Civil Air Patrol News - Jun 2009

CIVIL AIR PATROL
May-July 2009
FEATURES
2 Intruder Intercepts CAP Planes Serve As Bait For Fighter Intercept Practices 8 Terror In Binghamton EMT Cadet Credits CAP For Skills That Saw Him Through Shooting Spree 10 Bad Times For Pirates CAP Members Help Foil High Seas Kidnapping With ScanEagle Technology 13 Path To Service Former Cadet Turns CAP Involvement Into A U.S. Navy Career 16 Bush League Former President George H.W. Bush Lends His Name To New Texas Cadet Squadron 18 CAP To The Rescue Alaska Wing Delivers Basic Necessities For Survival 22 Mountain Savvy Rocky Mountain Region Credited With Large Share Of CAPs 2008 Saves 26 2009 Winter Board CAP Welcomes Five Commanders, Honors Innovative Member 28 Legislative Day Commanders, Cadets Seek Support From Representatives On Capitol Hill 30 At Your Service Cadets Explore Career Paths In Public Service At Civic Leadership Academy 34 Recording A Rivers Rage CAPs Aerial Photographs Capture Flood Damage In Michigan 36 Legal Learning CAP Legal Officers Participate In Air Force JAG Courses 38 Water, Water Everywhere Units Pour Into North Dakota, Battling Floodwaters On Ground And In Air 41 An Elite Club Spaatz Association Pays Tribute To Top Civil Air Patrol Cadets
Citizens Serving Communities...Above and Beyond
Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush was the honored guest at his namesake squadrons chartering ceremony held at the Bush library and museum on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station.
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44 Final Farewell CAP Celebrates Life Of Col. Bill Schell 48 Wing Banker Program CAP Earns First Unqualified Audit
DEPARTMENTS
6 From Your National Commander 50 Crossword 52 Achievements 53 Region News
SUBSCRIPTIONS
The annual subscription rate is $25. To subscribe, mail a check to Volunteer Subscriptions, CAP Public Affairs, 105 S. Hansell St., Bldg. 714, Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6332.
ON OUR COVER
The underside of the wing of a Civil Air Patrol Cessna frames a pursuing Air National Guard F-16 in Wisconsin skies during practice intercepting missions. When an unauthorized Cessna recently flew into U.S. airspace from Canada, the fighter pilots drew on this training to track the intruder, eventually getting it to land. Photo by Lt. Col. Christoffer Trossen, Wisconsin Wing
Civil Air Patrol Volunteer is oriented toward both internal (CAP) and external audiences. For that reason, it uses the Associated Press style for such things as military abbreviations. The Associated Press style is the standard used for most newspapers and magazines. Official internal CAP communications should continue to use the U.S. Air Force rank abbreviations found in CAPR 35-5.
www.gocivilairpatrol.com
Photo by Susan Robertson, CAP National Headquarters
CAP prepares fighters to intercept airspace intruders

By Kristi Carr
The art of the hunt
F-16C Fighting Falcons from the 115th Fighter Wing in Madison, Wis., are housed inside a newly remodeled aircraft hangar. The $2 million facelift completed at the end of 2008 included installation of upgraded fire suppression and ceiling systems, flooring and new hangar doors.
Photo courtesy of Master Sgt. Paul Gorman, U.S. Air Force
Civil Air Patrol Volunteer
May-July 2009
The cat-and-mouse game is played monthly with a Wisconsin Wing Civil Air Patrol Cessna as the mouse and a Wisconsin Air National Guard F-16 fighter jet as the cat. It is actually a training exercise to teach the fighter pilots how to track and intercept low-and-slow aircraft that fly illegally into U.S. airspace. The importance of such exercises or keynotes was validated in early April when a real intruder, unannounced and without permission, intentionally crossed the Canadian border and headed south over the American heartland.
low on fuel, landed it and was found shortly afterward sipping a Gatorade in a nearby grocery store. Jailed in St. Louis, Leon was charged with violating U.S. immigration law, a federal misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, and may yet be subject to Canadian prosecution for breaches in air traffic regulations. If it is decided he stole the plane, additional charges and jail time could apply.
T H E I M P O R TA N C E O F T R A I N I N G
This is a wake-up call to would-be intruders that our training to contain them is ongoing and we are ever vigilant, said Lt. Col. Jeff Wiswell, the Wisconsin Wings public affairs officer. Wiswell noted his wings pilots and crews have served as practice intercept targets for Wisconsin Air National Guard fighter pilots since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. Wisconsin Wing Commander Col. Donald Haffner noted, We take pride in the fact that our CAP flight crews have helped Wisconsin ANG pilots hone their skills in protecting our country. We had a successful conclusion to Aprils unfortunate incident. We want our country safe and we want positive endings for all parties, if possible, added Wiswell. It is a credit to the fighter pilots training that they did not shoot down the intruding Cessna. Their keynote missions with CAP planes prepared them to handle the situation. First, they tried to contact the pilot of the intruding plane. Options included dispensing flares, flying close to the intruder, dipping their wings or contacting the pilot by radio. Certainly flying against a Cessna at Cessna airspeed is a challenge for our pilots, Lt. Col. Bruce Fischer, commander of air sovereignty alert with the 115th Fighter Wing in Madison, Wis., was quoted as saying. Thats exactly why we train for that. We do regular exercises using Civil Air Patrol Cessnas pretending to be guys like this gentleman. In the case of this intrusion, the pilot certainly saw the fighters buzzing around him but was never in communication with them or Air Traffic Control. I
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A S U I C I D E AT T E M P T
The intruder flew erratically, entering U.S. airspace in mid-afternoon on April 6. The Cessna 172 had been reported stolen from Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, which piqued the interest of U.S. officials. It was first picked up by F-16s with the Minnesota Air National Guard out of Duluth. They handed off the intercept to their Wisconsin counterparts, who followed the plane for several hours until it landed on a dirt road in Ellsinore, Mo. As it turned out, the pilot was a flight school student who may or may not have had legitimate access to the plane, but his motive that day was to die by being shot down by American F-16s. Adam Dylan Leon, 31, originally from Turkey but now a citizen of Canada, had left a suicide note for his girlfriend. When the fighter pilots did not shoot him down, he flew the Cessna until it was
Whos On Board?
Civil Air Patrol wings currently flying keynote exercises include: Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, National Capital, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
understand that he waved at the Minnesota pilots when they were flying past him and he flashed his landing lights at our pilots, said Fischer. We knew he saw our guys, but he didnt answer the radio and he didnt follow any of the instructions we passed. The F-16s could have attempted to force the plane down through maneuvers or fire. According to an ABC News report, Michael Kucharek, a spokesman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), noted, NORAD pilots, once authorized by higher authority, are authorized to use everything within their power to protect U.S. citizens, up to and including lethal force. This incident was not, however, deemed to be a threat to national security. An FBI check did not turn up any past terrorist activity by the pilot. And, though the Wisconsin state capital building was evacuated as a precaution, generally the plane did not appear to target large population areas or critical infrastructure.
IN THE EYE OF THE TIGER

What does it feel like to play with the F-16s? 1st Lt. Gary Bergin, with the 10th Senior Support Squadron in Milwaukee, knows. As a CAP pilot for keynote exercises, Bergin said, We dont have a lot of time to sit back and enjoy the excitement of the approaching fighters. Instead, were concentrating
Photo courtesy of Paul Davis/Daily American Republic
on maintaining the mission-assigned altitude, speed and heading. Haffner, described a definite intimidation factor when two F-16s appear to escort you to the ground. Col. Clair Jowett, a former Wisconsin Wing commander, often serves as incident commander for the wings keynote exercises. The real deal in April was a very close match to our training scenarios, he said. Though weve never practiced having an invader from outside the country, we often train for lost or nonresponsive aircraft. Plus, CAP flies Cessna 182s and 172s same as the intruding plane. Jowett works closely with the Wisconsin ANGs Fischer to organize the exercises, usually using CAPs Wausau headquarters as the base of operations. On the CAP side, Jowett ordinarily arranges for three CAP aircraft to participate. Two serve as targets in different parts of the state. A third serves as the high-bird communications aircraft. The highbird pilot advises the target aircraft when the fighter jets are taking off and when they are closing in on one of the CAP planes. Once the fighters intercept the first target, they typically break off in search of the second one, explained Jowett. Flying time for a typical keynote exercise is three hours, with mission staff working about five hours.
C A P P L AY S I T S PA R T
A request to hold an exercise or training event is initiated by the Air Force regional Air Defense Sector, ANG or active duty unit being evaluated. Once reviewed by both the CAP National Operations Center and the regional Air Defense Sector, the mission is assigned to a CAP wing and approved by 1st Air Force. At least one day before the exercise, it is reviewed in a teleconference
Above, aircraft 87-278, one of two F-16C Fighting
This stop sign on a country road outside Ellsinore, Mo., doesnt usually apply to planes, but it nevertheless notes the end of an ill-fated, unauthorized flight over American airspace.
Falcons from the 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, displays a unique tail flash that celebrates the units 60th anniversary.
Photo courtesy of Joe Oliva, U.S. Air Force
May-July 2009
among those participating; following the exercise, participants are debriefed. Scenarios for the intercepts differ. The CAP plane may be asked to take on the role of drug smuggler, terrorist or disgruntled citizen. Sometimes the fighter jets know in advance the nature of their mock CAP adversary; sometimes they dont. Drugs are a common theme in border states and terrorism a common theme over the nations capital. The frequency of actual intercept sorties and mock ones with CAP varies as well. Its typical for members of the 113th Fighter Wing at Andrews Air Capt. Douglas M. Osborn of the Wisconsin Wings 153rd Composite Squadron, Force Base, Md., to scramble one or two at the controls, has been in the high-bird seat on intercept training missions sorties every day in defense of U.S. communicating with CAP target planes. With a map in hand, fellow squadron airspace including enforcmember 1st Lt. Michael J. Linsley helps him prepare. ing the no-fly zone over Washington, D.C. in addition to their wings currently participate in keynote exercises. All contraining with CAP volunteers. Last year cur with the sentiments of the Wisconsin Wings comthe Air Force marked its milmander: CAPs service in intercept training is invaluable lionth sortie in support of the to homeland security, Haffner said. campaign against terrorism. As evidenced by the incursion in April, practice Twenty-five of CAPs 52 makes perfect. L
Homeland Security Legislation

This could be the year Civil Air Patrols volunteer efforts and cost-saving missions are recognized by legislation expanding members responsibilities for homeland security. A U.S. House bill has passed and a similar bill is pending in the U.S. Senate. Rep. Charles Dent, R-Pa., initially introduced a bill on this subject in 2007; while it passed the House, it bogged down in the Senate, effectively killing it. With the convening of the 111th Congress, Dent reintroduced the bill as H.R. 1178 in late February and it was passed in May. A similar bill, sponsored by Sens. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Richard Burr, RN.C., was introduced in the Senate in March and is still pending. Both the House and Senate versions call on the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study to determine how CAP can help support homeland security missions. Once the legislation is passed by both houses and the GAO has conducted its study, the secretaries of defense and homeland security will make recommendations on CAPs homeland security role. CAP stands ready to assume a greater role in defense of our country, said Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAPs national commander. In fact, it would bring us full circle, back to our roots of civil defense during World War II. Since its beginning days patrolling the Atlantic Coast for enemy aircraft and chasing foreign submarines, CAP has evolved into the foremost search-and-rescue organization in the nation. It already has in place a fleet of 550 aircraft, as well as numerous ground assets, and a force 56,400 strong. The official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP is considered a force multiplier at a very attractive cost. CAPs homeland security missions include participation in practice intercepts of small aircraft, aerial reconnaissance of damage on the ground, search-and-rescue operations and relief services. As Harkin was quoted as saying, The Civil Air Patrol plays an important role in cities and towns across the country, and this all-volunteer force should be utilized as a cost saving for government reconnaissance missions.
Photo by Lt. Col. Donald Winkler, Wisconsin Wing
[ from your national commander ]
CAP is in the news in very important ways and in incredible stories. This issue of the Volunteer makes my point with stories ripped from the headlines. First was the unlawful intrusion into American airspace in early April by a Canadian flight student with a personal agenda. His long flight into our heartland was accompanied by Air National Guard fighter jet pilots, who had had the benefit of practicing just how to track a small aircraft and force it down, if necessary, thanks to routine missions with CAP planes as practice targets. That story was followed in quick succession by one out of Binghamton, N.Y., where a heavily armed naturalized U.S. citizen assaulted a building where other immigrants were learning how to adjust to American life. CAP was there in the person of an emergency medical technician also a CAP cadet who responded to the crisis. Then, shortly before this issues copy deadline, Somali pirates boarded a U.S. ship in the Gulf of Aden. We all know how the captain offered himself as a hostage if the pirates would leave his ship and crew. We know, too, how the U.S. military ultimately freed the captain. Some of us may even have been aware of the unmanned aircraft that surveilled the lifeboat carrying the captain and his captors. But did you know that the aircraft comes from the Navys ScanEagle program, which is managed by a Navy employee who is also a CAP volunteer? Or that a former CAP cadet is the weapons officer of the USS Bainbridge, the Navy ship whose crew pulled off a perfect rescue? As CAPs national commander, it is particularly gratifying to see our organizations volunteers, with their many skills, put to the test and succeed so admirably. It is indeed wonderful to see them recognized so publicly and to know that when theyre not serving our country with their employers, they are serving our country with CAP. At the same time, CAPs good work is recorded in this Volunteer issues coverage of important milestones. Our first unqualified audit demonstrates how wisely and seriously CAP dollars are spent and tracked. Our first squadron bearing the name of a former president at its inception connotes our place of honor in the list of this countrys institutions. Meanwhile, the Colorado Wings claim to 16 of the 91 CAP saves in 2008 bears witness to our members skill and devotion. Also, the Alaska Wings willingness to step up in a time of dire need for its states citizens goes to the heart of our missions for America. Likewise, CAP responders to flooding in North Dakota and Minnesota and CAPs unique heroes personified in Bill Schell tell the stories of a force 56,400 strong that will continue to go above and beyond the call of duty in the service of its country. Those of us in CAP have known that all along. Now, others are learning about the good works and good people that make up CAP.
Semper Vigilans!
Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter CAP National Commander
May-July 2009
Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
EDITORIAL STAFF
CIVIL AIR PATROL NATIONAL COMMANDER Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Don R. Rowland PUBLIC AWARENESS & MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Marc Huchette MANAGING EDITOR Julie M. DeBardelaben ASSOCIATE EDITOR Steve Cox GRAPHIC DESIGNER Barb Pribulick STAFF WRITER Kristi Carr STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Susan Robertson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dan Bailey, Minnie Lamberth, Mitzi Palmer, Neil Probst, Maj. Steven Solomon, Lenore Vickery and Kimberly L. Wright
CAP leaders visit LDS Church Elder

