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5 October 2007
 DECATUR,
Texas - Day One - At 1700 on Friday, September 21, Bishop Airport’s
hangar in Decatur stood peacefully next to its grass landing strip, that
is, until the cadet staff for the Group Two ALS, looking sharp in their
class B’s, started to pour in. Soon after they finished stowing their
gear in the large, air conditioned rooms, the basic cadets arrived to
have their bags checked and get squared away as well. To greet them and
put a smile on their faces was an adorable yellow lab mix known as
Wiggles, who calls the airport home.
 When
everyone was ready, the staff introduced themselves and assigned the
basic cadets to three flights – Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie. A class was
held soon after, and then personal time was in action, followed by
lights out. The basics probably didn’t know what was in store for them
the next morning.
 Day
Two - At 0500 on Saturday, in the basic cadets’ dreams, they were
playing the bass drum in an orchestra. But it happened to be the
reveille, composed of a large wastebasket and a stick. When they at last
gained consciousness, they were on their feet and getting ready for what
the weather permitted– PT. The basics burned lots of calories during one
tiring but rewarding hour of toe touching, flutter kicks,
cherry-pickers, push ups, and of course, double time in a flight
formation.
When 0600 arrived, the
cadets got their strength back with a decent helping of breakfast. As
the sun rose, classes on leadership and CAP history were presented, as
well as drill training. Some cadets had experience and knew what they
were doing, but others needed more instruction, thus putting some
pressure on the flight sergeants. In the middle of the day came the noon
meal, with hot dogs on the menu. At the end of the day, the basics were
looking forward to Sunday’s graduation. Then they could return to their
home units with a greater knowledge of leadership and more
professionalism, only to astonish their flight sergeants!
  
Article and
pictures submitted by C/SSgt David
Cook |
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