Wyoming

Wings
August 2007

See cover story on page 3 . . .

 
 Wyoming Wings
The Wyoming Wings is an autho-
rized magazine published three
times a year in the interest of the
members of Wyoming Wing,
Civil Air Patrol. The printers
are a private firm in no way con-
nected with the Department of
the Air Force or Civil Air Patrol.
Opinions expressed by the pub-
lishers and writers are their own
and not to be considered official
expression by Civil Air Patrol or
the Air Force. The appearance of
advertisements in this publica-
tion, including supplements and
inserts, does not constitute an
endorsement by Civil Air Patrol
or the Department of the Air
Force of products and services
advertised.
H HEADQUARTERS H
Wyoming Wing
Civil Air Patrol
Bldg. 233
Warren AFB
(307) 773-4519
Fax (307) 773-4783
H Mailing Address H
Wyoming Wing
Civil Air Patrol
P. O. Box 9507
Cheyenne, WY 82003-9507
Wing Commander
Colonel Stan Skabut
Editor
2d Lt Jeanne Stone-Hunter
For information on
advertising rates and space,
please call
1-800-635-6036
 
Commander’s Comments
Colonel Stan Skrabut, CAP Commander
As I sit down to write this
article, I realize that it is the 17th
of June, three months to the day
of when I was appointed as wing
commander. A lot has happened in
that short span of time. Let me take
a moment to fill you in.
Being appointed as wing com-
mander was not on my schedule of
things to do, at least not in this point
of time. However, Col Cook indi-
cated that he had health concerns
and had to step down. Col Chazell,
Region Commander, asked me if I
was ready to assume commander.
Indicating that I was, the fun began.
Once appointed, I came to the real-
ization that the wing was down to
the last six weeks to prepare for the
very important compliance inspec-
tion. As a team, we worked on
the various weak areas identified
in the staff assistance visit. In the
beginning of June, the inspectors
came in and gave us a hard look,
and we earned the important grade
of SUCCESSFUL. In short, the
inspectors will not be coming back
anytime soon. They determined
that we are getting the mission
done. I will talk more about the
inspection later in the magazine.
Prior to the compliance inspec-
tion, we were host to the Region
Cadet Competition. Teams from
throughout the region arrived at
F.E. Warren Air Force Base to take
part in the competition. Each state
sent teams to participate, a first in
a long time. A color guard team
out of Cody Cadet Squadron rep-
resented Wyoming. The team was
made up of the following cadets:
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant
Corey Zubik, Cadet Senior Airman
Devin West, Cadet Airman First
Class Kyle Dewey, Cadet Senior
Airman Andy Crawford and
Cadet Technical Sergeant Joseph
Bernavitch. They did a great job!
Speaking of great jobs; Lt Col Eric
Davis was the project officer for
this activity, he and his team did a
magnificent job putting everything
in place to host this great opportu-
nity… thanks!
Also in April, we held
the first SAREX of the season.
Approximately seventy mem-
bers from across Wyoming Wing
attended the training. Twenty sor-
ties were flown for over 34 hours of
flight time. Ground teams were out
Continued on page 11 . . .
Regional Cadet Competition
Wyoming Wing Color Guard
C/CMSgt Corey Zubik
It has been four years since
the Wyoming Wing has par-
ticipated in such an incredulous
regional event. However, this
spring the Cody Cadets have
taken on this rollercoaster of
 
high-stress, anticipation, and
fun-fun time. The idea of par-
ticipating in the Regional Cadet
Competition (RCC) came into
being last year. The wing wanted
all or most of the squadrons to
form a team, but this can be a
daunting task! Some squadrons
wanted to compete yet because
of numbers they where not able
to pull through. For others, it
was merely a matter of not being
able to start. Only one squadron
was able to pull through and that
was the Cody Cadet Squadron.
Continued . . .
Regional Cadet Competition
Continued . . .
The team was commanded by
C/CMSgt Zubik and composed
of C/TSgt Bernavich, C/SrA
West, C/SrA Crawford, and
C/A1C Dewey.
The Color Guard’s training
started in January with little
to go off of. So the cadets and
two senior members (Majors
BJ and Mike Carlson) started
to hit the books and tried to do
their best with what they had.
However, we are all human and
the team made some mistakes
along the way. In order to assist
the Color Guard, Lt Col Davis
and 1st Lt Thomas did joint
work with the Base Honor guard
to help set up an evaluation.
Then, the Wyoming Wing Color
Guard headed to Cheyenne to
be inspected in the 1st week in
March. Even though the team
went down with lots of confi-
dence in their abilities, when
they got there is was like being
hit by a freight train. The team
found out that they still had a lot
of work ahead of them.
This gave the team seven
weeks before they would be
 
competing. It was an all out
sprint to get it right and get
it done now before the RCC
came around. The team and the
seniors started to pull together
like nuclear fusion and work
around the clock nearly every
day of the week.
Before the team and seniors
knew it, the RCC was just an
eight hour trip away. The team
studied, sweated, and dreamed
of this moment to pull all their
work together just for a one and
a half day activity. But little
did they know they still did not
know all the tricks of RCC.
There were still some last min-
ute changes that had to be made Color Guard team at Nationals.
and one or two more tricks had Naturally the other teams and
to be learned. After this, all the Wyoming Wing Color Guard
last minute changes and all the were a little discouraged about
anticipation was over before losing. But they knew in their
the team knew it. The activity hearts that they did their best
was over in a flash! The team and the best team won. Plus
was at the banquet anticipat- now one team knew the tricks
ing who won, how did they do, and would be back to haunt the
was it truly over? And in a gut region once again!
wrenching 2 hour dinner the SPECIAL THANKS goes
team found out the results. Utah, out to all the teams who par-
Colorado, Idaho, and Montana ticipated, all the people who
won most every- made this possible, all the senior
thing. Then the members, all the cadets and all
final results were the USAF personal who made
so close that Col this year’s RCC incredible!
