1st Lt. Pamela Speer
Deputy Commander for Cadets
Birchwood Composite Squadron
Alaska Wing

ALASKA – Cadets in the Birchwood Composite Squadron recently put applied aerodynamics into action by building and launching their own rockets in the course of completing the Civil Air Patrol Model Rocketry Program during an intense six-week period.

The squadron’s aerospace education officer, 2nd Lt. Paul Vaono, took on the challenge of instructing the course even though scheduling his time was tricky, since he works as a flight medic in a remote village. Rocket-building and -testing took place during meetings in lieu of flight time every other week for two months, with weekend sessions added to help speed up the process. 

“In the CAP and especially in Alaska, you have to be flexible if you want to get things done,” said 1st Lt. Pamela Speer, deputy commander for cadets. “Lt. Vaono is a great example of volunteer service, scheduling around his job and family to make time for cadets.”

Cadets began with the Fizzy Flyer and Goddard Rocket, followed by the Redstone. The second stage was building, launching and testing for the Titan. 

Then came the final phase, with cadets studying and passing the exam and launching their Saturn Rockets on Aug. 22. To mark the occasion, family, friends and cadets from neighboring squadrons were invited to attend a Rocket Launch Barbecue at Birchwood Airport.

Attendance totaled more than 30 people, and everyone helped out by bringing food.  Senior Member Cary Kimball even bought his own barbecuing equipment and cooked all the burgers for everyone.

Finally, the time came for business. Radios were monitored, Notices to Airmen were issued, and the airport safety manager reported “all clear” for launch. 

During final launch two cadets manned the flight line, two more were runners, and of course one served as official safety officer. Vaona placed an altimeter in each rocket before launch to determine an accurate altitude reading.

Those who satisfactorily completed the written and performance requirements for all three stages of the program were awarded the Model Rocket Program badge and patch for wear on their service and battle dress uniforms. Additional awards were presented for categories such as highest launch and best building and design of both Titan and Saturn Rockets.

Special thanks are due Senior Member Kathy Sutherlin, who provided a level of administrative and testing support without which the program would not have achieved such success.

For his part, Vaono’s service went far above the call of duty: His wife gave birth to the couple’s first baby girl the day before the barbecue, and he still made it to the flight line for launch day! 

Completing the program were:

• Cadet 2nd Lt. Chad Speer.
   
• Cadet Staff Sgts. Emily Kroeker, Veronica Morthorpe and Sarah Peyton.
   
• Cadets Basic Andrew Keller, Isaac Kimball, Adam Pence and William Sutherlin.

Awards went to:

• Best Design, Titan Rocket – Cadet Staff Sgt. Emily Kroeker.
   
• Best Design, Saturn Rocket – Cadet Basic Adam Pence.
   
• Highest Launch – 2nd Lt. Chad Speer, 1,921 feet.

• Pull the pin.
   
• Aim the nozzle.
   
• Squeeze the trigger.
   
• Sweep the base of the flames.

 
In all, 32 members from Northeast Group Headquarters and the group’s four units – the Fox Cities and 248th TAC Air composite squadrons and the Brown County Senior Squadron, as well as the Door County squadron – were present for the intitial session June 3. They were so pleased with the instruction that they asked for some hands-on experience extinguishing fires.
     
On Aug. 19, 22 Northeast Group members returned to the “back forty” of the airport. There, Tess and Walters set up a pan fire using a sawed-off oil drum filled with fuel oil and gasoline. 

The Civil Air Patrol members were allowed to use a variety of extinguishers, ranging from dry powder to Purple-K to CO2.  After a re-introduction to the PASS technique, everybody got to put out a combustible-liquid fire. 
     
The two instructors also demonstrated safe fire-approach techniques, along with a few of the most common mistakes.  They emphasized:

• Always leave yourself a route of escape.
   
• Try to keep the wind to your back.
   
• Sweep the extinguisher at the base of the flames, not the fire itself.
   
• Use the whole extinguisher:  Empty it. 
  
• If you can’t extinguish the fire with one extinguisher, call for help!  Don’t waste time using a second or third extinguisher – the fire is out of control.
   
• Again, always leave yourself a route of escape!

Members were unanimous in their appreciation to Walters and Tess, as well as to Public Safety Chief Trace Paulson, who approved the activities.

Most had never used a fire extinguisher before, and the experience demystified the devices.  They are now better prepared to deal with fires both on the flight line and elsewhere. 

 

Senior Member Megan Luke
Public Affairs Officer
Annapolis Composite Squadron
Maryland Wing

MARYLAND – Annapolis Composite Squadron members will be welcoming home one of their own Friday when he returns from deployment to Iraq.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Hank Luke, a helicopter pilot stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, holds the same rank in Civil Air Patrol. He has been a CAP member for two years, serving as the Annapolis squadron's assistant officer for aerospace education, administration and personnel.

For half that time, he has been serving in Iraq as a combat air adviser to the Iraqi Air Force.

Squadron members plan to meet his plane as part of Operation Welcome Home – a program to greetsoldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines as they return home from deployments to various locations, showering them with praise, cheering them on, hugging them, offering them a "goodie bag" and thanking them for their service.

Mitzi Palmer
Contributing Writer

ALABAMA -- Building a home from start to finish is challenging enough, but when you’re on a seven-day deadline to get the home ready for a well-deserving family to move in, extra hands are needed.

About 1,000 pairs of hands, to be exact.

So when ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” came to Montgomery in February to do just that for the Jordan family, Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters employee Louis Piccotti volunteered to help get the job done.

Known to his friends and co-workers as Joe, Piccotti is a professional development program manager for CAP, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery. In this role, he provides leadership, management and ethics guidance to senior members.

When his wife told him ABC was coming to town on this incredible mission, Piccotti knew immediately that he wanted to participate. 

About a week before the build, Piccotti and the rest of volunteer team. led by Aronov Homes, met at a local church for a pep rally and to hear the Jordan family’s story.

Brady and Monica Jordan lost one of their daughters in 1995 to domestic violence and then a son eight years later to a drunk driver. They are now raising their three grandchildren, in addition to their daughter, and spend their time advocating for Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the state of Alabama’s Crime Victims Commission. The Jordans also uses their home to provide a safe haven for kids in their neighborhood. 

“The family was so inspiring to all of us,” Piccotti said, “but sadly their home was in need of some major repairs.”

According to ABC, the Jordans’ bathroom leaked into their kitchen, some of the siding on their home had been blown off and the kitchen had rotting counters and a stove that barely worked.

Inspired, Piccotti volunteered about 24 hours of his time during the week of the build, Feb. 16-22, in five areas. He assisted the production crew, put up tents around the site, helped move items out of the house, relocated plants and directed traffic.

“The experience was very rewarding,” he said. “It was awesome to be a part of so many people working together for such a great cause.”

A Burnt Hills, N.Y., native, Piccotti is a U.S. Air Force retiree. He also volunteers with the Boys Scouts of America as a merit badge counselor and committee member for Montgomery’s Troop 4, assisting in scout advancement.

He hopes his work with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will inspire fellow CAP employees and patron members to participate in volunteer activities in the community.

“Community service is such a wonderful thing,” Piccotti said. “It has a great way of bringing fellow citizens together and giving people a greater sense of belonging and pride in their community.

“I see the same volunteer spirit in CAP, and it makes me proud to be part of the organization.”
   
Segments from the episode featuring Piccotti and the Jordans , which aired April 26, can be watched at ABC’s Web site. The network also offers information about community volunteer opportunities.
 

Cadet Airman 1st Class Anthony Montana
Cadet Public Affairs Officer
1st Lt. Lisa Fountain
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Michigan Wing

MICHIGAN – The recent Selfridge Air Show 2009 was as fantastically unforgettable as ever, with the Air Force Thunderbirds’ airborne stunts captivating rapt onlookers.

For six Michigan Wing cadets, though, the experience was even more memorable -- thanks to a rare opportunity to meet members of the Thunderbirds team and see their F16Cs up close. The cadets found out for themselves just how much work and effort the pilots and supporting crews into their demonstrations.
 
They also had the privilege of helping with the preflight check of two of the F-16Cs. 

As one can imagine, preflight on such an aircraft is very lengthy. Steps can range from making sure the right helmet is on the right plane to looking for loose screws in the smallest corners.

The line chief, rather than the pilots, conducts the checks so that the Thunderbirds can take off as soon as they are strapped in. That places a lot of responsibility on the ground team, and trust between pilot and ground team is immense.

The cadets gained a new appreciation for all involved.

“After the briefing with the crew on Saturday, it was reinforced that they are actually humans,” said Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Jacob Suszko of the Selfridge Cadet Squadron.

 “From what the public sees, these guys are a highly skilled flight demonstration team. Which they are, but there’s another side to them.  They’re gone from their families for 270-plus days for 3-4 years. This is an extremely hard job for them.

“Even thought they can go home for a day or two between trips,” Suszko said, “these days are spent painting the jets or doing something Thunderbird-related.”

After the briefing, Air Force Master Sgt. Daniel Lawson, line chief for the maintenance crew, presented each of the six cadets and the four senior members in the group with a special Thunderbird Team challenge coin.

In return, Cadet Airman 1st Class Lindsey Fountain of the Rochester-Oakland Composite Squadron gave him her challenge coin – a gesture that touched him.

“I did it because I have been taught that when you are given something, you always give something in return,” Fountain said.

Suszko added, “In the Air Force, pilots and crew members get attached to their coins because they’re personal coins and normally engraved with their names or given a number.

“When Cadet Airman 1st Class Fountain gave him her coin, he didn’t want it because it was a personal coin. Also, the fact that it was a personal coin meant something to him, as if she was giving him a part of herself.”

As for the close-up encounter with the team and their planes, Suszko speculated that “if I wasn’t in CAP, I feel I still could have met the Thunderbirds -- but only for a few moments. The extent that we got to see them was above and beyond what is available to the public.”

He continued, “In CAP, you will be surrounded by extraordinary people all the time, and every now and then you get to meet people and do things that the public can’t.

“CAP will take you places you’ve never gone before.


 

2nd Lt. Robert Calviell 
Public Affairs Officer
Suffolk Cadet Squadron 10
New York Wing

NEW YORK -- Suffolk Cadet Squadron 10 did its part Aug. 15-16 in making sure the 15th annual Holbrook Chamber of Commerce Carnival/Craft Festival ran smoothly, providing traffic safety services and managing parking on the Seneca Middle School grounds. 

Thousands attended the four-day event, which featured carnival rides, craft tents, live music and evening fireworks. Proceeds are used to fund community beautification projects, such as sidewalk cleanups and tree and flower plantings.

Cadet staff under Cadet Capt. Krystal Reynolds worked closely with senior members and event organizers to manage nearly 30 Civil Air Patrol volunteers. Reynolds and her team established shifts that manned three traffic posts and distributed relief coverage to ensure safety in the unseasonably warm weather.

The squadron command post also served as a recruiting tent. Staff from Long Island Group Headquarters Squadron 10 senior members and were on hand to answer questions about CAP’s missions – emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs – and provide pamphlets and brochures to passersby.

“This event helps us in several ways,” said Capt. Ben Nodar, Squadron 10 commander. “Our participation allows the local Holbrook community to see and hear about CAP. Not only does it raise our visibility, but it is also provides a great opportunity for us to reach prospective squadron members and sponsors.”

2nd Lt. Ada Matthews
Information Technologies Officer
Rio del Fierro Composite Squadron
Texas Wing

TEXAS – A full-sized space suit, a multitude of space accessories and an extremely informative presentation made NASA engineer Lindsay Aitchison’s appearance Aug. 27 in Wichita Falls, hosted by the Rio del Fierro Composite Squadron, memorable for all concerned.

Aitchison made her presentation in a small auditorium at Midwestern State University, made available courtesy of Professor Pat Mitchell, chairman of the mathematics department. Along with Rio del Fierro squadron members and their families, the audience included Southwest Region, Texas Wing and Group II staff.

Aitchison, a former Civil Air Patrol cadet and Wichita Falls native, has been a NASA engineer for seven years. She is assigned to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, where she plays an important role in the lunar exploration program as project engineer and lunar configuration lead for the Constellation Space Suit System Pressure Garment Subsystem -- a crucial component of the space agency’s Constellation Program, intended to take the U.S. back to the moon.

She shared her experiences at NASA and covered the history of the agency’s space suits, from the early years of Project Mercury to the Constellation Program.

”It is all a team effort,” Aitchison emphasized. She added that “besides the astronaut program, NASA has many different job opportunities, ranging from engineering to administration. “

After she spoke, senior members, cadets and guests asked many questions, especially on how to handle the different pieces of space hardware on display.

“I really enjoyed the evening, and Lindsay was such an exciting person,” said Cadet Airman 1st Class Madison Roach.

After the presentation, the South Fort Worth Composite Squadron color guard -- Cadet 2nd Lt. James Staud, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Bradley Wabbersen, Cadet Airman Alex Ellison and Cadet Airman Basic Jennifer Aguilar --.retired the colors, having opened the gathering by presenting them. Those who wanted to attended a gathering at a friend of Aitchison’s for socializing and cake

 

(Photo by Maj. Paul Cianciolo)

Kristi Carr
National Headquarters

Now it’s there. Now it isn’t.

Time goes by and the signal goes off again. Civil Air Patrol’s National Capital Wing ground team refocuses to trace the source of the Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacon, or EPIRB

After three days of this on-again/off-again game, the team finally pinpoints the signal. It’s coming from a Georgetown townhouse. Even then, the location doesn’t make sense -- EPIRBs are the type of beacons used by marine craft, and there is no water in sight.

In front of the townhouse all is quiet; no signal now. Then the garage door goes up and there it is again — the signal! It turns out the townhouse owner is storing his boat, equipped with an overactive, very directional EPIRB, in his basement garage.

The EPIRB signal can only be picked up when the garage door is raised and the receiving satellite is properly aligned. The CAP team turns off the signal and the mystery is solved.

Capital challenges

While the National Capital Wing does not get many calls resulting in rescues, the calls the wing does receive — requesting searches for transmitting beacons — are sure to be interesting, with their own special challenges.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, airspace over the nation’s capital has been restricted. That means tracking distress signals is done now mostly by ground crews traveling in a van stocked with a computer, GPS and mapping software — National Geographic’s topographical maps are favorites.

With the right code words to the right offices, “CAP continues to have authorization to put a plane up, but we try not to do it unless absolutely necessary. We don’t want to wear out our welcome in these sensitive times,” said Lt. Col. Mark Bailey, director of operations for the National Capital Wing.

Washington’s urban environment also presents a whole host of issues when it comes to tracking beacon signals.

“Radio signals from the beacons bounce through subway tunnels and off the many buildings,” said Maj. Paul Cianciolo, wing director of public affairs. “Even getting the van through some of the narrow, centuries-old streets can be a problem.”

Also, in a fairly compact space, the D.C. area contains marinas, airports, cityscapes and undeveloped land, many times in close proximity to one another. That means a distress signal could very likely emanate from any of the three types of beacons — EPIRBs on marine craft, ELTs (Emergency Locator Transmitters) on aircraft or PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) on individuals.

Finally, in a government center like the capital, a CAP team may have to seek permission to enter a government building, including discerning which agency is in charge at any particular location. Teams have been allowed on the roofs of many office buildings to get above the signals to get a better reading.

Cianciolo recalls, “One building we came across was owned by the Secret Service, which had to contact its supervisors to let us in,” Cianciolo recalled.

“Yes,” he said, “finding a transmitting beacon in D.C. can be a real scavenger hunt.”

Who Is in charge?

In 1996, after going to higher ground — in this case, the steps of the Capitol -- CAP traced a distress signal to the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum on the National Mall.

Arriving at the museum in the middle of the night, the CAP team explained the situation to a posted Army guard. The guard contacted his command, but word also went out to D.C.’s 27-odd police agencies.

About half sent patrol units, lights whirling and blazing. “We had to explain ourselves to so many different agencies that I literally ran out of business cards!” Bailey said.

Again, there was no emergency, but rather an ELT that had been erroneously activated inside a Navy helicopter on display at the museum during Public Service Recognition Week.

During a different mission, the U.S. Park Police pulled over a CAP team and wound up offering its own helicopter to aid in a search once the team explained its mission.

Oops!

When a beacon is activated in the Washington area, its signal is picked up by a satellite. In turn, the satellite alerts various agencies on the ground, including the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, which notifies CAP to initiate a search.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, also receives all distress signals from satellites, so imagine CAP’s surprise when, in the late 1990s, one of its searches led its team right back to the NOAA ground station. After peeling back the layers, CAP discovered NOAA had been given a window of time for testing a new ELT device; NOAA personnel, however, went home that evening, forgetting to deactivate the ELT.

“It was like being a fireman and having your fire station burn down — a little embarrassing,” Bailey said.

Then again, he said, a beacon’s signal is inaudible, so the fact a beacon has been activated can easily go unnoticed.

That might explain why the National Capital Wing once found the object of their hunt — a transmitting beacon — on the desk of the commandant of the Coast Guard!

Transmitting ‘The Today Show’?

Sometimes a signal is not even a signal. A couple years ago, CAP narrowed its search to the area of the Bolling Air Force Base and discovered the Joint Defense Air Operations Center had a radio transmitting on the beacon frequency.

Another time, the beacon frequency was broadcasting the lineup from a local NBC affiliate. Once the problem was made known to the TV station, their engineers resolved it.

Rescuing people or hunting objects, CAP is ready

“A lot of beacons are set off accidentally,” Cianciolo conceded, “but we treat every one as an emergency.”

“One of our most recent distress missions was a year ago when we assisted with a downed plane on the Maryland-Pennsylvania border,” said Capt. Joe Gleason, emergency services officer for the Andrews Composite Squadron and often its ground team leader or “ground-pounder.”

“We practice traditional search and rescue all the time, so we’re ready to help if needed in a post-disaster environment or missing aircraft search.” Gleason added.

Cianciolo said, “Our ground teams are getting very good at tracking down distress signals bouncing around D.C.’s urban environments. On average, we find beacons fairly fast, sometimes within an hour of the mission’s start.”

Even so, the hope is the National Capital Wing continues to have more scavenger hunts and fewer rescue missions.
 

Other parts of the country have their own wacky beacon stories. As reported in CAP News Online in April, the Texas Wing’s Delta Composite Squadron was dispatched to find the source of a distress signal. Coming up empty-handed on boats or downed aircraft, Maj. Bob Beeley and Capt. John Clarke asked a man in the indicated neighborhood if he knew of anyone nearby with a large craft. He couldn’t help them there, but did tell them how his wife had recently brought home some nautical decorations from Galveston. A trip to the backyard yielded two EPIRBs floating in the family pool. The man’s wife had turned on one of them to see the light on top blink. The light didn’t work, but the transmitter did!




 

2nd Lt. Jamie Myers
Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron
Missouri Wing

MISSOURI – Cadet 2nd Lt. Lucian Myers, cadet executive officer for the Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron, recently received the Congressional Award in Silver from U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt in Joplin.

Myers completed requirements in four categories to earn the award. He compiled more 100 hours of personal development, which included participating in a speech club and then a national speech conference in Memphis, Tenn.

He achieved the required physical fitness hours by being on a home school track team and competing in the high jump and long jump.

The silver level requires at least 200 hours of volunteer service, and at present Myers has contributed almost 500 hours at Stained Glass Theatre of Joplin. He has served on the technical and stage crews and acted in numerous plays.

For the award’s expedition requirement the cadet spent several weeks on his uncle’s farm in north central Missouri shoeing and breaking horses, running farm machinery and equipment and enjoying life on a working farm and ranch.

He is now just a few physical fitness hours short of achieving the gold medal and is hoping to complete that by next May.

Setting goals and achieving them is a main focus of the Congressional Award. Myers’ participation in Civil Air Patrol has contributed to his ability to meet expectations and move forward in pursuit of achievements.

He is a recent recipient of CAP’s Gen. Billy Mitchell Award, having become a cadet officer June 9.

“I would encourage any interested CAP cadet to set a goal of earning the Congressional Award. It is not difficult to achieve, and in the process you can learn about many interesting things,” Myers said.

