HEADQUARTERS 355TH WING (ACC)DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZONA
18 Feb 2005MEMORANDUM FOR PHANTOM COMPOSITE SQ/CC
FROM: CAP-USAF/TXLO
6801 Sanger Ave, STE 125
Waco, TX 76710
SUBJECT: UNIT VISIT
1. The Texas Wing State Director’s Office conducted a Unit Visit at the Phanton
Composite Squadron on 9 Feb 05. The visit was coordinated in advance with the Squadron Commander, Capt. Allen Fenter.
2. The results of the visit are attached to this letter.
EDWARD M. BROWN, GS-12, USAF
State Director
1 attach
SAV
Cc: TXWG/CC/CV/IG/LG
GROUP 8/CC
CAP-USAF SWLR/CC
CAP-USAF SWLR/LG
Report of Unit Visit
Unit Visited: TX 352 Phantom Commander: Capt. Alan R. Fenter
Date of Visit: 9 FEB 2005 Reviewing Official: LtCol Brus Messinger
______
FACILITY: The Phantom Comp Squadron meets at Texas Army Guard building #4531, 3701 Fighter Drive, south side of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday (bimonthly) at 7:00PM. The facility is loaned to CAP; there is no rent or utility costs. Texas State Guard has priority for this shared facility. Army reservists conduct training on a different schedule than the CAP Phantom Squadron. CAP members can display recruiting posters, CAP banners and training aids. The Phantom Squadron is in talks to move to a location closer to the State Pooling Board hanger within Bergstrom airport confines. The Texas Army Guard facility is a well-maintained masonry building on well-maintained municipal property, formerly Bergstrom AFB. The squadron is responsible for cleaning and maintaining the provided facilities. Fire extinguishers are in place.
COMMAND: The commander, Captain Alan Fenter is assigned in writing as confirmed via the Texas Wing website, CAPF 2A and local documents. Captain Fenter is an enthusiastic, organized and charismatic leader. He has been an active member of the Civil Air Patrol for 11 years, presently as commander for past 2 years. Captain Fenter has extensive experience with Emergency Services, Search and Rescue missions and general aviation. He currently has 2,100 flight hours of various aircraft and recently passed the FAA-ATP written examination and will be starting initial training with Pinnacle Airlines in the Canadair Regional Jet beginning February 28, 2005. With input from squadron members, Commander Fenter accomplishes all tasks, reporting and administrative requirements. He keeps abreast of wing and national activities through e-mail, Internet and U.S. mail. All functional areas of responsibility are manned by qualified squadron members.
CADET PROGRAM: This squadron currently has no cadets.
AEROSPACE EDUCATION: Captain John Craparo is currently assigned as the Aerospace Education Officer and he conducts monthly aviation/safety briefings for senior members. There is no requirement for cadet aerospace education.
ADMINISTRATION/PERSONNEL: The Squadron has an active administration officer. Records are individually maintained in an orderly manner and locked in a filing cabinet at the unit meeting location. Back-up copies are maintained at member homes. The Squadron Commander keeps the latest publications and supplements in a unit library for quick reference.
SAFETY PROGRAMS: The squadron has monthly safety briefings. Senior members actively discuss safety topics as they apply to SAREX, aircraft systems and mishap reports. LTC George Mihalcik, USAF (Ret.) is a top-notch safety officer and routinely informs the entire squadron on all aspects of aviation. His military and civilian flying experience is well suited for this CAP position.
SENIOR PROGRAMS: The squadron has 30 current senior members. Approximately 14 senior members participate regularly at meetings and other activities. Seniors consistently participate in monthly wing distributed-SAREX; logging an average of 3 sorties, peaking to 7 sorties per monthly Wing SAREX. Senior members have extensive experience in general aviation and SAR mission. Several members are upgrading or re-qualifying due to changes in wing requirements. All personnel are familiar with regulations and policies. Captain Baron Carter, CFII, is the director of Stan Eval. He is a well qualified instructor and supervises all air/ground events.
TRAINING: 2LT Tom Fowler is the training officer on in charge of senior programs. He has many years of CAP aviation experience and is well qualified for this position. Training records are updated and kept in a locked filing cabinet at the squadron meeting location. MIMS is used to maintain member training currency.
LOGISTICS/SUPPLY: Aside from corporate aircraft, there are NO government assets.
FINANCE: 1LT Chuck Throop keeps financial records are orderly and up to date. The squadron held a successful Silent Auction and “Pancake Breakfast Fly-In.” The Phantoms raised $1,200 gross on top of hosting a successful “Wings” Safety seminar in conjunction with the Commemorative Air Force in San Marcos.
AIRCRAFT: The assigned Cessna-182 corporate aircraft, 6576N, is hangared at Texas State Pooling Board, Hangar #3 at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Aircraft logs and records are professionally maintained. A&P work is certified by Berry Aviation of San Marcos, Texas. Attention to detail and proper record of maintenance is one of the best in the wing. The new paint job on the aircraft exterior (contracted at Denton) still looks great. Mission pilots had great things to say about the upgraded “Technisonic” split-radio panel. Unit Commander has requested a current database upgrade for the Apollo 5000 GPS and would certainly welcome an overhaul for the original interior.
PILOT RECORDS: Pilot records are in order and are backed up on spreadsheets.
TRANSPORTATION: No vehicles are assigned to the Phantom Senior Squadron.
DISCREPANCIES: No major discrepancies or deviations were noted.
COMMENTS: Active squadron; flown over hundreds of hours. Excellent mix of leadership, experience and motivation.
Unit has taken the initiative and come up with a unique fund raising program by combining “Wings” safety seminars with “fly-in” services. Not only a great fundraiser, but this unit event spotlights Wing training and camaraderie. Another program that the Phantoms have measured up to is a test aerial surveillance program in coordination with LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority) to map 1,300 marine vessels and traffic problems.
The TX#352 squadron is in limbo on a GPS replacement. At a minimum, the unit Commander has requested a get database upgrade for the current Apollo 5000 GPS.
This unit is focused, experienced and eager to comply with standards. They know the system and have the ability to perform. Under the leadership of Captain Alan Fenter, this active squadron has stepped up to the task, performed in an excellent manner, and become a leading asset to the USAF and CAP.
Excellent CAP squadron; likes a challenge and takes pride in doing it right.