FO Samantha Salvato
Southwest Iowa Composite Squadron
On Sunday May 6,2012, the annual Red Oak Fly-in and breakfast was held at the Red Oak Airport, and of course the 003rd Southwest Iowa Composite Squadron was on hand. Participating along side Red Oak’s own Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadron was the Des Moines Cadet Squadron and the Des Moines Senior Squadron.
As the members were getting ready to head over to the airport early that morning the sky turned black, the wind picked up, and the rain started to fall. At that point in time, no one was sure if this fly-in was even going to happen, but that didn’t stop everyone from making final adjustments to their uniforms and packing up their gear.
Captain Jason Erikson, commander of the Southwest Iowa Composite Squadron, directed the members to the hanger where they would eventually set up a Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) presentation.
Thankfully, by the time the Fly–in started, the sky had cleared and the rain had stopped. The planes were brought out, breakfast was made, and the people came.
A lot of visitors stopped by the CAP table. Some were interested in what CAP does, but most were interested in the alcohol goggles used to simulate drunkeness in an educational attempt to keep kids away from alcohol. Kids and even adults had a ball with them, thanks to Cadet Sponsor members Teresa Hohenberger and Stacey Bean.
Kids also enjoyed making paper airplanes for the paper airplane competition, which had quite a turn out. With the help of Capt Jason Erickson and Cadet Sponsor Theresa Hohenberger, the kids made some really great planes, and had a blast competing against each other.
The Red Oak National Guard made an appearance bringing some of their vehicles for the crowed to check out. Helicopter and powered aircraft orientation flights were offered to the public and the annual ping pong ball drop was a sight to behold.
Despite Mother Nature’s unsettling start to the morning’s proceedings, the event was a success and the day turned out to be a fun morning for all who made it out to the airport.
Iowa Wing News