The Congressional Award, the U.S. Congress' award for young Americans, was established in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter to recognize initiative, achievement and service in young people. Nonpartisan, voluntary, and noncompetitive, the program is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds.

Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas:

• Volunteer Public Service.
   
• Personal Development.
   
• Physical Fitness.
   
• Expedition/Exploration.

This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, participants are honored for achieving their own challenging goals. 

 

1st Lt George Stepp
Public Affairs Officer
Beckley Composite Squadron

WEST VIRGINIA – Members of the Beckley Composite Squadron got a wide-ranging look at different aspects of aviation recently when they visited the National Weather Service center and Yeager Airport air traffic control tower in Charleston.

The visit started with the weather service, where members received briefings from several meteorologists about their area of operations. The NWS in Charleston was behind the creation of such aviation products as graphical forecast images for ceiling and visibility.

In addition, one of the forecasters developed a program – known as POP and used nationwide -- to store phone messages and to plot and display public and storm spotter reports on a computer monitor for easy reference during severe weather.

Leading the tour was Nicole Grams, NWS student trainee.

The Beckley contingent then visited Yeager Airport, where they toured the air traffic control tower, watching as controllers communicated with aircraft in the area for takeoff and landing. Then came a tour of the radar room, where the squadron members were able to observe controllers as they performed their duties in a live environment.

Daniel Wright, a retired air traffic controller, coordinated the tour

The squadron members involved:

• Maj. David Chaney, commander.
   
• Capts. Kenneth Dilley, aerospace educaton and drug demand reduction officer, and Tom Plass, emergency services and transportation officer.
   
• 1st Lt George Stepp, public affairs officer.
   
• Cadet 1st Lt Brianna Sturgill.
   
• Cadet 2nd Lts. Christopher Withrow and Ryan Stepp.
   
• Cadet Master Sgt. Michael Chaney.
   
• Cadet Airmen Amber Atkins, Hannah Barker, Samantha Maiolo and Michael Pack.
   
• Cadet Airmen Basic B. Davis and Jacob Ross.
   

2nd Lt. Hannah J. Bennett
Public Affairs Officer
Danville Composite Squadron
Virginia Wing

VIRGINIA – When Herman Joubert’s daughter, Noelle, expressed an interest in a career with the Air Force early in high school, he knew volunteering in the military branch’s civilian auxiliary would be a good way for his daughter to experience military life.

He joined Civil Air Patrol along with her. After more than two years in the organization, including command positions for both, neither Joubert has regretted their experience.

“I joined Civil Air Patrol to get a handle on the military,” remembered Noelle Joubert, now a cadet second lieutenant in the Danville Composite Squadron. “I wanted to go to the U.S. Air Force Academy and knew I needed to get some leadership experience and learn how to wear a uniform properly.

 “I was already sold on CAP before I went to the first meeting. It was everything I expected it to be,” she said.

The father-daughter duo first heard of CAP from a friend at church who was involved with the Danville squadron.

“We also ran into someone from the Air Force Academy, a recruiter who was in town to award an appointment to a former CAP cadet. I thought, ‘Look at the potential results of this program: the Air Force Academy!’” said Herman Joubert, who now holds the rank of captain in the Danville squadron, where he serves as finance and recruiting and retention officer.

“We received a very warm welcome and were sold on CAP during our first visit,” he recalled.

 “My interest in joining was primarily the cadet program.” Herman Joubert said. “It seemed like a very well-rounded program. What a wonderful opportunity for young people to develop leadership skills and character!”

Capt. Joubert served as the Danville unit’s commander from 2008 to 2009. During his tenure, squadron members photographed hurricane damage, assisted with radio communications at a major wildfire and participated in training exercises with military pilots.

“I’ve been blessed with a staff of very capable, talented people. My biggest challenge was to give them room to be individuals; it’s worked out beautifully,” he said.

His daughter just completed a yearlong stint as cadet commander of the squadron. She was responsible for planning activities and overseeing the training of about 15 fellow cadets.

Both Jouberts also served on staff at two summer cadet encampments.

“Senior members are there to facilitate cadet activities and serve as mentors – to steer them in the right direction,” Capt. Joubert said. “There was never any real conflict between Noelle and I. CAP didn’t change our relationship – it actually made it better!

“I learned when to step back and let her do things; she asked for help if she needed it. There was a very honest and trusting exchange between us.”

Home-schooled since kindergarten, Cadet 2nd Lt. Joubert graduated from high school in June. She has also completed dual-enrollment classes at Piedmont Community College in North Carolina while maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average.

“We’re really proud of her,” her father said. “I don’t worry about her. She has her head screwed on straight. The determination to achieve her goals and the motivation to do what it takes to succeed is built into her.”
 

 

Capt. Paul Beliveau
Public Affairs Officer
Group IV
Georgia Wing
                                   
GEORGIA – A two-day training exercise at Fitzgerald Municipal Airport allowed nearly 50 cadets and senior members in Group IV to gain aircrew certification and ground team training.

Participating in missions involving three Civil Air Patrol aircraft, aircrew members -- mission pilots, mission observers and scanners – were trained in coordinated exercises and individual tasks. So were ground team search and rescue, mission base and communications personnel.

Scenarios involved multiple grid and search locations in the Fitzgerald area. At the airport, 28 cadets and eight senior member advisers spent Friday and Saturday night in tents set up at the north end, near the flight line, to simulate an actual mission.

The weekend’s activities were designed “to help increase the number of qualified aircrew and ground team members to assist in future search and rescue activities and to keep other trained members current,” said Maj. Jim Flaviani, Group IV commander.

Three members completed training flights to qualify for aircrew positions as mission scanners or mission observers. About two dozen others obtained ground team and mission staff certification.

In addition, cadets trained in flight-line marshalling techniques and as mission radio operators.

Members made a dozen mission flights during the exercise, including a photo reconnaissance mission of Fitzgerald. The resulting images will be presented to city leaders.
“The city of Fitzgerald rolled out the red carpet for us, and we certainly appreciate it,” Flaviani said. “We look forward to an ongoing relationship,” he added, citing plans to establish a new squadron there in the coming weeks.

Capt. James Kalemis
Commander
Group 22 Cadet Initiative
Illinois Wing

ILLINOIS – Fifty cadets from six Illinois Wing squadrons gathered over the weekend to compete in the 10 mental and physical challenges making up the 8th annual Group 22 Cadet Initiative, informally known as “King of the Rock.”

Sixteen senior members oversaw the contests, which featured a string obstacle course, a LEGO rocket ship, a Solar System puzzle, a medallion search while remaining mute, a pipe balancing challenge, a plank elevation trial, a balancing rod and a PVC pipe blowgun. 

The competition is held yearly at Rock Cut State Park near Rockford on a campground adjacent to a pond. That arrangement makes water-related challenges possible – this year, a water tower with elevating ping pong and a watergun competition.

The contestants divided into nine teams of four to six cadets from the Boone, Chicago Midway, Lake in the Hills McHenry, Lewis, and Woodfield composite squadrons, representing not only Group 22 but also groups 2 and 14.

Each team also got a “seventh member” -- a prop that had to be carried at all times and “participated” in each event. If the seventh member is lost or destroyed, a penalty is possible.  This year the seventh member was a foil balloon; eggs, tomatoes and watermelons filled the role in the past years.

The Honor Cadet Award was selected by the senior member staff, ended in a tie between the Lewis squadron’s Cadet Master Sgt. Sarah Goldman, who showed incredible concern and motivation; and the Lake in the Hills unit’s Cadet 1st Lt. Danny White, who exhibited excellent leadership.

The first-place team, with 886 points, was Lewis’ Black Sheep, who keep the King of the Rock Cadet Maj. Jacob Reuth Memorial Trophy for another year. Led by cadet Jack Wood, the team also consisted of Hannah Geiger, Kevin Pendl, Jonathan Rhodes and Brandon Villarreal, as well as Robert Wlosek of the Midway Composite Squadron.

Placing second, with 883 points, was Lake in the Hills’ Watson Warriors, who had won four of the past seven years and really wanted to take the trophy back. Cadet Danny White led the team, which also included cadets Alex Amann, Sabryna Peters, Nathan Philips, Andrew Sim and Keenan Wresch..

Boone County’s Neitzel Red Ninjas finished third with 838 points. Leading the team was cadet Max Bahling. Rounding out the roster were cadets Trevor Botkin, Paul Hornick, Michael Kunz, Ben Meek and Dylan Powers.

Along with competing in the field, the participating teams also had to make Saturday evening dinner, judged by the cadet staff -- Cadet 1st Lt. Zachary Hagner of the Lewis squadron, cadet commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Robert Reynoso of the Chicago Midway unit, first sergeant -- and 1st Lt Diane Workman of the McHenry County squadron.  

The McHenry County team, in an attempt to outdo the others, dined the judges under candlelight and with an appropriately attired maitre d’. The Watson Warriors tried to sway the judges by serving excellent steak. And Lewis’ Black Sheep went with a birthday party theme, complete with cake.
 
The clear winners in the meal content, though, were the Iron Five team from Woodfield with almost a perfect score, thanks to an unusual menu of Mediterranean and Middle East fare that left the judges speechless – literally!

• Wisconsin Basic Academy -- for new cadets who need to learn the basics of Civil Air Patrol. Customs and courtesies, uniform care, drill, teamwork and the history of CAP are all covered in this academy, as is the importance of being fit.
   
• Wisconsin Cadet Academy -- for cadets who has already been through the basic academy and are now ready to learn leadership skills that will carry them throughout life. Participants build on teamwork skills they started learning in the basic academy and put those skills to practical use. Areas of emphasis included problem-solving and managerial skills.
   
• Wisconsin Staff School – for cadet who have attended the first two courses and are now ready to put classroom instruction to the test and use actual problem-solving skills. Participants are ready to lead and take on the responsibility of having other cadets under their charge. Some serve on the Inspection Team, others teach classes and some are in charge of flights and squadrons for the week.
   
• Color Guard Academy – held for the first time this year and established with the goal of training cadets to go back to their units to train unit color guards. Presenting the colors is not as easy as it looks, and quick thinking often comes into play as one prepares to do the job. Since color guard appearances are the most visible representation of CAP to the public, all duties must be performed with care, precision and expertise.

All the cadets in attendance had the opportunity to try their skills on Camp Ripley’s confidence and navigation courses, use the M1 Abram and the M2 Bradley tank simulators, take orientation flights when weather permitted and face off in volleyball.

In addition, those participating in the cadet academy participated in a leadership reaction course on the confidence course. They were presented with a scenario and had to use teamwork and problem-solving to navigate the task at hand.


 

1st Lt. Bob Stronach
Public Affairs Officer
New York Wing

NEW YORK -- When the Oswego community decided to host a "Thank a Service Member” gathering, F.R. Sussey Composite Squadron members participated in the planning and then played key roles in making the event a success.

When some 350 service members and veterans representing four generatons were honored July 26 at Fort Ontario State Historic Site, 10 Sussey squadron participated by providing the color guard, escorting honorees and guests to seats, assisting in set-up, directing pedestrian traffic, fielding questions and greeting military personnel.

Cadet Sr. Master Sgt. Christian Williams led the color guard, which also consisted of Cadet Sr. Master Sgt. Austin Zappala, Cadet Airman 1st Class Sarah Lamb and Cadet Alex Shannon. Cadet Tech. Sgt. Josh Davidson and Cadet Elliot Mills directed honorees and guests to their seats.
 
Senior members participating included Capts. Earl Holdren and Mike Kieloch and 1st Lt. Kerland Ritchie.

The squadron’s commander, 1st Lt. Jennifer Holdren, had served on the six-member planning committee for the event. She also assisted Col. Kurt Carver, vice dean for education at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, in presenting special TASM Campaign Coins to honorees, handing him the coins to present as he expressed deep appreciation for each recipient’s service.

"It was a profound and moving experience," Lt. Holdren said. "I felt so privileged to shake hands with the men and women that are currently serving and have served and fought for our freedoms.

“It especially was emotional to meet and hear the stories from those who were there for their deceased loved ones. It is something that I will never forget," she said.

Peter Allen, chairman of the event, pronounced it a great success. Allen and others also voiced tremendous appreciation for the color guard and the other Sussey members’ participation.

"Mr. Allen looks forward to a continued relationship and involvement with the F.R. Sussey squadron for upcoming TASM events," Lt. Holdren said.

"It was a wonderful experience, privilege, honor and duty for our cadets and senior members alike,” she concluded. “It gave us an opportunity to see and meet the heroes of our great nation, and serve amongst our community.

“I was especially pleased to see one of our own, Lt. Kerland Ritchie, receive an honor coin from Col, Carver. He served as a Marine until he retired. I am proud to have him as a member of F.R. Sussey."

 

(Top)
The Ranger School staff marches in formation to the graduation ceremony.

(Second)
Cadet Airman Frances Martinez of the Lajas High School Cadet Squadron takes the Ranger Oath during the graduation ceremony.

(Third)
Ranger School class members take the oath.

(Bottom)
The Muniz Air National Guard Base Cadet Squadron’s professional development and squadron leadership officer, 1st Lt Victor Maisonet (back to camera), presents the Ranger School class to the school’s director, Maj. Jorge D. Rosario, wing search and rescue officer, just before the oath-taking.
.

Capt. Anabel Lugo
Public Affairs Officer
Lajas High School Cadet Squadron
Puerto Rico Wing

PUERTO RICO -- Six members of the Lajas High School Cadet Squadron joined cadets from across Puerto Rico for a wing Ranger School this summer at CROEM, the Residential Center of Educational Opportunities of Mayaguez.

Participants learned and practiced skills in such activities as search and rescue, map reading, air-to-ground and ground-to-air signals, physical fitness and more during the one-week encampment.
 
Along with new or expanded skills, the cadets received a distinctive patch and an orange cap. All said they enjoyed the valuable learning experience, and they hope to participate in similar sessions again.
 
 

1st. Lt. Erik J. Lindquist
Public Affairs Officer
Viking Composite Squadron
Minnesota Wing

MINNESOTA – Members from three units – the Anoka, St. Croix and Viking composite squadrons -- volunteered their time recently to help ensure the success of the annual Wings of the North AirExpo at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie. 

Cadets from the Anoka and Viking squadrons worked together to help with security and flight-line duties at various sites around the air show. Cadets were stationed on the flight line to provide additional safety to the public while demonstration planes made their way to and from designated parking areas on the field. 

Cadets were also on hand near the shuttle bus drop-off points to provide additional safety and guidance to incoming and outgoing visitors

The execution and rotation of duties was flawless, thanks the skillful cooperating among members of both squadrons, especially their cadet noncommissioned officers -- Cadet Airman 1st Class Charles Atchison of the Anoka squadron and Cadet Tech. Sgt. Richard Shmel and Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Alex Bee of Viking squadron. The cadets drew plentiful praise from air show organizers and the general public alike.

Members also maintained a display offering information on Civil Air Patrol and its missions. Along with promoting CAP aerospace education programs, such as Fly-A-Teacher and Making Aerospace Education Real for Students, the display also included one of the organization’s newest glass cockpit Cessna 182 airplanes, featuring onboard high-tech. aerial imaging equipment for visitors to view. 

Maj. David Kenan of the St. Croix squadron and his Viking counterpart, Capt. David Coates, deserve special credit for their work talking with visitors to the area, as do Lt. Col. Barney Uhlig and 1st Lt. Mario Fabrizio, both of the Viking unit, for working at the Cessna 182 display.



 

(From left) James Cain,  Cadet Airman 1st Class Jacob Yakopovich, Bill Worthington, Cadet 2nd Lt. Ashley M. Weathers, Cadet Sr. Airman Bradley Whitacre, 1st Lt. Patrick Kon and Cadet Airman Garret Zimmerman.

(Photo by Capt. Scott Alexander)

1st Lt. Patrick Kon
Commander
Rostraver Eagle Composite Squadron 605
Pennsylvania Wing

PENNSYLVANIA – Cadet 2nd Lt. Ashley M. Weathers, cadet commander of Rostraver Eagle Composite Squadron 605, has been recognized as the unit’s Cadet of the Year by the Air Force Association

Two AFA members – James Cain, president of AFA’s Monongahela Valley Chapter 388, and Bill Worthington, former vice president of the state AFA and its 2003 Man of the Year – presented the award, a silver medal with a sky-blue ribbon, during a visit Aug. 13 to promote aerospace education.

The pair made the presentation on the Rostraver Airport tarmac in Monongahela. Weathers’ parents and brother were present, and the squadron’s commander, 1st Lt. Patrick Kon, brought a cake and ice cream to help celebrate the occasion.
 
 

(Clockwise, from top)
The Basic Course commander and staff prepare for the day’s activities while students surround the early morning campfire and enjoy their breakfast.

Cadet Airman Ivy Wollberg of the Battle Creek Cadet Squadron, a student in the Advance Course, takes her turn “on the rope” during River Crossing Day.

Cadet Airman Tia Koulchar of the Lt. Col. Edward W. Keehn Composite Squadron, an Advance Team staff member, portrays a crash victim for one of the many mock crash scenes students encountered.

The academy’s commander, Capt. Gus Gettas, take a breather. Gettas also serves as Michigan Wing director of emergency services.

Participants in the academy pose for a group photo.

Expert Course participants Maj. Jason Sherwood and 2nd Lt. Jeston Swarts, the Lakeshore 119 Composite Squadron’s commander and emergency services training officer, respectively, take a rare few moments at base camp before heading back out in the field, where they and others spent a majority of their time during the eight-day course.

Cadets in the Advance Course enjoy one of the meals provided at base camp.
 

Capt. Debbie Sandstrom
Public Affairs Officer/Logistics Staff
2009 Search and Rescue Academy
Emergency Services Training Officer
Michigan Wing

MICHIGAN – Cadets and senior members took to Huron National Forest for eight intensive days of ground team training, living in tents or half-shelters or wherever they could hang a hammock, for the 15th annual Search and Rescue Academy in Luzerne.

In all, 61 students and 23 staff members participated in the academy. Most came most from the Michigan Wing, though some also traveled from the Indiana and Ohio wings.

With five different courses available -- Basic, Advance, Medic, Expert and Senior Member -- all aspects of Civil Air Patrol ground search and rescue training were offered.

From basic gear preparation to in-depth navigation skills, the academy provides a wide variety of training opportunities. Participants worked several different mock crash scenarios as well as a multitude of other realistic missions.

Training in the dense woodland area under the supervision of experienced course leaders allowed the members to gain a wide range of experience and undergo the hands-on training necessary for intense search and rescue missions

The participants were quickly able to put their training to use when the Michigan Wing was alerted to an actual mission just before graduation ceremonies Aug. 8. An aircraft was overdue after taking off the previous afternoon, and members around the state were activated.

Since a ready group of ground team members was already assembled in Luzerne, five teams were dispatched along with mission base staff support to assist in the search efforts. While the aircraft was located just before the academy teams’ arrival, the experience dramatically demonstrated the importance of preparation and practice.

The annual academy has now produced more than 300 graduates since its inception in 1994.




 

Maj. Michael James
Public Affairs Officer
Central Louisiana Composite Squadron
Louisiana Wing

LOUISIANA – Eight members of the Central Louisiana Composite Squadron recently combined emergency services training under unusual circumstances with a chance to see firsthand how the U.S. Coast Guard operates on inland waterways.

The opportunity came when the Civil Air Patrol members visited the U.S. Coast Guard’s Aids to Navigation Team unit at Colfax. The unit is primarily responsible for installing and maintaining navigation structures along the Red and Black rivers.

At the request of the central Louisiana squadron’s emergency services officer, 2nd Lt. Robert Piercy, the Coast Guardsmen placed emergency locator transmitters along the riverbank for the cadets’ training.

As they rode along the river aboard the 64-foot Aids to Navigation boat, the cadets began listening and searching for the ELT signals. The setting reflects an unusual but very realistic scenario, since a boat could capsize or an aircraft could make an emergency landing in the river.

The waters of the U.S. and its territories are marked to assist navigation by the Aids to Navigation System. The system employs a simple arrangement of colors, shapes, numbers and light characteristics to mark navigable channels, waterways and obstructions adjacent to these.

