10 August 2007
SAN ANGELO - One very successful fundraiser and months of planning by senior members culminated in a weeklong camping and education trip to Houston and Galveston for members of the San Angelo Composite Squadron, Group 1. 

On 15 July, squadron members departed San Angelo for a 2-day stay in the Houston area, where they were treated to an exclusive Level-9, "behind the scenes" tour at NASA's Johnson Space Center (http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/), allowing for a more personalized experience.  The group toured the Sonny Carter Neutral Buoyancy Lab (http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/support/training/nbl/), the Astronaut Training Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/index.html), the Space Environment Simulation Laboratory (http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/lab.htm), Space Shuttle Mission Control, Space Station Mission Control, Historic Mission Control (http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/apo.htm), and the Saturn V Rocket.

On 17 July, squadron members returned to the Johnson Space Center for the tram tour and then it was off to Galveston. The first stop was the Lonestar Flight Museum (http://www.lsfm.org/).  Seniors and cadets enjoyed walking amongst an eclectic collection of aircraft on display or in various state of restoration from different periods of American aviation history.

The next day, 18 July, the group headed to Galveston's Moody Gardens (http://www.moodygardens.com/) - - a wonderful attraction including a rainforest, aquarium, IMAX and 3-D movie theater, paddlewheel boat ride, and manmade beach and pool.  The weather began to deteriorate and upon return to camp, many tents were down, and all had water inside.  Some were less fortunate than others, but spirits were not dampened.  Everyone pitched in to return the campsite to normal, hoping for better weather the next day.

19 July started sunny, but Galveston's fickle weather produced more rain after breakfast.  Another plan adjustment took squadron members to the boardwalk and when the rain subsided, the beach for sand and surf.

The 20 July morning weather started clear but a large, ominous cloud loomed on the horizon.  Everyone worked quickly to pack vehicles before rain poured from the sky.  A lightning storm greeted us heading off the island and rain continued all the way back to San Angelo.

Squadron member who participated were:  Cadets SMSgt Linden Lansford, MSgt Bessie Knight, SrA Chris Brown, SrA Robert Foate, A1C Cody McCallum, Amn Sean McCallum, and AB Dylan Simkins. Seniors LtCol Don Roberts, Capt Bill Knight, 1Lt Carol Roberts, 2Lt Lisa Knight, and 2Lt Johanna Augustine.

photo 1 -Squadron members examine the Saturn V rocket

photo 2 - Cadet Amn Sean McCallum examines a control panel in the Historic Mission Control Center

 
photo 3 - Squadron members in front of the door to the Space Environment Simulation Laboratory Vacuum Chamber