by 2d Lt Mark Sweitzer, Group 2 PAO 

Photo: C/SMSgt Stanley of Gainesville Composite Squadron directs aircraft.

16 September 2006  (Keystone Heights Airpark) — An Aerospace Education Fun Day took place at the Keystone Heights Airpark in Keystone Heights, Florida.  The event was a Group-wide event.  More than 40 cadets and 20 officers attended this event.  They represented six units from across north Florida.  

The event was organized by Gainesville Squadron Commander, Captain Leslie Ballard.  Coordinating the arrival of four powered aircraft, a glider, food for lunch and training sessions was not easy, but it looked like she had long practice at organization.  The purpose of the day was multi-fold.  Of course, there was the goal of getting as many cadets into the air as possible for orientation flights, but there were others as well. 

With several units meeting at an airport, flight line marshalling consisted one of the training sessions.  Cadets could be seen practicing FOD walkdowns as well as directing of aircraft.  With flights taking off and landing at a regular pace—CAP and non-CAP, there was plenty of work to go around.  There were even some old Russian YAK aircraft flying and several helicopters as well. 

In addition to the flight line marshalling, Captain David Graham-former Spaatz cadet and Expert Ranger, conducted some Ground Team ES training.  Captain Graham could be seen on the other side of the field instructing his classes on how to read a compass, take a bearing and other crucial aspects of a ground search.  He was assisted by 2d Lt Collin David—also of Gainesville Composite Squadron. 

For a special treat, Joe Johnston of the Florida Fish and Game Commission flew his helicopter in to demonstrate and talk to the cadets about his experiences during Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath.  Several groups of cadets were able to talk to him and see some of the equipment used during search and rescue exercises and drug interdiction efforts. 

Another treat was Professor Zimmerman of North Florida Community College.  Zimmerman, a professor of chemistry, builds and launches his own multi-stage rockets.  These rockets, when launched, need FAA clearance due to the altitudes they reach.  One that he brought with him was capable of reaching 7,000 feet in altitude.  Plans are already under way to have some cadets from Group 2 attend some of the launches in Madison later this year. 

A reporter for WCJB TV 20 in Gainesville interviewed two cadets—Cadet Baker of the Cecil Field Cadet Squadron and Cadet McGinnis of the Jacksonville Composite squadron.  The interviews were scheduled to be airled on the 11:00 p.m. news in a 90-second feature.  Unfortunately, the Group 2 PAO received a phone call later in the day from the reporter stating that the videotape had been accidentally damaged and would not be able to be aired that night.  However, representatives from a local newspaper covered the event as well. 

By the end of the day, 21 powered and 10 glider sorties had been flown.  Pilots headed for home and shortly thereafter, the cadets and staff.  Group 2 had successfully fulfilled its mission of an Aerospace Education Fun Day.