West Richmond Cadet Squadron

GoodYear Blimp Trip

2009-10-23T08:57:00.009-04:00

The happy, but tired, Senior Members. Right to left, Maj. Payne, Lt. Broughear, Lt. Cox.

The ever energetic cadets.

The 80,000 LED lights on the side of the blimp.

The blimp is always balanced to be on the verge of floating away. In this case it was just hovering off the ground. And yes, it is a GoodYear tire.

2009-07-30T19:31:00.001-04:00

Sudden uncontrollable laughter. Other van thinks we're insane. Pulled over... I think we're tired. - Cox, H

Day 6, the journey home

2009-07-30T18:33:00.002-04:00

Well, our trip has finally come to and end and it is time to go home.

We got up at 5am this morning and took the Cadets for their final swim at the beach.

We swam until there was a great sunrise to see, at around 9am we headed north waving goodbye Satellite and Cocoa Beaches as well as to Kennedy Space Center.

We had a great time, learned somethings, have some memories and pictures to share with all.

We are currently in NC and have been in the storms/rain for over 3hrs now and we are tired of it.

We will see everyone soon!

We are planning the next trip!
Maj Payne

Day 5, Back to Kennedy

2009-07-29T21:47:00.004-04:00

Another full day!

We went back to KSC for the 2nd day. We took the Shuttle Launch Experience ride. What a fun simulator to go on.

After that we had lunch with an astronaut!Q The food was good and the speaker was great. his name was Charlie Walker. He works for a drug company and his mission was to test different types of drugs to see how they react in difrent ways. One of his story's was how he got his sleeping bag for the Space Station. He told us that he was late, due to other preparations for space, to choose his gear he wanted with him. He noticed that there were white sleeping bags in the corner, when he ask why they were there, they told him that they were the old Apollo bags from many years ago. He responded, then they may have been used by folks like John Glen, although they did not know themselves, he know he was choosing an historical one. When they got into space, his crew mates asked him why he chose that bag, he exlained to them why.

After lunch we finished seeing the sites, the rocket garden, the robot exhibit and so forth. We then took them to the gift shop before we left.

Before departing the area, we also stopped at the Astronaut Hall of Fame only a few miles away. What a place, chocked full of historical memorable. They also had hands on exhibits and simulator rides, All were fun

We then headed back to the hotel. After getting some packing done, we went to visit the local CAP squadron, Patrick Composite Squadron. They intermingled w/ other cadets, played kickball and then sat down to pizza and a movie.

Now we are back and getting ready to leave in the morning.

When I get back I have many more pictures to post, but it is late and I need sleep
Maj Payne

Day 4 continues

2009-07-28T22:40:00.003-04:00

Well another day over!

Today after the beach we went to Orlando and partook in some wind tunnel practice!
I other words we went to a place called Sky Ventures. This is a facility with an indoor wind tunnel. Cadets we put into special suits and w/a an instructor learned how to fly!. There are many pictures to show when I get the DVD.

WE HAD A BLAST!!!

After we returned the Cadets jumped in the pool and we picked up some Ice cream, but on the way back we stopped at CiCi's for dinner.

Tomorrow we go back to Kennedy for our last day!
Look for a group Pic at Kennedy

A quote for the day was: " There are really sea monsters out here, and boy is he ugly!"
"We are not here to drill, we are here to chill!"

There are many more, so when they get written down, I will post them.
Maj Payne

Day 3/4

2009-07-28T08:06:00.004-04:00

Day three went well, what a busy day!

We arrived at Kennedy Space Center on time only to get delayed at the ticked booth! We thought that we already made reservations, but the ticket person could not find us, yada yada yada an hour later we finally got in.

Once we got in, Capt Gary Dahlke gave us a special presentation. Gary in his civilian job works as a tile engineer on the Space Shuttle. This briefing gave the cadets a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes at NASA and where they are going into the future. After the presentation I gave Capt Dehlke a Certificate of Appreciation and 2 of our squadron activity shirts. He was very instrumental in getting this set up.

After the presentation, we took the Up Close and Personal Tour. This tour goes more in depth of NASA and its history. We go to go to spots that regular ticket holders do not get to go and be able to take pictures.

After the tour, we took lunch! Everyone was very hungry and ready to eat (no like they are teenagers or anything) After lunch we went back in and went to the Saturn 5 part of the facility. In this building there is s full size Saturn 5 rocket that never go into space. But it is HUGE! There were many sites to see in this building as well as a short movie on the moon landing.

After returning from there, it was time to come back to the hotel. On the way back 1 van stopped for the food we needed and the other scoped out a beach area to go to. The one we found was not a good site, it had to many unseen rock formations under the water, we walked a round for a little bit and returned to the hotel, there the Cadets got in to the pool! Had dinner, hot dogs hamburgers, chips, dips, and desert (mmmm Strawberry Pie) and then off to bed.

Day 4

This morning we got up and went to a beach just south of Coco Beach. That was great!/ We just got back, getting ready for lunch and we be off towards Orlando for a another escapade.
Stay tuned for the next installment!
Maj Payne

2009-07-27T09:02:00.001-04:00

Cadet quote: oh my gosh, they sell organs here. (as we pass a piano store)

2009-07-27T08:55:00.003-04:00

Cadet quote: (at the rocket garden) you can grow those?

