News
4 January 2025
C/CMSgt Haley Vargas recently completed California Wing's Cadet Officer Basic Course, held 27 December to 4 January at Camp Parks. Colonel Craig Newton, California Wing Commander, presents Chief Vargas her graduation certificate.
Chief Vargas currently serves as Squadron 138's First Sergeant.
21 December 2024
Our final activity for 2024 was orientation flights at Fullerton Airport. Cadets Aiden Carrillo, Josh Picar and Kyle Suk got their first taste of flight, and were presented their First Flight Certificates. Also flying were C/CMSgt Marina De La Vega (3rd flight), C/CMSgt Haley Vargas (2nd flight), C/SrA Eddie Harris (3rd flight), C/SrA Aaron Bonilla (2nd flight), and C/Amn Lily Ghebranious (2nd flight)
Many thanks to Lt Col Thomas Smith from South Bay Senior Squadron 129, and 1st Lt Francisco Castaneda from San Fernando Senior Squadron 35 for flying our cadets.
10 December 2024
. 
Los Angeles Cadet Squadron 138 held its annual Holiday Dinner at the Reagan Event Center in Downey. During the festive dinner, Gus Orozco, Veterans and Armed Services Deputy for Congressman Robert Garcia (42nd District of California) presented Squadron 138 a Congressional Certificate of Recognition for over 57 years of service to the communities of East and Southeast Los Angeles County. Captain Erick Castillo, squadron commander, accepted the certificate on behalf of the squadron.
Mr. Orozco also presented a Congressional Certificate of Recognition to Lt Col Charles Wiest for his 60 years of service in Civil Air Patrol.
Gus Orozco presented Certificates of Congressional Recognition to C/CMSgt Haley Vargas and C/CMSgt Edward Pedroza, which read: "Your dedication in creating a more vibrant future through promoting service, patriotism, and leadership to your fellow cadets is truly admirable. I applaud you on this accomplishment and wish you the best in your future endeavors."
1 December 2024
On Sunday, 1 December, Los Angeles Cadet Squadron 138's color guard proudly marched along Downey Avenue in the 73rd Annual Downey Christmas parade. C/CMSgt Edward Pedroza carried the American flag and C/SSgt Sergio Pedroza carried the squadron flag with five unit award streamers. C/SMSgt Haley Vargas and C/SSgt Jaden Pedroza served as guard.
. 
. 
15 September 2024
13 October 2024
Local Civil Air Patrol's Los Angles Cadet Squadron 138 won the 1st Place trophy in the JROTC Color Guard Division at the Montebello Heritage Parade on October 13, 2024. Led by Color Guard Commander C/MSgt Mariana De La Vega, the color guard proudly carried the American flag and Squadron 138 flag with five citation streamers. Carrying the squadron flag was C/SSgt Sergio Pedroza, accompanied by guards C/SMSgt Edward Pedroza and C/SrA Eddie Harris.
18 August 2024
Members of Squadron 138 recently completed the Drill and Ceremonies School held at the California Air National Guard Base in San Diego. Attending were squadron commander Captain Erick Castillo, C/CMSgt Ayden Murillo, C/CMSgt Marina De La Vega, C/MSgt Haley Vargas, C/SSgt Sergio Pedroza, C/A1C Jaden Pedroza and C/A1C Eddie Harris.
10 August 2024
.
At the Columbia Memorial Space Center's annual Rocket Fever on Saturday, August 10, Squadron 138 set up it's new MS Flight Simulator. Many attendees were attracted to Squadron 138's display. On the left, squadron commander Captain Erick Castillo points out the aircraft instruments to C/SSgt Haley Vargas. On the right, C/SrA Eddie Harris guides future pilot as she starts to take of a Cessna 182.
6 August 2024
Our Squadron 138 color guard presented the colors to open National Night Out at Downey Civic Center on Tuesday evening, August 6. Commanded by C/SMSgt Ayden Murillo, the color guard included C/MSgt Marina De La Vega, C/SSgt Haley Vargas and C/SrA Jaden Pedroza. The color guard was trained by SM Sergio Ayala.