Chazell, Rocky
Mountain Region C/SrA Devin West
Commander, was The Wyoming Color Guard
a little late com- held their composure very well,
ing back from and they were disappointed
scoring to the when they were not called for
banquet and the an award at the banquet. Next
results were in. year I think they will do better
Utah would rep- because of their experience from
resent both the this year. I think the hardest
drill team and the thing was the panel quiz but the
color guard is going to do much
better next year and hopefully
will bring home some awards. I
hope the Utah Wing will repre-
sent us well at nationals in color
guard as well as drill team.
C/A1C Dewey
The RCC was a great expe-
rience for everybody, but espe-
cially me being new in the Civil
Air Patrol. It was a great learn-
ing experience for me and the
rest of the color guard members.
Before the competition our color
guard needed one more member
for the rifle barer. Me being the
only one who wasn’t involved
with anything else, I was chosen
to be the 5th member of the
Color Guard. Barely knowing
the basic drill, I had to work
extra hard to catch up to the skill
level of the other Color Guard
members. It was hard work but
our Color Guard team finally
got through it. We came into the
competition fairly confident and
we presented our best efforts.
Unfortunately, we didn’t do as
well as we wanted to; however,
it was a great learning expe-
rience for all of us and I was
really glad our color guard team
got to go to this competition
C/SrA Crawford
I must admit we were all
nervous going into this competi-
tion, but I think Chief Zubik
was the most nervous, con-
sidering he had the enormous
responsibility of leading a
color guard that had never
 
The Wyoming contingent at 2007’s Rocky Mtn. Regional Cadet
Competition (RCC). Back Row L to R: 1st Lt Thomas, C/2d Lt
Beatty, C/2d Lt Gould, Lt Col Davis, Maj Carlson, Col Cook (former
WY Wing Commander), C/2d Lt Dimock, 1st Lt Sadler, 1st Lt
Acevedo, Col Chazell (RMR Commander). Front row kneeling L to
R: Maj Carlson, C/SrA Crawford, C/SrA West, C/CMSgt Zubik,
C/A1C Dewey, C/TSgt, Bernavich, and C/CMSgt Coonis.
even competed before in a color our different drills and inspec-
guard competition. The stress tions at different times, although
of the competition was com- we would need more Senior
pounded when we found out at Members. The RCC was the
the last minute that we had been best it could be with the limited
doing a few things wrong and funding of the Rocky Mountain
we had to correct them at the Region. The food was outstand-
last minute. Even though we had ing and the services were top
to fix some things we were able notch I would like to thank the
to overcome our frustration and amazing Air Force personnel
anxiety and as a result we did a who for some reason catered us.
respectable job in all the events.
We were all disappointed when Major BJ Carlson
we didn’t receive any awards Details, details, DETAILS!!!
for our hard work; however I found out it was all in the
everyone assured us that making details. Flag slings are to be
it to the RCC is a reward all in under the epaulets, shoulder
itself. It was a great experience cords are not to be worn at
for all of us and hopefully the the Panel Quiz, the Outdoor
Cody Cadet Squadron will carry Practical Drill requires each
on the experience gained from member to have a pistol belt
this year and use it in next – all of these details plus many
years competition. more came to haunt the Color
Guard and Escorts. Luckily,
C/TSgt Bernavich some problems were able
The RCC was great, but I to be resolved with the help
thought that it would be a little of other color guard teams
more productive if we all did Continued . . .
Regional Cadet Competition
Continued . . .
– thank heavens for the cama-
raderie around the region. Both
Colorado and Idaho volunteered
pistol belts to help save the day.
The Cody Color Guard team
represented Wyoming and did
their best and I was very proud
of their achievements. We did
realize (although somewhat late)
that we were incorrectly doing
some of our moves. Thanks to
CAP senior members 1st Lt
Acevedo and 1st Lt Thomas, we
received some last minute tips
that helped our performance.
The proof that you can teach
old and young dogs new tricks
was that the members retained
what they had to relearn dur-
ing the actual event – quite a
feat when performing under
pressure with four F.E. Warren
Honor Guardsmen evaluat-
ing their every move. What I
learned is that we should have
had recruited an “expert” to
help us with the drill right off
the bat, but we also should have
been more careful about reading
the CAPM 52-4. Again, atten-
tion to details is the name of the
game.
C/2d Lt Dimock
First and foremost, unlike
the Color Guard members and
assisting senior members, my
RCC experience did not begin
until two weeks prior to the
activity. On behalf of the Rocky
Mountain Region, Lt Col Davis
contacted both C/2d Lt Beatty
and me, asking for cadets to
assist the Region staff for the
weekend. Wanting to see how
 
my Squadron’s Color Guard per-
formed, I agreed to his request
and followed the team to F. E.
Warren Air Force Base. During
that weekend, I was impressed
not only with my team’s perfor-
mance but also the performance
of all the other teams involved.
It was evident that every cadet
was excited to be there repre-
senting their home wings, which
made for a positive atmosphere.
The activity was extremely well
run with only minor difficulties.
In the end, I left RCC with a
sunburn on my forehead and a
smile on face.
