By Lt Col
Juan Tinnirello (and pictures)
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| Capt Luis Rivas |
Squadron Commander Capt Rivas welcomed everybody and asked Col Tinnirello to lead the pledge of allegiance to
the flag. Commander Rivas welcomed new member James Weeks and proceeded to give
a review of all the events in another very busy month for the squadron. Besides
the participation in the Group 2 SAREX at Palo Alto, the FEMA mission
for the forest fire was the main one, with a large participation of squadron
members where more that 14,000 pictures were taken altogether.
Also, there were a couple of ELT missions and one for the State of California.
Maj Luneau renewed his Form 5 and Maj DeFord renewed his Ground Team Leader. Also on the assets usage, the aircraft flew 30.8 hours and the van traveled 516 miles.
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| 1st Lt Patrick Bitz |
Lt Bitz talked about the importance of remembering the armed forces personnel that gave
their lives to defend our freedom. What
better way to do it that by placing wreaths on their tombstones at the Golden
Gate National Cemetery, in San Bruno this coming December. The program called Wreaths Across America is
helping to do so and we can participate by purchasing wreaths. More information is provided at the end of this article.
Maj DeFord
announced that there is a new way to have a small last minute planned ES
mission to help with training a few people.
Contact him for details.
Also, Lt
Gast is our newly minted CFI-G for gliders. Congratulations - and members, take
advantage of this new opportunity.
Coming up on
November 17, Capt Hayes will have an improved talk from the one he gave at the
Wing Conference about “Radios for Aircrew” and for everyone that uses CAP
radios. A pot luck is planned, so call
him to coordinate if you plan to attend.
December 1,
is our next “All Hands Meeting”. During the meeting there was a majority of
members that wished to have a Holiday Party.
More will follow as Capt Rivas looks into the different possibilities.
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| Most of the 14 members awarded Disaster Relief award |
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| Capt Michelogiannakis receiving award |
On the
awards list, Capt Michelogiannakis obtained his Level 3 (Grover Loening Award),
Lt Choate received an Orientation Pilot Award for completing more that 50
sorties. Lt Kraus was granted a Rescue Find Ribbon (with prop device) first find.
Lt Adams received a Leadership Award (1st Technician rating
LOGISTICS). SM Carter, Level 1 Membership Award. Forteen members awarded Disarter Relief Ribbon
with V device for Presidencial Declared disaster for the Butte and Valley
Fires.
Promotions: Lt Adams was promoted to 1st Lt and SM Roudnev was promoted to 2nd Lt.  |
Lt Choate receiving
Orientation ribbon award
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| Lt Kraus receiving Rescue ribbon award |
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| Lt Adams receiving Leadership award |
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Capt Rivas and Lt Adams’s
wife, Pamela, attaching the epaulets
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Capt Rivas and Capt Hayes
attaching epaulets to 2nd Lt Roudnev
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Maj Fridell presented
“Bird Strike” |
Wreath Sponsorship Program:
Go to www.squadron188.org on the left side column go to the bottom to “Wreaths Across America” and click on it. On the “Contents” list click on 5Donate. Then follow the directions for Webb Order.
If you have problems, please contact 1st Lt Patrick
Bitz at 925-858-9590
Besides honoring our heroes you help Squadron 188
finances, as we receive $5.00 for each wreath sold. Thank you for participating and tell your
family, friends and coworkers about it.
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| Bird strike just before it happened! |
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| Capt Rex Beach saying goodbye! |