Aids to Navigation can provide a boater with the same type of information drivers get from street signs, stop signals, road barriers, detours and traffic lights. These aids can include lighted structures, beacons, day markers, range lights, fog signals, landmarks and buoys.

Each has a purpose and helps in determining location, getting from one place to another or staying out of danger.



 

(Top)
Cadets flank a glider before an orientation flight.

(Second)
Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Veronica Morthorpe, the Alaska Wing Glider Academy graduate who helped set up the Birchwood Composite Squadron's glider training day, in her aircraft.

(Third)
A cadet gets settled in the glider cockpit.

(Fourth)
Cadet Airman Basic Adam Pence of the Birchwood Composite Squadron prepares for his orientation flight.

(Bottom)
A glider is towed toward takeoff.

1st Lt. Pamela Speer
Deputy Commander for Cadets
Birchwood Composite Squadron
Alaska Wing, Civil Air Patrol

ALASKA – The Birchwood Composite Squadron recently extended a hand to provide all Alaska Wing cadets with an opportunity to participate in the wing’s glider program.

Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Veronica Morthorpe coordinated an impromptu glider training day, which included arranging for senior member pilot instructors and scheduling cadets from other squadrons to participate and receive orientation rides.

Morthorpe credits Capt. Ed Kornfield with pulling together pilot support during the summer: “He’s the one who really got the senior members on board to help cadets with the glider orientation rides."

“Alaska Wing has this great resource in our backyard, and it’s great to see future pilots benefiting from the program,” the cadet said.

A graduate of the Alaska Wing Glider Academy, she is a fierce proponent of the glider program.  “My only complaint: No girls are involved,” said Morthorpe, who has attended the academy three times. “I hope to change that by bringing awareness to the program.  I would love to see female instructors and students in attendance.”




 

Capt. James Ridley Sr.
Public Affairs Officer
Long Island Group
New York Wing

NEW YORK – The Long Island Maritime Museum is focusing some of its attention skyward these days with its latest exhibit, “The History of Civil Air Patrol during World War II.” 
.
The display commemorates CAP’s Coastal Patrol Base 17, which operated in Riverhead from 1942-1943.  The exhibit features several vintage CAP uniforms, including one worn by a pilot at the base during the war. 

Also included are numerous CAP insignia, patches and manuals, as well as photographs of CAP members, aircraft and activities related to wartime patrols above the waters off Long Island in search of German submarines and ships in distress.

The grand opening for the exhibit held Aug. 15, began with the presentation of the colors by the Col Francis S. Gabreski Squadron’s color guard, followed by speeches by the Gabreski squadron’s commander, Maj. Lou Fenech; Lt. Col. Jack Ozer, Long Island Group commander; the museum’s director, Natasha Alexenko, and registrar, Arlene Balcewicz; and New York State Sen. Brian Foley.

Foley then cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the display to the assembled CAP members, distinguished guests and museum patrons. 

Alexenko spoke about the museum’s and CAP’s common interest regarding volunteerism and nautical history, saying she very pleased at having CAP history represented in the museum’s collection. 

“We are very glad to partner with the Civil Air Patrol,” she said, “and I’m impressed with the cadets in the program.”

Balcewicz, who took the lead in arranging for the display, agreed with that sentiment.  “This was really serendipity,” she said. “It is a wonderful relationship we now have with CAP, and I want to thank the cadets here and all the senior members who made today a reality.”

Foley said those gathered were “here to celebrate the new partnership between the museum and the Civil Air Patrol and to honor those who have served and sacrificed for their fellow citizens.”

“Our waters and air space are much safer because of them and all of you,” he told the assembled CAP members.

After viewing the display, Foley took the time to talk with the cadets present and take a few photographs with them and the exhibit’s creators.

On hand was CAP’s national historian, Col. Leonard A. Blascovich, who assisted with assembling the collection of memorabilia which is now on display.




 

Maj. Patricia Mitcham
Public Affairs Officer
Alabama Wing

ALABAMA – Members of four squadrons joined for a training exercise Aug. 14-15 at Madison Executive Airport in Meridian, concentrating both inside the classroom and out in the field on expanding their search and rescue skills.

In all, 23 members from the Gadsden, Huntsville, Muscle Shoals and Redstone composite squadrons participated in the session, which was planned and supervised by the Redstone squadron’s commander, Capt. Mark Adams, and deputy commander for seniors, Capt. Ande Boyer, and by Maj. Anthony Beresford, Huntsville commander. 

Training began with a classroom session the evening of Aug. 14. Instruction and debriefings continued the next day classroom training on Friday evening at the airport.  The mission base was open by 7:30 the next morning, with participants signing in to obtain initial qualifications for mission aircrews.  Some pilots, observers and scanners flew to keep their mission ratings current.

Scenarios were designed to provide training in various methods of flight search patterns and communication with simulated survivors of a downed aircraft.  The Redstone ground team, portraying the ground team members, used signal mirrors and communication panels while flight crews used expanding squares, creeping line search and other methods to increase the probability of finding and communicating with them.

 

Senior Member Shad L. Brown
Public Affairs Officer
Pueblo Eagles Composite Squadron
Colorado Wing

COLORADO -- Cadets from the Pueblo Eagles Composite Squadron met an important part of aviation history recently while giving tours of a fully restored B-29 Superfortress bomber -- one of the legions of World War II female assembly plant workers whose experiences led to the “Rosie the Riveter” prototype.
 
Mary Ellen Salazar, 86, of Cheyenne, Wyo., visited the Fred Weisbrod Aircraft Museum on Aug. 15 while the Pueblo Historical Aircraft Society was hosting open cockpit tours of the B-29. Cadets assist the society and the public by providing tours of the bomber’s cockpit and educating visitors about the Superfortress and its role in securing victory in the Pacific Ocean during World War II.

The cadets were soon surprised to learn that Salazar may have assembled the tail gunner seat on the same B-29 the cadets were showing her. She told them she had been responsible for riveting together seats that were eventually used in the B-29 bomber assembly lines, although she was unaware at the time of just what she was working on.

“It was always very secret; we never knew what we were working on,” said Salazar, who worked in Torrance, Calif., at the Doak Aircraft Co. factory from 1941-1943.

Always curious about seeing a Superfortress, when Salazar learned about the fully restored B-29 in Pueblo and traveled with her family to see it. The museum visit marked the first time Salazar had ever seen a fully assembled version of the bomber she had helped build almost 70 years earlier, and she said she was amazed at the sheer size of the B-29.

Salazar was extremely impressed with the information the cadets shared with her about the B-29 as well as their professionalism in giving her an up-close tour of the Superfortress.

“The cadets did a great job (and were) very friendly!” she said. The cadets were equally impressed with this very active member of the greatest generation, who climbed up into the cockpit with them and showed them her pin signifying her work on Doak Aircraft’s assembly lines.

“She was an impressive lady! She came all the way from Wyoming to see the B-29, and I actually got to meet someone who helped build this plane,” said Cadet Airman 1st Class Cassia Brown.

While Salazar couldn’t remember the exact dates of her work on the assembly lines, she still proudly remembers her hourly wage -- $1.65, which translates to a respectable $23.88 in today’s dollars.

The B-29 at the Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, called “Peachy,” is one of only 23 fully restored bombers of its kind in the nation.

Donated to Pueblo in 1976 by the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, the aircraft is maintained by members of the Pueblo Historical Aircraft Society. Civil Air Patrol cadets volunteer to escort visitors inside the bomber on a regular basis.



 

1st Lt. Jackie Zarrilli
Public Affairs Officer
Cadet Programs
Florida Wing

FLORIDA – Cadet Col. Andrea Batista of the Miami Springs Optimist Cadet Squadron has earned Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet achievement, the Gen. Carl A Spaatz Award, five years to the day she joined CAP.

Batista has been very active during her half-decade in the organization, having completed her emergency service, radio operations, urban directional finding, CPR, first aid and automated external defibrillator certifications. She has served as her squadron’s color guard commander and cadet commander and earned such honors as the Air Force Association’s Squadron Cadet of the Year.

She has also served as Florida Wing Group 7’s Cadet Advisory Council chairwoman and assistant cadet programs officer. She has attended five wing encampments and held various leadership roles, most recently serving as cadet deputy commander at the 2009 summer encampment.

In addition, Batista is a graduate of Cadet Officer School and earned her solo wings at National Flight Glider Academy. She is also a certified scuba diver.

Batista passed the rigorous Spaatz tests at her first attempt – hardly a surprise to those who know her. A high school senior at the School for Advanced Studies, an intense dual-enrollment program of Miami-Dade College and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, she has already earned 22 college credits with a weighted GPA of 4.5.
 

Capt. Joel Cosmano
Deputy Commander for Cadets
London Bridge Composite Squadron 501
Arizona Wing

ARIZONA – Members of London Bridge Composite Squadron 501 have made a mision of doing their best to help brighten the days of U.S. men and women in uniform stationed all over the world.

Most service members do not receive much mail or get a chance to communicate with anyone back home other than family. Some need everyday items that can’t be obtained in the Iraqi desert or at sea in the Navy. 

So the squadron members decided to do something about it. 

Upon seeing a short documentary on adopting a U.S. soldier, the unit enrolled in the program. In all, 15 cadets and the squadron’s deputy commander for cadets, Capt. Joel Cosmano, are now writing our sailors, Marines, airmen and soldiers around the world. The cadets involved took on the project with great pride and are committed for the long term.
 
“As a U.S. Navy vet and the deputy commander for cadets, I am honored to wear the uniform of a Civil Air Patrol member and lead these cadets in something new and exciting,” Cosmano said.

“I could not be anymore proud of them.”

Capt. Richard J. Sprouse
Public Affairs Officer
Group 2
Minnesota Wing

MINNESOTA -- A couple of your friends have decided to spend the weekend hiking. It's a remote area with plenty of trails and waterways, and you expect they will have a great time.

Suddenly those thoughts are shattered when you receive a call that your friends are missing. Your mind starts racing and your heart is pounding.

Where are they? What if they're injured? What do you do?

If you were among the 80 cadets and senior members who recently attended the Minnesota Wing's annual Ground Team Academy at Camp Ripley, you possess the skills to perform search-and-rescue operations anytime, anyplace.

"There are so many things that can go wrong in any search and rescue mission. You never know what you may encounter,” said Lt. Col. Chet Wilberg, the wing’s director of emergency services and Ground Team Academy commander.

“That is the reason why Civil Air Patrol invests so much time and effort in properly training its members when the call comes."

After some classroom instruction on carrying out land navigation, tracking electronic locator transmitters, conducting a line search, working with search dogs and first aid training, the academy participants spent several days in the recesses of Camp Ripley's 53,000 acres honing their newly acquired skills under a variety of search and rescue scenarios.

Wilberg said the academy’s goal is to get everyone attending to complete one level of CAP Emergency Services training. 

"Ground Team Academy is an intensive event designed to help prepare our members mentally, physically and technically to deal with life-threatening emergencies," he said.

Last year, the wing logged 103 actual or training missions totaling 14,929 personnel hours, 593 flights and 9,120 air hours.

"We teach our members to be proactive and think well ahead in a search- and-rescue situation so they can effectively operate in an ever-changing environment," Wilberg said. "The best way to improve lifesaving skills is to train harder and work smarter.

“No two rescues are ever alike, and CAP members should never take any rescue for granted."

Looking back, Cadet Airman 1st Class Katie Jents of the St. Croix Composite Squadron attributes Ground Team Academy to finding her niche in CAP. The academy, she said, “is so addicting that I want to come every year just because it is always so fun and enjoyable. GTA was where I first learned a lot about emergency services; it got me hooked, and now I'm the cadet ES officer of my squadron."

The Mankato Composite Squadron’s deputy commander for cadets, 1st Lt. Nate Stoeckel, agreed.

"I had a blast, and would highly recommend GTA to any member of CAP who plans on being an active participant. The staff was great, and Camp Ripley is a great training facility.

“I do plan on trying to get more people to go from Mankato next year,
Stoeckel said. “It's an easy way to get one level of training out of the way in one weekend. The level of training was also good because it required you to think, but it wasn't such that it was set up for failure.

“It opened my eyes to a few new things that I hadn't thought of before. Hearing the real-life experiences from the staff and how they dealt with them was most beneficial," he said.

Wilberg concluded, "We're ready to go on a search-and-rescue mission, anywhere, anytime. It's kind of like a life insurance policy.

“We pay the premium with training events like Ground Team Academy. We get our dividend on that premium every time we're called out on a mission."




 

(Top)
Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Jacob S. Leese of the Glenn L. Martin Composite Squadron provides flight instruction to a young guest while others await their turn.

(Bottom)
A guest enjoys the flight simulator while learning about Civil Air Patrol and aerospace at the Glenn L. Martin Composite Squadron booth.

2nd Lt. Jeff S. Welch
Public Affairs Officer
Glenn L. Martin Composite Squadron
Maryland Wing

MARYLAND – Glenn L. Martin Composite Squadron members added to the attractions at the Heritage Festival in Dundalk by bringing the unit’s flight simulator, generating great interest and providing an opportunity for recruiting and informing those in attendance about Civil Air Patrol.

Visitors of all ages were invited to take a simulated flight set at Martin StateAirport, the squadron’s home base. The experience began with a brief description of the Civil Air Patrol’s primary missions, focusing mainly on aerospace education and cadet programs.

After a quick walk-through of the flight controls, avionics and local pattern procedures, the eager guests and simulator instructor pilots donned their headsets and prepared for departure.

The instructor then announced: "Welcome to MartinState Airport. You are CAP Flight 1857, and you're on Runway 33 cleared for takeoff. When ready, advance the throttle full-forward and watch for your airspeed indicator to come alive. When you reach 55 knots, gently pull back on the yoke and prepare for liftoff."

The guest's experience within the enclosed cockpit is fully immersive, with working headsets, simulated engine noise, a functioning instrument panel and an outside forward view, which consists of a 19-inch LCD monitor on the other side of the front windshield.

Since the guest and the instructor pilot could communicate through their headsets, the short sessions were very interactive. After a few turns, most guests had the basics figured out.

Coaching the guest to select appropriate power and attitude settings, thee instructor managed flap and trim controls from outside the cockpit. A few guests managed a smooth landing on their first attempt, but it was just as much fun to hear the bang and see the shower of simulated sparks when someone landed hard.

"The first-time piloting skill of the guests was really fun to witness," said 2nd Lt. Jeff Welch, the Martin squadron’s public affairs officer. "Most did very well until they turned from the base leg to the final approach and saw Runway 33 coming back into full view.

“It seemed like the actual thought of having to land the simulated aircraft caused a few of the guests to panic a bit."

At that point, most started using some pretty radical control inputs to land, generally resulting in impact somewhere near the simulated runway. Welch often ended the simulated flights by noting jokingly to the guest that "while I wouldn't mind flying with you, I don't think I'm ready to land with you just yet -- but keep working on it!"

Guests exiting the simulator shared such statements as "That was awesome" or "Wow, that's harder than it looks." And hen there was the occasional "I have to get one of these!"

The simulator was a perfect way to grab the attention of passersby at the festival. Those who stopped in to fly or watch someone else fly had fun, learned about CAP and could someday decide to join as a cadet or senior member.

The squadron cadets present also learned a lot, as serving as instructors meant they had to convey their own aerospace knowledge to total strangers.

Cadet 2nd Lt. Jason G. Dotterweich II spent some time coaching guests on the first day of the festival. In doing so, Dotterweich said, he began to appreciate how much he has yet to learn before becoming a solo student pilot. He mentioned he would like to spend more time in the simulator before beginning formal instruction at the MarylandWing SoloSchool.

Maj. Bill Parris, Maryland Wing Group II commander, constructed the simulator’s cockpit, canopy and windscreen around a donated instrument panel with the goal of using it for aerospace education activities. The squadron’s aerospace education officer, 1st Lt. Jim Mancini, provided a computer, LCD monitor, CH Products flight controls, FSX Deluxe software and Ethernet switch as the simulator components.

Capt. Mary Ellen Stanley
Public Affairs Officer
Beaver County Composite Squadron 704
Pennsylvania Wing

PENNSYLVANIA – Members of Beaver County Composite Squadron 704 heard recently from former space shuttle pilot and retired Navy Cmdr. William “Billy O” Oefelein, who spoke to the unit with his fiancée, retired Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman.

Shipman, originally from neighboring Center Township and a graduate of Penn State, where she participated in ROTC, wanted to surprise her nephew, Cadet Airman Basic David Shipman. She and Oefelein met at NASA, where he was training for a shuttle flight and she was involved in launching satellites.

Oefelein, who joined Civil Air Patrol in 1977 as a cadet in the Alaska Wing and soloed at that wing’s glider encampment at age 14, piloted Space Shuttle Discovery on its mission from Dec. 6-Dec. 22, 2006.

His presentation to the squadron included a video narrated by different crew members from the mission. The video took viewers through the shuttle from launch, then into the International Space Station and finally on the trip back to Earth, including the landing.

Oefelein answered such questions as “What scared you the most and what was the coolest thing?” He replied that he wasn’t scared but was nervous, since he had to “choreograph” the mission’s extravehicular activity – the EVA, or spacewalks -- and didn’t want to make any mistakes.

Most enjoyable, he said, was being in the pilot seat during launch. The view was spectacular, and he kept trying to describe it to his crew mates, who did not have a “window seat,” Oefelein said.

Asked what the food was like, he described the fare as “pretty good.” From a culinary standpoint, Oefelein said, "being in space is like a camping trip."

To the query, “What was harder -- adjusting to weightlessness or readjusting to gravity?” he answered by choosing the latter. “It’s so easy to move things in space that I forgot a few times” back on Earth, Oefelein said. “It was a shock to have to pick up a bag and hand it over, instead of giving it a little tap.”

During his talk Oefelein stressed teamwork. The space program is not just astronauts or crew for the space station, he noted -- there are also mission control staff, engineers, mechanics and a wide variety of support personnel.

Everybody has a job to do, he said, and on board the shuttle the crew members were trained in several jobs, noting that he fulfilled the roles of pilot, medical officer, electrician and EVA coordinator.

Along with Oefelein’s account of his career before and during his stint in NASA, Shipman spoke of the many jobs in the space agency that might interest cadets.

Also present during the presentation were special guests Col. Mark Lee, Pennsylvania Wing commander; Maj. Gary Fleming, Group 6 commander; Maj. Charles Wedge, Group 6 deputy commander, and Capt. Tina Wedge, Group 6 historian.

The Beaver County squadron’s commander, 1st Lt. James Longan, presented Oefelein, Lee and Fleming with a package of Air Force lithographs, while Lee presented the former astronaut with a Pennsylvania Wing.

In turn, Oefelein provided pictures he had signed and patches, pencils and stickers to be given out. Everyone got the chance to talk to Oefelein and Shipman, obtain autographs and thank them for coming.
 

 

2nd Lt. Buddy Priest
Deputy Commander for Seniors
Orange County Composite Squadron
North Carolina Wing
Color Guard Assistant Coach

NORTH CAROLINE -- Orange County Composite Squadron command staff members completed their first Adopt-A-Highway mission Aug. 1 in Hillsborough, filling more than seven bags of trash and recyclable bottles and cans while helping clean up a major thoroughfare in central Hillsborough

The unit is responsible for cleaning a two-mile stretch, including U.S. 70A and North Carolina 86.

"Adopt-A-Highway is our chance to give back to the town of Hillsborough while also promoting volunteer service and helping to increase awareness of Civil Air Patrol in Orange County," said 2nd Lt Buddy Priest, the squadron’s deputy commander for seniors.
 
The command staff plans to conduct Adopt-A-Highway cleanups quarterly, using the activity to incorporate safety planning and operational risk management, communications and logistics with the squadron’s senior members and cadets. 
 
 

Sr. Mbr. Gena Borden
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Kansas City Composite Squadron
Kansas Wing

KANSAS – The Kansas City Composite Squadron hosted five International Air Cadet Exchange participants this summer, making sure their visitors stayed busy with a taste of Kansas City, aviation-related activities and exposure to various aspects of U.S. culture in Kansas and Missouri.

Three of the IACE guests came from Belgium -- chaperone Kevin Dekroes and cadets Tim Keymis and Cedrick VanGoethem. Cadets Jordan Bailey and Mel Thyberghien hailed from Canada.