Major Mike Carlson
It’s been almost 40 years
since I was a cadet in CAP. I was
the cadet Drill Sergeant of the
brand new Red Wing Squadron
in MN. Let me tell you that
these Cody Cadet’s performed
far- and-above anything I could
have dreamed of when I was
just 17 years old. As you have
read the above personal render-
ings of their thoughts, the RCC
was, and will be, something
they will be relating to others
as they reach an older age. As
I’ve found out in life I can’t be
number #1 like I thought I was,
but have treasured the attempts
at trying, and have gained life
experiences that have shaped
my being. These cadets might
not realize it now, but RCC
will be part of their inner being
shaping their lives in adulthood.
Good going Cadets!!! On ward
and up ward for next year!
H 110 Hospital Lane, Afton
Quail Tools
83 Allegiance Circle
Evanston • 789-5860
Talco Trucking
362-2120
568 Turret Dr., Rock Springs
Simple Joys Soap
P.O. Box 6461, Sheridan, WY 82801
672-2130
Rocky Mountain
Pre-Mix Concrete
332-2753
P.O. Box 610, Lander, WY 82520
Westbank Sanitation, Inc.
1600 W. Berger Ln.
733-2615 Jackson
Wyoming
382-2717 Service & Supply
207 Mesa Dr., Rock Springs
Duncan Livestock
Hwy. 70 & 1 Mile East
Dixon • 383-2645
Colorado Interstate Gas Company
Wagon Circle Drive
324-3437....................................Rawlins
324-2269....................................Sinclair
324-7844....................................Wamsutter
Olga’s Day Spa
400 E. Snow King Ave.
Jackson - - - 734-2468
Davidson’s Gun & Grocery
729 W. Davis, Rawlins
324-3880
Stagemeyer Saddelry
655-9150
P.O. Box 207, Dayton, WY 82836
Rod Aragon Construction
(307) 760-0222
P.O. Box 2080, Laramie, WY 82073
T.R. Shelby
Proudly Supports
Wyoming Civil Air Patrol!
Lighting Lube
206 E. Lakeway Rd.
Gillette • 686-7145
Star Valley Medical Center
885-5800
RCC Hosted by the Wyoming Wing, Civil Air Patrol at F.E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, WY
Youth Participate in Regional
Cadet Competition
CHEYENNE, WY—A color
guard made up of five Cody
students represented Wyoming,
April 28th and 29th at the Civil
Air Patrol Rocky Mountain
Region Cadet Competition in
Cheyenne.  More than 100 cadets
from five states competed in head-
to-head quiz bowl competition,
and a written exam to test their
aerospace knowledge.  They also
had to demonstrate their physical
fitness, pass inspection, and were
judged by senior CAP officers
and members of the F. E. Warren
Air Force Base Honor Guard in
both indoor and outdoor drills.
The first team to represent
Wyoming in several years, the
 
Jeanne M Stone-Hunter
Cody Squadron cadets performed
admirably and found the experi-
ence educational and enjoyable.
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant
Corey Zubik, Cadet Senior Airman
Devin West, Cadet Airman First
Class Kyle Dewey, Cadet Senior
Airman Andy Crawford and
Cadet Technical Sergeant Joseph
Bernavitch drilled for weeks in
preparation for the event. Major
BJ Carlson, Cody Cadet Squadron
Commander, and Major Mike
Carlson trained and supervised
the group. 1st Lt D.J. Sadler,
Cadet 2d Lt Heather Gould, and
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant
Bradley Conis from the Sheridan
Squadron assisted Cadet 2d Lt
Krystina Beatty and Cadet 2d Lt
Tyler Dimock of Cody in supporting
the Cody Color Guard at the event.
The Utah Wing was cho-
sen to represent the Rocky
Mountain Region in the National
competition.
Th e CA P cad et p r o g ram
provides opportunities for the
learning, maturing, accepting,
and nurturing of leadership to
over 25,000 young Americans
from 12-20 years of age. With
advice and assistance from CAP
members at national, regional,
state and local levels and the US
Air Force, cadets are exposed to
a structured program of aerospace
education, leadership, physical fit-
ness, and moral and ethical values.
The Civil Air Patrol is the
volunteer, civilian auxiliary of the
United States Air Force, and was
formed December 1, 1941, as an
emergency measure to make civil
aviation aircraft and pilots avail-
able to the national defense effort.
Today, the Civil Air Patrol
conducts search missions for miss-
ing aircraft, provides emergency
disaster relief in conjunction
with other relief organizations,
and encourages and fosters civil
aviation in local communities
through adult and youth educa-
tion programs.
There are 250 Civil Air Patrol
members in Wyoming. For more
information about CAP member-
ship contact Jeanne Stone-Hunter
at (307) 638-9349.
Commander’s Comments
Continued from page 1 . . .
in force. They participated in nine
sorties and drove 780 miles. It was
great to see so many people support
this training opportunity; a lot of
good training did take place. We will
continue to have SAREXs through-
out the summer to prepare for our
evaluated SAREX in August.
During the past three months,
we have seen a lot of turn over in
command positions and changes
in unit structures. Because of man-
ning problems we had to reorga-
nize a few units. The Casper Cadet
Squadron was disbanded and com-
bined with the 492d Emergency
Services Squadron. Rock Springs
and Douglas Composite Squadrons
were both downgraded to flight sta-
tus until their numbers improved.
We have also had a change in
command for the Powder River
Composite Squadron, 1st Lt Brett
Lanich replaced Captain Patricia
Clark; Cheyenne Composite
Squadron, 1st Miguel Acevedo
replaces Captain Jane Sailors; and
Cloud Peak Composite Squadron,
1st Lt John Todd replaces Captain
Patty Larson. Also, the 492d ESS
is working on a change of com-
mand; Captain Bruce Lessig has
asked to step down to focus on
emergency services. I would like
to thank Captains Clark, Sailors,
Larson and Lessig for the outstand-
ing job they have done in support
of the CAP mission.
