The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-09-06
Local Youths AtWest Point For roininq
 Air Scouts Given
 Instructions at
 Stewart Field

Three Air Scouts from Waterbury and four from Middlebury, selected to represent the Mattatuck Coun- cil, Boy Scouts of America, were among the one hundred and ten young men in the blue uniform of the Air Scout from the New Eng land States who recently success fully completed one week of intense Waining in aeronautical subjects at Stewart Aarny Air Field, for merly the basic-advanced flying school for the cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
 The local contingent, which was the largest from Connecticut con- sisted of David W. Couch, 19, of 1235 Bank Street, Kenneth F. Del kescamp, IT, of 83 Baldwin Avenue, and John F. zwick, Jr., 16, of RED No. 3 all of Waterbury; and those from Middlebury: Robert L. Knowl- ton, IT, of North Street, Eugene Phillips, Is, of Whitemore Road, Richard A. Skiff 16, of North Street, and George E. Fray, 15.
 Delving into the secrets of avia- tion and acquainting themselves with the large variety of aircraft on the line and in the hangars, these embryonic airmen from the New England States acquired a more comprehensive knowledge of aeronautics and the general func- tions of an airbase.
 Given Freedom of Field
 Guests of the AAF', which merely instructS and assists in directing the activity of this specialized branch of the Boy Scouts with no emphasis upon recruiting, the Scouts were given free rein while on the field.
 Interests naturally varied among these 110 Air Scouts representing Maine, New Hampshire, Massachu- sets, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, but most attention. seemed to be showered on the Link train CT. The big majority of the Scouts agreed that, the Link was indeed a wonderful trainer and that they would like to have more instruction in it.
 Housed in the same barracks for merly used by West Point cadets, the young men were up daily at 6 A. M. to stand inspection by squad ron leaders before morning mess at 2 A. A. Then to closs rooms to study such aeronautical subjects as aerial navigation, propellers, en- zines, instruments, code, theory of radio, blind flying technique, traf- fic control, and actual work at maintenance of aircraft until time for mess at noon. Glasses again were resumed at F. M. and last ed until 5:3O P. M. Attired in their dress blue uniforms the Air Scouts then participated in the colorful retreat ceremonies; and finally to supper.
 Take More Studies
 After evening mess the Scouts were on their own. Many took ad- vantage of the voluntary advance ment and additional instruction classes as evidenced by a total of over six hundred individual Air Scout advancement tests passed Some attended the post theater shows and other participated in Boftball and volleyball games.
 With the exception of special oc- casions, the Scouts were to be in their barracks at 9:15 P. M. with lights out at 9:30 P. M.
 Big success and truly the social event of Stewart Field was the Sat- urday night dance scheduled by Ac- tivities Director David Machines, assistant Boy Scout executive from Westfield, Mass. The young wo- men, selected by the Newburgh, N. Y. YMCA, so thoroughly enjoyed | themselves that many of them re- turned to witness the graduation ceremony the next day.
 The Air Scout section is con- prised of young men Is and up years of age and is the newest ad- dition of the Boy Scouts of Amer ica, having been founded four years ago and now possessing a national membership of 60000.