Outside the realm of aviation, activities included:

• A historic tour of the Steamboat Arabia at the Kansas City, Mo., City Market.
   
• A Kansas City Royals baseball game.
   
• Visits to the Plaza, Union Station and Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo.
   
• A day at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City, Mo.
   
• A tour of the Merriam, Kan., Fire Department, where the IACE team was able to see the ladder tower in action.

American culture proved fascinating for the visitors, who encountered many personal firsts, including the baseball game and the amusement park. 

The Kansas City squadron members made sure their guests were exposed to cultural experiences that could only be encountered in the U.S. Stops included several fast food establishments and retail stores in Kansas City. At a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts shop the IACE team was able to see the dough mixed, cut, cooked and frosted, followed by a tasty sample at the end of the tour for a special treat. 

The guests were also struck by their visit to a Cabela’s outdoor outfitters, from the taxidermy to the weapons on display. 

Aviation activities began on the visit’s second day with observation flights out of New Century AirCenter airport in Johnson County, Kan. 

On the fifth day the IACE contingent spent time at Forbes Field in Topeka, Kan., for a tour of the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas Air National Guard facilities, including a close look at a KC-135. Then it was off to visit the Combat Air Museum at Forbes Field to view 33 different aircraft, aircraft engines and military aviation artifacts, ranging from World War I to modern-day. 

Day Six featured a visit to the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison, Kan., and some time trying out a flight simulator in Leavenworth, Kan. 
The ninth day was spent at Smokey Hill Air National Guard Range near Salina, Kan. for a public display of military aircraft – including an AH-64 Apache, A-10 Thunderbolt, B-52, B-1, F-16 and C-130 – in conjunction with an aerial gunnery training show. 

The visitors also attended a Kansas City squadron meeting, where they had a chance to meet fellow cadets and discuss the differences among the different programs.  Part of the evening was devoted to drilling techniques by the Kansas City cadets and their Canadian counterparts.

A send-off reception marked the final day, with the visitors and the host squadron meeting for cake before heading off to a pool party, complete with backyard barbecue pot luck. 

In the end, the team left Kansas City in style with a Hummer limousine ride to the airport.
 

(Center)
Sr. Mbr. Cindy Arnold, the Tullahoma squadron’s public affairs officer, tries on new headgear on board a C-130.
(Photo by Maj. Jack Hennon)

(Bottom)
C-130s lined up in southwest Asia.

 

Sr. Mbr. Cindy Arnold
Public Affairs Officer
Tullahoma Composite Squadron
Tennessee Wing

TENNESSEE – A full contingent from the Tullahoma Composite Squadron visited Berry Field Air National Guard Base in Nashville for an in-depth orientation July 28 to the 118th Airlift Wing, the C-130 International Training Squadron training facility and the versatile C-130 aircraft.
     
Upon arrival at the main gate, the six senior members and 14 cadets were escorted to the Squadron Operations Building for an introduction to the 118th, by 1st Lt. Casey Mitchell, including the history of the “Old Hickory Squadron,” its current mission and its aircraft. 

The 118th has been a leader in support of U.S. operations, including the Iraqi War, during which the largest number of C-130s ever were based in a combat environment. 

In 2007, the base was selected to instruct allied airmen to fly and employ the C-130, meeting a critical need for international training. Poland has participated in two training classes, and the Netherlands will furnish the next international class.

The Tullahoma members toured the aircraft maintenance facility, a hangar large enough to enclose two C-130s for maintenance.  At the time of the tour, two aircraft were in for regular maintenance, allowing the group to closely inspect their engines and mechanics.

 The tour was led by the Tullahoma squadron’s commander, Lt. Col. Charlie Smith, a former aircraft commander for the 118th’s flying squadron. As Smith explained the function of some of the aircraft equipment, he recounted stories of how he employed the C-130 during numerous missions over his 19-year career with the Nashville-based Guard unit.
   
Because of poor weather conditions, including heavy rain and lightning, an orientation flight seemed questionable. But patience, perseverance and flexibility in both scheduling and flight route resulted in a safe and awe-inspiring ride. 

Each of the squadron members was able to observe the flight crew and load masters in action during the flight as Smith explained details from the flight deck. Meanwhile, a little turbulence made the flight something other than routine. 

Crediting the flight crew with an optimal experience under conditions beyond their control, with tongue in check Smith thanked his former squadron’s members for providing the realistic Southeast Asia monsoon weather and declared the flight well worth it, even if the passengers never saw the ground! 

 “It was fun to see the ol’ bird operate at 130 decibels again!” he declared.

After the orientation ride came a tour of the new Formal Training Unit facility.  An impressive simulator is under construction there, assuring that the 118th Airlift Wing’s historic heritage will continue well into the future. 

As the group prepared to depart, Mitchell presented each member with a bagful of photos and souvenirs. Several Guard members told Smith they were impressed with the discipline and interest exhibited by the cadets, making the effort well worth the time they had invested.

 

• Maj. David Myers.
   
• Capt. Jonathan VerHoeven.
   
• Sr. Mbr. Kristi Eliasen.

The cadets providing assistance:

• Cadet Majs. Maj. Jason Finney and Jeffrey VerHoeven.
   
• Cadet Sr. Master Sgt. Malachi Eliasen.
   
• Cadet Master Sgt. Michael Deschenes.
   
• Cadet Staff Sgts. Aaron Francis and Andreas Kofler.
   
• Cadet Airmen 1st Class Alisha Deschenes and Clay Eliasen.
   
• Cadet Airmen Matthew Landreth and Tyler Smolenski.

Capt J. Brandon Masangcay
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Arizona Wing
                           
ARIZONA – Col. Ernest R. Bourgeois, commander of the Arizona Wing form Oct. 1, 2005-Oct. 31, 2006, is retiring from Civil Air Patrol after 20 years of service in not only the Arizona but also the Hawaii and California wings.

Bourgeois, who turns 80 in October, stepped down as wing commander when he was transferred to Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters to serve as director of Border Mission Operations, a position eventually eliminated when the national staff was reorganized. He then transferred back to the Arizona Wing and held various wing positions. 

Bourgeois began serving in the U.S. Army in March 1951, seeing extensive combat in Korea and receiving disabling combat wounds. He was released to inactive duty in December 1952 and given an honorable discharge a year later.

He was employed by Chevron USA marketing in 1961 as a company service station attendant, then quickly moved up the corporate ladder as a jobber sales assistant, a wholesale sales representative and, for 10 years, a systems/procedures and marketing analyst.

After Bourgeois retired from Chevron USA in 1985 at age 55, he and his wife moved Arizona. He joined CAP and the Valley Verde Composite Squadron 205, eventually serving as a search and rescue and disaster relief mission pilot and mission observer, emergency services officer and squadron commander. 

In 1995 he and his moved to Hawaii, where he transferred first to the Kauai Composite Squadron and then, in 1997, to the Maui Composite Squadron. 

The couple returned to Arizona and to Squadron 205 in November 1997, where Bourgeois again served as emergency services officer before being appointed commander. In 1998 he was appointed Group 2 commander. 

After a year, the Bourgeoises returned to Hawaii, where he again became a member of the Maui Composite Squadron, serving as a search and rescue and disaster relief mission pilot, mission observer and as administrative and personnel officer.

In 2001 Bourgeois transferred to the California Wing’s Camarillo Composite Squadron 61 as a search and rescue and disaster relief mission pilot and mission observer and emergency services officer. He became the squadron’s commander in 2002.

After returning once more to the Arizona Wing in 2003, he was assigned as the wing’s chief of staff by Col. John Varljen, wing commander. He succeeded Varljen as wing commander in October 2005.

Bourgeois has been an active private pilot for 36 years and has totaled more than 1,200 hours as a CAP senior pilot and senior mission observer. He decided to cease flying in 2007 even though he could still pass his required Federal Aviation Administration medical exams. 

His military decorations include the Purple Heart, Korean National Defense Medal and various combat service medals, along with many CAP service medals and awards, including numerous Commanders’ Commendations.

He was recognized as Arizona Wing Pilot of the Year for 1992 and 1993. For many years he has been life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart and Veterans of Foreign Wars.


 

Capt. James Ridley
Public Affairs Officer
Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron
New York Wing

NEW YORK -- The Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron Color Guard recently performed twice in five days, helping open athletic events featuring two different sports.

The color guard members presented the colors July 28 in front of more than 6,400 fans as the Long Island Ducks hosted the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in an independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball game in Islip.
 
“It was a great feeling to stand in front of so many people” said Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Naomi Warshauer, the team’s commander. 

“We were a little nervous at first, but our training took over and the team did great.”

The cadets encored Aug. 1 by presenting the colors at the Patchogue/Medford Youth Soccer League Complex in Medford, where Suffolk County Legislator Jack Eddington had invited them to help open the Play for Peace Soccer Tournament.

The event allowed eight teams to play in a World Cup-style tournament on full regulation-size soccer fields. The games took place under sunny skies and drew a vocal and supportive crowd of fans. 

The tournament, which was free to the public, was supported by local restaurants that used the venue to showcase a wide variety of food. Along with great soccer for the fans, the event featured plenty of entertainment for the children.

The Gabreski squadron has an excellent relationship with Eddington, who has visited the unit frequently and has been guest of honor for numerous award presentations over the years. 

“When Mr. Eddington contacted us to assist with his event, we didn’t waste any time in clearing our schedule,” said Maj. Louis Fenech, Gabreski commander. “The legislator has always supported our squadron and the Civil Air Patrol as well.”

 

Maj. Patricia Mitcham
Public Affairs Officer
Alabama Wing

ALABAMA – Alabama Wing members turned out in force at Civil Air Patrol’s National Emergency Services Academy during the summer, making up the country's second-largest contingent at the Indiana event – 37, one less than the much closer Illinois Wing.

Alabama members participated in all three of the academy courses – National Ground Search and Rescue School, Incident Command System School and Mission Aircrew School, each divided into one-week sessions focusing on specific skills.

In addition, Lt. Col. Michael Long -- ground search and rescue school commandant and the Alabama Wing’s emergency services training officer, thanked wing officials for providing both vehicles and an aircraft to support the academy.

A total of 14 courses, including two for prospective incident staff members, were offered at NESA, held at Camp Atterbury. Two new courses added this year focused on mission communications and scanner/mission photography.

National Ground Search and Rescue School provides members the skills they need to expertly perform ground searches.

Incident Command System School covers the skills needed to be top-notch leaders and staff officers at incident command posts and other critical operating locations.

Mission Aircrew School teaches critical skills needed for pilots and crew members to stay at the top of their game.

The Alabama Wing participants:

Wing Headquarters

• Maj. David Hester.

Auburn Composite Squadron

• 1st Lt. Keith O. Conway.
• 2nd Lt. Brian P. Meier.
• Sr. Mbr. Charles D. Murphy III.

Bessemer Composite Squadron

• 2nd Lt. Howard L. Holliman.
• Cadets Tech. Sgts. Aaron B. Holliman and Austin W. Holliman. |
• Cadet Staff Sgt. William T. Blake Jr.
• Cadet Sr. Airman Cody L. Franklin.

Boaz City Schools Cadet Squadron

• Cadet 2nd Lt. Ryan D. Erskine.

Chilton County Composite Squadron.

• Maj. Amanda Anderson.
• Capts. Gary E. Ernest and Samuel A. Ogilvie.
• Cadet Master Sgt. Jessica A. Ernest.

Gadsden Composite Squadron

• Capt. William Ott.

Maxwell Composite Squadron

• Sr. Mbr. Tyler Gresham.
• Cadet Master Sgt. Alexander Haigh.
• Cadet Staff Sgts. Kerrily Gresham and Kyler Gresham.
• Cadet Tech. Sgt Joseph R. Spitzer.

Mobile Composite Squadron

• Cadet Sr. Master Sgt. Michael Bentley.
• Cadet Master Sgts. William W. Sheppard and Stephen K. Smith.

Pell City Composite Squadron

• Maj. John M. Randolph Sr.
• Cadet Col. Morgan B. Bennett.
• Cadet Capt. Mary A. Shurbutt.
• Cadet 2nd Lt. Peter J. Randolph.
• Cadet Staff Sgts. Jerrod S. Finlay and Dakota Meads.

Redstone Composite Squadron

• Capt. J. Andrew Boyer
• Sr. Mbrs. Sterling Hickson and Christopher B. Hulsey.
• Cadet Chief Master Sgt Sarah A. Folse.
• Cadet Sr. Airman Lauren Jarreau.
• Cadet Airmen Matt T. Hanna and Michael G. Lemley.

2nd Lt. Steve McMillan
Public Affairs Officer
Cape Fear Composite Squadron
North Carolina Wing

New Brunswick County Flight quickly gains members and conducts air operations.
 
NORTH CAROLINA -- The North Carolina Wing has launched a new unit at Brunswick County Airport, with the Brunswick County Flight’s initial open house netting 12 senior members – many of them pilots, and seven cadets.

In conjunction with the Cape Fear Composite Squadron, the new flight – commanded by Lt. Col. Dennis Faver -- has also conducted ten cadet orientation rides from the airport in the last two weeks. 
 
Retired from the U.S. Army, Faver is a flight instructor for Red Sky Aviation at the airport. The airport director is providing meeting space and ramp services as a courtesy for the new unit.
 
The impressive community response shows the area’s strong support for Civil Air Patrol and its role in providing positive opportunities for teens in its cadet programs; its search and rescue operations; and the aerospace education programs provided for both teens and adults.
 
With its airport access, the new flight will be able to provide a tangible role in coordinated ground and aerial search and rescue missions for the North Carolina Wing’s southeast region.
 

 

2nd Lt. Lee Whitney
Goddard Cadet Squadron
Massachusetts Wing

MASSACHUSETTS -- Goddard Cadet Squadron members have ushered in the beginning of enhanced aerospace education opportunities with the formation of the Aerospace Special Interest Group. 

The group was created to allow cadets with a special interest in aerospace to meet and share their passion through cadet-driven activities. The ASIG’s focus is twofold -- internal and external.

Internal activities consist of hands-on exercises, including pursuing model rocketry, constructing aerospace projects such as a wind tunnel and a hovercraft, mentoring other cadets in aerospace and model rocketry, and taking field trips.

External activities are intended to provide aerospace education to schools and communities, including setting up aerospace displays at appropriate events to promote aerospace and CAP.

The first external activity occurred during the summer when the squadron was asked to provide Cub Scout Pack 53 of Auburn with an aerospace activity at the Scouts’ open house.

Cadet Master Sgt. Ralph Melanson and Cadet Staff Sgt. Nicholas Choiniere volunteered stepped up and oversaw the evening’s project – the construction and launching of foam Goddard rockets. 

Armed with duct tape and other components, after being introduced to the open house audience the two cadets were quickly overrun by an excited mass to 7- to 11-year-old boys in blue uniforms. 

Without hesitation Melanson and Choiniere took control, and before long all of the Scouts were launching their rockets throughout the meeting hall.  At the end of the exercise, they determined that 35 rockets had been constructed within 30 minutes.

The evening proved so successful that not only were the pair showered with accolades and thanks, but the Goddard squadron was asked to return in the fall with another activity.
 

Capt. James A. Ridley Sr.
Public Affairs Officer
Northeast Region

NEW JERSEY – In a triple ceremony, the Northeast Region’s outgoing commander, Col. Robert Diduch, presided Aug. 9 over the changing of commands not only for the region but also two of its wings.

Diduch turned over his command of the region to Col. Christopher Hayden of Maine – who, in turn, turned over the Maine Wing command to his successor in that role, Col. Daniel Leclair. In addition, Col. David Mull assumed command of the New Jersey Wing from Col. Robert McCabe.

Hayden’s career with Civil Air Patrol began in December 1997 when he joined the Maine Wing’s 58th Composite Squadron. Hayden has held such positions as public affairs officer, squadron commander, wing vice commander and wing commander.

His CAP accomplishments include his work reporting the progress of the John F. Kennedy Jr. search in July 1999 and his initiative of U.S. Navy ship escort duty along the Kennebec River.  During this project he worked with Navy security officers in devising the most efficient use of CAP aircraft in support of the Force Protection Team as well as establishing a strong relationship with the Maine National Guard.

Hayden, a licensed pilot, has totaled close to 2,000 flying hours and has achieved an instrument rating and commercial pilot certificate. He has earned the Maine Wing’s Guy P. Gannett Award and the Northeast Region’s Lt. Joseph Mixter Public Affairs Officer Awards, two Commander’s Commendations, the Maine Wing Squadron Commander of the Year Award and the Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his work on the Navy ship escort project.
 

 
Led by their color guard, members of the Puerto Rico Wing’s Mayaguez Cadet Squadron participated in a march against crime Aug. 5 in conjunction with local police as part of a campaign to increase public awareness and determination to help reduce illegal activity.
 

1st Lt. Pamela Speer
Deputy Commander of Cadets
Birchwood Composite Squadron
Alaska Wing

ALASKA -- Cadets seeking to form a color guard for Birchwood Composite Squadron received four weeks of expert training from members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard at Elmendorf Air Force Base. 

A pair of Air Force Honor Guard members, Airman 1st Class Chelsea Roberts and Airman Kolton Gomes, spent an hour each week going over specifics with the cadets:

Cadet Staff Sgts. Emily Kroeker and Sarah Peyton.
Cadet Airmen Basic Sebastian Baquero, Marc Harold, Isaac Kimball and Joshua Vanderlooven.

 “Our intention was to set a tone for cadets interested in being on the Birchwood Color Guard’s Competitive Team 2010,” said the squadron’s cadet commander Cadet 1st Lt. Chad Speer “We wanted potential team members to receive consistency in training from the best. and having the USAF on hand really helped to set the bar higher.” 

Added 1st Lt. Pamela Speer, Birchwood deputy commander for cadets: “It was a very steep learning curve, but the training served to put all cadets on equal footing, regardless of past experience, and that made the process fair.” 

Capt. Jeremy N. Hendricks
Commander
Group 9
Illinois Wing

ILLINOIS – Cadets and senior members from across Illinois traveled in style when they visited Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, riding in a KC-135 Stratotanker from Peoria Regional Airport courtesy of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, based at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.

The flight lasted about four hours, but the experience was enlivened by in-flight refueling for six F-15 Eagle Jet fighters over the Cape Canaveral warning strip, where they were practicing air combat maneuvering. Each Illinois Wing member spent some time in the refueling pod, and those who were lucky got an up-close view of the jets as they docked with the refueling boom.

In addition, in what may be a Civil Air Patrol first, four cadets -- Andrew Brousseau, Jordan LaMarche, Joseph Pratts and Grayson Watson, all from the Palwaukee Composite Squadron -- received promotions and pinned on their new ranks at 35,000 feet while en route to the Cape. 

Once the KC-135 landed at the station, an Air Force bus transported the group to Patrick Air Force Base.

The visit to Kennedy Space Center included a bus tour, a visit to the LC 39 Observation Gantry that overlooks both NASA launch pads and the Cape Canaveral Air Station launch sites, the International Space Station Center and the Saturn 5 facility.

Between the museums and tours, the visitors also managed to squeeze in some rigorous water survival training sessions at a nearby beach.

The Florida Wing’s Patrick Composite Squadron served as the official host to the Illinois contingent.


 

Maj. Brion Gluck
Commander
Lt. Col. Jack Bagley
Public Affairs Officer
West Georgia Composite Squadron
Georgia Wing

GEORIGA -- The West Georgia Composite Squadron held its first-ever search and rescue exercise July 31-Aug. 2, with Maj. Brion Gluck, commander, pronouncing the weekend an unqualified success.

In addition to West Georgia Composite senior members and cadets, members of the Columbus Composite Squadron, Coweta County Flight and Peachtree City-Falcon Field Composite Squadron also reported to mission base at the LaGrange-Callaway Airport to participate. Group 3’s commander, Lt. Col. Joseph Knight Jr., was present as well. 

Also involved were personnel from the West Point and LaGrange police departments, the LaGrange Amateur Radio Operators, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the American Red Cross.

The exercise was carried out under the overall command of Lt. Col. Joseph Knight III, wing emergency services officer, who served as incident commander.