While in Salt Lake City for the National Executive Committee meeting, Civil Air Patrol leaders met with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to discuss programs of mutual interest. Elder Robert D. Hales, left, told Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAPs national commander, and Col. Russ Chazell, CAPs national chief of staff, about the churchs youth, humanitarian and community service programs, while the CAP leaders discussed how CAP volunteers serve their communities through search and rescue, homeland security, disaster relief, aerospace education and cadet programs. Hales, a former military pilot, was interested in how CAPs organizational structure functions, and he commended CAP volunteers for their willingness to serve others.
MAGAZINE EDITORIAL BOARD

Col. Joseph A. Guimond Jr. Senior Adviser, Support Col. Andrew E. Skiba Senior Adviser, Operations Col. Richard A. Greenhut National Marketing Adviser
CAP member named Avionics Technician of the Year

Capt. Jerry Stooksbury, a mission pilot with Thompson Valley Composite Squadron in Fort Collins, Colo., is the 2009 National Avionics Technician of the Year one of four national awards presented through the General Aviation Awards program. The program is a cooperative effort between the Federal Aviation Administration and more than a dozen industry sponsors. Stooksbury has been interested in aviation since he was a teenager. His involvement in Civil Air Patrol as a Tennessee Wing cadet played a key role in shaping his career. He first soloed in 1978 and has since earned commercial pilot certification along with instrument, airplane single-engine and airplane multi-engine ratings. He also has been an active flight instructor for more than 20 years with airplane single-engine and instrument-airplane ratings.
ON THE WEB
Go to www.gocivilairpatrol.com daily for squadron and wing news.
Civil Air Patrol Volunteer is published by Civil Air Patrol, a private, charitable, benevolent corporation and auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Please send all correspondence to Public Affairs, 105 S. Hansell St., Bldg. 714, Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6332; telephone 877-227-9142, ext. 250; e-mail: paa@capnhq.gov. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of CAP or the U.S. Air Force. Civil Air Patrol Volunteer welcomes manuscripts and photographs; however, CAP reserves the right to edit or condense materials submitted and to publish articles as content warrants and space permits.
CAP Cadet Responds to Fatal Shooting Scene
By Mitzi Palmer
Cadet 2nd Lt. Brian Conner plans to parlay his volunteer work for CAP and as an EMT into a career in public service.
A normal week for most teenagers reports that anywhere usually consists of learning the daily from four to 20 were curriculum at school, spending a few already dead and that the hours at a part-time job and maybe attending the shooter was still alive and Friday night game. But for Maine-Endwell High could possibly go after us, School senior, volunteer emergency medical technician said Conner. It was really and Civil Air Patrol Cadet 2nd Lt. Brian Conner, the stressful and extremely chaotic. week of March 31 was far from normal. Sadly, the final number of fatalities 14, includBy Friday, April 3, Conner had already responded to ing the gunman outweighed the number of injured. a double fatal car fire and attended a fellow paramedics So for almost four hours, Conner and the rest of the funeral, and he was now on his way to the American EMS team remained on standby ready to assist those Civic Association in need of medical attention. They used a in Binghamton, church just a few buildings away from the N.Y., where gunimmigration services center as a barricade man Jiverly Wong from the shooter. was in the midst of Conner, 18, says the skills he has learned a shooting spree. in Civil Air Patrol helped him more than More than 22 anything that Friday. ambulances were CAP has instilled in me discipline, tact called to the scene and self-control, he said. that day. Conners Even at a young age, Conner knew he unit was the 17th. wanted to make a difference in the lives of While en route, Conner, left, is pictured with fellow EMT Eric Corwin. others. But it wasnt until 2004, after he we were getting began his CAP service in the New York
May-July 2009
Photo courtesy of Union Volunteer Emergency Squad
Photo by Cadet Tech. Sgt. Beverly Martin, New York Wing
Inspiration in Binghamton
Wings Broome Tioga Composite Squadron, that he knew he wanted to be involved in ambulance and fire services. CAP complemented my interest in flying and anything involving airplanes, but what really hooked me were the programs tradition and the type of cadets it produces, said Conner. CAP changed my entire look on life. The Broome Tioga squadrons commander, Lt. Col. Richard Bohman, has witnessed Conners CAP involvement. Cadet Conner is the kind of cadet that makes Fourteen people, including the gunman, were pronounced dead at the a unit proud, Bohman said. He began showing American Civic Association in Binghamton, N.Y. commitment and community spirit early in his membership, and it continues to grow each year. In the past five years, Conner has completed one type A encampment and two years at the Maryland-based CAP Honor Guard Academy and has already been accepted to attend the acade Joined CAP in September 2004. my for the third time this summer. He has also participated in wreath-laying ceremonies as well as search and rescue missions, men- Named color guard commander and earned Wright Brothers Award in August 2006. tored new cadets and taught a handful of emergency service classes. Joined Union Volunteer Emergency Squad in Brian is a trusted and self-starting leader, and he has a December 2006. surprising level of humility for someone his age, said Maj. Joined Endwell Fire Department in William Shafer, squadron deputy commander of cadets. February 2007. With all he has done, it still takes a bit of digging to find Began serving as drill instructor in April 2007. out how deeply this young man is involved. He enriches not Named ground team medic in June 2007. only the CAP program but also inspires the lives he touches Completed first year of service in National in his community. Honor Guard Academy and became certified Conner is currently a Level 3 ground team member, an active first responder in July 2007. field medic and a representative on the Group Cadet Advisory Received firefighter certification in Council for his squadron. In addition to serving as a certified February 2008. volunteer EMT for the Union Volunteer Emergency Squad and Graduated Broome County Smoke the Endwell Fire Department, he has also logged more than Divers/Mask Confidence Course in 2,600 hours of community service since 2005. He also works March 2008. part-time at a local grocery store. Named squadron flight sergeant in April 2008. To pay tribute to the lives lost in Binghamton, Conner is Completed second year of service in National now in the process of organizing an annual flag retirement cereHonor Guard Academy in July 2008. mony in his community. Named squadron executive officer in Looking to the future, he wishes to be a paid firefighter and August 2008. flight medic. Qualified for ground team member Conner will begin his first semester this fall at the State and received firefighter survival certification University of New York, Canton, where he will study emerin October 2008. gency management. Received EMT certification in December 2008. Because of CAP, I have become who I am today, said Conner. I owe it all to my squadron. L
Cadet Conners Milestones
Photo courtesy of Press & Sun Bulletin
Negotiating for
Freedom
Former CAP Cadet Aids in Rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips off Somali Coast
By Mitzi Palmer
The ScanEagle Unmanned Aircraft System can track an object for 20 hours at a time while providing a real-time video downlink.
For U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. and former CAP cadet Jason Kipp, motivation for bringing Capt. Richard Phillips home to his family came in the form of a simple newspaper clipping. The clipping was of Phillips wife, Andrea, holding up a picture of her husband, taken hostage by a group of pirates off the coast of Somalia. One of Kipps fellow crew members on the USS Bainbridge had posted copies of it throughout the ship to remind the crew of their goal. On each copy was written: Motivation.
FIVE DAYS OF NEGOTIATIONS

The morning of April 8 started out quietly for Kipp and the rest of the crew traveling in the western Indian Ocean on board the Bainbridge. After all, that Wednesday was set aside for painting and preserving the ship. By nightfall, Kipp found himself en route to aid in negotiations with Somali pirates for the release of Capt. Richard Phillips of the U.S.-flagged merchant ship Maersk Alabama.
When we received the call for help, Bainbridge was about 300 miles away from the scene, said Kipp. We quickly set out at best speed towards the [Maersk Alabamas] position and soon learned that Capt. Phillips had offered himself as a hostage to save the rest of his crew. According to Kipp, the pirates had demanded safe passage and would not release Phillips until they were safely ashore in Somalia. It was clear they did not intend on negotiating, said Kipp. As they continued their attempts to maneuver
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May-July 2009
the lifeboat carrying Phillips toward land, the pirates Phillips life was in imminent danger. said their only two options were to either die at sea or Shortly after 7 p.m. Easter Sunday, after Navy SEALs make it to their destination. fatally shot the three pirates, Phillips reached the Kipp and the rest of the Bainbridge crew were joined Bainbridge alive and healthy. by the USS Halyburton, an accompanying helicopter Once on board, Phillips was given the original newsand other U.S. forces on Friday afternoon to help block paper clipping that kept the Bainbridge crew motivated the pirates efforts. throughout the five days of negotiations. By Sunday, we were growing more and more conIt was a proud moment for our entire crew, noted cerned about the safety and well-being of Capt. Kipp. Nothing in our training could have prepared us Phillips, commented Kipp. The pirates indicated he for this mission. It was teamwork, patience and absolute had not eaten or had anything to drink in at least 24 commitment to regaining Capt. Phillips freedom that hours, so we convinced them to let us send over some drove us to succeed. food and water. USING SCANEAGLE In return, one of the pirates asked to be taken back to the Bainbridge for medical treatment and to talk faceAs one of four tactical action officers on board the to-face with the crew. Bainbridge, Kipps task during the mission was to mainWe agreed, said Kipp, but even with him on tain watch on the lifeboat holding Phillips from the board the Bainbridge, the remaining three pirates still ships combat information center. refused to turn over Capt. Phillips. He did this by using various camera and optical Kipp recalled that late Sunday afternoon the pirates had become noticeably more agitated. Bainbridge officers had convinced the pirates to let them tow the lifeboat since it was low on gas, but the seas made for an extremely uncomfortable ride. It was a turning point in the mission, said Kipp. At one point, we had visual contact of an on board pirate holding an AK-47 at Capt. Phillips back, and we knew his life was in jeopardy more CAP National This still frame was taken from now than ever. Negotiations Cadet Advisory video produced by the USS had failed and it was time to Council senior Bainbridges ScanEagle end the mission. adviser Col. Unmanned Aircraft System on Earlier in the negotiations, Lawrence L. Trick is the Naval Air Systems April 9, the second day of President Barack Obama had Command chief engineer for ScanEagle. The negotiations. authorized the U.S. forces system was used by Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jason Kipp involved to engage in potento rescue Capt. Richard Phillips. tial emergency actions if
Photo by Cadet Lt. Col. Zachary King, New Jersey Wing
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technology systems, including installation on the Bainbridge the ScanEagle Unmanned was overseen by Lawrence L. Aircraft System. Trick, ScanEagles chief engiScanEagle was crucial to neer for Naval Air System our ability to keep visual conCommand. He is also a Civil tact of the lifeboat, said Air Patrol colonel and a forKipp. Its most valuable feamer commander of CAPs ture is its ability to provide Maryland Wing. real-time video feed without Trick first met Kipp being seen. through CAP when he served Built by Boeing subsidiary as his cadet squadron comInsitu, ScanEagle is the only mander. Trick says Kipp was Newspaper clippings posted throughout the ship unmanned aircraft in its class. motivated the crew on this mission. one of the most motivated It has a stabilized camera turcadets in his wing and was ret to house either an electro-optical camera for daylight his choice as the top Maryland Wing encampment or infrared camera for nighttime. The daylight camera cadet in 1989. has acuity almost 50 percent better than that of the He was always going, always making himself and his unaided eye at the telescopic end. After launch, fellow cadets better, commented Trick, now senior ScanEagle can track an object for up to 20 hours at a adviser for CAPs National Cadet Advisory Council. I time, even if the target is moving. always knew he would do well, and it was great to work ScanEagle has been used by the Navy since 2005. Its with him again on ScanEagle. L
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May-July 2009
Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy
From Cadet to Tactical Action Officer