One of the more significant
challenges we have been con-
fronted with is that we have been
tasked to transfer an aircraft to
Utah. I have been in conversation
with a number of folks on this and
while this is an unpleasant task, it
is one that we must carry out. We
lost the aircraft because we did not
11
put enough hours on all our air-
craft. The question is, how can we
lessen the impact? In the past we
have operated with four aircraft,
and I am certain we can do it again.
The problem is that each unit has
become use to operating with an
aircraft. Which aircraft should be
sent? Regardless of the aircraft chosen,
it would negatively impact a unit.
Through discussion, I have decided
that we will rotate aircraft to give equal
opportunities to units to fly. We are
working out the details.
We have other challenges ahead
of us. One challenge is to raise our
standing in the region and nation. I
am not content to be in the present
standings. Naturally, it will require
your assistance. We have put out
a set of wing goals to help guide
and measure our progress. You
can find a copy on the wing Web
site. Periodically, I will update you
on how we are doing. Here are the
goals we have put in place:
1.IncreaseparticipationintheAerospace
Education program in both schools and
units throughout Wyoming.
2. Increase the progression of offi-
cers through Civil Air Patrol’s
professional development program
through the participation in resi-
dence and correspondence courses
and through hands-on training.
3. Increase the progression of
cadets through Civil Air Patrol’s
cadet program through the par-
ticipation in leadership laboratory
training, encampments, special
activities, and competitions.
4. Increase emergency services
skills and capabilities offered to
external organizations through the
participation in residence and cor-
respondence courses and through
hands on training.
5. Increase the utilization of Civil
Air Patrol resources.
6. Increase membership and effec-
tively use members in the Civil Air
Patrol program.
I would like you to take a look
at these goals and determine how
you can help us achieve them.
You may be asking yourself, why
should I bother, what’s in it for
me? Well, there are a number of
reasons. One, you will learn more
about the CAP program. A number
of the goals address training and
qualification issues. Two, better use
of resources could lead to more and
better resources. Three, you would
be contributing to a winning team.
By the time you have read this,
a number of other events will have
come and gone. In June, we have
another inspection. This time we
will have the survey-audit; we
will be evaluated on how well we
secure our resources. In July, we
are trying to have another SAREX,
another opportunity to prepare for
the Air Force evaluated SAREX.
Also in July, we will be running a
pilot study to see if we can teach
a squadron leadership school over
the Internet. If the pilot is success-
ful, it could become a national
program. In August, we will be
holding an encampment at Camp
Guernsey; Lt Col Davis will be
the encampment commander. Also
in August, we will have our Air
Force evaluated SAREX; this is
our opportunity to show the Air
Force how well we perform one of
our primary missions.
Well that is it for now. I look
forward to what the next three
months brings us. In the meantime,
make a difference and get involved.
Be safe in everything you do. H
11
New Commander for Wyoming Wing
Civil Air Patrol
Col Stanley Skrabut sworn in as newest Commander of the Wyoming Wing
CHEYENNE—Saturday, March
17th, Lt Col Stanley A. Skrabut was
promoted to the temporary grade
of Colonel by Colonel Russell E.
Chazell, Rocky Mountain Region
Commander of the Civil Air Patrol.
Chazell then swore him in as the
new commander of the Wyoming
Wing replacing the out-going com-
mander, Colonel Robert Cook.
Maj George Twitchell served as
the master of ceremonies for the
event held at Wyoming Wing
Headquarters on F.E. Warren AFB
in Cheyenne.
Col Skrabut spoke briefly of his
vision for the Wing and the value of
volunteerism. He has already com-
pleted a set of Wing goals for the
next several years which include
extensive plans for improvements
and targets for retention of current
members, both seniors and cadets,
and recruiting new volunteers.
Training and professional develop-
ment are also high priorities.
Col Skrabut joined the Civil
Air Patrol as a cadet in 1975. He
brings more than 20 years of CAP
experience to his new position. He
has served as Vice Commander
in the Wyoming Wing since
September 2006. He continued
to serve as Wing Public Affairs
Officer, Aerospace Education
Officer, Assistant Professional
Development Officer, Webmaster
and Wing Security Administrator
after assuming the Vice Commander
position. Col Skrabut has also
served as Inspector General, Deputy
Commander of Cadets, Deputy
Commander for Seniors, Personnel
Officer, Historian, Squadron
13
Jeanne M. Stone-Hunter
Commander and numerous other
positions during his tenure in CAP.
He has achieved master level in
Cadet Programs, senior level in
Professional Development and
Public Affairs and technician level
in Aerospace Education. Included
among his numerous awards and
decorations are the Meritorious
Service Award with one device,
Commanders Commendation with
two devices, Unit Citation with
one device, Paul E. Gerber award,
Grover Loening Award with one
device, Leadership Award with
silver star, Membership Award,
General Charles Yeager Aerospace
Education Achievement Award,
Air Search and Rescue Ribbon,
Encampment Ribbon with six
devices, Red Service Ribbon with
a twenty year device and Senior
Recruiter Ribbon with two devices.
He also received an Aerospace
Education Excellence Award
from the Aerospace Education
Directorate of the Civil Air Patrol
for his online practice quizzes.
Col Skrabut was selected the 2000
Senior Member of the Year for the
Finger Lakes Group and 2002 New
York Wing Public Affairs Officer
of the Year.