15 June 2024
Four members of Squadron 138 recently served on staff at the Far East Encampment 2024, held at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Holding their Certificates of Graduation are C/SrA Sergio Pedroza (far left), C/SrA Jaden Pedroza (3rd from left), C/MSgt Edward Pedroza (4th from left), and S/SrA Sarah Habib (far right).
21 June 2024
The Spring-Summer 2024 issue of California Wing's Bear Facts magazine, just out, features Squadron 138 cadets C/SMSgt Eric Aleian and C/TSgt Haley Vargas on the cover. And Squadron 138 is mentioned in the article inside. Check it out!
11 June 2024
SM Xuhui Li, our new Assistant Aerospace Education Officer, helps the cadets fold a CAP paper glider.
23 April 24
Congratulations to all our cadets who recently earned promotions. Thanks to California Wing Commander Col Craig Newton and Group 1 Commander Maj Robert Ottenhoff for visiting our meeting and joining us for the promotion ceremony.
November 11, 2023
Members of Los Angeles Cadet Squadron 138 once again participated in the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Monrovia's Library Park, hosted by the Allied Veterans Council of the Upper San Gabriel Valley. Our own Lt Col Charles Wiest, vice president of the council, served as this year's Master of Ceremonies.
Our members had the opportunity to meet Congresswoman Judy Chu, representing California's 28th District, a regular participant at the ceremony.
October 8, 2023
Members of Los Angeles Cadet Squadron 138 set up an information table on Sunday, October 8, at the annual Montebello Heritage Festival in Montebello City Park. This was our third year at the festival.
Many thanks to Jackie Yoo at Ace Graphix for donating three new banners to Squadron 138.
September 7, 2023
August 29, 2023
At our regular meeting this week, we were honored to host Downey Mayor Claudia Frometa and Downey Mayor Pro Tem Mario Trujillo for a "Meet and Greet". They seemed to be very impressed about the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program that we offer the residents of Downey and surrounding communities.
Mayor Frometa graciously assisted in the presentation of Wright Brothers Award #57968 to C/SSgt Ayden Murillo and Wright Brothers Award to C/SSgt Christopher Hernandez. Congratulations to both new NCOs!
The Mayor also presented City of Downey challenge coins to Downey residents C/SrA Edward Pedroza, C/A1C Jaden Pedroza and C/Amn Sergio Pedroza.
August 15, 2023
Local Civil Air Patrol Cadets Complete Annual Encampment
Eleven Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadets from Los Angeles Cadet Squadron 138 recently completed the annual week-long cadet encampment at Camp Roberts, the California Army National Guard base near San Miguel, California. They joined 385 cadets from six states, and were immersed in the challenging curriculum to develop leadership skills, investigate the aerospace sciences and related careers, commit to a habit of regular exercise, and reinforce their moral character. Cadets are expected to attend encampment within their first year as a CAP Cadet.
“Encampment was an experience that will never leave my mind. Its rigorous nature is something I would have never expected to find myself in,” said Cadet Senior Airman Edward Pedroza of Downey. “However, I’m glad I took part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Learning to properly uphold the CAP Core Values, pushing myself and my Wingman to rise to the challenge is something I’ll never forget.”
Attending the 2023 encampment were Cadet Airman First Class Marina De La Vega of Paramount, Cadet Airman First Class Sarah Habib of Los Angeles, Cadet Senior Airman Ayden Murillo of Lynwood, Cadet Senior Airman Edward Pedroza of Downey, Cadet Airman First Class Jaden Pedroza of Downey, Cadet Airman Sergio Pedroza of Downey, Cadet Airman First Class Jasmine Torres of Los Angeles, Cadet Senior Airman Haley Vargas of Montebello, Cadet Airman Jeremy Yoo and Cadet Airman Jerry Yoo of Los Angeles. Returning to serve on encampment staff this year were Cadet Master Sergeant Dominick Yang-Lim from Montebello and Cadet Technical Sergeant Eric Aleian from Montebello, who joined 112 Cadet Cadre and over 75 adult leaders to lead and support the large operation.
“I thought encampment was over-all a good learning experience on how the military works and to improve my skill as a cadet,” stated Cadet Senior Airman Ayden Murillo.” It was challenging, both physically and mentally, with Physical Training every morning, marching everywhere we went, and inspections were hard to go through but also toughened you at the end.”
