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AFSPC-FC (FL) - Civil Air Patrol - US Air Force Auxiliary

AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND - FAMILIARIZATION COURSE (FL)
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Press Room

  2009

    Day 1

    Day 2

    Day 3

    Day 4

    Day 5

    Day 6

    Day 7

    Day 8

    Day 9


 

Chronicle of the Activity, 2009

Day Eight

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Today we hit the beach, swam in the pool, socialized, and attended the graduation in the evening. The whole day was free time, and we used it to its maximum.

Right after breakfast we checked out kayaks for everyone who wanted them and paddled down the Banana River for a mile and a half and back again. For several of the cadets, it was their first time to kayak, but they did very well. The trip included a few cadets capsizing their boats, and a few light sunburns, but we all enjoyed the trip tremendously.

After kayaking, we vacuumed out the vans from all the sand we had trekked, then went to lunch. It was delicious.

Following lunch, we had the entire afternoon to spend as we pleased. Some of us swam in the pool or went to the beach, which was lovely, or did some of both. “The beach was great. The waves and the hot sun provided the perfect combination to end this fun week,” said Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Noto.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

[1] Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Lydia Wiff, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Elias Wiff, Cadet Capt. Nicholas Quintero, and Cadet Tech. Sgt. Alexa Solorio chat before going kayacking. [2] Cadet Col. Joshua Hester hands off a kayak to Cadet Capt. Jonathan Hendry. [3] Cadet Senior Airman James Fischer is ready to go. [4] Beautiful Cocoa Beach. [5] (lL-R) Cadet Capt. Nicholas Quintero, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Noto, and Cadet 1st Lt. Bryan Lewis enjoy the waves. [6] Cadet Capt. Nicholas Quintero and Cadet 1st Lt. Michael Chickvary brace for a wave. [7] It was definitely a bright day on the beach, and the surf wasn't at all rough. (Photos #1-3, Maj. Steven Solomon; Others, Cadet 2nd Lt. Christian Nelson)

The graduation ceremony was marvelous. The 45th Launch Support Group Commander, Col. Rosen, USAF graced us with his attendance. Special guests also included Lt. Col. Earl Driscoll, USAF and Ron Caswell, who was our guest speaker for the evening. After Col. Rosen assisted Maj. Dickinson in presenting the graduation certificates and awards, we all enjoyed a slideshow compiling the week’s activities. The audience thought it was very enjoyable.

During this long week, the cadets have performed marvelously, learned a great deal, and everyone passed the course. It has been a great experience, and I would encourage any interested cadet to try to attend the next course, in 2010.

Cadet 2nd Lt. Christian Nelson, C/PAO

Day Eight - Graduation and Awards

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Back from the beach and changed into their short-sleeve blues, cadets and senior members gathered at Patrick Air Force Base’s Collocated Club, The Tides, for dinner and the graduation ceremony. The cadets had been waiting for this moment, when they would be able to say, “I've graduated the the Air Force Space Command Familiarization Course, Florida, 2009.”  

After Maj. Paul Dickinson, the activity commander, welcomed everyone and especially the distinguished guests, dinner was served. Soft and crunchy tacos, bean and cheese casserole, and a choice of beverages. "The food is delicious," said Cadet 1st Lt. Michael Chickvary, "We could have used the refreshing drinks on the beach!"

Ron Caswell, the guest speaker, spoke about current space events and the space program's future. Afterwards, he answered many questions from the audience, for a very engaging presentation.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

[1] Col. Lee Rosen presents Cadet 1s Lt. Michael Chickvary with his course completion certificate. [2] Cadet 1st Lt. Kaitlyn Fife, the Academic Award winner, accepts her certificate from Col. Rosen. [3] Cadet Master Sgt. Timothy Gooler receives his certificate from Col. Rosen. [4] Cadet Tech. Sgt. Beverly Martin, the Essay Award recipient, collects her certificate. [5] Cadet Capt. Nicholas Quintero, the Peer Recognition Award winner, receives his certificate from Col. Lee Rosen.

At dinner's end, Maj. Paul Dickinson invited Col. Lee Rosen, the Launch Support Group Commander, to assist in presenting awards, to which the latter agreed readily. 1st Lt Christina Stoddard, the assistant activity director, called out the names in alphabetical order, with every cadet graduating and receiving a course certificate. 1st Lt. Stoddard then called forward the senior member staff, who received certificates as well as a negative of a photo on the moon taken and signed by Astronaut Alan Shepard during the Apollo 14 mission.

Finally, Maj. Dickinson announced the winners of the special course awards:

  • Cadet Capt. David Resnick earned the Leadership Award, imparted to a cadet who exemplifies leadership, initiative, professional mentoring, organizational skill, and respectfulness.

  • Cadet Master Sgt. Beverly Martin earned the Essay Award for composing the best concise, original essay on a pre-determined subject.

  • Cadet 1st Lt. Kaitlyn Fife earned the Academic Award for achieving the highest overall test grade average over the course of the activity. She attained a mean score of 105%.

  • Cadet 2nd Lt. Christian Nelson earned the Professionalism Award, granted to the cadet with the best professional military bearing, outstanding uniform appearance, and punctuality.

  • Cadet Capt. Nicholas Quintero earned the Peer Recognition Award, after the cadets were polled in choosing the cadet they recognized for having contributed most to the success of the activity, helped fellow cadets, and been an outstanding team player. 

6. 7. 8. 9.

[6] Cadet Tech. Sgt. Robert Ramirez accepts his certificate. [7] Cadet Capt. David Resnick, the Leadership Award winner, receives his graduation certificate. [8] Maj. Steven Solomon receives a negative of a photo taken and signed by Alan Shepard from Maj. Paul Dickinson, USAFR, the Activity Director. [9] Maj. Paul Dickinson thanks Mr. Ron Caswell for an exciting presentation.

As a final gesture of thanks, Maj. Dickinson presented Ron Caswell with two activity T-shirts and thanked him for the rousing presentation he had given. He also thanked Col. Rosen and all those present for having attended.

"It was a great way to wrap up the day," said Cadet Col. Joshua Hester.

Maj. Arthur Woodgate, PAO
 

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