Col Skrabut is retired from
the U.S. Air Force and is currently
employed by the University of
Wyoming as a web developer. He
has earned a Masters of Education
Degree in Computer Technology in
Education from Nova Southeastern
University and a Bachelors of Arts
Degree in Information Systems
Management from the University
of Maryland.
The ceremony was attended
by Col Robert Bost, Utah Wing
Commander; Col Luke Reiner,
Wyoming Army National Guard;
Col Skrabut’s wife, Bernadette;
Wyoming Wing staff and other
friends and family.
During the ceremony Col
Chazell presented Meritorious
Service Awards to Maj Eldon
Carpenter, Maj Carolyn Webber
and Capt Howard Scotland. Col
Cook awarded Commander’s
Commendations to Col William
Morton, Col Jacquelyn Floyd, Lt
Col Stanley Skrabut, Lt Col Eric
Davis, Lt Col Susan McDonald,
Maj George Twitchell, Maj Don
Barker, Capt Randolph Schein and
2d Lt Jeanne Stone-Hunter.
The Civil Air Patrol is the vol-
unteer, civilian auxiliary of the
United States Air Force, and was
formed December 1, 1941, as an
emergency measure to make civil
aviation aircraft and pilots avail-
able to the national defense effort.
Today, the Civil Air Patrol con-
ducts search missions for missing
aircraft, provides emergency disas-
ter relief in conjunction with other
relief organizations, and encour-
ages and fosters civil aviation in
local communities through adult
and youth education programs. In
Wyoming, CAP has more than 250
members with units in Cheyenne,
Cody, Douglas, Gillette, Jackson,
Laramie, Powell, Rock Springs,
Sheridan and Wheatland.
For more information about
CAP membership contact Jeanne
Stone-Hunter, 307-514-4366.
13
A Cody Mini-Mini SAR Ex
“Kinda-sorta-Maybe?”
Written & Photos By Major Mike Carlson
What the heck is a “Cody
Mini-Mini SAR Ex”? Well, that
means the Cody Cadet Squadron
thought they’d try to see if they
could remember what to do on
a SAR Ex since it seemed a
decade of months ago since the
last one was held. “Mini” since
it was just the Cody Squadron;
another “Mini” because only
4 squadron members partici-
pated. Last minute “I’ve got
something more important that
just came-up,” kept the number
of members small. But, that’s
OK, smaller size means more
intense training for those that
come. Those in attendance were
Majors Mike and BJ Carlson,
C/2d Lt Tyler Dimock, and C/
Amn Kyle Dewey.
Major Mike Carlson took
everything in stride and thought
of what to do on his way into
Cody. In his normal SAR Ex
skullduggery way he had Major
BJ Carlson set out a training
15
beacon along the
way in a draw deep
in the Oregon Basin
BLM land.
Upon entering
the parking area of
the Cody National
Guard Armory
the waiting cadets
were tasked to
conduct a “Vehicle
Inspection”
while the Majors
unloaded the gear
and set up for the
event. The idea was
to set up as if we were going to with paper and pencil, but then
conduct the exercise as a “satel- were “scanned-in” with the 4-in-
lite station” using the computer one printer and made into “jpg”
to transfer files and “talk” to files to send off to the IC (if there
the main IC hundreds of miles had been one).
away. So that meant CAPF104’s That “skullduggery” Major
and CAPF109’s had to be filled set up the scenario. There were
out on the computer and not with some SARSAT hits on a Personal
paper and pencil. The normal Locator Beacon (PLB) in the
Wing “Personnel” and “Vehicle” area of Grid #1 of the Cheyenne
sign-in sheets had to be filled in Continued . . .
15
Mini SAR Ex
Continued . . .
Sectional. Supposedly, earlier
communication between the IC
and Park County Sheriff found
that a hiker had lost his/her per-
sonal PLB while hiking in the
area and it must have turned-on
when it fell down. Since it wasn’t
a life threatening occurrence
the IC convinced all involved
that the Cody Cadets could use
this opportunity to locate the
PLB. So the Major gave out
the Lat/Long hit in the area
of 44-28.701N 108-54.111W.
While Major BJ Carlson worked
with C/Amn Dewey on map-
ping and totally got his brain
spinning, Major Mike Carlson
worked with C/2d Lt Dimock
on the electronic paper stuff.
With this small group everyone
was doing double/triple duties.
C/2d Lt Dimock took on a lot of
administrative duties in addition
to training for GTL. He was also
tasked with planning a real SAR
Ex in May at Cody and using
knowledge from this event to help.
17
Once all
that paperwork
was finished
the “Fun”
part started.
All members
mounted into
trusty Squadron
van “49010”
and headed out
to the search
area with Major Mike Carlson
piloting and acting as Base
Comm, C/Amn Dewey test-
ing his newly found Navigating
skills and working the DF
equipment, C/2d Lt Dimock
testing his newly dusted off GT
Leadership skills, and Major BJ
Carlson trying to print legibly
into the GT Log and hoping she
wouldn’t have to actually prac-
tice her First Aid skills as Medic
of the group.
Utilizing a 1:24,000 topo this
band of searchers bumped along
the “unimproved” roads seek-
ing out the Lat/Long position
of the PLB and using the new
DF equipment. Cadet Dewey
handled the DF equipment with
deft abilities and honed in on
the signal. Locating a hidden
ELT can be daunting. You are
standing right over it kicking
yourself why you can’t see it.
Then, the flash of light reveals
how incredibly inept you feel.
There it is!!! Sometimes you
wish it would be the bright yel-
low color of the practice beacon
that the Cody Squadron used to
borrow from the Park County
Search & Rescue.