Photos courtesy of U.S. Navy
By Mitzi Palmer
After rescuing Capt. Richard Phillips, the USS Bainbridge towed the lifeboat where he had been held hostage so it could be processed for evidence.
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jason Kipp joined were all instilled in me as a young CAP cadet, he comCAPs Honolulu Cadet Squadron in Hawaii mented. It is this foundation that has driven me to while in ninth grade. climb the ladder from an enlisted sailor to an officer. I was attracted to the education and developmental Kipp has a bachelors degree in electrical engineeropportunities, said Kipp, combined with the realing and a masters degree in systems engineering. He world aviation and SAR experiences I knew I would enlisted in the Navy as an electronics technician in have in the program. 1992. Following boot camp, he completed the nuclear After transferring to St. Marys Composite Squadron propulsion training pipeline and qualified as a reactor in Maryland just one year later, operator before he was selected for an ROTC Kipp continued progressing scholarship. In addition to his involvement through the CAP cadet proon the Bainbridge, Kipps sea tours have gram. Throughout the remainincluded serving as strike officer on the USS der of high school, he took full Paul F. Foster and combat information center advantage of the programs officer on the USS Portland. benefits, like cadet orientation Ashore, Kipp has served as frigate modernflights, summer encampments ization manager and strike group interoperand numerous search and resability officer in the Fleet Support Office of cue missions. Program Executive OfficeShips (PEO Following in his fathers Ships). While he was assigned to PEO Ships, Shown here on the USS Bainbridge, footsteps, Kipp joined the he once again worked with CAP Col. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jason Kipp is one Navy after graduating from Lawrence L. Trick, this time on ScanEagle of four tactical action officers on high school. His service on the requirements for shipboard operations. They the ship. Bainbridge began in 2006, and later worked together on the Bainbridges he is currently deployed with ScanEagle installation. the Eisenhower Strike Group as a tactical action officer. Kipps military decorations include the Navy and Kipp attributes to CAP many of the life skills he now Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and carries with him in the Navy. Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various other Dedication, discipline, integrity and a sense of duty unit and expeditionary awards. L
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A sak ey p artner i nW reaths A cross As key partner in Wreaths Across A merica, C ivil A ir P atrol a nnually America, Civil Air Patrol annually a dorns m emorials a nd v eterans g raves w ith adorns memorials and veterans graves with e vergreen w reaths t oe nsure t he s acrifices o f evergreen wreaths to ensure the sacrifices of o ur n ations s oldiers a re n ever f orgotten. our nations soldiers are never forgotten.
You are invited to take part in this unparalleled tribute on Dec. 12. To sponsor a wreath, contact your local CAP squadron, or visit gocivilairpatrol.com.
CAP unit chartered with the name of an
American president
Lt. Col. Brooks Cima, left, and former President George H.W. Bush, center, hold the charter for the George H.W. Bush Composite Squadron as the commander of the new Texas Wing unit, Lt. Col. Don Wheeler, looks on. Behind them are representatives of the squadrons 30 cadets and senior members.
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May-July 2009
Former President George H.W. seat held by Ralph Yarborough. Bush recently presented the Civil Ah, that was a long time ago, mused the elder Air Patrol charter to the squadron statesman, and, for the second time in 45 years, he that now bears his name. The event shook hands with Woodgate. L was held at the George H.W. Bush Library and Cadet Capt. Sean Stewart of Texas Wings Pegasus Museum on the campus of Texas A&M Composite Squadron contributed to this report. University in College Station. On an easel next to the lectern was a large drawing of Based on the presidential seal, the brightly colored the colorful unit patch designed by Jacob Haldeman, emblem for the Texas Wings newest unit, graphics designer and heraldry expert. Based on the Seal the George H.W. Bush of the President of the United States, it was modified to Composite Squadron, reflect Bushs life of service. was on display at the The president arrived without fanfare and immediatecharter ceremony. ly greeted the assembled members. Ever polite and easyPhoto by going, he approached the new squadrons commander, Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Southwest Region Lt. Col. Don Wheeler, a 24-year U.S. Air Force veteran, pointed at one of the ribbons on Wheelers CAP uniform and asked, How did this one come about? Many CAP units Wheeler was speechless the president would recognize the wartime Air Force carry notable monikers award. He replied, Vietnam, Mr. One other Civil Air Patrol squadron bears a presidents name. President, and gave him the date. The Independence Composite Squadron in Independence, Mo., As the ceremony got under way, founded in 1951, was renamed the Harry S. Truman Composite Wheeler welcomed the president and Squadron in 1973. guests and then introduced Lt. Col. Several CAP units carry the name of notable aviators and famous Brooks Cima, Texas Wing director of people: emergency services, who offered the Lewis & Clark Composite Squadron, Tyndall, S.D. wing congratulations. Amelia Earhart Cadet Squadron, Yonkers, N.Y Bush then spoke, saying, I wish Amelia Earhart Senior Squadron 188, Oakland, Calif. you every success, and encouraging Sam Houston Composite Squadron, Magnolia, Texas the cadets to serve their community and nation. Billy Mitchell Senior Squadron, River Ridge, La. When Bush was ready to leave, Capt. Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker Composite Squadron, Delaware, Ohio Arthur E. Woodgate, director of public Will Rogers Composite Squadron, Collinsville, Okla. affairs, Southwest Region, said, Mr. William Rogers Memorial Senior Squadron 104, Mirana, Ariz. President, I campaigned for you. Walter M. Schirra Jr. Composite Squadron, Wyckoff, N.J. The former presidents eyes grew bright and he turned to him to ask, Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Composite Squadron 812, Boyertown, Pa. When was that? Jimmy Stewart Composite Squadron 714, Carrolltown, Pa. When you ran against Yarborough, Gen. Chuck Yeager Cadet Squadron, Brandon, Fla. sir, said Woodgate, referring to Bushs 1964 bid for the U.S. Senate
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In Hooper Bay, helpers of all ages turned out to assist with moving food from the CAP aircraft onto sleds and into the community.
By Kristi Carr
Imagine paying $1,500 each month to heat your modest home. Then imagine going to a grocery store one you may need to travel to without benefit of roads and at a considerable distance and requiring $50 in fuel for the round trip by snowmobile. Once there, you find the shelves alarmingly bare and prices like $18 for a can of Crisco and $10 for a gallon of milk apt to go bad the next day. If you can relate, you are most likely a resident of western Alaskas Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and Bering Sea coast, where 85 percent of the population is native Alaskan, Yupik Eskimo, and where average incomes fall well below the federal poverty level. So, what do you do freeze or starve? This is a stark problem that has been festering for some time. But now with the rest of the country feeling the economic pinch, the plight of this remote area where 20,000 inhabitants are spread out over a land mass the size of Oregon is beginning to get the attention it demands, and Civil Air Patrol is part of the response.
It takes a village and some airplanes

Many Alaskan agencies, organizations and businesses have become involved in addressing the food shortage by collecting food donations and moving them to intermediate stops, most notably Bethel, population about 6,000 the largest town in the Delta. But what still was needed was delivery to outlying villages, where populations range roughly from 80 to 1,400 apiece. With most of the Deltas terrain undeveloped tundra, these villages are most easily accessed by air CAPs specialty.
Making it happen
For this mission, the Alaska Wing moved two additional aircraft and aircrews to Bethel to assist Bethel Composite Squadron. CAP flew 24 sorties in support of the program. Much of the donated food was gathered through the Food Bank of Alaska in Anchorage, and other
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May-July 2009
Photo by Maj. Mike Coffing, Alaska Wing
Alaska Wing eases plight of Yupik Eskimos struggling with winter food shortages
Nunam Iqua resident Ann Strongheart, left, helps Capt. Udo
contributions came from Fairbanks Community Food Bank, Safeway, Wal-Mart and faith-based community organizations in Fairbanks and Anchorage. In addition to CAP, transportation was provided by Alaska Airlines and Lynden Transportation. We humble food bank folks here understand and appreciate the awesome job CAP did in flying all this in, said Reg Buchanan, food resources manager for the Food Bank of Alaska.
Cassee load a sled with food for transport into the village.
On a personal level
Its hard to contemplate thousands of pounds of food. But consider a can of formula for a baby whos had none for the last week. Or imagine the smells and tastes of a frozen pizza for a family who went hungry the night before. Maj. Mike Coffing, who has spent 23 of his 31 years as a state resident 18 of them in the Delta region researching and documenting the cash-subsistence economy of rural Alaska, noted, Our combined efforts are making a difference in the lives of the people in western Alaska. Wild fish, game, plants and berries are still what the Yupik prefer, and those foods are healthier than much of the farm-raised and processed food most of us are accustomed to having. The Western-style foods we deliver will never replace wild salmon, whitefish, moose, caribou, seals, ducks and geese, but Background: Icy taxi areas and they will help ensure that blowing snow at Bethel Airport some needy families get delay Civil Air Patrols food delivery mission. help to make it through these late winter months. Photo by Maj. Mike Coffing, Alaska Wing
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Dinner is served
CAPs food delivery flights began in March with delivery of 2,000 pounds of frozen food. Subsequent delivery totals reached up to 13,000 pounds every couple of weeks. Food pallets were divided into dry and chill categories before shipment to intermediate hubs. The chill pallets, stacked with cheese, boxed fresh milk and cased eggs, were safe to store in a cool corner of a hangar when temperatures were cold outside. There were fresh vegetables, such as potatoes and onions, though the majority of the items consisted of dry goods, such as flour, rice, salt, sugar, crackers, bread, canned vegetables and fruits and canned meats.
Photo by Capt. Udo Cassee, Alaska Wing
An increasing struggle
Some scientists think the entire region is undergoing an ecological metamorphosis due to changes in the climate. The North Pacific Research Board and the National Science Foundation are in the middle of a joint $52 million study of the eastern Bering Sea ecosystem that began in 2007 and is scheduled to end in 2012. Close to 100 scientists from federal, state, university and private institutions are studying numerous ways a changing ecosystem could affect the Bering Sea area, from atmospheric forcing and physical oceanography to humans and communities, including economic and social implications. Even the CAP plane is dressed for winter as 2nd Lt. Chet Harris and Col. Skip Widtfeldt wait in This year, the commercial Bethel to load their GA-8 with food for delivery to the Delta. salmon harvest was down, limiting cash income many supplemented with wood, that heats most homes. families depend on to purchase basic necessities. Dana Mother Nature offered no relief this season, sending Strommen, a member of State Rep. Jay Ramrass staff, an early and harsh winter that started in September with cites the poor fishing season coupled with high fuel record low temperatures. Subsequently, the Yukon River costs as the main reasons for the hunger crisis. At the froze earlier than usual, so fuel had to be flown in a same time, a brutal winter has taken its toll on land more expensive option than going by riverboat and one game populations, leaving less to hunt. In addition, that had to be initiated sooner than expected. state and federal hunting and fishing laws limit the While Alaska is certainly a wild and beautiful place, season and set harvest limits on some species. Coffing said, the days when a family could live off the land without also having a source of cash income have indeed been gone for quite some time.
more expensive and the hunting and fishing tools necessary for harvesting and gathering wild food like berries and greens from the land. There are also electric and telephone bills to pay, plus costs for fuel oil, though
An important consideration
In addition to the pressing need to supplement food obtained through the Deltas typical lifestyle of hunting, fishing and gathering, cash is still a necessity. It takes money, Coffing explained, to repair and maintain the residents small boats, outboard motors and snowmobiles, as well as to buy gasoline ever
Where the next meal comes from

The state is well aware of the Delta crisis. To address the high cost of fuel, in 2008 Alaska gave
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May-July 2009
Photo by Maj. Mike Coffing, Alaska Wing
many residents $1,200 energy rebate checks, but this fell short of paying even one months winter home fuel bill. Thankfully, the onset of summer will alleviate heating costs. To address the food shortage, the state extended moose-hunting season. Declaring the situation an emergency could open up the area to relief from the federal government and agencies like the Red Cross, but current Alaska law prohibits such a declaration when the yearly average income exceeds $26,500, despite the extreme cost of living. (In Alaska, the 2009 poverty level exceeds that amount for families with four or more members.) Gov. Sarah Palins office and other state agencies are investigating ways to change or legally circumvent this law. Still, in Alaska, winter comes early and lasts a long time, and Coffing does not see the Delta crisis ending anytime soon. In just a few short months, the cycle of survival will begin again. L Some information used in this story came from the February 2009 CNN article, In Rural Alaska Villages, Families Struggle to Survive, by Mallory Simon.
Rocky Mountain
High
T
Mountain Region.
With 24 of 2008s 91 CAP saves, Rocky Mountain Region climbs to top for rescues
By Minnie Lamberth
To say the Rocky Mountain Region encompassing the Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming wings saw a lot of activity in 2008 might be an understatement. Each of its wings was credited with at least one save last year, and the region as a whole tallied 24 of 91 total saves recorded nationally. True, the region is fertile ground for rescues, given its wild, sometimes lonesome terrain. But the volunteers knowledge of that terrain and the cooperation Civil Air Patrol extends to other agencies are the elements that choreograph into sending those who are lost home again.
14,000 feet, said Colorado Wing Commander Col. Edward D. Phelka. Then theres the weather. Sometimes weather conditions are such that flying through the Rocky Mountains is ill-advised. The mountains can be very cold at night, Phelka said, noting a common expression: Its always winter in the mountains. Fortunately, when his wing gets a call to assist in search and rescue missions, members are able to rely on their own mountain expertise. We have many pilots who grew up flying the Rocky Mountains, he said. They know the mountains like the back of their hand.
Location, location, location

The first step in conducting a rescue is finding where to look. If the subject of the search is a missing plane, more likely than not, pinpointing a location falls to radar records. The Rocky Mountain Region is fortunate to claim as its own radar analysis expert Capt. Guy Loughridge, but he is quick to point out that successfully determining the location of a downed plane is the result of broad collaboration. The big picture is that many people from
Challenges and CAPabilities