Knight briefed the ground teams and aircrews on their assignment -- to search for the wreckage from a simulated midair collision of two aircraft near the LaGrange airport. The scenario called for a Learjet to be on its final approach to the airport when it disappeared from radar, apparently after colliding with another light aircraft. 

Search teams went into the nearby community looking for previously placed emergency locator transmitters. Aircrews flew designated search patterns over both the approach corridor to the airport and specified areas of the countryside where the two simulated aircraft were believed to have gone down.

In addition to the search and rescue training, aircrews were given in-flight problems to solve -- including losing power in the airplane’s alternator or experiencing a communications blackout.  Pilots and observers were rated on their ability to solve the situations given them by the West Georgia squadron’s operations officer, Capt. A. J. Acheson.

The first missions were delayed by weather until about mid-morning Aug. 1, but after the clouds lifted Knight had aircrews flying within minutes. Several crews flew the two aircraft used in the mission simulation, while two ground teams of senior members and cadets under the direction of 1st Lt. Dennis Knight, West Georgia Composite emergency services officer, headed to the countryside to find the ELTs.
 
The ELTs were located late in the day Aug. 1, and following debriefing the next morning the crews were sent back to their respective squadrons. 

Along with expanding their skills, participants earned credit toward training goals in the CAP’s emergency services program.

During the exercise West Georgia cadets operated a mess hall, turning out hamburgers and hot dogs for the hungry search crews. 

Gluck, the West Georgia commander, said another exercise will be scheduled within a few weeks to keep members’ skills sharp when and if needed.


 

• 60 learning labs on Sept. 4-5 and 10 preconference courses on Sept. 1-2. Topics will include chaplains’ concerns, cadet program, finance, disaster relief, homeland security, communications, safety, aerospace education and public affairs; and
• An awards ceremony honoring exceptional CAP members from 8:30-9:45 a.m. on Sept. 5. Honorees include cadet of the year and senior member of the year.

The Texas Wing, host of this year’s conference, boasts nearly 3,000 members – 1,627 adult volunteers and 1,298 cadets – as well as 29 aircraft, including Cessnas and GA-8 Airvans. In fiscal year 2008, Texas Wing members flew 6,949 hours, and were credited by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall AFB, Fla., with 3 saves.

In September 2008, members of Texas Wing along with CAP members from across the nation accumulated more than 18,700 man-hours and used 22 aircraft, 21 vans and 13 Nikon D200 cameras in more than 350 flights to both photograph and take emergency management personnel over the more than $30 billion in damage wrought by Hurricane Ike in east Texas.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 56,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 91 lives in fiscal year 2008. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the more than 22,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 67 years. For more information on CAP, please visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com.

More information:

• Eric Boe 
• "'CAP's Got Talent' -- Longtime CAP Member Shines on National Stage", November-December 2008 Civil Air Patrol Volunteer story on Paul Salos 

1st Lt. Mark L. Curtis
2nd Lt. Robert L. Bowden
Public Affairs
Great Lakes Region – North/Michigan Wing Encampment
 
MICHIGAN – Summer rain may have kept cadets at the Great Lakes Region -- North and Michigan Wing Summer Encampment from participating in the eagerly awaited pass in review at the end of the week, but it certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of the 92 who graduated from basic encampment July 25.

In total, 221 cadets and senior members from seven wings in four regions  were involved in the encampment as either participants or staff for the basic encampment, Model Rocketry Encampment or the Great Lakes Region’s Cadet Leadership School. Senior members could also attend professional development courses such as Squadron Leadership School, Corporate Learning Course and CAP Senior Officer Correspondence Course Preparation.

The encampment was held from July 19-25 at the Michigan Air National Guard’s Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena. Represented were the Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, National Capital and Texas wings.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Reid, Michigan Wing director of operations, served as encampment commander and kept operations flowing smoothly and effectively while he and his staff dodged off-and-on rain showers throughout the week.

One of the encampment’s primary missions is to ensure that every basic cadet receives an orientation ride in one of seven CAP Cessna 172s or 182s, as well as a ride in either the Michigan Wing or Ohio Wing glider. Air operations was skillfully run by Maj. Rick Thalmann and assisted by Lt. Col. Monica Burke, both of Michigan Wing Headquarters. They saw to it that each cadet received a ride, even flying into the evening hours the day before graduation.

A highlight for nearly everyone was the third day’s firearms demonstration and participation. Master Sgt. Rob Mills, who is in charge of the base’s security forces, and his staff prepared AR-15s, M-16s, M-4s, M-249s and M-240 machine guns to fire blank ammunition with laser targeting systems in use. All cadets were briefed on proper operation of each firearm, then allowed to fire at laser reactive targets.

The cadets were also able to climb the base’s rock wall and rappel from the attached 40-foot tower.

In the classroom, course subjects ranged from public affairs to National Cadet Special Activities, Air Force career exploration, the history of the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award – CAP’s top cadet honor -- and an array of aerospace education topics.

Helping to spark interest in the Air Force was Col. Frank J. Walker, U.S. Air Force Academy liaison officer for the western lower peninsula of Michigan. Walker’s upbeat, disarming manner not only kept his listeners’ attention but had them laughing along the way.

The public affairs department had particular success in spreading the word about encampment through the local media – WBKB-TV, the CBS affiliate in Alpena, broadcast three reports during the week -- as well as keeping parents, friends and others at home informed about the happenings in Alpena. 

“Social networking is becoming more and more prevalent as we move towards the future, not only with our cadets, but our cadets’ parents as well,” said 1st Lt. Mark Curtis of the Boulle-Norman Cadet Squadron, encampment public affairs director. Facebook, the most popular online social network tool, has seen encampment groups come and go every year, but this year a “Fan Page” was set up. Public affairs staffers were able to update the page throughout the day, post photos as they came in and interact with parents and friends.
 
For graduation, a very special guest spoke to graduating cadets and parents --  Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAP national commander and herself a former Michigan Wing cadet, as well as commander of the wing from 1999-2002.

Senior Command Staff (all Michigan Wing)

• Encampment Commander -- Lt. Col. Jonathan Reid, Michigan Wing Headquarters.
   
• Encampment Vice Commander -- Capt. David Watts, South Oakland Cadet Squadron.
   
• Executive Officer -- Maj. Andy Machcinski, Rochester-Oakland Composite Squadron.
   
• Commandant of Cadets -- Maj. Christina Watts, South Oakland Cadet Squadron.

 
Cadet Wing Staff (all Michigan Wing):

• Wing Commander -- Cadet Maj. Geoff Gloceri, Oakland Composite Squadron.
   
• Wing Deputy Commander -- Cadet Maj. Bernadette Bacero, Livonia Thunderbolt Cadet Squadron.
   
• Wing Executive Officer -- Cadet 1st Lt. Michelle Neuville, Maj. Joe Koch Memorial Cadet Squadron.

 
Special Awards (Michigan Wing except where noted):

• Maj. Kevin A. Adams Honor Officer -- Cadet Master Sgt. Bryan Connell , Oakland Composite Squadron.
   
• Sr. Master Sgt. Blair C. Biddle Honor Noncommissioned Officer -- Cadet Master Sgt. Robert McHugh, Wolverine Composite Squadron.
   
• Lt. Col. Mildred Boehmer Honor Cadet Award -- Cadet Airman 1st Class Tim Courtney, Fairfax Composite Squadron. National Capital Wing.

1st Lt. Terese Barta
Public Affairs Officer
Stevens Point Composite Squadron
Wisconsin Wing

WISCONSIN --  Like a scene from the classic TV series “MASH,” a field hospital is flooded with arriving casualties while doctors and nurses rush to triage the patients. 
In this case, the casualties include members of the Wisconsin Wing, assisting the coalition medical team during Operation Patriot 2009 at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center. 

Operation Patriot, which began in the 1990s, is the largest joint training exercise sponsored by the National Guard Bureau. National Guard units from across the country participate in scenario-based training events with the U.S. Army and Air Force, together with military personnel from five other countries. 

The public affairs officer for the exercise, Air Force 2nd Lt. John D. Fesler, described it as a “true joint force activity.” 

Working side-by-side with their American counterparts were personnel from Canada, the Netherlands, Armenia, Slovakia and Poland. Observers from India were on hand as well.

Between Volk Field and Fort McCoy, nearly 3,000 participated – including 10 Wisconsin Wing senior members and eight cadets who took time off from their work or summer activities to volunteer. Half were participating in Operation Patriot for the first time.
 
During the three-day medical exercise, CAP members played live victims.  Each day they departed their barracks at Fort McCoy by 5:30 a.m. in order to be ready at “the pit” by 7 a.m. In the interest of realism, the members went though moulage -- a type of makeup simulating a variety of wounds, bruises and burns.
Live victims not only had to look the part, but act it as well. 

Maj. Tami Buettgenbach, a primary Air Force observer, explained why live victims make up an important component of the exercise.

"The value of the participation by the Civil Air Patrol cannot be measured," Buettgenbach said. "To be able to have live patients just makes the scenarios so much more realistic for the participants. They can ask questions, and the patient can really play up their part. 

“Every year that the CAP has participated there have always been very good comments from the units attending the training. We hope the CAP will be able to participate in this exercise for many more years."

This year, transport of casualties by Black Hawk helicopter or C-130 transport plane added to the excitement for CAP participants.

In addition, participation in Operation Patriot was a distinctive way to introduce CAP to military personnel who did not have previous contact with or much knowledge about the organization or its members.
 
This marked the fifth year the wing has provided volunteers for the coalition medical team. Lt. Col. John Potterton of the Madison Composite Squadron, CAP event coordinator for all five years, summed up the reason he and other members participate: “Our support to the men and woman of our armed forces is one of the most important things that we in CAP can do; they put their life on the line for us.”

Responsibility for coordinating next year’s event will passed on to Capt. Mike Krein of the Eagle River Composite Squadron, who has also participated all five years. 

Participants received a certificate of appreciation from the medical exercise director, Air Force Col. James A. Fike.  They also left with a better understanding of how critical realistic military medical training is for both military patients and medical personnel alike.

The Wisconsin Wing participants:

Wisconsin Wing Headquarters

• Lt. Col. Marcia Cunningham.

Eagle River Composite Squadron

• Capt. Michael Krein.
   
• Cadet Tech. Sgt. Zac Velpel.

LaCrosse Composite Squadron

• 1st Lt. Alison Schneller.
   
• Sr. Mbr. Linda Zimmerman.

Madison Composite Squadron

• Lt. Col. John Potterton.
   
• Capts. Paul Vanderbloemen and David Vriezen, who served as safety officer.
   
• 1st Lt. Leon Pechatnikov.
   
• Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Nathan Walker.
   
• Cadet Master Sgt. Alex Lengyl. 
   
• Cadet Sr. Airmen Sean Patchin Jr., Phillip Tomovici and Elizabeth Wussow.

Stevens Point Composite Squadron

• 1st Lt. Terese Barta.

Timmerman Composite Squadron

• Sr. Mbr. Timothy McCaigue.
   
• Cadet 2nd Lt. Daniel Haffner.
   
• Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Britney Donald.
   

Capt. Scott Orr
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Colorado Wing

One of the perks of belonging to Civil Air Patrol is getting to do things that the general public can only dream about.

About 80 Colorado Wing members did just that Aug. 7, flying in two C-130 transports with the 302nd Airlift Wing of the U.S. Air Force Reserve at Peterson Air Force Base.

The CAP contingent, cadets and senior members alike, arrived early in the morning and received briefings on safety and in-flight procedures before lifting off for the hourlong flight, which took them over Colorado’s Royal Gorge before returning to the base in Colorado Springs.

Cadets had the freedom to explore the big C-130 in flight. They were able to visit the flight deck and take in the view from its fishbowl-like windows.

“That was positively amazing. I didn’t see one cadet come back from the flight deck without a huge smile on their face,” said Maj. Thomas Scheffel, commander of the Valkyrie Cadet Squadron.

After landing, the cadets had the opportunity to question the crew. Some of the queries were quite technical, concerning such concepts as how the moment arm of the massive C-130’s wings affects the amount of aileron required for a turn.

“It take a lot less aileron [than it does to turn a sailplane],” said Cadet 2nd Lt. Kylene Eagle of the Air Academy Cadet Squadron. “I fly, so I wanted to see how what I fly relates to a C-130.”

While the cadets learned, they also had fun. Some were even able to be on the flight deck during takeoff and landing, an experience few – other than professional pilots -- will ever have in a commercial airliner.

Senior members were just as excited to be on the flight, snapping photos of each other posing with the loadmasters, wide smiles shining, leaning toward the windows as enthusiastically as the cadets.

 

Capt. Don Penven
Public Affairs Officer
North Carolina Wing

NORTH CAROLINA – A transfer of command, awards and a high-level promotion marked the quarterly commander’s call convened recently by Col. Roy Douglass, North Carolina Wing commander.

The session began with Douglass’ closed meeting with the wing’s five group commanders focusing on working out more flexible positioning of the wing’s 10 aircraft to permit greater access for more squadrons.

Afterward, the general assembly commenced with a change of command in Group 2, as Maj. Toby Wall passed the ceremonial guidon to his successor, Maj. Max Noureddine. Wall was thanked for more than three years of service as group commander.

Next on the agenda was the promotion of Capt. Dan McCollum to the rank of major. McCollum, wing safety officer, was recently named Civil Air Patrol National Safety Officer of the Year, and the wing recently received the organization’s Paul W. Turner National Safety Award.

Then came the presentation of CAP’s Paul E. Garber Award – the second-highest award given to senior members, signifying completion of Level 4 training -- to Maj. Glen Peting of the Winston-Salem Composite Squadron.

Wall was then recalled to the dais, where Douglass presented him with the Outstanding Service Award for his many years of devoted service to the wing.

Following a short lunch break, the meeting resumed with all five group commanders meeting with their respective commanders and other members of their units to discuss general plans for the balance of the year. The group commanders reminded their squadron-level counterparts to promote the upcoming wing Conference in October.


 

1st Lt. Pamela Speer
Deputy Commander for Cadets
Birchwood Composite Squadron
Alaska Wing
 
ALASKA – Cadets from the Birchwood Composite Squadron and neighboring units stepped up Aug. 1 to marshal aircraft and assist with parking when Palmer Municipal Aircraft held its inaugural Palmer Pilot Adventure 2009.

Airport officials held the event -- which Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell attended -- to focus local pilots’ attention on safety. Coordinated by Artics Air Academy, a full-service flight training facility on the airport grounds, the day featured sessions on:

• “Human Error and the Aviator.”
   
• “How Not to Wreck Your Super Cub This Hunting Season.”
   
• “Briefing for Short Field Clinic Pilots.”
   
• “Learning to Fly in Alaska.”
   
• “The Passenger’s Role in Aviation Safety.”

Every aircraft flying into the airport was greeted by a cadet marshal trained by 1st Lt. Stephen Sammons of the Birchwood squadron. Officials estimated that cadets oversaw aircraft taxiing procedures for more than 150 aircraft in five hours. 

Not knowing what to expect, since the event was being held for the first time, the Alaska Wing participants hoped for the best and prepared for the worst, adjusting hourly to accommodate needs as they arose.  The key was safety first, service and flexibility.

Throughout the day four-wheelers came by to drop water off, pick up cadets for lunch and periodically move support staff from one end of the airport to the other.
 
“Airport personnel would phone me to request cadets for various jobs throughout the day,” said 1st Lt. Pamela Speer, Birchwood deputy commander for cadets. “I was really short on staff, and the event was much larger than anticipated.”

Radios weren’t provided, and “it became clear early on that we were too spread out to function properly without” them, Speer said. “I quickly assembled my cadets, updated our communications abilities and worked with cell phones to coordinate throughout the day,” she said.

“I’d phone my key coordinators and request available resources. Many times I ran into a wall.

“The event required so much more than we had planned for, and our leadership resources were limited.  It was a real test in our ability to prioritize,” Speer said.

Even so, “Civil Air Patrol accepted every task and executed with outstanding results,” she said. “It was a true testament to our members’ ability to be flexible.
 
“No cadet ever left their post unattended. For me this was a great example of leadership. Birchwood squadron and cadets from neighboring areas worked together seamlessly to get the job done,” Speer said.
 
She expressed special thanks to Sammons, who held a marshaling and safety refresher course for cadets at the squadron’s regular meeting after Speer received an e-mail requesting support for the airport event.
 
 
 

1st Lt. George Stepp
Public Affairs Officer
Beckley Composite Squadron
West Virginia Wing

WEST VIRGINIA – Midsummer was an unusually busy time for members of the Beckley Composite Squadron, with some attending the West Virginia Wing Encampment, others participating in Civil Air Patrol’s National Emergency Services Academy and still others assisting the Beckley YMCA at the Friends of Coal Auto Show.

Six of the squadron’s members spent a rewarding week at Camp Dawson National Guard Base near Kingwood participating in the 2009 wing encampment. Cadets enjoyed a variety of training and hands-on activities, including use of a 60-foot rappelling tower and climbing wall, a leadership reaction course, firearms training and firing range, classes in land and water survival taught by the West Virginia Air National Guard, model rocketry building and the opportunity to wear Fatal Vision goggles while driving a golf cart through a maze of safety cones to simulate driving while impaired.

The encampment ended with a very impressive pass in review parade followed by graduation ceremonies in front of a standing-room-only crowd.

The Beckley members attending the encampment:

• 1st Lt George Stepp.
   
• Cadet 2nd Lts. Brian Kruchkow and Ryan Stepp.
   
• Cadet Airman 1st Class Vanessa Duvigneaud.
   
• Cadet Airmen Hannah Barker and Samantha Maiolo.

Four other members spent two weeks at NESA, held at Camp Atterbury near Indianapolis.

The first week is an intensive combination of classroom and field training that provides participants with the opportunity to complete all requirements, including basic first aid and communications user training, for a basic ground team member (GTM-3) rating.

During the second week, participants have the opportunity to complete all requirements for an advanced ground team member (GTM-1, GTM-2 and urban direction finding) rating.

The two-week course included some overnight missions in the field, search operations and cross-country travel. Those completing the course successfully are eligible for their ground team qualification and their ground team badge. Graduation requires completion of 100 percent of task requirements, including gear.

Two Beckley cadets -- Cadet 1st Lt. Lendon Childress and Cadet Sr. Airman Michael Kelley -- attended NESA, while Capt. Robert Cook and Cadet Airman William Stamper participated as staff.

Also in July, several members combined for several hundred hours of volunteer service in assisting the Beckley YMCA during the Friends of Coal Auto Show. The members helped set up and break down chairs for the concert, cleaned up the area and -- most importantly -- controlled the parking lots and assisted visitors with parking.
 
 
 

Maj. Chad Derby
Public Affairs Officer
119th Air National Guard Cadet Squadron
Civil Air Patrol

NORTH DAKOTA – Members of the 119th Air National Guard Cadet Squadron helped ensure the success of the Night to Unite neighborhood gathering Aug. 2 in West Fargo, with the color guard cadets participating in flag raising ceremony at Elmwood Park and others helping secure a landing zone for a North Dakota Army Guard helicopter.

In addition to helping out with two of the night’s major events, the squadron staffed a recruiting booth, where members handed out material promoting Civil Air Patrol and shared fun stories about CAP with all who stopped by.

Capt. Mike Sandstrom
Mission Information Officer
Public Information Officer
Michigan Wing

MICHIGAN – Michigan Wing members searching for an aircraft that disappeared late the afternoon of Aug. 7 found the plane’s wreckage and its pilot’s body a day later in a heavily wooded area.

Bradley Winchell, 52, had taken off in his 1989 Bushby Mustang from Jack Barstow Municipal Airport in Midland for a recreational flight around 3:40 p.m., but he never returned. An aircrew and ground teams located the aircraft 22 miles east of Gladwin at 3:35 p.m. Aug. 8.

After receiving the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center alert that morning, the incident commander, Lt. Col. Tim Brutsche, Michigan Wing director of safety, managed to launch an aircrew and five ground teams within a short time frame despite very bad weather. Along with sheriffs’ deputies from Gladwin and Midland counties and the Michigan State Police, the Civil Air Patrol searchers focused on an area east of Gladwin.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms limited the wing’s aircraft to only one flight. The aircrew members, on an instrument flight plan, remained above the cloud deck but were able to detect and track a very weak emergency locator transmitter signal. 