“Three of my children attended the event and each came back with a strong sense of self-worth,” said parent Elizabeth Pedroza. “The encampment was a physically and mentally challenging event. Cadets were away from home for a week and had to rely on other cadets from their flight group. They learned about finishing tasks that required teamwork.”
Her daughter Cadet Airman First Class Jaden Pedroza, a CAP Cadet for one year, echoed that sentiment: The first step of becoming a good leader is learning how to be a team player.”
One of the most memorable events at encampment this year, according to Cadet Master Sergeant Dominick Yang-Lim, were orientation flights in Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 aircraft, and military CH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. There were 500 cadet flights flown during the encampment. And, of course, the dramatic flyover by two F-15 Eagles during the graduation ceremony.
Cadet Senior Airman Edward Pedroza sums up his encampment experience this way: “Being able to see the world of Civil Air Patrol and its loyal members leaves nothing but pure motivation to continue forward and strive to be a better team member and cadet.”
Los Angeles Cadet Squadron 138, the local Civil Air Patrol unit, has served the communities of East and Southeast Los Angeles County since 1967. The squadron meets Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9:00 PM at Downey Adult School, 12340 Woodruff Avenue, Room M104. Visitors are always welcome to find out more about this challenging program.
March 14, 2023
. 
. 
Tonight, we welcomed two cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point. CDT CPT Jacob Lapin, a Senior, and CDT CPL Olivia Raykhman, a Sophmore, visited our meeting and spoke to our cadets about their experiences at West Point, and how to apply to the academy. Our cadets eagerly asked many questions about life at West Point and the Army, which the visiting cadets discussed.
February 28, 2023
Congratulations to our newest Cadet Airman, C/Amn Haley Vargas, promoted at tonight's meeting.
February 17-20, 2023
Nine members of Squadron 138 attended California Wing's annual Cadet Programs Conference from 17-20 February at Camp San Luis Obispo. They joined hundreds of cadets and adult members from through-out California for lots of fun, friendship and food, and learned about the many activities and educational opportunities available to them as CAP cadets.
C/Amn Victoria Pedroza had an unique opportunity to meet BGen Regena Aye, Civil Air Patrol's Vice Commander.
February 7, 2023
We welcomed members of Dynamic Forcemasters Club 587, Toastmasters International, to our meeting tonight.
Sal Cervantes (left) speaks to our cadets about public speaking. Marco Barcena shares some tips.
Lt Col Wiest thanks Toastmaster Sal Cervantes, as well as Marco Barcena (from the left), Miguel Puente and Fabiola Barcena. Captain Erick Castillo (right) joins the congratulations.
January 24, 2023
2d Lt Ezikiel Soto, US Air Force Academy Admissions Officer, visits Squadron 138 to speak to our members about his experience at the Air Force Academy, and advise cadets and parents how to apply for the academy.
January 7, 2023
At the invitation of the Montebello Historical Society, members of Squadron 138 support the annual Reenactment of the Battle of Rio San Gabriel, fought in 1847. Here, C/SMSgt Adrian Hernandez raises the period American and Mexican flags to open the event.
All around the Juan Matias Sanchez Adobe Museum, several historical groups and re-enactors set up displays and demonstrations. Twice during the day, re-enactors wearing 1847-era uniforms and costumes, representing the US Army, US Navy, US Marines, the Mexican army and local residents, staged a battle that included some angry words, musket and rifle fire, and a small field howitzer. Lots of smoke and noise!
January 3, 2023
Congratulations to Cadet Jasmine Torres for completing the Gen. John F. Curry Achievement and her promotion to Cadet Airman.
December 18, 2022
Members of Los Angeles Cadet Squadron 138 and their families once again participated in the annual Wreaths Across America Remembrance Ceremony at Los Angeles National Cemetery. Our members sold memorial wreaths in the months leading up to the ceremony, and helped distribute and place wreaths on veterans' graves to honor and remember their service.
October 16, 2022
Squadron 138 set up an information booth at the annual Montebello Heritage Festival in Montebello City Park. This is the second year that we have participated in this event. We got to talk to our neighbors and explain what the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program had to offer. We spoke to a number of people, and three joined the Cadet Program.