First, theres the terrain associated with much of the Rocky Mountain Region, especially in Colorado. We have more than 50 mountains that exceed
Background: Beautiful but rough terrain like this in Colorado contributed to the large number of missions in the Rocky
Photo by 1st Lt. Stephen Materkowski, Colorado Wing
Photo courtesy of Larry Mayer, Billings (Mont.) Gazette
CAP was called in as part of the rescue team for this pilot of a crashed plane; visible in this highly magnified
photo taken from the air, he is shown as he struggles in waistdeep snow in Montanas Pryor Mountains while dragging a bright orange emergency blanket. Andrew Scheffer was taken by helicopter to an area hospital; his diagnosis was a mild concussion, cuts and bruises and hypothermia.
Making a planned landing, this pilot did not anticipate the soft mud that mired his plane in Utah and necessitated help from a CAP ground team.
all across the nation are routinely involved in every mission, Loughridge said. Ten years ago we did not have such a substantial team. Collaboration among radar techies can involve CAP as well as many other agencies and might go something like this: Loughridge is first apprised of the missing aircraft in an Air Force Rescue Coordination Center briefing, which provides the tail number, type of aircraft, number of people on board, departure site and scheduled landing site. Because he does not have radar equipment himself, Loughridge solicits data from those who do. I have essentially become a national expert on who has what radar in what location. They supply me with the radar data, he said. Common contacts include David Relyea, Eastern Air Defense; John Henderson, Western Air Defense; and Mark Olsen, Federal Aviation Administration. Loughridge, who can read and analyze data from any agency, goes to work to come up with a flight path. Once the plane or survivors are spotted, ground teams can be directed to a precise location to deliver first aid and begin extraction.
Cooperation is key
In March 2008, the Montana, Wyoming and Colorado wings all cooperated on a mission involving a missing aircraft. It started when the Montana Wings Maj. Bob Burns fielded a call from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and the Montana Aeronautics Division. CAP was asked to help check out a beacon signal. His first thought was it might simply be an errant electronic locator transmitter, or ELT. We didnt think it was a downed plane initially, Burns said. But that perception changed, especially when they discovered the pilot had made a call. I told the rescue center to call Wyoming because I knew they had a ground team just over the border, Burns said. Our Montana Wing didnt have one closer than Helena, 250 miles away. Meanwhile, in Colorado, Loughridge was participating in the mission from his computer. This time, he was given a squawk code an FAA code that uniquely identifies aircraft. There were a number of reasons I felt the person would survive the crash, he said. For example, the ELT
Photo by Maj. Mark Young, Rocky Mountain Region
continued to transmit following the crash, and the pilots cell phone was activated afterward.
Another typical Rocky Mountain mission
Besides lost aircraft, the region handles a fair share of missions involving missing individuals, often tourists attracted by the areas natural beauty. Last summer a Colorado Wing aircrew helped locate a missing man who had become separated from a group camping in Hell Canyon. After members of Patrick Higgins party were unable to find him, the Larimer County Search and Rescue team was called in. Its members, three of whom are also CAP members, invited the From CAP members sighting individuals from a Colorado Wing to join the search. As part of our plane to ground teams walking lost hikers out of the resources within the county, we know about the Civil mountains to experts Air Patrol, said at their computers Capt. George studying radar data, Janson, a member each mission relies on of both the counmany contributors. ty search team The agencies involved and CAPs could number as many Thompson Valley as 20 and include the Composite local sheriffs departSquadron. ment, Air Force Higgins had Rescue Coordination become lost after Center, FAA, Air he ran out of flagForce, the Navy, CAP ging, yet decided and more. to continue on. Theres a lot going Thats where his on behind the scenes, trouble began, CAP Capt. George Janson, left, a member of Colorados Larimer County Loughridge said. To Janson said. He Search and Rescue, gave a safety briefing to ground team members from the get the answer to a lot didnt have any Thompson Valley, North Valley and Boulder composite squadrons before they of these missions, we reference points started their search for lost hiker Patrick Higgins. end up using a lot anymore. of people. When Higgins Last year, a downed plane pulled in CAP responders found a reasonably open spot, Janson said, He decided from two of the regions wings. The flight originated in to make camp and stay put until somebody came lookColorado but went missing near Glen Canyon National ing for him. The place he chose was near water, a mixed Recreational Area in south central Utah. The pilot was blessing because it created issues for search and rescue making a planned landing on a dry lakebed, but the teams. The area had dense and downed timber and no
clear hiking paths, and it was located at the bottom of a canyon. It was camouflaged by shadows when CAP was conducting air sorties in the afternoon and morning. The third sortie late morning to noon was the one that discovered Patrick, Janson said. The aircrew was impressed with Higgins ability to signal with a mirror only the size of a quarter. Patrick targeted the airplane and followed it for a substantial part of its arc, Janson said. A fourth CAP air sortie acted as high bird for communication while the rescue teams converged and began a hike out that ultimately took seven to eight hours.
A team effort
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May-July 2009
Photo by Capt. Steve Schneider, Colorado Wing
Lost hiker Patrick Higgins went into the Colorado woods with a simple survival kit, like the one shown here. He was successful in using the small mirror to signal his location to a Civil Air Patrol search plane.
Analysts followed the Montana planes radar track into a ridgeline, where they directed the searchers to look.
ground proved too soft and the airplane got stuck in the mud. The Colorado Wing put Loughridge on the case to track the planes flight path, with help from his counterparts across the country. When a sightseeing aircraft in the area spotted the missing aircraft and its uninjured pilot, Utah Wing ground teams went in. This rescue is another example of the cooperation that comes into play for a successful mission. Not every mission is dramatic. Not every mission is attributable to one rescuer. Yet, in this team sport, its comforting to have the volunteers in CAPs Rocky Mountain Region suited up and ready to play. L
Rocky Mountain Region Fiscal Year 2008 Saves

Mission # 07-M-2051 08-M-0133A 08-M-0140A 08-T-01234 08-M-0494A 08-M-0572 08-M-0737 08-M-0773A 08-M-0778A 08-M-0792 08-M-0839 08-M-1231A 08-M-1262A 08-M-1313A 08-M-1466A 08-M-1649 08-M-1752 Mission Date 11/7/07 1/28/08 1/31/08 3/11/08 3/26/08 4/7/08 5/2/08 5/8/08 5/8/08 5/11/08 5/17/08 7/11/08 7/16/08 7/23/08 8/11/08 9/7/08 9/21/08 Wings involved Idaho Idaho Colorado, Utah Idaho Colorado, Montana, Wyoming Colorado, Utah Colorado Colorado Colorado Colorado Colorado Colorado Wyoming Colorado Colorado Colorado Wyoming
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Photo courtesy of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center
Shared with: Nevada, Utah Nevada
Photo by Capt. George Janson, Colorado Wing
Saves 1 2 2 1 1 1
Georgia, Tennessee
1 1 1
Illinois, Pennsylvania New Jersey California Pennsylvania
1 1 1 3 1 1
Florida, Pennsylvania
4 1
2009 Winter Board at a Glance
Members of Civil Air Patrols National Board gathered at the Crystal City Marriott in Alexandria, Va., near the nations capital for the 2009 Winter Board meeting. The National Board is Civil Air Patrols policymaking arm, which in conjunction with the CAP Board of Governors proposes amendments to the organizations governing constitution and bylaws. National Board members from all eight regions and 52 wings attended the two-day business session, which followed CAPs annual Legislative Day on Capitol Hill. Members approved a number of amendments, including one calling for online cadet achievement tests. The board also officially changed the name of CAP Chaplain Services to the CAP Chaplain Corps. In addition, five new CAP commanders received their National Board badges during the meeting Rocky Mountain Region Commander Col. Greg Cortum, Montana Wing Commander Col. Herbert Cahalen, North Carolina Wing Commander Col. Roy Douglass, Puerto Rico Wing Commander Col. Rafael Roman and Oregon Wing Commander Col. Brian Bishop.
Photos by Susan Robertson, CAP National Headquarters
North Central Region Commander Col. Steve Kuddes, left, Southwest Region Vice Commander Col. Andre Davis, Southwest Liaison Region Commander Air Force Lt. Col. Don Hensley, Arizona Wing Commander Col. John Eggen, Arkansas Wing Commander Col. Robert Britton and Louisiana Wing Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Amos Plante line one of the tables near the front of the 2009 Winter Board meeting room. Davis represented Southwest Region Commander Col. Joseph Jensen at the business session, while Plante was sitting in for Louisiana Wing Commander Col. Michael DuBois.
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May-July 2009
Tom Jones, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs, holds up a Civil Air Patrol coin presented to him by CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, left, in appreciation for his remarks during the board meeting. At the time, Jones reported to Craig Duehring, a former CAP cadet who served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs. Duehring has since retired. Jones told National Board members he is a believer in Civil Air Patrol and he committed his support to keeping ties strong between the Air Force and its auxiliary.
U.S. Air Force Col. Russell D. Hodgkins Jr. is applauded after being named a CAP Life Member. Hodgkins received the honor at the 2009 Winter Board meeting, his last as CAP-U.S. Air Force commander. Hodgkins, who praised CAP members for their volunteerism, professionalism and love of country, received three standing ovations. He retired from the Air Force in April, and CAP-U.S. Air Force Vice Civil Air Patrol National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, left, and Cadet Col. Beth Dumont share a laugh during a meeting of the National Cadet Advisory Council. The council was in session for two days during the week of the 2009 Winter National Board meeting. As chairwoman of the 16-member council, Dumont serves as the generals No. 1 source for cadet perspectives on challenges facing CAP. Collectively, the council represents more than 22,000 youth in CAPs Cadet Program. CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter presents an Exceptional Service Award to California Wing 1st Lt. Tolga Tarhan. Tarhan received the award for his development of a software program that automates much of the work involved in labeling CAP photos according to 1st Air Force standards. It is now being used by many CAP wings and squadrons nationwide. Commander Col. William R. (Bill) Ward was appointed his successor.
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CAP goes to the Hill for
D
Photo by Ryan Easterling, CAP National Headquarters
During Civil Air Patrols Annual Legislative Day, wing commanders accompanied by cadets met with their congressional leaders to present an overview of achievements, plans for the future and CAPs 2008 Annual Report to Congress. Legislators were asked for their support to restore expected budget losses and for the Homeland Security Support Act, H.R. 1178, a new proposal to review CAP's functions and support in homeland security missions.
Florida Wing Cadet Capt. Timothy Lhota is promoted by U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., as Lt. Col. Bill Brockman of CAPs Florida Wing looks on. Stearns presented Lhota with the Amelia Earhart Achievement Award, which carries with it the rank of cadet captain.
Chaplain (Col.) Whit Woodard, left, shares information about CAP with U.S. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif. Royce represents Californias 40th District, while Woodard is Civil Air Patrols chief of chaplain corps.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., left, greets former Pennsylvania Wing Commander Col. Mark Lee, right, and Lt. Col. Ron Sharer during their Legislative Day visit on Capitol Hill. Sharer, Pennsylvania Wings homeland security director, joined Lee in thanking Pennsylvanias 15th District congressman for his legislation, H.R. 1178, which calls for a Government Office study of the functions of Civil Air Patrol and ways in which the organization can support Americas homeland security missions. The bill recently passed the House.
Photo by Ryan Easterling, CAP National Headquarters Photo by Susan Robertson, CAP National Headquarters
Accountability
Ten Michigan Wing cadets joined CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, third from right; Michigan Wing Commander Col. Michael Saile, fourth from right; and CAP Executive Director Don Rowland, third from left, for the meeting with U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., center.
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May-July 2009
2009 Legislative Day