Guided by the aircrew, one of five ground teams launched from various locations in Michigan located the downed plane in heavy woods near Centerfire Lane Trail.

 “We could never have found it without the aircrew, since the ELT signal was very weak,” said Lt. Col. Raj Kothari of the of the Sixgate Composite Squadron, leader of the ground team, which also consisted of Cadet Col. Elizabeth Dumont, Cadet 1st Lt. Britney Bishop and Cadet Airman Austen Conway.

 

1st Lt. Mark Swanson
Public Affairs Officer
New Jersey Wing

NEW JERSEY -- New Jersey Wing commanders last week unveiled what they hope will be a significant step in the quest for good communication with senior members and cadets.

The new approach is called DragonNet and DragonMail – vastly upgraded Web sites and e-mail, both internal and external for the wing.

The “dragon” part of it is for the “Red Dragons,” long the wing’s moniker. The wing’s cadet competition teams are also called the Red Dragons.

DragonNet is a host of Internet applications from Google, called Google Apps. It includes a wing calendar, space for shared internal documents and forms, RSS feeds from the New Jersey Wing news website and even conferencing capabilities.

Externally, DragonNet will soon include an upgraded official Web site that is more oriented toward recruitment than the existing “cap.gov” site. Most internal functions are moving toward the secure sections of the site, hosted by Google.

For members, everyone in the wing has received an e-mail address configured to not to Google’s Gmail application but to njwg.cap.gov. It runs on Google Gmail but without alias or forwarding, and members can access it on desktops and laptops, at home or away, via the Internet or traditional mail programs, like Microsoft Outlook.

The push for increased communication had simple beginnings. Several years ago, the wing’s commander, Col. Robert McCabe, learned that only about 50 percent of members were signed up for NJCAP – an e-mail list managed by the wing.

“It resulted in the same people consistently coming out for training and other activities,” said Lt. Col. Israel Thompson, the wing’s plans and programs director, who headed the project. “Col. McCabe directed us to find another way.” McCabe served as the wing’s commander until Aug. 9.

After looking at a number of platforms, Thompson’s work group decided on Google Apps, which is free. Investigations started about six months ago, and the new program went live at the end of July.

The upgraded official public wing website at njwg.cap.gov is expected to go live shortly. A second site, NJ Wing News Online, runs on a separate platform and is coordinated by the wing public affairs staff at relatively low cost.

The project is still in its launching phase. Down the road, Thompson expects to have documents, like wing forms, stored on DragonNet for easy access. Members and squadrons could have their individual Web sites on DragonNet, as well. Access to DragonNet is login- and password-protected.

The wing is also using the opportunity to plan for enhanced video and voice communication. DragonMail – via Google – should support video and voice, much like the popular Skype product on the Internet. That could mean videoconferencing for staff meetings, commanders and others – even remote briefing and training.

While the wing’s old NJCAP list was transferred to Google, it will be managed by simply deleting members who leave and adding new ones. Other mail distribution lists for DragonMail will include squadrons, groups, pilots and others.

“It’s still in the infant stages,” Thompson said. He welcomes feedback from CAP members -- especially if they can think of unmet needs for DragonMail or DragonNet -- on DragonMail at xp@njwg.cap.gov.

 

Capt. Denise Thompson
Public Affairs Officer
Thunder Mountain Composite Squadron
Colorado Wing

COLORADO – Sixteen cadets from Thunder Mountain Composite Squadron participated Aug. 1 in the unit’s annual field training exercise outside Glade Park, held on 22 acres filled with aspen trees, boulders and no bugs.

First Christian Church of Grand Junction generously opens the property for Civil Air Patrol to use. Ordinarily the exercise is an overnight activity, but a visit from a bear this July changed the plan to a one-day affair.

Five senior members and two parents were on hand to supervise.

The day included a communications class taught by Maj. Chip Ferron, the unit’s communications officer and deputy commander for seniors, that incorporated the classroom portion of the CAP Basic Communications User Training and hands-on practice using intrasquad radios in a simulated ground-team environment.

Maj. Eric Thompson, the squadron’s deputy commander for cadets, and Capt. Denise Thompson, public affairs officer, presented a lesson on the use of GPS and an introduction to geocaching -- a high-tech hide-and-seek game played throughout the world. GPS coordinates are used to find the hidden caches, which can be anything from small cigar tubes, or microcaches, to old ammo boxes.

The Thompsons  laid out four courses where the cadets input coordinates to find the next set of coordinates, then used those to find one more set of coordinates, which in turn led to the hidden cache.

The high mountain terrain, fallen trees, rocks and open meadows were perfect for geocaching, and the cadets were able to use their new radio knowledge to contact base while simulating a real field exercise.

After lunch Cadet Airman 1st Class Garrett Wachtel demonstrated a ghillie suit, designed to resemble heavy foliage. Snipers and hunters wear the suits to blend into their surroundings when it’s important for them to hide from enemies or their targets.

The suits give the wearer's outline a three-dimensional breakup, rather than a linear one. When manufactured correctly, the suit will move in the wind in the same way as surrounding foliage.

Wachtel made his own suit, using a shoe adhesive to glue burlap to an old flight suit. Burlap.

“I’ve been studying ghillie suits for about four years,” he said. “This is my third suit.”

None of the squadron members spotted Wachtel as he lay on the ground tucked into brush. He wasn’t seen until he began to stand up – a testament to the suit’s effectiveness.

 

 
Capt. Kertis Henderson
Public Affairs Officer
Burlington Composite Squadron
North Carolina Wing

NORTH CAROLINA -- The Burlington Composite Squadron hosted Community Emergency Response Team training July 31-Aug. 2 at its Burlington-Alamance Regional Airport headquarters, with 25 people concentrating on disaster response techniques.

CERT training prepares teams for disaster response by teaching first aid, triage, basic firefighting and search and rescue. Sessions were held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 1-2, preceded by first aid and CPR classes at 6 p.m. July 31.

Instructors included North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety staff, the city of Concord’s director of communications and Civil Air Patrol volunteers.

"CERT training will prepare emergency responders for what may lie ahead as we move deeper into the hurricane season,” said Maj. Andy Wiggs, North Carolina Wing emergency services officer. “It prepares the individual and small groups how to respond within the community when disaster strikes.

"We're grateful for the volunteers who are leading and participating in this training,” Wiggs said. “Our community's emergency services response will certainly benefit."

 

1st Lt. John Morgan
Public Affairs Officer
Group VIII
Ohio Wing
                           
Local Civil Air Patrol Pilot Assists in Air National Guard Training

OHIO -- The small private aircraft, a Cessna 182, was not responding to any messages from air traffic control and was on a path that would take it into restricted air space.

The pilot’s intentions were not known.

Years ago, before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, this scenario would have caused concern but not necessarily alarm. That is no longer the case. This time, fighter aircraft from the Ohio Air National Guard 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo were launched to intercept the possible rogue pilot.  Minutes later, the small aircraft was met by a couple of F-16 Fighting Falcons over the farm fields of Ohio.

Fortunately, a rogue flyer was not at the controls. The pilot was 1st Lt. David Sitter of the Ohio Wing’s Columbus Senior Squadron, and he was flying a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182. 

The intercept was part of an ongoing series of training flights called “Keynote Missions.” For the Air Force, the random flights are a critical training tool in maintaining proficiency in tracking and intercepting “low and slow” aircraft.  

Typical scenarios, planned weeks in advance, could include an unresponsive pilot with a nonpilot passenger, suspected drug smuggling, a disgruntled former employee flying above an employer, or a pilot flying into restricted airspace.

The Ohio Wing is one of 25 of the 52 CAP wings assisting the Air Force in these missions.  The Air Force or Air National Guard unit being evaluated requests these missions, which are then reviewed by the CAP National Operations Center and the regional Air Defense Sector. After approval by the 1st Air Force, the Air Force command responsible for protecting the continental U.S., a mission is assigned to the appropriate CAP wing.

Once the small plane is intercepted, the fighter pilot has a number of options to get the smaller aircraft’s attention.  One of the most challenging aspects of these missions is matching the faster aircraft’s speed to that of the smaller, much slower plane during the intercept.

An engineer for L-3 Communications Avionics Systems in Columbus, Sitter has been a CAP member for the last seven years and a mission pilot for the last two. He is deputy commander of the Columbus squadron, a regular participant in the Keynote missions.

Training for these missions has real-life implications, Sitter said. “The recent incursion of a Canadian pilot into U.S. airspace with an alleged stolen aircraft is a great example of these types of missions Civil Air Patrol is supporting,” he said.

He was referring to the April 6 incident in which F-16s of both the Minnesota and Wisconsin Air National Guards intercepted a 31-year-old flight school student from Canada who had violated U.S. airspace.  The Guard pilots followed his Cessna 172 until it eventually ran out gas and landed on a dirt road in Missouri.

Sitter is honored to play a part in our nation’s defense. “Civil Air Patrol has been an avenue for me to give back to our country,” he said, “for a freedom that has allowed me to fulfill a passion of mine-aviation!”

 

Capt. Christopher Colvin
Public Affairs Officer
Winchester Composite Squadron
Virginia Wing
 
VIRGINIA – Cadet Capt. Israel Groves’ final summer in Civil Air Patrol’s cadet corps – he turns 21 in February – was one to remember, thanks to his participation in the National Flight Academy – Middle East Region.

“I am very grateful to the Civil Air Patrol that they allowed me to attend this flight encampment in my final summer as a cadet,” said Groves, the Winchester Composite Squadron’s cadet commander.

 “Getting to experience the flight academy will be a memory I am sure I will treasure the rest of my life,” said Groves, who earned his solo flight certification.
 
The flight academy, held at Fort Pickett, is specifically designed for cadets who want to learn to fly. Participants receive formal ground instruction and cockpit time with a certified flight instructor, and the low instructor-to-student ratio provides opportunities for mentoring and individual attention. The academy also provides many participants the opportunity to solo.
 
Groves had also been destined for Singapore during the summer as an International Air Cadet Exchange program participant until concerns about the H1N1 flu virus resulted in that trip’s cancellation.

When asked to reflect on his time in CAP, he is quick to cite his proudest moment -- the day his parents brought him to his first meeting.

“I will never forget the thrill of that day,” Groves recalled. “It was something that we had been discussing and I in particular had been dreaming about for months.”

Pulling out his wallet, he smiled and said, “My CAP membership card is one of the best things I carry in my billfold.”
 
The Winchester squadron’s commander, Lt. Col. Charles Gittins, described Groves as “an invaluable member of our squadron.

“His leadership, motivation and drive to succeed have been a very positive influence for our younger cadets,” Gittins said. “They are able to watch cadet Groves and see the wonderful opportunities CAP will provide to those who apply themselves to succeed in the cadet program.

“Cadet Groves’ success in achieving his solo flight certification at the National Flight Academy is an important first step in his progress to earning his pilot’s certificate, and we hope to help him achieve that goal here at the Winchester Composite Squadron with assigned CAP aircraft,” the commander said.
 
Summing up his appreciation for the organization, Groves said that CAP “has afforded me opportunities for exploration, growth and development in so many areas that I'm not sure how I would have gotten otherwise.

“Where it seems like so many young people are out searching for meaning and direction in life, the Civil Air Patrol opens the doors for kids to make real contributions,” he said.

“CAP challenges its members … but in the end you have the satisfaction of seeing the difference your life makes as a volunteer.

“What could be better?”
 

Capt. Richard J. Sprouse
Public Affairs Officer
Group 2
Minnesota Wing

MINNESOTA -- A scholarship honoring a deceased Minnesota Wing member will help an aspiring pilot earn her wings.

Cadet 2nd Lt. Emily Jensen, cadet commander of the Crow Wing Composite Squadron, received the Jacob Pfingsten Memorial Flight Training Scholarship during the recent Minnesota Wing Flight Academy.

Pfingsten, who was a cadet and then a senior member of the Crow Wing squadron, obtained his Federal Aviation Authority Private Pilot Certificate through the Civil Air Patrol program. He died in February 2005 of natural causes while serving with the U.S. Army in Germany.

The scholarship was created by his parents, Capts. Tom and Beth Pfingsten of the Crow Wing squadron and LaDonna and Randy Blackorbay of Maple Grove.

Jensen said the scholarship has special meaning to her.

“Receiving the scholarship meant that I'd be able to go on to get my private pilot’s license, something I’ve wanted to do since I can remember,” Jensen said, “and I felt privileged to receive the scholarship since I had known the Pfingsten family, and Jake, since joining CAP six years ago.”

The scholarship provides up to 30 hours of flight training. Jensen has one year to use the funds and to obtain her certificate. She was selected to receive the scholarship from several outstanding candidates by the senior staff and flight instructors at the wing flight academy, held near Mankato.

The academy also provided Jensen with the opportunity to solo in an airplane.

“Soloing was incredible,” she said. “Being up in the sky is amazing enough, but being up in the sky, flying a plane by yourself, is unbelievable!”
 

Lt. Col. Juan Mendez
Public Affairs Officer
Group VII
Puerto Rico Wing

PUERTO RICO – Thirteen leaders from six units, including four squadron commanders and two deputy commanders, gathered recently at Jose Nevares Landron school in Toa Baja as Group VII held a Corporate Learning Course.

Such courses are designed to explain how wing-level operations help accomplish CAP's three core missions -- aerospace education, emergency services, and cadet programs. Capt. Samuel Rivera, Group VII commander, served as course director.

Participants –

• Group 7 Headquarters -- Capt. Luis Mulero, logistic and supply officer, and 2nd Lt. Lyana Vazquez, personnel officer.
   
• Bayamon High School Cadet Squadron 3 – 1st Lt. Sigrid Lopez, commander, and Sr. Mbrs. Brenda L. Mercado, drug demand reduction officer, and Arlyne Rios, deputy commander.
   
• Camuy Cadet Squadron – Capt. Sheni Martinez, commander.
   
• Capt. Saulo Solis-Molina Cadet Squadron -- 1st Lt José Vazquez, commander.
   
• Catano Cadet Squadron – 2nd Lts. Diana Jimenez, public affairs officer, and Leonor Marquez, assistant testing officer, and Sr. Mbrs. Sonia Jimenez, deputy commander, and Juan Casiano, emergency services officer.
   
• Toa Baja Cadet Squadron -- 1st Lt Carlos Tejera, commander, and Sr. Mbr. Ramon Cintron, emergency services officer.

Staff –

• Puerto Rico Wing – Majs. Héctor Alicea, critical incident stress management officer, and Giacomo Venza, director of logistics.
   
• Group VII Headquarters – Lt. Col. Elsa Soto, safety officer, and Capt. Samuel Rivera, commander.
   
• Bayamon Cadet Squadron 6 – Capt. Rafael Martínez, commander.
   
• Bayamon High School Cadet Squadron 3 – Capt. Gabriel Rondon, squadron leadership officer.
   
• Catano Cadet Squadron – Capt. Amanda Vazquez, commander; 2nd Lt. Josue Sanjurjo, safety officer; and Sr. Mbr. Marisol Torres, squadron leadership officer.

(Third)
Cadet Basic John Craig Cronic of the Clarke County Composite Squadron is all smiles for his Black Hawk helicopter ride.

(Bottom)
NCO Academy cadets carry out a field exercise.
 

Lt. Col. Brenda Allison
Public Affairs Officer
Georgia Wing Encampment and NCO Academy

GEORGIA – More than 225 Civil Air Patrol members from four wings participated in this year’s Georgia Wing summer activities at Fort Gordon near Augusta, honing basic skills and knowledge in the cadet encampment or building leadership strengths in the wing’s first NCO Academy.

In addition to their regular courses, several special activities enlivened the summer encampment for the cadets from the Georgia, Alabama, Nebraska and South Carolina wings. For instance, each had the chance to fire a magazine of 30 5.56 mm NATO rounds at the rifle range using M-16s.

In addition, with the aid of a compass, cadets used teamwork and the spirit of competition to complete a land navigation course. Encouragement from others and self-motivation allowed each cadet to successfully descend the 55-foot rappelling tower. Ultimate Frisbee games and a tug-of-war contest were held as well.

The highlight of the encampment was a day at Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field, featuring tours of aviation facilities, special presentations from representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration, and Black Hawk helicopter flights for all cadets.

Encampment Alpha, Charlie, Delta, and Golf flights were chosen as semifinalists for the best flight award, and their members were awarded a C130 flight. Similarly, the semifinalists in the selection of encampment best cadet -- one from each of the nine flights -- were awarded an orientation flight in a CAP aircraft.

The encampment also coincided with the Georgia Wing’s first ever NCO Leadership Academy. While “the purpose of a basic encampment is to master the art of followership and begin to discover the art of leadership,” said the academy’s cadet deputy commander, Cadet Maj. Andrew Gowasack of the Newton County Composite Squadron, “the training goal of the NCO Academy is to give students the knowledge and practical skills needed for leadership at the NCO level.”

Along with numerous leadership classroom discussions and presentations, the NCO academy participants put skills they learned to the test in leadership reaction land and water courses. They also joined the encampment cadets in the activities at Bush Field, the land navigation course and the rappelling tower.

Memories of this year’s summer activity will stay fresh in the mind of those attending, as each cadet left with a full color picture book. One book was produced for the encampment and one for the NCO academy. Each contained photos of all cadet and senior member staff, squadron and flight photos, and several pictures of major activities.

The books were created and printed by the cadet public affairs office staff, using photos they took, at the activity headquarters.The NCO Academy Book can be seen online.

Encampment awards (Georgia Wing, except where noted):

Honor Flight -- Alpha Flight (all Georgia Wing except where noted)

• Flight Commander -- Cadet 2nd Lt Sydney E. Hedden of the Peachtree City Falcon Field Composite Squadron.
   
• Flight Sergeant -- Cadet Master Sgt. Kyle P. Collins of the Cobb County Composite Squadron.
   
• Senior Tactical Officer -- Capt. Jessica L. Brudjar of the Augusta Composite Squadron.
   
• Cadet Staff Sgt. Aaron M. Bohan of the Gwinnett County Composite Squadron.
   
• Cadet Sr. Airman Elizabeth K. Wieberdink of the Augusta Composite Squadron.
   
• Cadet Airmen Joshua T. Conant and Matthew R. Janinda of the Peachtree City Falcon Field Composite Squadron; Joseph R. Nguyentan of the Clark County Composite Squadron; James D. Tucker of the West Georgia Composite Squadron; Westin T. Frans, of the Cobb County Composite Squadron; and Taylor A. Sapp of the Colquitt County Cadet Squadron.
   
• Cadet Airmen 1st Class Kento D. Gamblin of the Sandy Springs Cadet Squadron; Harrison Smallwood of the South Carolina Wing’s Walterboro Composite Squadron; Rebecca C. Weeks of the Colquitt County Cadet Squadron; and Trevor C. Zukowski of the Central Fellowship Christian Academy Cadet Squadron.

Honor Cadet -- Cadet Airman 1st Class Andrew C. Farrell of the Peachtree City Falcon Field Composite Squadron.

Most Improved Cadet -- Cadet Airman Kayley A. Holloway of the Peachtree City Falcon Field Composite Squadron.

Most Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer -- Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Andrea Rivera of the Peachtree City Falcon Field Composite Squadron.

Most Outstanding Officer -- Cadet 2nd Lt. Sydney E. Hedden of the Peachtree City Falcon Field Composite Squadron.

Fastest Male Runner -- Cadet Staff Sgt. Jared B. Nobley of the West Georgia Composite Squadron.

Fastest Female Runner -- Cadet Airman Kayley A. Holloway of the Peachtree City Falcon Field Composite Squadron.

Marksmanship Award -- Cadet 1st Lt. Brandon Hill of the Sweetwater Composite Squadron.

Maj. Patricia Mitcham
Public Affairs Officer
Alabama Wing

VIRGINIA – Cadet 2nd Lt. Esala Wueschner of the Alabama Wing’s Maxwell Composite Squadron was recognized with the Most Improved Pilot award at the National Flight Academy, Powered – Middle East Region at Fort Pickett, Va.

