Last update: 24 JUN 2007

26 MAY 07 - Sq18 at Watsonville Airshow 2007 by 1stLt Ha, CAP The annual 2007 Watsonville Airshow was held over Memorial Day weekend. The organizers called on California Wing Civil Air Patrol to assist with crowd control and flight line security. Cadets as well as senior members from units throughout California, including Squadron 18, signed-on for the 3-day weekend activity. Cadets were given free access privileges, and as a result got a close look at the different aircrafts on display. The cadets and the senior members stayed at a National Guard armory (above) located on the Airport. While at the event, cadets trained and practiced using Directional Finders (DFs) to locate activated Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs). The Watsonville Airshow provided an excellent opportunity for cadets to experience teamwork, and for the cadet staff to manage an operation. Senior members and cadet officers from different units (above) seamlessly worked together to ensure the safety of all participants. The Cadet "Morale" Officer was none other than Squadron 18's Cadet LtColonel Crawford. During "off-duty" hours, cadets got to know each other through various social activites such as an X-box game tournament. Various aircraft, ranging from military to vintage were not only on display, but were flown at the airshow to the awe of the spectators (above). Cadets assigned to flight line security during fly-over demonstrations got "front-row" seats as the airplanes flew overhead. Safety was repeatedly "preached" and observed by CAP members. For example, ear-plugs were routinely used to ensure NO cadet or senior member returned home with hearing damage!

01 APR 07 - Sq18 Color Guard at A's Game by 1stLt Ha, CAP Under a sunny sky on April 1st, the San Francisco Bay Group 2 Color Guard from East Bay Cadet Squadron 18 presented the colors during the opening of a pre-season friendly match-up between two rival Bay Area MLB teams–the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics. The game was held at McAfee Coliseum–home to the Oakland A’s. The Color Guard had the chance to march on the well-manicured green as thousands of spectators watched. As the National Anthem came to its conclusion, the Cadets were treated to a thunderous applause. The Color Guard then sharply executed a turn and marched off the field. After the opening ceremony, the cadets and their escorts were given free access to any seat in the stadium. They stayed through the game and saw the Oakland A’s beat the Giants 8–5. The chance to be part of an MLB game opening ceremony was a memorable experience for the Squadron 18 Cadets. One of them, C/Staff Sergeant Nicole Cruz stated that standing in the middle of the green field with thousands of spectators watching her and her fellow-cadets was surreal. Nonetheless, the Cadets expressed the once-in-a-life-time experience helped them feel more confident about themselves. The members of the Color Guard were: C/Chief Master Sergeant Michael Sutton, C/Chief Master Sergeant Daniel Jackson, C/Senior Master Sergeant Ariel Aboytes, C/Staff Sergeant Nicole Cruz, and C/Staff Sergeant Adam Bacal. They were escorted by: Major Ron Crow, C/Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Crawford, and C/Major Rene McCoy.

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