U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., listens as Col. Edward Phelka, Colorado Wing commander, presents an overview of the wings accomplishments, including 16 saves in 2008. On hand for the meeting were Col. Gary Tobey, wing government relations officer, and Cadet Maj. Clay Amann, Washington Wing.
Photo by Susan Robertson, CAP National Headquarters Photo by Ryan Easterling, CAP National Headquarters
Civil Air Patrol cadets, from left, Capt. Laura Beck, Lt. Col. Holly Bevagna and 1st Lt. Chistopher Pannier wait to see U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., one of several lawmakers they visited on Capitol Hill. This meeting was especially exciting for Pannier, who lives in Pembroke Pines, Fla., part of the congressmans district.
More than 20 cadets and senior members from Civil Air Patrols Maryland Wing enjoy a pizza party in the Capitol Hill office of U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md. Visiting with the CAP members is Pudge Forrester, back right, a CAP second Attending a reception hosted by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., are Cadet Capt. Casey Hoffman, Montana Wing; Cadet Col. Charles Cox, Minnesota Wing; and Cadet Capt. Katherine Jones, Montana Wing. Meeting her was a very exciting experience, said Jones. lieutenant who also works on Bartletts staff. Bartlett a co-sponsor of H.R. 1178 and a member of CAPs Congressional Squadron has treated the Maryland Wing volunteers to lunch for the past three years.
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Capital Insights
Civic Leadership Academy Inspires Cadets Future
By Kimberly L. Wright
T
Twenty-four of Civil Air Patrols brightest cadets explored the infinite possibilities of careers in public service while expanding their understanding of leadership, civics and American heritage as participants in Civic Leadership Academy, a top-notch educational adventure in Washington, D.C. CLA cadets dont learn just by reading and listening to lectures. They take an active role in their civic education by interacting, researching and formulating persuasive arguments, with the nations capital as fertile ground for their investigations. They tour,
Cadet Cols. Francesca Fogarty of the South Dakota Wing, left, and Heidi Klein of the Wisconsin Wing take in the D.C. sights during Civic Leadership Academy.
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May-July 2009
ask questions, draw conclusions and defend their arguments based on a solid foundation of evidence and logic. The cadets visited a variety of prominent Washington agencies, offices, buildings and memorials and, in the process, solidified their understanding of the sacrifices necessary to preserve liberty and move society forward. Destinations included the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Judiciary Building, the State Department, Arlington National Cemetery, the CIA, the FBI, the Pentagon, legislative offices and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, as well as the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Lincoln memorials.
Pennsylvania Wing Cadet Capt. Steven Lazar, sitting behind the desk of U.S. Rep. Don Young of Alaska, takes in the atmosphere during the Civic Leadership
Career Opportunities
Academy, a five-day CAP program that provides an in-depth look at citizenship
and public service through real-world experiences in Washington, D.C. This ripe intellectual environment inspired participants to envision a future in public service. Cadets also benefited from the experience of VIP Listening to many different anecdotes from people speakers whose insights deepened their understanding of who have worked around the world, I determined the government in action. State Department may be where I want to make a Cadet Lt. Col. Zachary King of the New Jersey career, said Cadet Capt. Laura Beck of the Arizona Wing, an Air Force ROTC cadet with an eye on pubWing. Creating diplomatic solutions to world problems lic service, was impressed by the number of former and improving the political health of developing nations CAP cadets and current CAP senior members working is extremely interesting to me and seems like a perfect in Washington. outlet to my naturally creative leadership style. It was very inspiring to see these professionals at Cadet Capt. Emily Greiner remains firm on her every office we visited the State Department, the career path service with either the FBI or CIA. CLA FBI, the CIA, the U.S. Capitol, said King. All of these not only sparked her interest in these careers but also people are former CAP cadets, Spaatz cadets, who are introduced her to contacts who will be invaluable down still involved in the program. It shows this organization the road. It is definitely important to network with has limitless opportunities cadets can take advantage of people, the New Jersey Wing cadet said. and that CAP has and can continue to serve as a great The activity turned one cadets career notions foundation for their careers. I want to continue in CAP upside-down. and to give back to the program the way these individuI wanted to be a doctor, said Cadet Lt. Col. Holly als have. Bevagna of the Puerto Rico Wing. Now, I dont know what I want to do. Its made it more difficult to decide. Insightful Interactions Attractive possibilities for Bevagna include a career in The cadets CLA experience was complemented by politics or as an FBI special agent. Ive established conreading assignments and a monitored discussion board nections that may help me, she said. on the CLA Web site. The discussion board allowed
31
instant communication among participants and the cadet programs National Headquarters staff, who seeded the site with such thought-provoking civic questions as: Youre pulled over for speeding.The police check your license and the computer tells them theres a warrant out for your arrest. This gives them cause to search your car, and they find drugs and a gun. It turns out the warrant was repealed months ago, but a police employee forgot to remove it from the database. Can the police use the illegal weapon and drugs as evidence against you on new charges, or should that evidence be tossed out under the exclusionary rule? After all, they wouldnt have found the drugs or gun if their clerk had updated the database properly. The challenge posed to the cadets was to think the issue through and to check out the U.S. Supreme Courts opinion in Herring v. United States. Having the opportunity to share an advanced activity with an accelerated peer group generated a positive form of peer pressure for high-achieving young people. It was amazing being with a group of cadets whose discussions were so stimulating and who asked such educated
CLA faculty advisers Brig. Gen. Richard Anderson, left, and Capt. Sharon Weeks, State Department public affairs officer Maj. David Staples, CLA faculty adviser Maj. Rebecca Sundhagen and CLA activity director Lt. Col. Bill Brockman gather at the podium during a visit to the State Department, one of several key stops.
questions, said Beck. Bevagna also appreciated her CLA experience. During the entire CLA they treated us like officers, she said. The friendly atmosphere was very conducive to learning. The cadets CLA tasks culminated with a final project presenting their CLA experience to their peers in their home squadrons.
CLA provided 24 cadets from across the nation the educational experience of a lifetime.
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May-July 2009
Reading List for Civic Leadership Academy

Readings included: The Constitution of the United States of America Albright on Communication, Information, and Negotiation by Abbie Lundberg and Meridith Levinson Gavel to Gavel: A Guide to the Televised Proceedings of Congress by C-SPAN and the Brookings Institute Day in the Life of a Special Agent by the FBI Quick Facts About the FBI by the FBI Truman by David McCullough (pages 831-846, the decision to fire MacArthur) Civil Control of the Military by Richard H. Kohn Transformational Diplomacy by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Diplomacy: The U.S. Department of State at Work by the U.S. Department of State Rices interview with Al Arabiya, Oct. 18, 2008 Secretary Hillary Clintons remarks at the State Department Town Hall Meeting Assignment: Abroad by the U.S. Department of State The Central Intelligence Agency: Who We Are, What We Do by the CIA At the Los Angeles World Affairs Council by retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden CIA Destroys Two Tapes by Mark Mazzetti, New York Times White House Unbuttons Formal Dress Code by Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times The Case That Made the Court by Michael Glennon Roberts Rules by Jeffrey Rosen A Memorial to Forget by Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times Only Woman Medal of Honor Holder Ahead of Her Time by Rudi Williams
It was very inspiring to see these professionals at every office we visited the State Department, the FBI, the CIA, the U.S. Capitol. All of these people are former CAP cadets, Spaatz cadets, who are still involved in the program. It shows this organization has limitless opportunities cadets can take advantage of and that CAP has and can continue to serve as a great foundation for their careers. I want to continue in CAP and to give back to the program the way these individuals have.
Cadet Lt. Col. Zachary King, also an Air Force ROTC cadet
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Who Do the Local Red Cross and Newspaper Call
When They Need Aerial Photos of Flooding?

State Highway M-50, a key evacuation route, was closed when the River Raisin rose over the bridge. No other bridge crosses the river for 10 miles.
By Capt. Steven Solomon
The first call came in at a little after 4 p.m. from the local chapter of the Red Cross. The second, less than 30 minutes later, was from the countys daily newspaper. Both callers wanted to know the same thing: Could the Monroe Composite Squadron take photos of flooded houses and roads in the Monroe County area of southeast Michigan? They called the right person. Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Mark Woodruff received permission to use a Civil Air Patrol airplane, a Cessna 172, which took off a half-hour later from its base at the squadrons headquarters at Monroe Custer Airport. The Red Cross was evacuating homes, said squadron public affairs officer and photographer Capt. Jay Jondro, and they said pictures would be used to ensure that residents living in homes in danger were contacted and to plan for possible evacuation routes to avoid roads where flooding had occurred. The Monroe News which the day before had reported that water from the
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May-July 2009
Photos by Capt. Jay Jondro, Michigan Wing
150-mile-long River Raisin had spilled over the 12-footadded Howard, a private pilot who was at the airport tall Waterloo Dam into Veterans Park wanted aerial working on his skills when he volunteered to join the photos of the cresting river, particularly alongside a state flight crew after the call went out that another member highway now listed as closed, for its news coverage. was needed. The river was quite a bit wider than it We had flown a similar flood mission for the City of usually is. Several homes along the river were surroundMonroe Fire Department in December, Jondro said, ed by water. explaining that the firefighters needed the photos Jondro added, Monroe had received several days of because they provide evacuations in the city and, of downpours by this time, and that, coupled with thawing course, the pictures would help them with info on ground, created flash flooding throughout the county. flooded areas. Farm fields were turned into lakes following another day After the December with more than 4 inches of rain. mission for the Fire After an hour aloft, the mission was Department, the squadron completed and the photos were sent via provided a CD of the phoe-mail in time for the newspapers tos to all emergency services printing schedule. Later, CDs of all units, municipalities and photos taken during the mission were media in the area. produced for other county and emerThey became aware of gency agencies. our capabilities and have And then Woodruff, the squadron called on us for other commander, made a few calls of his missions since then, own: Would the Monroe County Jondro said. Sheriffs Office or the Monroe County The complex at top is Monroe High School. All The aircrew 1st Lt. Emergency Management Division schools in the area were closed because of the Carl Sweeney, pilot; 1st Lt. need his squadrons assistance to help flooding. Philip Howard, observer; with any evacuations? L and Jondro decided during their preflight briefing that, in addition to documenting the condition of the countys secondary roads, they would also take photos of all bridges and underpasses along their route. Aside from getting a good angle for a shot and keeping the wings out of the picture, the most challenging thing for me was trying to fly above the river all the way up, said Sweeney, who noted the River Raisin is called the most crooked river in the world. The rivers so crooked, you lose it in the trees. The river would finally crest at 1.86 feet above its 9-foot flood stage. Flooding along the river was described as the worst in more than 25 years. This flooded area was four miles outside Monroe, Mich. We flew west away from Lake Erie,
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Base, Ala. CAP-U.S. Air Force Staff Judge Advocate Maj. Paul Maraian, CAP National Headquarters General Counsel Rafael Robles and CAP National Chief of Staff Col. Russ Chazell hope taking the course will open the door to similar training opportunities for CAP legal officers and ultimately provide them with greater understanding of Air Force perspectives on legal issues while also familiarizing Air Force legal officers with their CAP counterparts.
CAP-U.S. Air Force Staff Judge Advocate Maj. Paul Maraian, left, CAP National Chief of Staff Col. Russ Chazell and CAP National Headquarters General Counsel Rafael Robles attended a recent U.S. Air Force judge advocate general course on homeland security. The school introduced the homeland security community to the capabilities of CAP and provided participants greater insight into the Air Forces homeland security mindset.
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May-July 2009
Photos by Susan Robertson, CAP National Headquarters
Law Bringers F
CAPs Profile Raised at Air Force JAG Homeland Security Course
By Kimberly L. Wright
Familiarity breeds affinity. That is the idea behind a Civil Air Patrol trios recent participation in an Air Force judge advocate general course at Maxwell Air Force
New Perspectives
The Air Force JAGs weeklong homeland security course provided an in-depth introduction to the complex legal problems encountered during homeland defense missions. It also prepared students to navigate a variety of different legal issues generated by homeland security, including defense support to civilian law enforcement authorities, the Posse Comitatus Act, the status of Air National Guard personnel and response to natural disasters, as well as intelligence operations and oversight. Although some CAP members have likely attended JAG school courses in their Air Force careers, this is the first time a CAP member has attended the Air Force JAG School in a CAP capacity, said Maraian. For the CAP cadre in attendance, the course provided insight into Air Force thought processes while raising Col. Barry Herrin CAPs profile in the homeland security community. Its giving us at CAP a better perspective on what the Air Force is thinking and some of the things they have to consider when theyre deciding whether or not to use CAP, said Chazell, a lawyer. Its an opportunity to see how our counterparts on the other side of the house think on similar issues, and I think it affords us the opportunity to spread the word as to what we do to the rest of the military community, said Robles. Not only did the CAP trio attend the course, they also became part of curriculum. Maraian and CAP Air Force senior adviser Col. Russ Hodgkins, who recently retired, presented an overview of CAP capabilities to class participants who included Air Force JAGs, Air National Guard personnel, other branches of the military and state emergency services personnel. The CAP-USAF presentation generated a lot of interest and several questions, which pushed the presentation over the allotted time. The presentation that Col. Hodgkins and I made ... showed we believe that CAPs one of the team and we introduced them as such, said
Maraian. He hopes to make similar presentations for the Army JAG School to help spread the word about Civil Air Patrols capabilities.
Strengthening Relationships and Providing Support

Though his workload prevented him from attending the homeland security course, CAP National Legal Officer Col. Barry Herrin sees it as more than a one-time opportunity for legal education. He envisions the JAG school course as the first step in CAPs legal track, knitting a greater kinship with its counterparts in the Air Force. He plans to have CAP legal officers attend future JAG school courses on topics applicable to CAP life, including safety, operational security and the inspector general process. CAPs legal officers would benefit from both the increased knowledge and the Air Forces increased awareness of the many skilled men and women serving as legal officers for CAP, he said. L
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CAP members aid

