November 2016 All Hands Meeting

By 1st Lt Karin Hollerbach and Lt Col Juan Tinnirello, photos by Lt Col Tinnirello

Capt Jordan Hayes welcomed everyone and conducted the meeting.  After the Pledge of Allegiance led by Lt Col Tinnirello, Capt Hayes introduced our guest speaker, Jon Vanerwegen, Chief Pilot for the Oakland Police Department, Helicopter Unit.  

Squadron 188 Members and Guests

Also visiting was Dean Richardson, Assistant Director of CAP-USAF Operations-Pacific Region Liaison.  He came to visit us to see our squadron, in order to become familiar with all the units in California and Nevada under his responsibility.

Kent Hopkins (Michigan Wing)

Asst Director of CAP-USAF
Operations - Pacific Region
Richardson

A warm welcome also to new member, 2d Lt Jim Savino, who is coming to us from Grand Rapids Michigan, and to two additional guests, Robert Campbell and Kent Hopkins.









Safety Update: Special Presentation by Oakland PD

Jon Vanerwegen, Chief Pilot for the
OPD Helicopter Unit

Mr. Vanerwegen talked about the OPD Helicopter Unit. His explanation of the equipment and the involvement within the daily activity was excellent and kept the audience very connected to his talk.  There were many questions and answers, and we could have listened to him for another couple of hours. If you were not at the meeting, you missed a superb presentation that provided a very good picture of the helicopter unit doing police work.  

Squadron Monthly Recap

Promotions and Awards
Congratulations to

• SM Baldwin and SM Forenza for their promotions to 2d Lt
• Maj DeFord for his 1st Bronze Clasp for AS&R Ribbon
• 1st Lt Choate for his Recruiter Ribbon (7 members)



Lt Fall receiving a ribbon
from Capt Hayes

• 1st Lt Fall for his Unit Citation Ribbon and 5 year Red Ribbon 

Lt Baldwin receiving his epaulets from his wife
and from Maj Fridell

Newly promoted Lts Forenza and Baldwin
with Capt Hayes (center)

Maj DeFord receiving an award
from Capt Hayes

Professional Development and New / Renewed ES Ratings
Further congratulations to the following members:

• Maj Fridell for his F91 – welcome, new Mission Pilot (we now have 10 total in our squadron)
• Capt Michelogiannakis – welcome, new Tow Pilot (now 3 in our squadron!)
• 2d Lt Roberts for completing the Squadron Leadership School (SLS)

Lt Choate receiving an award
from Capt Hayes

Missions 
In October, Squadron 188 supported the following missions:

• 16-Oct Missing Aircraft – participation by Lt Col Tinnirello: MRO; Maj Johnson/C, Luneau; Capt Michelogiannakis: MP; 1st Lts Choate, Hollerbach: MO; click here for an earlier press release related to this mission
• 20-Oct SCCSO SAREX – participation by Maj DeFord: OSC)
• 30-Oct National Comm Exercise – participation by Maj Johnson/C, Capt Hayes

1st Lt Bob Adams talking
about the squadron van

Recent Events 

• 16 Oct: Hayward Open House

Aerospace Moment

1^st Lt Pat Bitz did a presentation about the fact that the International Space Station (ISS) has been there for 18 years.  Click here to see a NASA video about the ISS. 

 Coming up 

• 4-6 Nov: California Wing (CAWG) Education Conference, Bakersfield
• 8 Nov: no meeting on election night – please go vote 
• 12 Nov: Group 2 Advanced Communications Course @ HWD or OAK (please contact Capt Hayes for more information)
• 13 Dec: Squadron 188 holiday party 
• 17 Dec: Wreaths Across America – please click here to read about last year’s WAA events and click here to make a donation of wreaths to honor veterans in your local area