The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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July 18, 2011

Civil Air cadets attend summer encampment

By Marylin Wallace Special to The Item

HUNTSVILLE —



On June 25, five Huntsville Civil Air Patrol cadets arrived at Camp Swift in Bastrop for the 2011 Summer Encampment.

Zachary Brenton, Blake Davidson, Garrett Ferguson, Tommy Loosier, and William Wallace had no idea what was in store for them.

During seven days of training and scorching temperatures, nearly 400 cadets from a variety of states and countries tested their physical and mental endurance.

The cadets rose to reveille at 5:15 a.m. Hydration was the number one priority of the day. Canteens and Camelbacks were filled each morning before any activities began. Breakfast was served each morning between 6:30 and 7 a.m., followed by a noon meal and an evening meal to round out the day.

The cadets participated in events on the rifle range, shooting Savage .22 caliber bolt-action rifles. They were also instructed on shooting using a simulated version of the M4, an assault rifle used by the military.

Drill, formations, physical training, character development, orientation flights and hours of cadence made for long days and even shorter nights. Lights out at 9:15 p.m. became a welcomed command after a grueling day.

June 29 was National Guard Day. The Air National Guard brought out a Black Hawk helicopter with six parajumpers who jumped from the helicopter from 10,000 feet. It was a colorful and awesome sight for the cadets.  

The encampment celebrated the day with a picnic, serving hamburgers, hot dogs and corn dogs with all the fixings. Popsicles were a refreshing treat for desert.

There was a silver lining to the black cloud that had loomed over each cadet for the seven days of hard work, blisters, sore muscles, sweat and tears: graduation day.

On July 2 at 10:15 a.m., each cadet dressed in their Air Force Blues and marched towards the graduation field. Each group held a flag that represented their flight: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Golf, Hotel, India, and Juliet. It was a proud moment for these young men and women who had struggled to finish the camp. Each and every one displayed courage, vigilance and professionalism.

All five of the cadets from the Sam Houston Composite Squadron, SWR TX-177, graduated, with Airman Garrett Ferguson earning the Honor Cadet Award for Bravo Flight. Cadets Brenton, Davidson, Ferguson, Loosier and Wallace are gearing up along with the other cadets in the Sam Houston Composite squadron for the next encampment.

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