flood-stricken North Dakota
By Capt. Steven Solomon
The messages on the social media Web sites, Twitter and Facebook, were anything but matter-of-fact: We really need volunteers again today to get the dikes buttoned up and fill the rest of the sandbags! Classes will be canceled until next Tuesday so students, staff and faculty can help with flood relief efforts. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those that are working, living and volunteering in the area.
As the Red River and its tributaries slowly rose in March, a blizzard blew through most of the region, covering everything with thick, heavy snow. Power lines went down in western North Dakota and a massive ice jam blocked the Missouri River south of Bismarck. Residents were evacuated. So, it came as no surprise that members of Civil Air Patrol would leave their homes and families to go where the river was flooding North Dakotas Fargo area to fill sandbags and build dikes, fly airplanes and take photos. CAP members were especially appreciated in several specific instances: CAP ground teams assisted local residents with sandbagging operations that helped protect radio station KFGO, a critical emergency communications point for the Fargo community. CAP assistance was a huge help in keeping the radio station running, said Lt. Col. Erik Ludlow, CAPs incident commander for the Mission pilot Col. Walt Vollmers and mission Fargo area, noting that he photographer Cadet 2nd Lt. Eric Jacobson, both dispatched 100 CAP volunof the North Dakota Wing, prepare for takeoff to teers there for six hours, two photograph the overflow at Cottonwood Creek days in a row. CAP really Dam on Lake LaMoure near LaMoure, N.D. came through on that one.
The Red Cross issued an appeal when its own building was in danger, so a CAP ground team responded and erected a dike to ensure the disaster relief organization could continue to support the town and local communities. Arriving at the scene, the vanload of senior members and cadets learned officials had decided there was no way to effectively protect the building, so they were directed to help move the facility. About 14 CAP members emptied the building of important items fuel, supplies, equipment and loaded it on trucks to take to a safer location, said Lt. Col. Troy Krabbenhoft, the North Dakota Wings public affairs officer. CAP planes made 134 flights out of Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot and Dickinson to provide up-to-date imagery for the states Emergency Operations Center. Nearly 325 hours were flown by five aircraft from the
Photo by Lt. Col. Troy Krabbenhoft, North Dakota Wing
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May-July 2009
North Dakota Wing, two from the Minnesota Wing and two from the South Dakota Wing, with 6,235 images provided to the state for use by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state and county emergency managers. Weve done an incredible number of sorties, so it gets to be kind of a blur, said Lt. Col. Kevin Iverson, a mission pilot who flew eight missions himself including one for the states deputy water commissioner, who took about 80 damage assessment photos used to determine locations to drop sand and salt to break up ice jams on the river. Four reconnaissance sorties were flown for FEMA, which coordinated 110 mission assignments to numerous federal and state agencies to protect property and lives statewide. According to CAP records, CAP Cessna 182 aircraft flew about 12 hours for FEMA. They were observation flights for FEMA representatives that allowed them to get a firsthand feel and evaluation of what we were experiencing, said Maj. Sean Johnson, commander of CAPs Bismarck Composite Squadron and director of the State Air and Marine Operations branch. Assistance from members of the
other wings was crucial as North Dakota Wing members worked for days without relief. CAP members, including 122 Minnesota Wing and 20 South Dakota Wing volunteers, had to fight their way in to help after the Fargo-Moorhead area became an island with the closing of most roads because of flooding and snowdrifts. Its the longest and most complicated mission Ive ever done, said Maj. William Kay, the North Dakota Wings director of operations, who served as the missions incident commander. This is by far the most involved. I havent had a day off in weeks. To consolidate CAPs efforts throughout North Dakota, Kay acting as the state area commander split the state among three man-
ageable incident commanders, one each in Bismarck, Fargo and Grand Forks. This allowed members to concentrate on their areas without worrying about what was going on in other parts of the state. Kay was especially proud of the Roughrider Composite Squadrons assistance. Cadets and seniors members worked hard to help residents in Beulah with sandbagging and relocation as the Knife River threatened their small central North Dakota community. Members helped with sandbagging in five neighborhoods, working 24-hour shifts. A night crew filled sandbags in the 115,000-square-foot FargoDome to support those working on the dikes. It has been incredible to see the hard work of the hundreds of CAP
Photo by Capt. Richard Geis, Minnesota Wing
Background photo taken by the aircrew of CAPFlight 3383 shows the city of Halstad, Minn., looking north along U.S. 75, approximately 35 miles north of Fargo on the Red River. Cadet Staff Sgt. Jarek Connolly of the Minnesota Wings Mankato Composite Squadron places sandbags in Moorhead, Minn.
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volunteers all fighting to proForks Air Force Base, nortect homes and critical inframally used by the U.S. structure, said Col. Karl Customs and Border Altenburg, commander of the Protection agency, was North Dakota Wing. There is called into service to prono doubt we have shown the vide real-time video highest degree of selfless service images of trouble spots. during this crisis. According to newspaper The full impact on people accounts, officials were in the affected communities unable to estimate the wont be known until its no cost of using the Cass County, N.D., deputy sheriff Sgt. DuWayne Nitschke, longer cold enough for snow, FEMA Region 8 planning specialist A.D. Hill and CAP pilot Lt. unmanned aircraft, but the rain stops falling, the river Col. Gerald Jay Manley are shown before their flood Johnson, speaking in his recedes and the flooding ends damage assessment flight around Fargo, N.D. capacity as the states air once and for all. and marine operations When its time to tally up director, was unqualified the disaster relief efforts in dollars and cents, records in his opinion: Hands down, CAP provided the most will show CAPs low- and slow-flying airplanes cost an efficient and effective imaging of any platform and has average of less than $100 per hour to complete their the premier disaster reconnaissance assets for emergenmissions. In contrast, a Predator drone based at Grand cies in our state. L
Photo by Lt. Col. Troy Krabbenhoft, North Dakota Wing
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May-July 2009
Best of the best

Photo courtesy of Michael A. Murphy, Spaatz Association
Civil Air Patrol cadets take center stage at Spaatz Association awards banquet
By Steve Cox
O
Cadet Col. Natasha Cohen receives her Spaatz Association commemorative challenge coin from Brig. Gen. Richard Anderson, former CAP national commander and current president of the Spaatz Association. The presentation was made in front of a life-size photo of Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, who was represented at the dinner by several family members, including Spaatz family biographer Katharine Gresham.
On an evening commemorating the 45th anniversary of Civil Air Patrols modern cadet program, it was only fitting that a lifelong friendship forged by two cadets served as an inspirational centerpiece for the Spaatz Associations 2009 Mid-Winter Dinner and Awards Event, a night of fellowship for recipients of CAPs highest cadet achievement, the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award. Long-term friends are to be cherished, said U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Bobby J. Wilkes, one of the keynote speakers. Listen to some comments from a friend of mine over 38 years ago.
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Wilkes read a June 5, 1972, letter from wars in Afghanistan the Spaatz Associations national president and Iraq and the emeritus, CAP Maj. Steve Austen, congratustruggle to improve lating Wilkes on his appointment to the Air the global economy. Force Academy Prep School. I know youll You can overcome do us proud, wrote Austen, who first met the uncertainties, Wilkes during a cadet summer encampment he said. You can in Louisiana. keep your dreams Enclosed with the letter was a small framed alive, just like Steve set of Air Force bars and cadet colonel diaAusten, who nurmonds. Those diamonds and bars representtured a dream of ed two major goals for me, the diamonds a mine through a selfU.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense CAP goal and the bars the biggest personal less and kind act. Bobby J. Wilkes is honored by CAP Brig. Gen. goal of my life, wrote Austen. Later I found and Spaatz Association President Richard You too can help that, because of my eyes, I will never achieve Anderson. In his remarks, Wilkes challenged CAP someone achieve my personal goal and will never wear those their dreams and cadets many of them Spaatz Award recipients bars as an armed forces officer. It was then achieve yours. to always follow their dreams, despite the that I resolved to pass on my bars to a deserv- uncertainties of life around them. Among the nearly ing person. 200 people particiThose bars saw Wilkes through the Air Force pating in the celebration, which benefited the Spaatz Academy and on to a long military career. He retired as Associations Aerospace Leadership Scholarship Fund, a major general and most recently served in the were Spaatzs granddaughter and family biographer Pentagon as deputy assistant secretary of defense for Katharine Gresham, first female Thunderbird pilot Air Central Asia. Force Maj. Nicole Malachowski and CAP National Wilkes encouraged the cadets in attendance to overCommander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter. come the many uncertainties of todays world like the
Photo by Capt. Brenda Reed, Maryland Wing
ALL ABOUT EXCELLENCE

Cadet Col. Wayne S. Mowery Jr. holds his Spaatz award and listens as Brig. Gen. Richard Anderson talks about his many accomplishments. CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter presented Mowery with the award during the Spaatz Association Mid-Winter Dinner and Awards Event, held in conjunction with CAPs Winter National Board meeting.
CAPs first female commander and a leading proponent of Civil Air Patrols cadet program, Courter called CAP cadets the best of the best. As prime examples she cited Wilkes and Brig. Gen. Richard Anderson, Spaatz cadet No. 193, who became CAPs national commander and is now Spaatz Association president and a member of its Board of Governors. Its always been about excellence, said Courter, adding that CAP is developing a pipeline of high achievers. Folks like Eric Boe (CAPs first astronaut) and Hila Levy (CAPs first Rhodes scholar) are finding ways to reach out, she said. Courter was on hand for a spectacular November 2008 night launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour from Kennedy Space Center with Air Force Col. Boe,
May-July 2009
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Photo by Steve Cox, CAP National Headquarters
Spaatz award No. 648, at the controls. Boe was the for junior cadets and always lead by example, he said. orbiters pilot and second in command for STS-126, In my opinion, being a Spaatz cadet is where the true which rendezvoused with the International Space work really begins. Station during a 16-day flight. The first Spaatz A freshman at the University of award recipient to travel into space, Boe carried Maryland in College Park, Mowery his Spaatz Association commemorative challenge plans to double-major in political scicoin into orbit. The coin will be permanently ence and Arabic studies and hopes to displayed at CAP National Headquarters at one day serve his country in the armed Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. forces and on Capitol Hill. Last May, Courter congratulated Air Force Cohen passed the Spaatz exam on her 2nd Lt. Levy, Spaatz award No. 1523, during first attempt. Like Mowery, Cohen, 20, graduation ceremonies at the U.S. Air Force was influenced by her squadron comAcademy. Levy graduated first in order of Civil Air Patrol Maj. Steve mander to work for the award. I never merit in the academys Class of 2008 and was Austen earned Spaatz planned to test beyond cadet major, selected for a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to award No. 161 in 1971. said Cohen, a freshman at Boston Oxford University, where she is studying globUniversity, where she is majoring in al health science. international relations with a minor in Courter noted the Spaatz award, with its promotion Russian. I did it because New York Wing hadnt had to the highest cadet rank of colonel, is the culmination a Spaatz cadet since 2005; I also went for it to honor of a CAP cadets career and the model for us. The my squadron and Lt. Col. Johnnie Pantanelli, who award is presented to less than one-half of 1 percent of joined CAP in December of 1944 and in all her years the nearly 22,000 CAP cadets nationwide. To earn it, as squadron commander never had a cadet achieve the cadets must complete all 16 prior achievements followed Spaatz award. by a rigorous exam process, including a written aeroAs she has during her nearly seven years as a cadet, space exam, written leadership exam, physical fitness test Cohen plans to continue to nurture and mentor and moral leadership essay. younger cadets and to help them achieve everything they can through the cadet program.
RECOGNIZING NOS. 1721 AND 1722

The event also included presentation of a Spaatz Association challenge coin to Cadet Cols. Wayne S. Mowery Jr. and Natasha Cohen, Nos. 1721 and 1722, respectively. The moment was not lost on Mowery. It was absolutely incredible! I felt honored to have the award presented amongst an audience that truly understood the significance of the achievement, he said. Mowery, 20, joined Civil Air Patrol in 2004, and immediately set out in pursuit of CAPs highest cadet achievement. Being a Spaatz cadet means much more than being able to say I completed the cadet program. Its a binding obligation that whatever I do in life I will do to the best of my ability, that I will set the example
AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS
Each year, the Spaatz Association gives out three $2,500 Aerospace Leadership Scholarships that allow cadets to earn their private pilots licenses at no cost. Over the years, these scholarships have totaled more than $75,000. The 2009 recipients recognized during the banquet were Cadet Lt. Col. Zachary King of the New Jersey Wing, Cadet Capt. Noah Bendele of the Pennsylvania Wing and Cadet Lt. Col. Jared Gragan of the West Virginia Wing. L Maryland Wing Public Affairs Officer Capt. Brenda Reed and Northeast Region Director of Public Affairs Capt. James A. Ridley contributed to this report.
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Final salute pays tribute to CAP national curator
Bill Schell
By Neil Probst
Then-U.S. Air Force Reserve Maj. Bill Schell was pleased to learn he wasnt the only U.S. military serviceman in the Arctic. Here, Marines fuel the Twin Otter aircraft Schell flew during trips to ice stations.
It has been one great adventure (after another), and all because of the fact that I joined CAP. m
Civil Air Patrol Col. Bill Schell
His cadet membership launched a career of adventure
With his March 23 passing, Col. August William (Bill) Schell, national curator for Civil Air Patrol, became a part of the CAP history he worked so diligently to preserve. A retired U.S. Air Force major, Schell saw the world and took part in many of the nations most historic events from the release of U.S. prisoners of war from Vietnam to launches of spacecraft from Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Air Force took him everywhere, but his bridge
A cold Bill Schell, then a major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, poses at Ice Station Ruby, where he visited U.S. scientists tracking Soviet submarines beneath the ice. The Arctic, with months of complete winter darkness and wind chills of nearly 100 degrees below zero, was a place Schell felt blessed to visit but thankful not to be stationed for years.
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May-July 2009
to the Air Force was, of course, Civil Air Patrol. When Schell joined as a cadet in 1944, he joined a CAP with a markedly different cadet mission. At the time, the reason for the cadets (program) was to train young men to go into the Air Force when they turned 17, Schell said early in 2009. It was premilitary. It was, Hey, we have a Animals outnumbered people in the Arctic when Schell was there. Danes war going on, and we need some guys coming kept sled dogs for transportation and companionship, and Schell also in, he said. found himself surrounded by abundant foxes and hares. Schell stayed with CAP through high school and college, rising to chief warrant officer and earning observer wings. It was then he made a decision that would set the Worldly ways course for the adventures he would enjoy for the next History seemed to closely shadow Schell throughout 30 years. his career. In the mid-1970s as a public affairs officer, It was 1950, and Schell was beginning college at the he found himself involved in media relations during University of Miami. Operation Homecoming, when thousands of U.S. Because of the knowledge I had gained as a CAP POWs held in Vietnam were freed. cadet, I decided to enter the Air Force ROTC program The POWs were first transferred to Clark Air Force and try for an Air Force commission, Schell said. Base in the Philippines, where Schell helped the media interview the servicemen while they were hospitalized Launches galore for out-processing. Not only did Schell witness the spaceflight launches He had no idea while he performed his duties that of Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom and, later, Neil he would meet a future U.S. senator and presidential Armstrong while stationed as a public affairs officer at candidate. Patrick Air Force Base on Floridas east coast, where he I met a lot of the returnees, including, and Im sure also commanded the base honor guard, but he also he doesnt remember me, John McCain, Schell said. played a part in defusing quite literally the Cuban Missile Crisis while stationed in Turkey in 1963. Something more They were installing the Jupiter missiles over there, Twenty years had now passed since Schells CAPand the fact that we had Jupiter missiles in Turkey inspired Air Force adventure began. Yet something made (Soviet Premier Nikita) Khrushchev put his miswas missing. siles in Cuba, said Schell, then a nuclear ordnance supSchell had yet to work at Strategic Air Command, or ply officer. SAC, the Air Forces answer to Cold War threats that When President John F. Kennedy secretly told the could potentially bring nuclear war to the United States. Soviet leader he would remove American warheads from He got his wish and, even better for him, was Turkey if Khrushchev would reciprocate in Cuba, it fell assigned to SAC Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, to Schell to separate the warheads from the missiles in Neb., shortly after returning from Vietnam. Turkey and return them to the U.S. SAC maintained, among many other things, longI came to be the individual who performed the final range bombers centrally located in the Midwest, out of act of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Schell said. reach at the time of potential threats from hostile nations.
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The scene was one of total isolation, Schell wrote in an account of his experience. Little did Schell know he would soon be near the Arriving at the ice station, he found himself facing North Pole. During his stay at SAC, Schell was a nearly 50-mph wind that made 45 degrees below assigned to man the public affairs office at Thule Air zero feel like 100 below. Base in Greenland. Following the brief trip to Ruby, Thule held its own where he nearly suffered frostbite, historic significance as Schell returned to Nord in a sea an early warning radar of white. site that existed to Fortunately, he was only there for a warn the U.S. military brief visit; the five Danes he met were of incoming missiles working two-year shifts guarding the should they be fired sovereignty of their Arctic territory by the Soviet Union. with their presence. Thule Air Base Twenty-one others lived there as also supported well, all attached to the U.S. Naval Danish allies who Schell, working in the public affairs office at Thule Air Arctic Research Laboratory at Barrow, manned a tiny outBase in Greenland, shakes hands with Santa Claus in Alaska. They were scientists with post very close to the 1976. At the time Schell was editor of the Thule Times, the laboratory who tracked the North Pole. a Thule Air Base publication. Soviet submarines. A Danish liaison They told Schell of their unique officer and friend of challenges, like the lonely times Schells invited him without sunlight. to visit the outpost in 1976 for a story Schell, then Thats really something, when youre up there for editor of the Thule Times, would write
The North Pole
about Danish-U.S. relations. There perhaps was no finer adventure for Schell, who was headed to a place few humans have the opportunity to experience except perhaps through a television screen. He stayed with U.S. Marines and Danish military personnel for three days at Denmarks Sirius Nord, at the far northeast tip of Greenland on the ice-laden Arctic Ocean.
Land of ice
Schell now found himself 1,000 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Shortly after arriving at Sirius Nord, he jumped on a Twin Otter, a dual-propeller aircraft that carried him to an ice station called Ruby. There, he observed experiments U.S. scientists conducted to track Soviet submarines beneath the ice.
Schell, front row third from left, stands with his special weapons team in 1963 at Cigli Air Base in Turkey, where he supervised the disarming of nuclear missiles, helping mark the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
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May-July 2009
four months with nothing but dark around, he said. In the Arctic, in fact, complete darkness descends from October to March. Then during summer, the area is bathed in unending sunlight. Schell said he ate and slept well at Nord and enjoyed brief ventures to ice stations with research scientists. Travel was by either airplane or sled, because no paved roads were to be found. Animals outnumbered men; dogs pulled sleds and kept the Danes company, along with unique mammals. We had arctic fox all over the place. (And) they had arctic hares. All-white. The tips of their ears were black, he said.
CAP history made, remembered and preserved