On the RTB (return to base),
Major BJ Carlson took the cadets
through the debrief process of
paperwork. They ended the sor-
tie at the Cody Terminal, looking
over how all the “paperwork”
could be sent over the computer
through “Skype” communica-
tion software while utilizing the
Terminal’s WiFi connection.
So, was the time useful?
We’d like to think so. The Cody
Squadron has an up and coming
GT Navigator and three old time
GTMs dusted off some of their
old skills and are ready to help
at SAR Ex’s, and, maybe go on
a real SAR. H
17
Prairie Wind Composite Squadron News
Susan McDonald, Lt Col, CAP
Commander, Prairie Wind Composite Squadron
Each year the Army National
Guard units across the state host
what’s called “Spend a Day with
the Guard”. They invite high
school teachers to bring their
students in for a visit. The students
visit a local unit and get informa-
tion, try their hand at the Army of
One game, fire the rifle at simu-
lated targets and are treated to free
pizza and door prizes.
New display sent by National HQ
DDR. It is easy to put together
and looks very nice.
This year, Prairie Wind
Composite Squadron was invited
to attend. Most of our cadets are
middle school students, but our
older cadets attended. We were
allowed to set up our booth right
along with theirs. We passed out
literature about CAP and also
about our DDR program.
We appreciate how readily
“our” local unit, the 67th Army
Band, accepts us. They make us
18
feel welcomed and a
real part of the Guard
family. If you get the
chance to hear them
play take it they are
awesome.
On February 24
and 25 2007, cadets
A/B John Brauneis,
Mickie Lockman, and
Kayla Zipperlen and
Cadet SrA Jonathan
Sowers, seniors, 2d Lt
Kyle McDonald, 1st Lt
Nina McDonald, and
Captain Dennis Cornell
joined with Wyoming 1st Lt McDonald, Cadet Basic Lockman and
Wing’s DDRA, Lt Col Lt Col McDoald behind the concession stand.
Susan McDonald to
show case CAP’s DDR program Over 22 teams played at the
in conjunction with their sched- middle school that weekend.
uled Fundraiser at the Wheatland Approximately 1300 people
Middle School. past by our display and availed
In support of Platte County themselves of wristbands, balsa
Parks and Recreation and the planes, key chains and bro-
youth basketball players from chures covering Alcohol and
around the state, Prairie Wind Methamphetamines. We also
Squadron manned a concession provided recruiting brochures
stand selling hotdogs, snacks and and locations of squadrons
drinks. We set up our brand new around the state. All in all it was
DDR display provided by NHQ. very successful.
Cadet Basic Kayla Zipperlen (sitting), 1st Lt McDonald and Cadet
Basic Lockman standing listening to Lt Col McDonald’s instruction.
18
 Drug
Demand
Reduction Program
Susan McDonald, Lt Col, CAP, Commander, Prairie Winds Composite Squadron
The last weekend of April was a busy fun filled seniors were preparing for us. Each cadet and friend
weekend for Wyoming Wing’s DDRA. received a model rocket kit and the day was capped
The first leg of the trip was the trip to Sheridan. off with Orientation Rides for Sheridan cadets.
Sheridan is a beautiful place and I appreciate Our day at Sheridan was very enjoyable and I hope to
Captain Larson and her unit for inviting me. be able to share this event with all the units in the wing.
The cadets were instructed to invite non-CAP Any unit wanting this event should contact me
friends to participate. We gathered at their meet- at wywgddra@yahoo.com or call 1 (307) 920 1291.
ing place at the Sheridan armory for a day of fun. Outside youth organizations are calling now too so
The cadets and seniors viewed the DDR video we PLEASE don’t miss out.
brought with us called “Dying
High: Teens in the ER”. This DVD
shows footage of what the ER is
like when teens drink and drive and
the life changing events that occur.
Each cadet and visitor received
literature and freebies to remind
him or her to stay off drugs.
We then talked about Newton’s
Laws a nd lea r ned about how
Newton’s laws impact us, as we
become a part of Aviation and
Aerospace. They constructed the
Goddard Rocket and the Fizzy
Flyer both activities from the CAP
AEX program. We launched my
sample rocket while we waited for
the awesome lunch the Sheridan

19 19
C/AB Hodges, C/AB Barrelman, C/2d Lt Gould, C/CMSgt
Zubik, C/Amn Dewey, and C/TSgt Bernavich. Cadets Gould,
Barrelman, and Hodges traveled from Sheridan to be part of C/2d Lt Longo presenting C/CMSgt
this activity. Both Hodges and Barrelman were greenhorns to Zubik (a.k.a. James Bond) his certificate
the cadet program and this was their first event through CAP. and a thanks for his help.

Cadet Basic Training School -

President’s Day Weekend 2007
Tucked away in the quiet town
of Burlington, WY, cadets from
the Cody Cadet Squadron and the
Cloud Peak Composite squadron
(Sheridan) partook in a new train-
ing program to the wing, simply
known as Cadet Basic Training
School (CBTS). This short, yet
informative, weekend session
focused on exposing cadets to
important concepts about Civil
Air Patrol that they may not have
encountered in earlier training
sessions. Another mission of this
school was to reinforce infor-
mation many Wyoming cadets
had already received at WY
Wing activities such as the NCO
(Non-Commissioned Officer)
Academy.
The cadets attending the
CBTS made up a grand total of
six, which was not what was
originally anticipated or hoped
for, but was still enough for the
school to go on.
While attending this two-
day school the cadets had little
By C/2d Lt Jeremiah Longo
time to mess around as they were
constantly studying, testing, or
partaking in one of the 14 classes
taught during the CBTS. Classes
included a variety of topics such
as proper drill, proper BDU (bat-
tle dress uniform) wear, proper
Blues Uniform wear, CAPP 50-2
“The Organization of Civil Air
Patrol”, and other important top-
ics for CAP cadets.