Cadets attending a Civil Air Patrol National Flight Academy receive formal ground instruction and cockpit time with a certified flight instructor – in Wueschner’s case, Lt. Col. Thomas W. Doyle of the Congressional Squadron.

The academies are designed to give cadets individual attention from mentors. They receive 10 hours of hands-on flight time, 25 hours of ground instruction and, when the opportunity arises, also ride along as an observer when someone else is receiving instruction. 

Wueschner summarized the academy as “the greatest time of my life. I had the best instructor that anyone can have, Tom Doyle, and a great partner, (Cadet 2nd Lt.) David Cole (of the Virginia Wing’s Leesburg Composite Squadron).

“I wasn’t sure that I was going to solo after my eight hours of training," he admitted. "David helped me with my radio communications, so I had some hope of soloing. He kept telling me that I can do it.

“My instructor, Tom Doyle, said I needed to have three good landings to be allowed to solo. At the 8.5-hour mark I had four good landings, so I was able to solo,” the cadet continued.

“I was scared at first, but once I was on the runway the only thing in my mind was don’t crash. I learned from the best.

“I’m happy that I soloed and made great friends,” he concluded.

 

Capt. Jonathan VerHoeven
Public Affairs Officer
115th Composite Squadron
Arkansas Wing

ARKANSAS -- The 115th Composite Squadron’s color guard performed during the National Anthem before some 6,000 fans July 31 at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale as part of the Class AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ “Salute to First Responders” night. 

This is the second year the 115th has been asked to provide a color guard for the event, which honors the contributions of fire, police and emergency medical professionals and volunteers in northwest Arkansas.

Cadet Staff Sgt. Andreas Kofler leads the color guard, which also includes Cadet Master Sgts. Michael Deschenes and Adrian Flores and Cadet Airman Sarah Malmo. 

Following the presentation, the color guard members joined their families and other squadron members in the stands to watch the game between the Naturals and the Springfield Cardinals.
 

1st Lt. Bea Gernert
Public Affairs Officer
Lebanon VFW Cadet Squadron 307
Pennsylvania Wing

PENNSYLANIA –Lebanon VFW Cadet Squadron 307’s aerospace education officer and assistant aerospace education officer, 2nd Lts. Art Lyon and Matt Eckert, gave members lessons July 30 in flying the radio-controlled Sig Kadet .25-size trainer that the squadron had built from a kit.

Lyon and Eckert, who are also members of the Lebanon County Radio Control Club in Annville, used the club’s field for the lessons.

Cadets could fly the plane on the field the first time as guests. Any subsequent sessions for those younger than 19 would require a $1-a-year youth members in the Academy of Model Aeronautics. After flying once, adult members are required to pay annual AMA days of $58, along with annual club dues of $45.

So far this season, five cadets and three senior members have logged 2.5 hours of flying time at the club.

Cadet 2nd Lt. Christian Nelson
Public Affairs Officer
National Flight Academy -- Southwest Region

OKLAHOMA – International Air Cadet Exchange participants from Canada, England, France and Israel visited the final day of the National Flight Academy -- Southwest Region in Shawnee on July 27.

When the international cadets were offered rides in Civil Air Patrol Cessna 172s, they eagerly accepted. Each flew with an instructor pilot and stayed aloft for about an hour. After the flying was over for the afternoon, cadets relaxed for a few hours before graduation and dinner.

“It’s really nice to experience the many sides of cadet programs in another culture," said one of the visitors, Cadet Warrant Officer Gethin Davies of Swansea, Wales, one of the 38,000 cadet members of the Air Training Corps of Great Britain.

Davies has been in the Air Training Corps for six years. Chosen the top male air cadet in the United Kingdom for 2009, this October will be joining the Royal Air Force as a pilot.

For the evening meal, the cadets enjoyed wholesome Oklahoma fare -- chicken-fried steak, green beans, fresh corn, fruit salad and a delicious cobbler. As part of the dinner entertainment, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Adison Elliot of the Oklahoma City Composite Squadron presented a hilarious re-enactment of his solo flight. Afterward, everyone watched two slideshows, a wonderful compilation of the week’s events that evoked many memories.

In appreciation for the visit, representatives of the IACE group presented certificates from their countries to the Oklahoma Wing commander, Col. Robert Castle, and the academy director, Lt. Col. Ed Angala, Oklahoma Wing director of operations.
 

Cadet Airman 1st Class Ted Schroeders III
Boca Raton Composite Squadron
Florida Wing

FLORIDA – Five cadets from Boca Raton Composite Squadron recently gained a behind-the-scenes perspective on the world of commercial aviation, thanks to tour of Banyan Air Service at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport.

During their visit – arranged by Banyan's senior vice president of technical services, Paul Rose, an Air Force veteran – the cadets learned not only about different aircraft parts but also about potential careers in aviation, especially aviation maintenance or avionics.

Aircraft that had been taken apart were being worked on right in front of them, and they got to see the composite green skeletons of private aircraft and their inner workings. In doing so, they also observed a day in the life of someone who works in the field.

“I thought it was interesting because I had never been to an FBO (fixed base operator), and it was interesting to see aviation in action” Cadet Sr. Airman Zack MacDonald said .

The cadets were guided through different facilities at the airport, primarily maintenance. One of the first things they got to look through was the pilot shop, affectionately called “Hangar 63,” a fully functional maintenance hangar where piston aircraft were worked on.

The cadets were shuttled around on golf carts by friendly Banyan specialists, mostly Air Force veterans, who were kind enough to set aside some of their personal time to show the interested cadets around.
 
The tour included such areas as the maintenance hangars, avionics hangars and the main storage hangar, which housed a Beech KingAir that Toys “R” Us owns. The aircraft  features a novelty tail number ending in “TS” for “Toy Store.”

Visiting the avionics department gave the cadets a first-hand look at much of the avionics/analysis equipment in the shop. They even got an exclusive look at the maintenance reference library, which contains manuals on microfiche and CD-ROM for all sorts of aircraft, making it probably one of the most important rooms in the entire maintenance department.
 
The cadets also had an opportunity to try out a flight simulator installed in the cockpit of a retired Gulfstream fuselage that had been cut up, refurbished and set up in the center of the pilot shop.
 

(Bottom)
New Jersey Wing volunteers work to salvage computers, radios and other equipment from two operations trailers destroyed in a storm.

1st Lt. Mark Swanson
Public Affairs Officer
New Jersey Wing

NEW JERSEY -- The New Jersey Wing's two operations trailer at Trenton-Mercer Airport were flattened by winds and rain during an early morning storm Aug. 2.

Cleanup of the area is under way, and crews are working to salvage computers, radio and tactical equipment from the remains of the main operations trailer and another destroyed trailer. The pair constituted the wing’s main base of emergency services operations and training.

The larger structure, known as the "Ops Trailer," was about the size of a mobile home, said Col. Robert McCabe, wing commander. It appeared to have been picked up by winds and hurled about 15 feet into the second, smaller one, McCabe said.

No CAP personnel were in the trailers at the time of the storm.

A Civil Air Patrol van parked on the site sustained minor damage from debris from the two trailers. One window was knocked out.

Nearby trailers housing the Twin Pine Composite Squadron did not appear to be damaged.

Trenton-Mercer tower personnel reportedly recorded winds in excess of 60 mph during the morning storm.

Details and ongoing media coverage of the situation can be monitored at the wing's Web site.

2nd Lt. Nicole Hester
Encampment Public Affairs Officer
Mississippi Wing

ALABAMA – Cadets were able to combine a taste of military life with training in Civil Air Patrol’s core missions at this year’s Alabama Mississippi Joint Summer Encampment, held at McClellan Army National Guard Training Center

Cadet staffers taught cadet basics classes in leadership and aerospace. Along with uniform classes, drill and ceremonies exercises and physical training, the basics also learned how to navigate with a compass and how to locate an emergency locator transmitter with a portable direction finder during an emergency services class.

At the Leadership Reaction Course, the cadets learned how to work through obstacle scenarios as a team. During the drug demand reduction presentation, some cadets were able to wear goggles that distorted their vision, simulating the effects of alcohol consumption.

The encampment location gave the cadets unmatchable access to the post’s training facilities, with an Army Special Forces group spending a day teaching the basics how to rappel off a 30-foot tower. They were also able to use the firearms training simulators to shoot digital targets with simulated weapons.

Some cadets took a flight on a C-130, while others flew in a smaller CAP-owned craft. The cadets were also able to tour Honeywell Aerospace’s Anniston Aviation Aftermarket Center, an airplane parts refurbishing factory.
 
One morning, cadets honored military veterans by placing miniature American flags on graves at the Fort McClellan Military Cemetery.

During the graduation ceremony, each basic received a certificate of participation. Awards were given for outstanding achievers:

• Encampment Honor Cadet -- Cadet Wesley Crabtree of the Mississippi Wing’s Eagle Composite Squadron.
   
• Rising Star Award -- Cadet Airman Nick Bak of the Alabama Wing’s Auburn Composite Squadron.
   
• Cadet Noncommissioned Officer of Encampment – Cadet Chief M Sgt. Sarah Folse of the Alabama Wing’s Redstone Composite Squadron.
   
• Cadet Officer of Encampment -- Cadet Maj. Adam Casey of the Mississippi Wing’s Olive Branch Composite Squadron. 
   
• Outstanding Senior Officer of Encampment -- 2nd Lt. Seth Brooks of the Alabama Wing’s Auburn Composite Squadron.

Capt. Brenda A. Reed
Public Affairs Officer
Maryland Wing

MARYLAND -- Maryland served as a host wing for International Air Cadet Exchange participants once again this year, as eight guests -- six cadets and two adult escorts from Australia, Canada, England and Northern Ireland -- stayed with members' families and experienced the sights and flavors of the state over an 11-day visit. 
 
Before arriving in Maryland, the visitors joined the other international guests in Washington, D.C., for briefings and tours of the nation’s capital.  After four days in Washington, the IACE participants headed to their assigned Civil Air Patrol wings to become acquainted with local culture and aviation experiences.
 
Those assigned to Maryland spent time with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron and members of the Carroll, Fort McHenry, St. Mary’s composite squadrons and Maryland Wing Headquarters Squadron. Members hosted the visitors in their homes at night and served as tour guides during the day.
 
While hosted by the Bethesda-Chevy Chase members, the visitors attended a welcome barbecue, toured the College Park Aviation Museum, watched a Frederick Keys Class A baseball game, went shopping at local outlets, witnessed an emergency services demonstration, went to the movies and ate Maryland blue crabs.
 
During their stay in Carroll County, they headed to Pennsylvania for a day at Hershey Park, had hands-on experiences with Maryland's farm community and flew orientation flights in CAP aircraft out of Carroll County Regional Airport, with Capts. Marty Sacks of the Fort McHenry unit and Pat Aaron of the Carroll squadron serving as pilots for the day. The visitors possessed a range of aviation experience, from novice to private pilot, and enjoyed working with Sacks and Aaron.
 
While at Warfield Air National Guard base, the IACE contingent received a briefing from Tech. Sgt. Mark Prorock, Maryland Air National Guard recruiter and also Maryland Wing recruiting officer, who arranged for tours of the C-130J and A-10 aircraft at the base. 

Following this tour, the IACE visitors traveled to Weide Army Airfield, where they met Col. Charles Schulze, commander of Maryland Army Aviation and a former CAP cadet. Schulze arranged for UH-60 Blackhawk rides, a highlight of the Maryland experience for the IACE participants.
 
After the Blackhawk rides, Col. Jerry Weiss, Maryland Wing commander, hosted the group at his home for dinner and a pool party. During the evening, he presented each guest with a Maryland Wing commander's challenge coin as a memento of their visit to Maryland.
 
The Fort McHenry squadron arranged for a day at Andrews Air Force Base, where the group toured the flight line and control tower and went shopping at the Base Exchange.
 
Once in southern Maryland, the IACE participants spent time with members of the St. Mary's squadron, touring historic St. Mary's City and Patuxent Naval Air Station and enjoyed some time at the beach.
 
Project officer for this year's hosting was Capt. Brenda Reed, the wing’s public affairs officer.  She was assisted by Majs. Mike Crockett, Bethesda-Chevy Chase commander, and Bob McCall, St. Mary’s deputy  commander; Capt. Tom Reed of the Carroll squadron; and 1st Lt. Don Ells, Fort McHenry squadron commander.
 

 

1st Lt. George Supan
Public Affairs Officer
Group 3
Minnesota Wing
 
MINNESOTA – In a show of support and respect, Minnesota Wing cadets provided assistance July 24 at the visitation services for Spc. Daniel Drevnick, killed in Iraq while serving with the 34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota Army National Guard.

Drevnick was the stepson of Maj. Charles Freese, deputy commander for seniors, aerospace education officer and standardization and evaluation officer for the St. Paul Composite Squadron.

After being asked to be part of the services in Woodbury, cadets assisted visitors, stood guard and shared water with members of the Patriot Guard.

The Patriot Guard created a sea of U.S. flags along the streets and at the edge of the parking lots. Minnesota Wing members and the Patriot Guard stood vigil from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. as people arrived to pay tribute to Drevnick for giving his life for freedom.
 
Drevnick, 22, and two other Minnesota Army National Guard members from the Red Bull Infantry, deployed to Iraq in April, were killed July 16 when missiles hit their base near Basra.
 
Members from Minnesota Wing groups 2 and 3 and the Anoka, North Hennepin, St. Croix and St. Paul composite squadrons responded to show their support for the families and respect for Drevnick. Members of Drevnick’s family thanked the cadets for their professionalism and their contributions to the visitation service.


 

Sr. Mbr. Donna O’Steen-Mixon
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron
Colorado Wing

COLORADO – Cadets from 15 wings all eight Civil Air Patrol regions explored the cutting edge of aviation technology from July 18-25 at the Advanced Technologies Academy at Peterson Air Force Base.

Five highly advanced technological applications were unveiled to the 26 participating cadets in program activities throughout the week: the Satellite Tool Kit; the Airborne Real-time Cueing Hyper-Spectral Enhanced Reconnaissance, or ARCHER, system; the Satellite Digital Imaging System; and night vision and infrared capabilities.

The Satellite Tool Kit is a state-of-the-art computer application. Through it, cadets learned about satellite missions and how to use the squadron’s computer to track satellites, the space shuttle, and the International Space Station in orbit.

Maj. Jennifer Niswender, the academy’s ARCHER operator and deputy commander of cadets for the Thompson Valley Composite Squadron, describes it as “an imaging system capable of seeing a broader spectrum of light wavelengths than the human eye. The camera captures and processes images in real time. Its application to CAP search and rescue is in the system’s abilities in anomaly recognition and signature matching.” 

CAP is the first organization to field actual rectified hyper-spectral imaging capability. Students receive classroom training on ARCHER before making ARCHER flights in a CAP Gippsland GA-8 Airvan.

The Satellite Digital Imaging System often provides the first photographs of disaster sites. Cadets learned aerial photography techniques to best capture images of targets of interest. They became skilled at processing and downlinking those images from their aircraft to the base computer using satellite technology.
Other activities provided hands-on demonstrations of thermal imaging of the infrared camera and night vision goggles.

The academy is designed for cadets who like to fly and have mastered basic computer skills. The inspiration for the academy came from Col. Drew Alexa in 2001, when, as director of CAP’s Advanced Technologies Group, he recommended establishing a national cadet activity to get cadets involved in the advanced technologies CAP was using to perform its missions.

Alexa was instrumental in working the license agreements with Analytical Graphics Inc , the designers of Satellite ToolKit. He was also the project manager for the ARCHER system.  

Lt. Col. Michael McNeely, who has been involved in the Advanced Technologies Group and the academy since its inception, has served as its activity director since 2002. “The academy excites tech-savvy cadets,” said McNeely, the Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron’s deputy commander of cadets. “They have the aptitude for these technologies.  If they become senior members they will be ARCHER operators.”

Preparing for their first ARCHER flight, Cadet Tech. Sgt. Patrick McMahon of the California Wing’s Palm Springs Composite Squadron and Cadet 2nd Lt. Matthew Payton of the Indiana Wing’s Lafayette Composite Squadron nervously joked about airsickness.

“ARCHER looks like fun,” Payton said. “Flying scares me a little, but I don’t get sick.” McMahon had experienced discomfort on an earlier flight.  But the day’s weather was mild and the flight smooth, and both cadets appeared to have a fun learning experience.

The cadets participating:

• Arkansas Wing – Cadet 1st Lt. Davis L. Spurlock, 120th Composite Squadron.       
   
• California Wing – Cadet Sr. Airman Karl W. Hofmann and Cadet Tech. Sgt. Patrick J. McMahon, Palm Springs Composite Squadron.
   
• Colorado Wing -- Cadet Chief Master Sgt. David J. Steininger, Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron; Cadet Sr. Master Sgt. Callum H. Schneider, Thompson Valley Composite Squadron; and  Sr. Airman Cadet Cody S. Heup, Air Academy Cadet Squadron.
   
• Florida Wing --  Cadet 1st Lt. Tiffany Jakowczuk, Gainesville Composite Squadron, and Cadet Joselis Rodriguez, Cooper City Composite Squadron.
   
• Indiana  Wing -- Cadet Sr. Master Sgt. Jarrett L. McGinness, Monroe County Composite Squadron; Cadet 2nd Lt. Matthew A. Payton, Lafayette Composite Squadron; and Cadet Capt. Samuel P. Price, Valparaiso Cadet Squadron.
   
• Minnesota Wing -- Cadet Staff Sgt. Matthew Bruffey, North Hennepin Composite Squadron.
   
• Missouri Wing -- Cadet Sr. Master Sgt. Eric B. Workman, Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron.
   
• National Capital Wing -- Cadet Airman Basic James G. McDonald, Fairfax Composite Squadron.
   
• New Jersey Wing --  Cadet Airman Basic Sergio R. Jimenez, Picatinny Composite Squadron.
   
• New Mexico Wing -- Cadet Staff Sgt. Hanson Oxford, Socorro Composite Squadron.
   
• New York Wing -- Cadet Tech. Sgt. John R. Feulner, Schenectady Composite Squadron, and Cadet Master Sgt. Margaret M. Walter, Rochester Composite Squadron.
   
• Oklahoma Wing -- Cadet 2nd Lt. Patrick Davis, Cleveland County Composite Squadron; Cadet Staff Sgt. Mason J.  Green and Cadet Sr. Airman Joseph R. Stanley, Starbase Composite Squadron Cadet Squadron; and Cadet Maj. Jacob Landon, Flying Castle Composite Squadron. 
   
• Pennsylvania Wing -- Cadet Master Sgt. Michael  S. Brown, Philadelphia Composite Squadron 102, and Cadet Airman Basic Michael P. Taylor Jr., Bangor Slate Belt Composite Squadron 807.
   
• Texas Wing -- Cadet Sr. Master Sgt. Justin K. Markwardt, Pegasus Composite Squadron.   
   
• Virginia Wing – Cadet Alexander T. Domann, Prince William Composite Squadron.

(Center)
Capt. Bob Marslender, Peachtree DeKalb Senior Squadron commander, serves as mission pilot on a photo reconnaissance mission flight.
(Photo by Maj. Preston Sewell)

(Bottom)
Buford Dam at Lake Lanier, as seen during a photo reconnaissance mission flight.
(Photo by 2nd Lt. Rob Stafford)

 
2nd Lt. Rob Stafford
Historian
Gwinnett Composite Squadron
Georgia Wing

GEORGIA – Photo reconnaissance was the emphasis July 11 when Georgia Wing members participated in a search and rescue exercise hosted by the Gwinnett Composite Squadron at its hangar at Gwinnett County Airport -- Briscoe Field in Lawrenceville. 

Of seven sorties flown, the fifth found the aircrew – Capt. Bob Marslender of the Peachtree DeKalb Senior Squadron, mission pilot, and Gwinnett Composite members Maj. Preston Sewell, mission observer; and 2nd Lt. Rob Stafford, mission scanner -- assigned to locate three targets, take quality photographs of each from several angles, document those photos, return to base and upload the images online with explanations, locations and descriptions. 

The three worked together to plan the mission route on a sectional chart, then entered waypoints into the aircraft GPS. After a thorough preflight inspection, the aircrew departed Briscoe Field and quickly reached the first target, Chattahoochee High School. The members had been asked to determine whether the school would make a good staging area for rescue operations.