The memorabilia that Col. Bill Schell had been collecting as a hobby became the start of the CAP National Historical Collection when he was named CAPs first national curator in 1999. By requesting the creation of a curator position, CAP national historian Col. Leonard Blascovich secured Schells collection skills for CAP and freed up some funding for Schell to pursue additions to it. Blascovich said eBay became a favorite hunting ground for Schell to bolster the CAP collection, which Blascovich estimates now stands at roughly 10,000 items. Included are CAP uniforms from 1941-2009; most CAP insignia and wing patches; many examples of magazine advertisements; stories written about CAP; pieces of mail denoting CAP service and postmarked from World War II to present day; and some of the original air medals awarded for World War II service. One item of particular significance is the original droopy wings insignia that had been presented to its New York designer after the insignia was adopted for CAP use. Lost for a long time, Schell tracked it down on eBay following the death of the designers wife. Currently, the collection is housed in a climate-controlled Maryland warehouse. Blascovich noted CAP is working on a plan to loan out parts of the collection to museums and shows and is putting photographs of the memorabilia on CDs to facilitate historical research.
Photo by Jim Tynan, CAP National Headquarters
Full circle
Back in the states in 1977, Schell said farewell to the Air Force and shortly thereafter went to work with the National Security Agency in Baltimore. His departure from the military coupled with the newfound stability of home life afforded him the opportunity to return to his roots. Schell rejoined Civil Air Patrol, the organization that had led him to the Air Force and his many adventures as a Cold War warrior, POW homecoming media coordinator and Arctic adventurer. As CAPs national curator, Schell devoted much of his time to ensuring CAPs past was properly preserved and documented. He was always thankful to CAP for kick-starting his eventful life. It has been one great adventure (after another), and all because of the fact that I joined CAP, he said. L
Col. Bill Schell took display boards filled with Civil Air Patrol historical artifacts to many CAP meetings and shows over the years.
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Wing Banker Program Pays Dividends

By Lenore Vickery
CAP Receives First-Ever Unqualified Audit
Civil Air Patrol is now the through the wing level helped solve proud recipient of an unqualified this problem. The wing, in essence, audit by independent auditors became the banker for every squadron the first in its history. This in its state. achievement was the result of We hold the funds, pay out money CAP revolutionizing its accountfor expenditures and bills and do the ing procedures nationwide, thanks CAPs unqualified audit was made possible accounting and reporting, Vest told the thanks to implementation of the Wing to processes first begun in 2006 Civil Air Patrol Volunteer in a JanuaryBanker Program conceived by then Lt. Col. through the Wing Banker February 2007 interview introducing Warren Vest, the Virginia Wings former Program introduced by Col. the wing-based program. We do all director of finance. Vest, now a colonel, Warren Vest of the Middle East this following some very specific rules. recently earned CAPs Distinguished Region, the Virginia Wings forLeaders in CAPs nearly 1,600 units Service Award for his introduction of the mer director of finance. soon realized how easy the transition finance program. If I have played some role in was and got on board with the process. achieving that unqualified opinion, CAP gave Vest permission to introduce then I am happy for CAP, said Vest. A not-for-profit the program nationwide and phase it in over three years. organization cannot practice transparent governance and Every level of CAP responded to the challenge. demonstrate full accountability for public funds with A dedicated corporate staff responded with the trainqualifications on their audited financial statements. The ing and resources to succeed, said Billy Daniels, a certientire financial team, both volunteer and corporate, fied public accountant and certified government finandeserves the credit for this step forward. cial manager with Wilson, Price, Barranco, Blankenship Before Vest conceived the Wing Bankers Program, and Billingsley, P.C., the Montgomery, Ala., accounting managing the financial activity of CAPs 52 wings firm that issued the unqualified audit. A command which represent all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., staff responded with the leadership and, ultimately, a and Puerto Rico was a monumental challenge. Units diligent army of volunteers responded and made it were required to submit annual reports, and their timeliwork. The commitment of these team players has ness and accuracy were not always consistent. Directors ensured success and illustrated financial accountability of finance had to consolidate the information to be subto the stakeholders. mitted to National Headquarters without having confiWitnessing an organization such as CAP emerge dence in the results. over the last few years with an unqualified audit has Vests innovative solution to bring the cash been one of the highlights of my career, he said. L
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May-July 2009
Photo by Lt. Col. Maurice Thomas, Middle East Region
Civil Air Patrol Crossword

Answers on page 52
Down
1. CAP part 2. Airplane trick 3. ___ Programs, one of the three missions of CAP 4. Tech department 5. Richmond locale 6. Meadow 7. Solo, for example 8. CAP part 9. Stock indicator 11. Famous fruit picker 13. Eye infection 14. CAPs kind of planes 15. Turkish title of rank 17. Hawaiian headwear 18. Mini-___, family vehicle 21. Prefix meaning information about 22. Medical man 24. Poet, Cummings 26. Give details 28. The shape of a wing 36. Aircraft storage place 29. Heart problem? 40. Pilot in Command 33. Hearing aids 41. This describes the mode of transmis- 34. Leaning tower sion of radio signal from transmitter 35. ATL part to receiver 37. A fuel additive that increases a model 43. Great lake engines ability to idle low and 44. Boat equipment improves high speed performance 45. Chaotic situations 38. Equipment 47. What happens when the angle of 39. Aircraft rotation attach is too great to generate lift 40. Earlier suffix regardless of airspeed 42. McKinley, for example 48. Have dinner 46. Spanish break? 50. Rest and relaxation, abbr. 49. The force which tends to 51. Cool J or Bean? cause rotation 53. ___ death us do part 52. Hollywoods home 55. It resounds 54. 21st century communication, abbr. 58. Having wings 56. Angels surround 60. Trademark symbol 57. The main lifting surface 61. After Q? of an airplane 62. Class ___, type of medical certificate 59. Old Italian currency you must have to become a CAP pilot 61. Race ones engine 63. Put your chips in 62. Des Moines locale 64. Monies borrowed 63. To __ or not to __, .... Shakespeares 66. Married woman in Hamburg Hamlet 68. This causes the airplane to 65. Eithers partner climb or dive 66. End of the week day starters 69. Car storage place 67. Agricultural, abbr.
Across
1. CAP flier 3. CAP part 7. In order for a pilot to fly with CAP, he/she must have a certificate approved by this organization 9. Info 10. Slippery slider 12. Amount of hours a week that cadets meet 13. Landscaper's grass 14. Fancy snack 16. Youngest cadet age 19. Chicken product? 20. Buddhist sacred sound 22. I did it __ way 23. Make fun of 25. Possesses 27. ___ing, eagle, the very front edge of the wing or stabilizer 30. Bug 31. Musical scale note 32. Baby ___, worlds first aircraft to be marketed as a homebuilt 34. Exercise class 35. Ocean pollutant
50
May-July 2009
Achievements
Gill Robb Wilson Award
Highest award given to senior members who complete Level V of the Civil Air Patrol Senior Member Training Program. (Only about 5 percent of CAP senior members achieve this award.) The senior members listed below received their awards in January, February and March. Col. William R. Bass Maj. James L. Nova Lt. Col. Paul R. Gerst Maj. Paul S. Cianciolo Lt. Col. Rodney S. Patterson Lt. Col. Shirley E. Arnold Lt. Col. James L. Card Maj. Scott G. Hamre Maj. Michael J. Mouw Maj. Matthew R. Chastain Maj. Jeffrey D. Morris Lt. Col. Dennis L. Pearson Lt. Col. Phillip B. Collins Lt. Col. Harry C. Stafford Lt. Col. Greg A. Novak Maj. John P. Kay Maj. James L. Shaw Lt. Col. Richard L. Parker Lt. Col. Thomas Carello Maj. Thomas S. Vreeland Maj. Robert H. Mcmillan Lt. Col. Charles Joseph Fandel Lt. Col. Dent W. Young Lt. Col. Garrett L. Sager Maj. Harold B. Wilson AL AZ CA DC FL GA GA GA IA IN KS KS LA LA MD NC NHQ NV NY NY OK OR TN TX TX
Paul E. Garber Award

Second-highest award given to senior members who complete Level IV of the CAP Senior Member Training Program. The officers listed below received their awards in January, February and March. Col. William R. Bass Maj. Jason E. McNully Maj. Wayne R. Fiscus Maj. Brett D. Dolnick Lt. Col. Paul R. Gerst Capt. Thomas R. Hoekstra Maj. Deanna (Dee) K. Osargent Capt. Arthur P. Ford Maj. Michael C. Godwin Maj. James R. Strickland Maj. Marcia B. Strahl Lt. Col. Phillip B. Collins Lt. Col. Edmond A. Jones Capt. Sherry McManus Capt. Curtis D. Slininger 1st Lt. James E. Gregory Maj. Dominic (Nic) R. Goupil Maj. Michael L. Hall Maj. Patrick M. Harris Lt. Col. Teresa A. Parker Maj. Thomas S. Vreeland Lt. Col. Gregory L. Mathews Capt. Larry K. Nelson Maj. Jack E. Mullinax Lt. Col. Gary T. Ward Capt. Stephen G. Barclay Maj. John H. Boyd Maj. Frederick O. Gockel Capt. Christopher J. Rousseau Lt. Col. C. Frederick Pingel Maj. Robert O. Bowen AL AR AZ CA CA CA CA CO FL FL IL LA LA MD ME MI NH NH NV NV NY OH SC TN TN TX TX TX TX UT WI
Gen. Ira C. Eaker Award

Second-highest award for cadets who successfully complete all Phase IV requirements of the CAP Cadet Program. The cadets listed below received their awards in January, February and March. Celeste Y. Brewer Anthony C. Davis Christopher S. Murray Graham A. Painter Steven A. DeCraene Gerard Smith Erica L. Tremblay Diane E. Mattingly Victor R. Traven Spenser T. Stevenson David M. Lucey William Smedley Matthew R. Gomes Michael J. Leskowat Holly M. Bevagna Luis Hernandez Kate E. Forsythe Nathan J. Carey Parth S. Patel Kayla D. Stiles Aemon C. Broughear Clayton D. Amann Daniel R. Ertl FL GA GA GA IL IL MA MD MD MI MN NH NJ OK PR PR RI TX TX TX VA WA WI
Puzzle on page 50
Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award