Upon arrival of all cadets
Saturday morning the activities
began. The morning kicked off
with some quick calisthenics led
by C/CMSgt Zubik. Immediately
following the morning PT, C/2d
Lt Dimock sand C/2d Lt Longo
(CBTS Instructors) introduced
the cadets to what they would be
doing for the next two days. “The
cadets were told “right-off-the-
get-go” that they would have a lot
of book work and there would be
some very difficult and demand-
ing tests over what they had stud-
ied, but it was still going to be a
fun, rewarding, and informative
time.” stated C/2d Lt Longo.
Cadets spent the majority of
their time in their classes, and
routinely, after each class, there
was a brief quiz to monitor what
they had taken in from that ses-
sion. Even though they spent a lot
of time indoors didn’t mean they
didn’t have a little fun. Before
or after some of the classes
there were Leadership Reaction
Courses (LRCs) like “life raft”’’
and “musical push-ups” which
allowed cadets to work together
as a team to solve problems. At
the end of the first day the cadets
were also able to watch the new
feature film “Flyboys”, and then
it was off to bed.
The second day’s training
covered different topics and
was faster paced than the prior
one. The secondary instructors,
C/CMSgt Zubik and C/TSgt
Bernavich, instructed many of
the classes. The cadets covered
the last of the weekend materials
Continued from page 25 . . .

21 21
Teaching Squadron Leadership School
Through Distance Education
Many of you have heard me
speak on a number of occasions
about the importance of training
and professional development.
According to Letteer (2006), Safety
Officer for National Headquarters,
Civil Air Patrol, members who
have not progressed further than
level one of a five-level profes-
sional development program
committed 57% of all mishaps.
In Wyoming, only 93 members of
181 have completed the Squadron
Officer School, a requirement to
complete level two of a five-level
professional development program
(“CAPWatch,” 2007). I believe
that Civil Air Patrol will reduce
mishaps, increase retention, and
improve the skill level of its vol-
unteer force by following the lead
of academia and the business
world and expanding its method
of delivering training to include
distance education.
Professional development for
CAP officers is broken into five
levels: Level I, orientation train-
ing; Level II, technical training;
Level III, management; Level IV,
command and staff; and Level
V, executive (CAP senior mem-
ber professional development
program, 2003). The completion
rate of the various professional
development levels nationally
can be broken down as follows:
Level I, 97%; Level II, 31%; Level
III, 23%; Level IV, 12%; and
Level V, 5% (CAPWatch, 2007).
Nationally, Civil Air Patrol is bro-
ken down into regions. Wyoming
23
Stan Skrabut, Col, CAP
Commander, Wyoming Wing
Wing, the focus of this study, sits
in the Rocky Mountain Region
(Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah,
and Wyoming). The completion
rate for professional development
in the Rocky Mountain Region can
be broken down as follows: Level
I, 93%; Level II, 26%; Level III,
18%; Level IV, 9%; and Level V,
4% (CAPWatch). This is signifi-
cantly less than the national aver-
age and among the other regions.
A primary factor that contributes to
the low numbers is that the Rocky
Mountain Region has a more
dispersed population compared
to other states. Wyoming Wing
also struggles with professional
development. With the exception
of Level I, which can be accom-
plished at the unit level, all other
professional development num-
bers are below both the national
and regional percentiles as shown:
Level I, 98%; Level II, 18%; Level
III, 14%; Level IV, 9%; and Level
V, 6% (CAPWatch).
The Squadron Leadership
School is a requirement for Level
II professional development and
focuses on developing an officer for
squadron operations (CAP senior
member professional development
program, 2003). Nationally, 51%
of officers have completed this
training; however, only 45% of
officers in the Rocky Mountain
Region have completed Squadron
Leadership School, and Wyoming
Wing has 37% school completion
(CAPWatch, 2007).
Even though distance
education has been an education
alternative since the mid-1800s,
it has been the introduction of the
Internet, particularly the World
Wide Web that has really brought
it to the masses. Because of the
flexibility of Web-based deliv-
ered courses, organizations can
provide more courses to its mem-
bers compared to traditional brick
and mortar institutions (Nunes &
McPherson, 2003). Distance edu-
cation provides individuals with
opportunities for advancement
that they may not otherwise have
(Mahoney, 2006); This is due to
the ease in which instructors using
a course management system can
create online courses or support
face-to-face courses (Warren &
Holloman Jr, 2005). A web-based
course meets primarily online,
whereas a Web-enhanced course
uses the Web to help deliver con-
tent to a traditional face-to-face
course (Huss, 2007).
Distance education provides
a number of benefits not typically
found in traditional face-to-face
courses. Distance education pro-
vides a number of conveniences
to students to include saving time
and money, allowing them to
work courses into their sched-
ule, accessing specialists not in
their immediate area, accessing
to up-to-date material, and taking
a heavier course load (Beason,
2005; Drenth, Kubisiak, &
Borman, 2001; Mahoney, 2006;
Morrison et al., 2007; Sandars
Continued . . .
23
Squadron Leadership School
Continued . . .
& Langlois, 2005; van Schaik,
Barker, & Beckstrand, 2003).
Other benefits of providing train-
ing online include consistency of
training and improved administra-
tion (Szosland & Marcinkiewicz,
2004). Distance education through
Web-based instruction has the
power of presenting multimedia
content, communicating with stu-
dents through both asynchronous
and synchronous communication
methods, and building social com-
munities (Bower & Hardy, 2004;
Chalmers & Keown, 2006; van
Schaik et al., 2003). Even though
students can be hundreds of miles
apart, threaded discussions, e-mail,
and online chats can help students
establish a sense of community
and close relations with other stu-
dents (Mahoney).
