most recent Detour #2 off of Hwy 1. Here is the map that will direct us back to the entrance we were using.

View Mt. Vernon Composite Squadron in a larger map

Mt Vernon Composite Squadron has a new Commander

Maj Cathy Collom — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:28:36 +0000

Personal Note to all:

On Thursday night, September 22, 2011, Mt Vernon Composite Squadron held a Change of Command where I, Maj Catherine M Collom, handed Captain John Held the squadron guidon in recognition of his new position as the Commander. The last two years have been two of the most challenging, yet rewarding two years I could have imagined. I want to thank each and every member that has been a member of Mt Vernon Composite Squadron for their loyalty and unending friendship.

The squadron is very lucky to have Capt Held as it’s new Commander. He has been a part of the squadron for over 3 years and has obtained almost every qualification a pilot can obtain in that amount of time. He has served as the squadron’s Saftey Officer, the Logistics Office and Communications Officer. I am confident the squadron will continue on it’s path of setting itself above all others while he is in command.

Good luck Commander Held!

Important Update

Maj Cathy Collom — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:40:29 +0000

You might think this is an advertisement for a ”Stop Doing Drugs” promotion. Nope! This is a picture of the closed entrance to Davison Air Field due to the road destroyed by the rain last Thursday. What is ironic is, this just happens to be a detour because the other road we used was flooded out last year.

Below is a map to the current entrance into Davison Air Field:

View Davison Army Airfield in a larger map

HOPEFULLY WE DON’T HAVE MUCH MORE RAIN…WE’RE RUNNING OUT OF ENTRANCES!

9/8/2011 Meeting canceled due to bad weather

Maj Cathy Collom — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 22:40:41 +0000

Notice: Fairfax County Schools has canceled all their activities for tonight due to bad weather. The roads are flooding and it is not safe to come to the meeting. therefore, in accordance with Squadron policy about canceling the cadet meeting when Fairfax cancels their events, and the possible dangers of driving, the senior meeting is also canceled.

Being Prepared for Emergencies/Disasters

Maj Cathy Collom — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 01:15:55 +0000

Hurricane Irene came and went without causing too many problems in the local Alexandria, Virginia area. Trees and limbs came down and some people lost their power. There are still some without power.

We were lucky. Vermont was not. Many homes were destroyed and destruction occurred in various forms. In some areas the only roads to get to the local town have been washed out and the only means of getting supplies has been via the National Guard’s helicopters.

August was an interesting month. The largest earthquake in over 100 years and a hurricane coming over the land. This is hurricane season and then winter returns. Being prepared is the key.

There are basic items to have in the home and things to do. Everyone needs to:

Get a home kit
Make a plan for the family
Be informed

Disaster Preparedness is described on our webpage under the Safety tab. This was specifically designed for hurricanes, but the ideas can be used for other disasters; fires, earthquakes, floods, etc.

Please review and get your home and family prepared. Share with your friends and neighbors. I’ve been in Alexandria, VA for 4 years and in those 4 years this area has: broken the record for the most snow, the largest earthquake, hurricanes and heat. I have come to the conclusion that anything is possible in this area and I am prepared for the next big event. Are you?

Hurricane Irene: We were ready for you!

Maj Cathy Collom — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:23:13 +0000

I want to thank all the members of Mt Vernon Composite Squadron that responded to the call for assistance. Fortunately, this event did not require any emergency response. But, the fact we had a squadron that was ready and willing to go out and assist is what being part of Civil Air Patrol is all about.

“Semper Vigilans: Always Vigilant”

Hurricane Irene: Updates

Maj Cathy Collom — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 16:36:51 +0000

8.27.11 Snapshot

All,

Please take care of yourself, your family and don’t forget the pets! National Capital Wing is on alert to provide assistance if needed. Below are some updates from news reports.

Amtrak and USDOT report that all rail service south of Washington D.C. has been cancelled from Friday through Sunday, due to expected impact from Hurricane Irene. Amtrak will make further announcements regarding service as the storm progresses.
U.S. Park Police is reporting that the MLK Memorial Dedication scheduled for Sunday has been cancelled. The Dedication will be rescheduled, but a date has not been set at this time.
The first death from the storm was reported in Nash County, N.C., outside Raleigh, where emergency officials said a man was crushed by a large limb that blew off a tree.

As you can see, this is not an event to take lightly. DO NOT go outside if you can help it when the Hurricane is nearing your location. Here is a link to NOAA if you wish to find out the current information: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?3-daynl#contents

2011 National Conference

Maj Cathy Collom — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 01:23:00 +0000

This year’s 2011 National Conference for CAP was held in Louisville, KY. I had the honor of traveling and attending with Col Jane Davies and Capt Mary Sherrer. We arrived on Wednesday evening and returned on Sunday.

This was my first National Conference. I have attended several Wing Conferences in the past. When attending a National Conference a member has the opportunity to observe how regulations are created and updated, discussed amongst the members and then voted for. There is a different atmosphere that reminds us there is more to Civil Air Patrol than the weekly meetings. This is a business that has so many different facets that it takes a visit in person to appreciate. The most positive result is how energized I am about all the great work others are doing and am confident we can match any squadron out there.

