Seniors
Welcome to the Senior side of
Tahoe Truckee Composite Squadron
(NV027)
Our Squadron Commander is
Lt Col Kenneth Aronson
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Your Tahoe-Truckee Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a public service organization dedicated to carrying out emergency services and disaster relief missions in the North Tahoe region. Here’s a look back at some of our accomplishments in 2021. We hope this inspires you to consider volunteering and becoming part of CAP’s legacy of service. In the early part of 2021, our squadron, Unit NV027, passed a routine Subordinate Unit Inspection (SUI) by the Nevada Wing staff - with a perfect score. Congratulations and thanks to all our section leaders from Administration to Transportation. It takes a lot of people and commitment to run a successful squadron. |
Your Tahoe-Truckee Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a public service organization dedicated to carrying out emergency services and disaster relief missions in the North Tahoe region. Here’s a look back at some of our accomplishments in 2021. We hope this inspires you to consider volunteering and becoming part of CAP’s legacy of service.
In the early part of 2021, our squadron, Unit NV027, passed a routine Subordinate Unit Inspection (SUI) by the Nevada Wing staff - with a perfect score. Congratulations and thanks to all our section leaders from Administration to Transportation. It takes a lot of people and commitment to run a successful squadron.
New Cessna Turbo 206 Airplane
Our squadron received a factory new Cessna Turbo 206 airplane. Major Andrew McNear and Captain CB Wilson flew the plane from the factory back to the Truckee Tahoe Airport in March. This great new airplane is turbocharged with a service ceiling of FL250, and a critical altitude of 17,000 feet. The T206 is fully equipped with a Garmin G1000Nxi flight management system and a GFC700 autopilot, as well as a Becker ELT locator system. Search and rescue specific radios allow continuous communication with our ground-based crews and rescue incident commanders, all of which makes our new Cessna T206 the ideal plane for our mountainous operations.
In late April, Lt. Col. Ken Aronson took over the Truckee Squadron from Major Pat McDonough.
McDonough remains active as Deputy Commander and Finance Officer.
In May, due to relaxed COVID restrictions, we were able to have our first face-to-face meetings
of the year. It was good to see old friends and restart operations. After attending the requisite three meetings, three new members ultimately joined our Truckee Squadron: SM Dan Beadle, a pilot and fight instructor, SM Michael Kennedy, a pilot and public relations expert, and SM Cindy
Giansiracusa, Assistant to the Cadet Squadron Deputy Commander, 2d Lt Richard C Schnoor. Our Truckee CAP Squadron currently meets every second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 6pm at the Truckee Tahoe Airport.
During the Summer of 2021, Major Pat McDonough was recognized for his nine years of service in CAP with a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. And in July and August we conducted our Mission to Mars Space Camp.
Mission to Mars Space Camp
Senior and Cadet Squadron members volunteered to produce three, one-week space camps. This is a key part of the CAP Aerospace Education mission to increase STEM education. Our volunteers taught children, ages 6-12 years old, in aeronautical basics. During each week campers were able to understand lift, aircraft control, build model airplanes, learn how real
planes are built and even fly drones. All of this was done under a framework of traveling to Mars. Our CAP Senior and Cadet volunteers contributed well over 700 hours to lead
this Truckee Recreation Center camp.
In August, Senior Member (SM) Tony Sorce qualified as VFR Pilot for the Cessna T206 and as Transport Mission Pilot. This allows him move material and reposition the aircraft.
In September, SM Dan Beadle qualified as a Mission Transport Pilot and SM Tony Sorce qualified as Mission Scanner. In a Search and Rescue mission, the Mission Scanner provides eyes on the ground looking for the target and provides in-flight logging of the mission in support of the pilot.
In October, flying was limited due to the wildfires. Operations Officer, Major Andrew McNear was able to find a good day to give Orientation Rides (O-Rides) to two Cadets: Cadet Sierra Elisabeth Demarest and Cadet Maile Giansiracusa. These flights reinforce aerospace education by giving Cadets hands on experience flying our airplane.
For more information, see us on Facebook.
Take-off from Hawthorne, NV during a Search and Rescue Exercise. Thanks Betty for the picture.