Megan G. Cleary Joseph R. O'Loughlin Stefanie L. Burton Robert J. Wilson Highest award for cadets who complete Thomas Aaron Redfield all phases of the CAP Cadet Program Stephanie J. Grzelak and the Spaatz award examination. Zachary T. Bowen (Only about one-half of 1 percent of Wayne S. Mowery CAP cadets achieve this award.) The Natasha B. Cohen cadets listed below received their Christopher N. Bingman awards in January, February and March. John L. Garrison
CA CO DC DC IN MA MD MD NY OH UT
May-July 2009
52
[ region news ]
Great Lakes
OHIO Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker Composite Squadron members stepped up for Americas military men and women deployed around the world when the Armed Services Blood Program held a blood drive at the Army Reserve Training Center in Whitehall. With the current mobilization of U.S. armed forces, the need for blood is critical, and CAP members decided to do their part to provide support. Blood donated to the program is rapidly transported to where the need is greatest, typically within just a couple of days. When the armed services run low on blood products, officials then have to buy the units from other civilian sources, sometimes at a much higher cost to the taxpayer. Civil Air Patrol is committed to community and civil service, said Cadet Sr. Airman Kelsea Callahan donates Capt. Dan Petry, Rickenbacker squadron commander, who was joined blood for the first time at the Armed by eight cadets at the blood drive. Helping save lives through our Services Blood Program blood drive. emergency services program or donating blood to help our troops are just some of the ways we are helping our community, state and nation. Though only a few of the cadets were old enough to give blood, their younger counterparts assisted the staff with refreshments. For Cadet Sr. Airman Kelsea Callahan, who donated for the first time, the occasion caused a little nervousness beforehand but was well worth it. Knowing that I am making a difference to some soldiers life is amazing! Callahan said. What a gift, to possibly be giving someone another chance at life! >> 1st Lt. John C. Morgan
Photo by Cadet Capt. Nathan Spehr, Ohio Wing
Ohio unit lends support to Armed Services Blood Program
Middle East
South Carolina commander uses own plane as teaching tool
SOUTH CAROLINA When Sr. Mbr. Cleveland Gore, commander of the Walterboro Composite Squadron, wanted to give cadets in the recently formed unit a hands-on lesson on the inner workings of a plane, he used his own Cessna 150 for the discussion. During a cadet meeting, he took the cadets to the hangar and, in pairs of two and in stages, had them take off the Cessnas cowling. He then explained what they were doing, asked questions about items they had covered in their module and challenged them to put into practice everything they had learned in CAP aerospace education coursework. The cadets were able to correctly identify various parts of the horizontally opposed aircraft engines, functional purposes of the aircraft magneto system and the planes flight controls, fuel supply and delivery systems.
Walterboro Composite Squadron Cadet Airman 1st Class Elliesse Jackson-Gill begins removing the Cessnas cowl.
Photo by 2nd Lt. Rita Gore, South Carolina Wing
At one point, senior members observing the cadets asked to join in to learn the same systems. >> 2nd Lt. Rita Gore
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[ region news ]
North Central
Minnesota members enjoy weekend behind locked doors
MINNESOTA Finding fun ways to beat the late-winter blues wasnt hard for 200 Minnesota Wing members and their families during the annual Lock-In and Volleyball Tournament hosted by the St. Cloud Composite Squadron. The event included a volleyball tournament and an evening and overnight stay packed with food, rock climbing, flight simulators, movies, games, swimming, dodgeball and hoops at St. Cloud State Universitys state-of-theart student recreation center.
Cadets from squadrons across the Minnesota Wing enjoy a card game with new and old friends.
The goal of the event is to provide cadets, seniors members and families from across the Minnesota Wing an opportunity to socialize and interact with each other in a safe, holistic environment, said the St. Cloud squadrons 1st Lt. Steven Parker, who organized the lock-in portion. It seems everyone had a positive experience. In the volleyball competition, Viking Composite Squadron cadets took top honors, with a cadet team from the St. Croix Composite Squadron placing second. The wing headquarters Wing Nuts, a team of senior members, finished third. Congratulations to the more than 160 cadets who participated in the 19-team volleyball tournament, Capt. Laura Broker, organizer of the competition, told participants. Thank you for your infectious enthusiasm! >> Capt. Richard J. Sprouse
Northeast
New York member honored for remote role in Florida rescue
NEW YORK When a Florida Wing aircrew found a downed helicopter with four survivors last September, another Civil Air Patrol member was playing a key role some 1,300 miles away in Rome, N.Y. Thats where Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Paul Kulesa, who is also a Civil Air Patrol first lieutenant and deputy commander of the Utica Cadet Squadron, serves at the Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS), which monitors air traffic over the eastern half of the country.
Photo by Brooke Davis, Northeast Air Defense Sector
The Florida aircrews search for the missing chopper involved a huge area, and time was of the essence. NEADS has the technology to conduct a real time look-back at any aircraft at any given time, said Kulesa, who was on duty at the time. This gives us the ability to spot where an aircraft may stop, but not necessarily land, he said. Radar information put the copters last known position near the edge of the Everglades and Florida Bays open waters. It led the aircrew to the downed helicopter, flipped over and partially submerged with the four men standing on it and waving frantically. Air Force Col. John P. Bartholf, commander of NEADS, recently recognized Kulesas time-critical role and presented him with a Commanders Commendation Award. Kulesas diligent, meticulous manipulation of the archived raw radar data and close coordination directly with the Civil Air Patrol resulted in the expeditious and successful rescue of all four civilian passengers, the commendation reads. >> 1st Lt. Bob Stronach
1st Lt. Paul Kulesa monitors flight data at the Northeast Air Defense Sector, where he works as an Air National Guard technical sergeant.
54
May-July 2009
Photo by Capt. Richard J. Sprouse, Minnesota Wing
Pacific
California cadets refine radio skills
CALIFORNIA While most teens are busy listening to the radio, cadets from Corona Cadet Squadron 29 are transmitting over the airwaves. In an effort to expand the squadrons role in CAP communications, cadets participate in weekly VHF radio nets. It is great to see cadets sit down and take the time to learn how to do this, said Capt. Michael Yamada, the units aerospace education officer. After all squadron cadets completed Basic Communication User Training, several continued on to complete Advanced Communication User Training, and then began working on requirements to earn their communications badges.
1st Lt. Paul Saba shows cadets the proper method to check into a directed net.
Our squadron has been trying to expand our role in emergency services, said Capt. Doug Giles, squadron commander. Training cadets in communications is part of that mission. Cadet Master Sgt. James Aeschliman added, I want to improve my skills as a mission radio operator (and) perhaps become qualified as a communications unit leader one day. >> 1st Lt. Paul J. Saba
Rocky Mountain
Colorado cadet receives Spaatz award from NORAD commander
COLORADO When Cadet Col. Kristopher Poskey of the Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron received Civil Air Patrols highest cadet honor, the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award, the presentation was made by an appropriately prestigious figure Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command. Renuart addressed the Colorado Springs squadron and guests during the Spaatz ceremony held at Peterson Air Force Base. He told those assembled that what Ive learned and what I certainly understand now in my current job is that the Air Force auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol, allows us the capability that is probably the best bang for the buck you can find. And maybe most importantly, he said, [involvement in CAP] provides an opportunity for young men and young women to be associated with something a little bigger than themselves, to be associated with something that is important to their country and their community. Renuart called the Spaatz award a great way to recognize the performance, commitment, sense of duty and sense of service demonstrated by Poskey. From the squadrons color guard, the new cadet colonel received a flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol. Also, Colorado Wing Commander Col. Edward Phelka presented him with the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz silver coin, initiating him into the Spaatz Association, a nonprofit organization of past and present CAP cadets whove earned the programs highest cadet honor. >> Sr. Mbr. Eric Moldenhauer
Photo by Sr. Mbr. Eric Moldenhauer, Colorado Wing
Gen. Victor Renuart, commander of NORAD, presents Cadet Col. Kristopher Poskey with his Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award certificate.
55
Photo by 1st Lt. Eric Velasco, California Wing
[ region news ]
Photo by Capt. Jim Phillips, Georgia Wing
Southeast
Weekend immerses Georgia cadets in aviation exploration
GEORGIA More than 50 Georgia Wing cadets devoted a busy weekend in Savannah to exploring multiple aspects of aviation, ranging from historic warbirds and current aircraft to corporate practices and employment opportunities. Sponsored by the wings Group 6, the weekend enabled members of the Savannah, Statesboro and Augusta composite squadrons and the Effingham Cadet Squadron to tour the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum, where they encountered living history in the form of their tour guide a member of a World War II B-17 bomber crew. They toured exhibits and inspected aircraft, ranging from a Phantom fighter to a B-47 six-engine jet bomber and including the Eighths newly acquired B-17, the City of Savannah.
Cadet Airman Basic Allyson Priestley of the Savannah Composite Squadron makes herself at home in the cockpit of the HH-65 Dolphin helicopter flown in by an aircrew from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Savannah.
In addition, FlightSafety International Inc. hosted the cadets on an extended tour of company facilities. They learned about technical training for modern business jets pilots and crews, aircraft simulators, water survival training and maintenance. Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. welcomed the group as well, providing a complete tour of manufacturing, testing and service facilities and allowing the visitors aboard Gulfstreams G-550 twin-engine corporate demonstration aircraft. U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Savannah flew its HH-65 Dolphin helicopter to Signature Flight Supports ramp at the airport, where cadets talked with the crew, inspected the helicopter and climbed aboard. Another crew, from Marine Aerial Refuel Transport Squadron 252 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., made its aircraft, a U.S. Corps KC-130J aerial tanker/transport, available as well. During their visit, cadets talked with the crew about service as military aviators. >> Capt. Jim Phillips
Southwest
Louisiana aircrews demonstrate photo capabilities to disaster experts
LOUISIANA After partnering with National Incident Management Systems and Advanced Technologies (NIMSAT) at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as part of a focus on disaster management, the Louisiana Wing followed up with an exercise to demonstrate its capabilities in capturing and displaying high-resolution aerial photos. Civil Air Patrol pilots and observers flew a photo survey mission to assess selected structures. They were joined by Dr. Robert Stewart, the universitys vice president for research and graduate studies; Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, executive director of the institute; and Larry J. Landry, assistant director of homeland security for St. Martin Parish. Aerial imaging technology made real-time views of the targets available to all users. Versions of these images were e-mailed for others to use. The exercise was a great success, and we look forward to working with NIMSAT in the future, said Lt. Col. Mickey Marchand, incident commander for the exercise and emergency services officer for the wing. Officials began exploring a possible relationship between the NIMSAT Institute and CAP last year and made significant progress during hurricanes Gustav and Ike. While working in the state of Louisianas emergency operations center before and after the storms, the institutes staff assessed the likely damage the storms could cause, determining which facilities might be vulnerable and how their temporary loss could affect municipal services. Once Hurricane Gustav made landfall, team members assessed its impact. After that, they worked with state agencies to have CAP assigned to take aerial photography and record first-hand observations of affected assets. NIMSAT is a national partnership of more than 30 public, private and nonprofit organizations in 16 states. Its mission is to enhance national resiliency to a full range of potential disasters by conducting research leading to cutting-edge tools and applications that strengthen homeland security and emergency management agencies through education, training and operational support. >> Maj. Michael James
Photo by John Zaremba, Louisiana Wing
Heading to their airplane as part of the aerial photography exercise, Shreveport Senior Squadrons Lt. Col. Doc Barnard, the pilot, left, and Maj. Michael Falcon, observer, flank Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, executive director of the University of Louisiana at Lafayettes NIMSAT Institute.
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May-July 2009

Civil Air Patrol News - Jun 2009

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CIVIL AIR PATROL

Photo by Susan Robertson, CAP National Headquarters

CAP prepares fighters to intercept airspace intruders

The art of the hunt

Civil Air Patrol Volunteer

Citizens Serving Communities...Above and Beyond

IN THE EYE OF THE TIGER

Civil Air Patrol Volunteer

Homeland Security Legislation

Photo by Lt. Col. Donald Winkler, Wisconsin Wing

[ from your national commander ]

Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter CAP National Commander

Civil Air Patrol Volunteer

Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

CAP leaders visit LDS Church Elder

MAGAZINE EDITORIAL BOARD

CAP member named Avionics Technician of the Year

Citizens Serving Communities...Above and Beyond

CAP Cadet Responds to Fatal Shooting Scene

Photo courtesy of Union Volunteer Emergency Squad

Photo by Cadet Tech. Sgt. Beverly Martin, New York Wing

Cadet Conners Milestones

Citizens Serving Communities...Above and Beyond

Photo courtesy of Press & Sun Bulletin

FIVE DAYS OF NEGOTIATIONS

Civil Air Patrol Volunteer

Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy

From Cadet to Tactical Action Officer

CAP unit chartered with the name of an

Civil Air Patrol Volunteer

It takes a village and some airplanes

Photo by Maj. Mike Coffing, Alaska Wing

Nunam Iqua resident Ann Strongheart, left, helps Capt. Udo

Photo by Capt. Udo Cassee, Alaska Wing

Where the next meal comes from

Photo by Maj. Mike Coffing, Alaska Wing

Location, location, location

Challenges and CAPabilities

Photo courtesy of Larry Mayer, Billings (Mont.) Gazette

Photo by Maj. Mark Young, Rocky Mountain Region

Another typical Rocky Mountain mission

Civil Air Patrol Volunteer

Photo by Capt. Steve Schneider, Colorado Wing

Rocky Mountain Region Fiscal Year 2008 Saves

Photo courtesy of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center

Shared with: Nevada, Utah Nevada

Photo by Capt. George Janson, Colorado Wing

Illinois, Pennsylvania New Jersey California Pennsylvania

Citizens Serving Communities...Above and Beyond

2009 Winter Board at a Glance

Citizens Serving Communities...Above and Beyond

CAP goes to the Hill for

Photo by Ryan Easterling, CAP National Headquarters

2009 Legislative Day

Photo by Susan Robertson, CAP National Headquarters

Photo by Ryan Easterling, CAP National Headquarters

Academy, a five-day CAP program that provides an in-depth look at citizenship

Civil Air Patrol Volunteer

Reading List for Civic Leadership Academy

Citizens Serving Communities...Above and Beyond

Who Do the Local Red Cross and Newspaper Call

When They Need Aerial Photos of Flooding?

By Capt. Steven Solomon

Photos by Capt. Jay Jondro, Michigan Wing