2009-07-27T08:55:00.001-04:00

Cadet quote: wow...that's big

What a Day!

2009-07-26T22:08:00.002-04:00

Well today has been a great day!.

After this mornings church service, we had lunch and then off to meet w/ some more Florida Wing Members.

They were located about 50 miles south of us and we just had to take a road trip! We finally made it to where they were and just in time to see the model rockets get launched! 6 Cadets from Florida earned their Model Rocketry Badge! They all got to talk to each other for a while and they one of their Senior Members, Maj David Littlefield Commander of Treasure Composite Squadron, got us a tour in the Air Traffic Control Tower of Ft. Perice, FL. This is where he also is a ATC. The Cadets enjoyed the visit.

While returning to the motel, thinking thoughts of hamburgers, hot dogs and several other treats and well as desert (mmm Lemonaid Pie), and then to the beach were quickly deminshed as we headed into a very bad storm!. Well needless to say we did not cook out, but got fired chicken instead. Still was very tasty.

Oh yeah and by the way one of the vans A/C is out! Talk about being hot! it magically comes on and off at its own whim.

Well to marrow is the big day! we go to Kennedy Space Center!. The reason why we are here.

The special tour that was being planned fell through at the last moment, but don't worry! The FLA Wing Group 4 Aerospace Education Officer who was setting it up, Capt Gary Dahlke, was able to arrange a special briefing at Kennedy just for us! Something the public does not get to see

The quote of the day is:
"That's not ice cream, that's potato salad!"

Well all for now and off to bed!
Maj Payne

Day 2

2009-07-26T06:43:00.002-04:00

We are just getting up. the cadets are set to get up at 7am and then do a little PT on the beach.
When we arrived last night we met members of Florida Wing who were staying here for a Color Guard weekend. They were very gracious and welcomed us to FLA. They are packing up to leave this am, and unfortunately we will not get a chance to meet some more of them.

It is nice and peaceful in the early am. As I went outside to take a couple of pictures, the cadets were still fast asleep, believe it or not!

More to come
Maj Payne

We made it!

2009-07-25T23:38:00.003-04:00

Well me made it!!!!
It only took us 12 plus hours.
All went well during the day
We will down load pictures tomarrow!
Maj Payne

The Mighty 8th Air Force

2009-07-25T16:38:00.002-04:00

Home of the Mighty 8th!!!! Savannah, GA. Here is were is all began . These fly boys were bombers and fighters!. They served our country well. Some gave the ultimate price! In this museum, the history of the 8th is unveiled. Through artifacts, stories, pictures and videos, the Cadets learned how they survived, was trained and where they were stationed in Europe during the war.

Lt Col Gurtin's husband was a member of the 8th Air Force. He was assigned to the 34th Bomber Group (Heavy) 18th Squadron. The museums library was closed today, but looking around we found several plaques and engraved stone memorials of the crews who served. His name was not found. We are going to contact the museum this week via email and see if they have anything on file that may be there. If they do, we are going to stop back on the way home and see if we can get a picture for her. She was unable to make the trip as originally planed.

Also while were visiting the museum one of the volunteers was a CAP Cadet from the Savannah Composite Squadron and there were members from PA Wing. I enjoyed talking with them while we were there.

Well back to the grid, about 5hrs to go until we get to the hotel.
Maj Payne

2009-07-25T16:31:00.001-04:00

Leaving the 8th Air Force Museum now. Only 4.75 hours to go. Saw lots of interesting artifacts from our valient flyers of WWII.

2009-07-25T14:23:00.001-04:00

Finally in Georgia! Stopping at the 8th air force museum.

So far so good!

2009-07-25T12:01:00.003-04:00

We are now in South Carolina, stopped for fuel. We will be in Georgia in about 2 hrs. We will stop at the 8Th Air Force Museum just outside Savannah which is close to the state line.
Quote of the day" Can I pass you, I am tired at looking at your rear end"
Everyone is having a good time so far. Bagels are good at 10 am!
Come so far, so far to go!!!
Look for pictures later in the day!
Maj Payne

2009-07-25T10:38:00.001-04:00

We just passed South Of The Border. 500 miles, or so, to go.

2009-07-25T09:05:00.001-04:00

Stopped in Kenly, NC after hitting a "gator". No damage to van. No damage to cadets.

Day 1: 0700

2009-07-25T06:59:00.002-04:00

On our way! Close to Emporia, everybody happy, DCC on drugs.... For carsickness.
Van 1: Maj. Payne, Lt. Mosher, males. Van 2: Lt. Cox, Lt. Broughear, females.

T-minus

2009-07-21T10:57:00.001-04:00

Hi All

T-minus 4 days until GO FOR LAUNCH!

How to access pictures

2009-07-15T18:13:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone

When you want to see the pictures click on the button titled "view all" and that will take you to the website

Thanks
Maj Payne

Hi West Richmond

2009-07-08T13:24:00.000-04:00

Hi Members, Parents, and Friends of West Richmond Cadet Squadron

This site will be used to let you now how we are doing in Florida, what we are doing and where we are going while in Florida.

Stay tuned for daily updates of our adventures!!!!

You will also get a link to see our pictures.

Thanks
Maj Payne

08 July 09

2009-07-08T13:21:00.000-04:00

Setting up blog site for Florida Trip