I had the opportunity to attend some of the learning labs. The Model Airplane event was enlightening regarding the resources we have to build and share different types of model airplanes, both remote control and hand propelled. I also talked to members about Safety issues. Another lab I went to was DDR. There are so many opportunities to share DDR in so many various ways, all we have to do is be creative.

As of Saturday, 20 August 2011 there is a new National Commander BG Charles Carr and the new Vice Commander is our own MER Regional Commander, BG (Select) Joseph R. Vazquez. Our new Interim Regional Commander is Col Larry Ragland.

Let’s do all we can to support our new leaders. I recommend everyone attends a National Conference at least once. The good news is the one next year is in Baltimore, MD. Right in our own backyard…so there should be no excuses for not attending!

Storm creates havac with ELT’s and airplanes

Maj Cathy Collom — Mon, 02 May 2011 01:04:55 +0000

National Capital Wing was activated by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center 27 Apr, at approximately 2105 local, concerning numerous airborne reports of ELT signals picked up from planes transiting the area and National Airport. The National Capital Region experienced stormy and tornado activity between 1815 and 2000 local, and it was known that a tornado touched down at or near Andrews AFB. No planes were reported as missing and there were no 406 signals. AFRCC contacted Lt Col Bailey to act as the Incident Commander. Calls for assistance went out to Andrews Composite Squadron , Mt Vernon Composite Squadron and Fairfax Composite squadron, as well as a couple to Wing Staff members. Given the weather, with more severe weather en-route to the National Capital Region, no aircraft would be launching, and UDF assets were needed. Plan put together was to mobile DF to, from, and through the affected areas with special emphasis on ramp checks at airports in the storm’s path. Andrews was the first unit to deploy at 2215 with Lt’s Betts and Pruskowski. They checked both flightlines at Andrews AFB with negative results and then proceeded to Hyde Field. Meantime, Capt Held deployed from Davison in the Mt Vernon van with Lt Col Volchansky and Capt’s Phillips and Salch. Lt Col’s McGrath and Cianciolo joined Lt Col Bailey in the Operations van from DAA, leaving at 2235. Additionally, Lt Col Ballenger operated Net Control on Smallwood and TAC 1 at 2230. Lt Col Cianciolo was receiving a signal at his residence across the river in Alexandria. Check of Hyde revealed negative results so all three UDF units converged at Potomac Airfield and were joined by Col Cooper, who was in Temple Hill at the time. No ELT signals were noted at arrival but aircraft damage was noted. Basically, every plane tied down outside, especially those on the East side of the field, had been moved or turned like a weathervane by the storm. There were lots of broken tie down ropes. Unfortunately, 4 airplanes were damaged, 2 significantly and the other 2 are likely totaled – 2 172′s. 1 182, and a 337. A couple pictures are posted to the National Capital Wing Facebook page. Three UDF teams were formed, and using Wing DF equipment, as well as newly purchased aviation band radios, each person on the UDF team had a DF or handheld. One team handled the northeast part of the field, one the southeast and the other the hangar row to the west. Each team physically went to each plane to verify there were no ELT signals. With no signals heard, a decision was made to check Maryland Airport just in case, and no signals were heard there. Meantime, the IC checked with AFRCC which advised they were no longer getting airborne hits. Teams re-deployed to home bases, reconstituted gear, and went home. Seeking to close the mission at 0140L, AFRCC decided to keep the mission open as a new airborne hit was just received – from 17,000 feet however. It was agreed the situation would be re-evaluated at 0900L on 28 Apr. AFCC closed the mission at 0928L with there having been no other reports or signals since. We suspect that the airport manager and the aircraft owners responding to Potomac had secured ELT’s just prior to our arrival as previously heard signals had dissipated.

(As reported by Lt Col Bailey)

50 Means 50!!

Maj Cathy Collom — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:34:30 +0000

NOTICE:

The Traffic Division of the Operations Support Bureau and the Patrol
Division of the Fairfax County Police Department, in cooperation with the
Virginia State Police, will launch a two-week initiative, “50 Means 50″,
along Route 7100, the Fairfax County Parkway. This campaign kicks off on
Sunday, April 17 and targets aggressive and reckless driving; including
speeding, texting while driving, following too closely, and failure to pay
full time attention on the Fairfax County Parkway.

Motor squad officers along with patrol officers from several district
stations throughout the county and Virginia State Troopers will be assigned
specific enforcement duties along the parkway.

A variety of vehicles will be utilized including: motorcycles, Mustangs,
Camaros, Impalas, pick-up trucks and other unmarked and marked police
vehicles.

The stepped-up enforcement will take place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
until its conclusion on Saturday, April 30.

The intent of the initiative is to reduce the overall average speed on the
parkway and to reduce the number of property damage, injury, and fatal
crashes, making the parkway a safer place for all.

(Information as reported by Fairfax County Website)