Marslender slowed the aircraft to about 90 knots and circled the target from north to south. While Stafford snapped pictures and documented the shots on a photo log, Sewell monitored airspeed, position and frame of reference to the target. The aircrew collected about six photos and decided the school would make an excellent staging area.
 
The second target, an isolated field, was a short distance away to the northwest.  A similar question was asked about this target. The aircrew determined that the field wouldn’t make a good staging area because of its relative isolation from roads.
 
The final mission was a reconnaissance of Buford Dam to assess potential storm damage.  Stafford was tasked with spotting the target from the air, and thanks to smooth flying and good navigation from Marslender and Sewell he was able to do so easily.

As Marslender circled the target from south to north, Stafford got two photographs. The aircrew then returned to base safely to upload the photographs and debrief.

Seven sorties in all were flown on the day, totaling nine hours of flight time. Peachtree DeKalb contributed an additional aircraft to the effort.

An added source of excitement came in the form of a simulated engine fire. When one plane returned from a training flight, members of the flight line waited for the engine to be shut off, then ran toward the aircraft with fire extinguishers in tow, yelling “Fire!” while giving appropriate hand signals to evacuate.  The aircrew responded well to the unexpected simulated emergency, evacuating within 17 seconds.

Cross-training of members on different mission tasks is in keeping with Gwinnett squadron commander Maj. Jim Weed's overall goal of creating flexibility within the unit, ensuring that in a true emergency, all the critical roles can be filled by qualified members.
 
 Lt. Col. Richard Williams of the Gwinnett County squadron served as incident commander for the exercise, joined by Lt. Col. Jeff O’Hara of the Sandy Springs Cadet Squadron as ground branch director, Lt. Col Patrick Zarnik of the Gwinnett squadron as air operations branch director, Capt. Eric Slocum as communications unit leader and 1st Lt. Steve Strong of Georgia Wing Headquarters as planning section chief.

Several members from different squadrons earned new mission qualifications. From the Peachtree Dekalb unit, Capt. John Serrie earned his mission pilot qualification, while Sr. Mbr. Larry Long and 1st Lts. Robert Colee and Chris Christian completed their flight line marshaller training. In addition, Marslender completed a flight toward his mission pilot qualification. 





 

Cadet Airman Kenisha Brewley
Public Affairs Officer
St. Croix Composite Squadron
Puerto Rico Wing 

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS -- Cadets in the Puerto Rico Wing's St. Croix Composite Squadron participated in communications training July 18 with the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Agency at the University of the Virgin Islands, then got a look at their home island's latest advances in the field.

The cadets were trained on a 2006 Chevrolet Suburban that serves the agency as an emergency communication vehicle equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, such as HF, VHF, UHF radios and computer links.  The Suburban is the main vehicle linking fire and police departments that have similar vehicles with similar equipment.

It also features satellite communication, satellite phones, video television conferencing technology, as well as other, classified capabilities. 

Adelle Williams, the agency communications officer who trained the cadets, then took the cadets to visit the new 911 call center for the island of St. Croix. Each emergency government agency will have a dispatcher in the center. 

The Virgin Islands government is moving from conventional radios to a trunk system.  The St. Croix cadets were one of the first sets of people and the first youth organization to set foot in the new facility.

 

AFA makes the $250 grants available to CAP applicants for use in any science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) activity or materials that promote aerospace education.

“We encourage learning opportunities centered on aerospace development,” said S. Sanford Schlitt, the AFA’s vice chairman of the board, aerospace education. “Even one field trip or class exercise can teach something memorable about airpower.”

“The next generation of leaders will need even more aerospace expertise,” said Mike Dunn, president/CEO of AFA. “Promoting aerospace education is one of our primary missions here at AFA.”

Uses of the grants include purchasing textbooks or materials or helping finance such activities as field trips to aerospace museums.

AFA strongly advocates aerospace education and developing the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics – the skills necessary to sustain U.S. airpower, national security and economic vitality.

The grant recipients:

• California Wing – Camarillo Composite Squadron, Redwood Empire Composite Squadron.
   
• Colorado Wing – Air Academy Cadet Squadron.
   
• Florida Wing – Group V Headquarters, Citrus County Composite Squadron.
   
• Illinois Wing – Scott Composite Squadron.
   
• Indiana Wing – Plymouth Composite Squadron.
   
• Kansas Wing – Lawrence Composite Squadron.
   
• Michigan Wing – Lapeer Composite Squadron, Monroe Composite Squadron.
   
• Mississippi Wing – Diamondhead Composite Squadron.
   
• New York Wing – Westchester Cadet Squadron.
   
• North Carolina Wing – Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School Flight.
   
• Oregon Wing – Oregon Wing Headquarters.
   
• Pennsylvania Wing – Allegheny County Composite Squadron.
   
• Puerto Rico Wing – Group 2 Headquarters.
   
• Virginia Wing – Mount Vernon Composite Squadron.
   
• Wisconsin Wing – 248th TAC Air Composite Squadron, Kenosha Composite Squadron
   
• Wyoming Wing – Wheatland Composite Squadron.

Capt. Richard J. Sprouse
Public Affairs Officer
Group 2
Minnesota Wing

MINNESOTA -- Regardless of the distance traveled, training young glider pilots is a job Sr. Mbr. Steve Dee loves doing for Civil Air Patrol.

Even better is doing so when one of the cadets taking a solo flight also happens to be a fellow resident from south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

So how does a glider instructor pilot from the Tennessee Wing connect with a cadet from the Georgia Wing at –- of all places -– the Minnesota Wing Flight Academy?

"It's a great group of positive cadets and adults that make the Minnesota Flight Academy such a success, so I look forward to coming back each year," Dee said.

Dee, a retired colonel who served 30 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, is a pilot for FedEx when not sharing the finer points of flying gliders with cadets. He has been making the trip to the Minnesota academy for nearly 10 years.

This was the first visit to "the land of sky blue waters" for Cadet Airman Basic Nathan Bernth of the Georgia Wing’s Peachtree City-Falcon Field Composite Squadron.

"My dad saw a flight academy was being held in Minnesota, so he made all the arrangements for me to be here," Bernth said. "I also wanted to solo in a glider, and coming to Minnesota made that a possibility."

Cadets need at least 30 flights under their belts before they can fly solo in a glider.

The flight academy, held July 17-25 at the Mankato Municipal Airport, drew 25 pilots in training from the Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and Georgia and Nebraska wings and put them behind the controls of either a Super Blanik L-23 glider or Cessna 172 powered aircraft. The cadets were joined by nearly 30 senior members supervising the activity.

The gliders are towed to 3,000 feet by a powered aircraft. Then the glider pilot releases the tow cable and looks for thermal columns of warm air to give the craft lift like the eagles and hawks that hunt the fields near Mankato Municipal Airport. After that, the emphasis is on landing patterns and landing the glider -– which travels about 50 mph -- from 1,000 feet.

The two-seat gliders provide room for a Federal Aviation Administration-certified flight instructor, who can make adjustments using rear controls if the young pilot makes a mistake. Bernth was teamed with Dee during a supervised flight before taking the controls for a solo.

"I was confident he was ready to solo," Dee said. "There's a lot of accountability here for cadets, from running the flight line to preparing for their solo. So, they are in charge as to whether flight academy is a successful experience or not."
 
Bernth said soloing was an awesome experience.

"The flight academy was very well run and the quality of the instructors was outstanding," he added.  He said he also made a lot of new friends.

All powered aircraft training is conducted at a minimum altitude of 1,500 feet at an air speed of about 100 mph. During the solo flight the cadet is by himself and typically performs one to three takeoffs and landings.

Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Jenna Ernst of the Minnesota Wing’s St. Cloud Composite Squadron soloed in the Cessna 172. She called it the biggest accomplishment of her life.

"You're having so much information thrown at you during the classroom phase, it's impossible not to be overloaded,” Ernst said. “But working through that really shows you what you're made of. So at first it was frustrating, but at the end it was just amazing to see how far I'd come."

She had high praise for her instructors.

"At the beginning of Flight Academy I never would have imagined that I'd hold perfect altitude and air speed during my solo, but I did it!

“My flight instructor, Capt. David Yost (of the St. Croix Composite Squadron), was wonderful and his confidence in my capability encouraged me to do my best,” Ernst said. “Maj. Manny Block (of the St. Paul Composite Squadron), our ground school instructor, was positively awesome. He shared so much information with us, and I felt privileged to learn from him."

Ernst's flight academy experience seemed to sum up the feelings of all the cadets, whether in a glider or powered aircraft.

"Flying high has a whole new meaning," Ernst said. "There's no feeling quite as exhilarating as your first solo."

 

 

Maj. Michael G. James
Public Affairs Officer
Central Louisiana Composite Squadron
Louisiana Wing

LOUISIANA -- Ten International Air Cadet Exchange cadets and two guides representing five nations -- Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom – visited central Louisiana for two days for a look at various aviation-related facilities in the area and a healthy helping of hospitality.

With the Central Louisiana Composite Squadron acting as host, the IACE contingent’s stops included the Alexandria International Airport control tower, the Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum and the Louisiana Army National Guard Army Aviation Support and U.S. Marshals Service Special Operations Group facilities.

The eight host families from the Central Louisiana squadron placed signs in their yards welcoming the IACE cadets. In addition, Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 614 members prepared a nice dinner for the guests at the chapter’s clubhouse at Pineville Municipal Airport on Lake Buhlow, where Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields welcomed them at the gathering.


 

1st Lt. Jackie Zarrilli
Public Affairs Officer
Cadet Programs
Florida Wing

FLORIDA – Florida Wing members are making sure nine special guests experience two weeks to remember during their U.S. visit as participants in the International Air Cadet Exchange program.

The agenda for the international visitors -- eight cadets and one escort representing Canada, England and Hong Kong -- includes airboat rides; orientation flights, excursions to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Everglades National Park’s Shark Valley and Fort Lauderdale Airport Control Tower; shopping at Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall in Sunrise, a behind- the-scenes view of Kennedy Space Center and visits to Orlando and a flight museum. Frequent trips to the beach are squeezed in as well.

“I was so excited to be assigned to Florida,” said Cadet Warrant Officer 1st Class Theresa Hanna of Canada. “The day after we arrived here, we got to see some alligators when they took us to the Everglades!” 

As the visitors enjoy Florida sunshine and daily summer thunderstorms, wing members are providing housing, transportation, poolside barbecues and outings devoted to such leisure activities as kayaking, bowling, playing miniature golf. The visit also features American fast-food fare at the likes of McDonald’s, Chili’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Pizza Hut.

Col. Christian Moersch, Florida Wing commander, met the group at Boca Raton Airport, where Maj. Jim Utterback, cadet special activities officer for Group 6,  coordinated orientation flights for the visitors.

In welcoming the cadets, Moersch fondly recalled his own IACE trip to Germany as a cadet. Then it was up, up and away in CAP Cessna 182s with Lt. Cols. Luca Bencini-Tibo of the Weston Cadet Squadron and Dave Moruzzi of Southeast Region Headquarters at the controls. The two pilots managed to get all eight cadets and their escort up before an afternoon thunderstorm hit. 

“I have never seen such as gorgeous sight” as the Florida coastline, Amelia said upon his return. 

Moersch said, “Our Civil Air Patrol cadets and these fine young people are the future leaders of the world, and the International Cadet Air Exchange is one step in promoting greater communication and understanding among the nations’ next generation.”

A member of one host family, Cadet Lt. Col. Christina Zarrilli of the Boca Raton Composite Squadron, visited Japan as an IACE participant last year. “It is my pleasure to reciprocate by being a host family,” Zarrilli said. “ It is my way of saying ‘thank you’ … My Japanese host family was most gracious.” 

Another Boca Raton cadet whose family is hosting cadets from Canada and England, Cadet 2nd Lt. Stephen Hamilton, chimed in: “It is very interesting to hear about how their cadet programs are run.”

Similarities and distinct differences abound. Canadian cadets, for instance, receive a stipend for their service.

A major similarity in all the countries is the keen competition for a coveted IACE slot. Cadets must meet age and rank requirements; submit detailed application with essays, school transcripts, test scores and letters of recommendation; and pass intensive interviews. 

“It is a real honor and privilege to represent one’s country as an IACE ambassador,” said Cadet Warrant Officer Ben Holding of the United Kingdom. Zarrilli and the other cadets agreed.

The participants:

Canada

• Cadet Warrant Officers 1st Class Nathan Palmer and Theresa Hanna.
   
• Cadet Warrant Officers 2nd Class Josh Amelia and Shivani Achrekar.

Hong Kong

• Flying Officer Julian Y.Y. Lui, escort.
   
• Cadet Cpl. Gail Choi Yu Hang.
   
• Cadet 1st Class Gionnie B.G. Wong.

United Kingdom

• Cadet Warrant Officer Ben Holding.
   
• Cadet Sgt. Daniel Murphy.

Capt. Joseph L. Jones
Commander
Central Fellowship Christian Academy Cadet Squadron
Georgia Wing

MISSISSIPPI — Cadet 2nd Lt. Adam Hartman of the Central Fellowship Christian Academy Cadet Squadron was honored as Tops in Blue, Academic Ace for Squadron 1 and Distinguished Graduate from Civil Air Patrol’s Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course Class 09-01 at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. 

The one-week course is intended to simulate Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training students’ experiences during their one-year regimen.

Hartman and his fellow students in Class 09-01, held July 11-18, were required to learn operational limits, aerospace physiology, aircraft systems, emergency procedures, aerobatics, hydraulic systems, flight controls, propulsion, fuel systems, electronic controls, flying in formation and flying the simulator related to the T-6 Texan II aircraft. A second class followed from July 18-24.

One day was devoted to reporting with U.S. Air Force pilot training flights, where the cadets were quizzed on emergency procedure memory items. They then shadowed an Air Force student  for part of the day. 

The first week featured a very special visitor – Brig. Gen. Reggie Chitwood, Civil Air Patrol national vice commander, who came to participate in the classes for several days.  Chitwood took time to learn and to listen to the cadets. 

Extracurricular activities included a swimming party, pizza party and bowling tournament, as the staff kept the cadets from becoming too overwhelmed by the academic requirements.

The course ended with a graduation banquet, with each cadet who passed the course being presented wings.

 

Cadet Airman Kenisha Brewley
Public Affairs Officer
St. Croix Composite Squadron
Puerto Rico Wing

Members of the Puerto Rico Wing’s St. Croix Composite Squadron, based in the U.S. Virgin Islands, participated July 11 in a cleanup at the American Red Cross building in Castle Coakley in  St. Croix County.

About 15 cadets assisted Clarice Blake, directors of the Red Cross’ Virgin Islands chapter, and other volunteers in the six-hour effort. The cadets were responsible for painting the office of Marla Matthews, chairwoman for volunteers, and organizing the building. 

Other squadron members assisted with providing supplies, food and drinks for the cleanup workers. 
 

Lt. Col. Les Peterson
Commander
McMinnville Composite Squadron
Oregon Wing

OREGON -- When Civil Air Patrol members help move an aircraft, they’re almost always dealing with a Cessna 182 and transferring it from one side of an airport to another as part of a training mission.

That wasn’t exactly the case recently for senior members and cadets from the McMinnville Composite Squadron and the Idaho Wing’s Nampa Composite Squadron, who happened to be visiting and camping at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum near McMinnville.

When Evergreen International Aviation officials asked the CAP members to help with an aircraft move, the plane in question was somewhat bigger than a Cessna.

It was, in fact, a Boeing 747 -- one of the largest aircraft in the world.
 
The McMinnville and Nampa members helped with crowd control and assisted Evergreen Aviation personnel and Oregon Department of Transportation employees as the gigantic aircraft, which had landed at McMinnville Municipal Airport two days earlier, was wheeled across Oregon Route 18 and snaked its way to the front of the IMAX Theater on the museum grounds. The 747 will serve as the centerpiece of a planned indoor water park.
 

(Top row)
Viking Composite Squadron members view one of the Minnesota Army National Guard's Blackhawk helicopters at Holman Field.

(Second row, left)
A view out the back of the CH47.

(Second row, right)
A tight turn view from the back of the Chinook.

(Third row)
Cadets sit tight during flight.

(Fourth row)
The Chinook takes off.

(Bottom row)
Viking squadron members in front of the CH47.

               
1st Lt. Erik J. Lindquist
Public Affairs Officer
Viking Composite Squadron
Minnesota Wing

MINNESOTA -- Viking Composite Squadron members recently took in an aerial perspective of the Twin Cities from a CH47 Chinook helicopter, courtesy of the Minnesota Army National Guard.

The flight originated at St. Paul Downtown Airport, also known as Holman Field. The squadron members also toured that facility and were able to view the Blackhawk helicopters stationed there. 

Viking squadron members enjoyed the flight and were very impressed with the large aircraft’s agility. The CH47 has a crew of three -- pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer -- and can carry up to 55 troops or 24 litters with three attendants. Built for heavy lifting, it can carry up to 26,680 pounds of additional weight, and can reach a maximum speed of 196 mph and a service ceiling of 18,500 feet. 


 

Lt. Col. Karen L. Copenhaver
Deputy Director of Public Affairs
Middle East Region

MARYLAND – Cadets from 29 wings stepped up and out July 25 during 2009 Civil Air Patrol National Honor Guard Academy graduation ceremonies, demonstrating  what they learned to those in attendance

In all, 74 cadets had converged on McDaniel College in Westminster for two intense weeks of instruction from an experienced and trained staff -- including four days with the U.S. Air Force presidential honor guard -- in the four Honor Guard elements of flag history, public speaking, etiquette and the characteristics of an honor guardsman. 

Cadets who participate in honor guards provide specific honors and respect for such humbling events as presenting the colors, burial detail and greeting returning veterans from their duties overseas. During the two-week academy, the cadets actually performed these elements as they:

• Presented the colors for a packed room of future leaders attending the Student Leadership University forum at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
   
• Performed ceremonial honors for the funeral of Louise Doyle, longtime Civil Air Patrol member who toured and sang with the USO band in World War II.
   
• Greeted 308 soldiers returning to Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport from their tours in the Middle East.

Meticulously groomed in crisp detailed uniforms, white gloves and ascots, each cadet represented a proud history and future during the graduation ceremony performances in McDaniel College’s Baker Memorial Chapel. As the audience looked on, the academy graduates shared the history of the American flag; carried a flag-draped casket and then folded the flag for presentation to a recipient; and performing the exciting basic, intermediate and advanced rifle drills.

“Just look at those cadets, and they’re just 13 and 14 years old -- I’m so proud of them,” Lt. Col. Johnnetta Mayhew, academy director, said as she spoke of Atlantis Flight, named the academy’s Honor Flight. Each of the five flights -- Mercury, Endeavor, Atlantis, Apollo and Eagle -- was named after its association with aerospace history. 

The academy also yielded another extraordinary opportunity as Col. Mary Feik, aviation pioneer and cadet mentor, presented a special program on her career in World War II from flying and refurbishing aircraft and instructing others. “She challenged us to aim high and reach for our dreams, “Cadet Master Sgt. Miles Kiefer of the Alaska Wing’s Juneau Southeast Composite Squadron said afterward.

Each flight also named its own award winners for their contributions to the team. 

The overall cadet award went to Cadet Master Sgt. Michael DiMercurio of the Maryland Wing’s Hagerstown Composite Squadron, named the academy’s White Hat Cadet.

Special guests attending the ceremonies included:

• Col. Len Blascovich, Civil Air Patrol national historian.
   
• Col. Mary Feik.
   
• Lt. Col. Russ Chazell, Civil Air Patrol national chief of staff.
   
• Lt. Col. Kevin Hubbard, Civil Air Patrol-United States Air Force Middle East Liaison commander.
   
• Lt. Col. John Knowles, Maryland Wing vice commander.
   
• Lt. Col. Wes LaPre, Maryland Group 3 commander.
   
• Majs. Sean Lee and Ian Fredericks of CAP-USAF.
   
• Mike Simpkins, Civil Air Patrol drug demand reduction chief.
   
• The U.S. Presidential Honor Guard.
   
• Middle East Region Headquarters staff.