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North Central
Minnesota squadrons told of NASA's
plans after space shuttle
MINNESOTA – The Viking Composite Squadron
recently got an inside account of the new Ares I and V
launch vehicles being developed as part of a program
to replace the space shuttle. Making the presentation
for the squadron’s aerospace education meeting was
engineer R.H. Coates, Ares vehicle integration assistant
chief engineer for new launch vehicles being
developed under NASA’s constellation program.
Photo by 2nd Lt. Erik J. Lindquist, Minnesota Wing
Coates has worked in the space industry for the past
23 years on the space shuttle main engine, space
shuttle main propulsion systems and the RS-68 engine
for the Air Force Delta IV evolved expendable launch
vehicle program, as well as other propulsion programs.
Viking Composite Squadron members listen to NASA engineer
R.H. Coatesʼ presentation on the Ares I and Ares V launch
vehicles.
He told the squadron members about the constellation program’s vision of providing launch support for the
International Space Station by 2015, thereby replacing the space shuttle and providing support for completion of the
space station over a two-year period. The launch vehicle will retire from flight service in 2010.
Plans also call, Coates said, for new, longer-duration missions to the moon by 2020 to learn more about the earth
and the moon and to develop capabilities for living and working on other worlds. After that, manned missions to Mars
are envisioned by 2030. The first unmanned test flight of the Ares I-X development vehicle is scheduled for April 2009.
>> Capt. David T. Coates
Northeast
Long Island Group cadets face off in competition
NEW YORK – More than 50 cadets from the five squadrons in the New York Wing’s Long Island Group convened at
Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Southampton to participate in the Air Force Association’s fourth annual Cadet
Competition. The event included drill, a “Jeopardy”-style quiz, foot races, a tug-of-war and an emergency locator
transmitter search.
Photo by 2nd Lt. Robert J. Calviello, New York Wing
Cadets await the start of the tug-of-war competition.
Suffolk Cadet Squadrons 7, 9 and 10 and the Francis S.
Gabreski and Brian M. Mooney Cadet squadrons participated.
Civil Air Patrol senior members oversaw each event, while Air
Force Association volunteers officiated and served as scorers.
The New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing hosted
the competition and provided a venue and supervision for one
of the contests, the fire department hose carry-and-sprint. The
106th also offered tours of base security forces and an HC-130
Hercules aircraft.
The day’s events concluded with a barbecue and trophy presentations.
Suffolk Cadet Squadron 9, led by Cadet 1st Lt.
Emmett Ceglia, won the competition, marking back-to-back
victories for the unit’s commander, Capt. Andean Pisano. The
cadets rousingly responded to the AFA’s offer to sponsor a fifth
annual event in 2009. >> 2nd Lt. Robert J. Calviello
Civil Air Patrol Volunteer 54 January-February 2009