On July 7th, 2007, Wyoming
will launch a pilot program to
determine if distance education
will work as a method for teach-
ing a squadron leadership school.
Eleven members from throughout
Wyoming have volunteered to
participate in this pilot program.
Additionally, there will be outside
observation provided by national
and region headquarters. The
course is expected to take eight
weeks to complete. If this program
is successful, it could be expanded
nationwide. This could benefit a
number of people who can not
attend this important training due
to other commitments.
References
Beason, C. F. (2005). Lessons learned:
A successful distance learning collabora-
tive between the Department of Veterans
Affairs and the Department of Defense
[Electronic version]. Mil Med, 170(5),
395-399.
Bower, B. L., & Hardy, K. P. (2004). From
correspondence to cyberspace: Changes
25
and challenges in distance education
[Electronic version]. New Directions for
Community Colleges, 2004(128), 5-12.
CAPWatch [Database] (2007). Maxwell Air
Force Base, AL: Civil Air Patrol [Producer
and Distributor].
Chalmers, L., & Keown, P. (2006).
Communities of practice and profes-
sional development [Electronic version].
International Journal of Lifelong Education,
25(2), 139-156.
Drenth, D. J., Kubisiak, U. C., & Borman,
W. C. (2001). Effectiveness of distance
learning for the Battle Staff NCO Course
[Electronic version]. (Army Project
Number. 2O465803D730). Alexandria,
VA: U.S. Army Research Institute for the
Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Huss, J. A. (2007). Web-based teacher
preparation programs and elementary edu-
cation: Will principals hire these teachers
[Electronic version]? Electronic Journal of the
Integration of Technology in Education, 6.
Letteer, L. (2006). Safety Update. Paper
presented at the 2006 Civil Air Patrol
National Board & Annual Conference,
Reno, Nevada.
Mahoney, J. (2006). Do you feel like you
belong? An on-line versus face-to-face
pilot study [Electronic version]. Visions:
The Journal of Rogerian Nursing Science,
14(1), 16-26.
Morrison, J. W., Raya-Carlton, P., Henk, J.
K., & Thornburg, K. R. (2007). Satellite-
based distance courses for in-service train-
ing [Electronic version]. Quarterly Review
of Distance Education, 8(1), 35-46.
Nunes, M. B., & McPherson, M. (2003).
Action research in continuing professional
distance education [Electronic version].
Journal of Computer Assisted Learning,
19(4), 429.
Sandars, J., & Langlois, M. (2005). E-
learning and the educator in primary care:
responding to the challenge [Electronic
version]. Education for Primary Care,
16(2), 129-133.
Szosland, D., & Marcinkiewicz, A. (2004).
Modern technology in lifelong learning
of occupational medicine [Electronic ver-
sion]. International Journal of Occupational
Medicine & Environmental Health, 17(4),
411-416.
van Schaik, P., Barker, P., & Beckstrand,
S. (2003). A comparison of on-campus and
online course delivery methods in southern
Nevada [Electronic version]. Innovations
in Education & Teaching International,
40(1), 5.
Warren, L. L., & Holloman Jr, H. L. (2005).
On-line instruction: Are the outcomes
the same [Electronic version]. Journal of
Instructional Psychology, 32(2), 148-151.
H throughout the state.
Basic Training
School
Continued from page 21 . . .
and then studied for the class
final. The final was a seventy-five
question comprehensive exam
containing multiple-choice, fill in
the blank, short answer, and essay
questions. This test summed up
the CBTS’s entire curriculum
into one piece so the cadets could
be evaluated on their improve-
ment in knowledge in these areas.
Once the test was completed, the
cadets were presented certificates
for completion of the first WY
Wing CBTS.
When the cadets were asked
how they felt about the school and
whether or not they had learned
anything, they answered with
a resounding “Yes, Sir!” The
answer was the same when asked
whether or not they had a good
time. The cadets, instructors, and
attending senior members all
thought that the CBTS went off
rather well and many in the state
hope to see the CBTS extend to
other cadets in the wing.
Much of the success was due
to the fact that generous senior
members, Maj BJ Carlson (pic-
tured above), 1st Lt John Todd
and 1st Lt DJ Sadler, prepared
all the meals and cleaned up
afterwards so that the school
could continue on without
using up valuable class time for
food preparation and clean-up.
Cadets in Cody and Sheridan
are very grateful for all the help
and support, and with some luck
the CBTS will happen again so
the valuable CAP knowledge it
provides will become abundant
H
25
 News From The Director of
Cadet Programs
Lt Col Eric Davis, Director of Cadet Programs
2007 Encampment Commander
Cadet Advisory Council
We are still struggling to keep
the CAC alive. Colonel Skrabut
informed me that some of the unit
commanders have asked about mov-
ing the conference calls to Sunday
evenings rather than Saturday after-
noons. Well, I am more than will-
ing to try that, so beginning in May
we will try Sunday evenings at
1900. Specific dates will be posted
soon - the dates I provided in the
last Cadet Programs Update will
change, probably just sliding one
day to the day after (Sunday).
Folks, we really need your units
to participate. Right now we have
Cody and Sheridan participating
and nobody else. We used to get
Casper regularly but we have not
heard from them in several months.
Laramie was good for a while but
they have disappeared, Gillette and
Wheatland appointed representa-
tives but we have never heard from
them. The Cheyenne representative
“pops up” from time to time and
then disappears.
Now I expect that part of the
lack of motivation to participate is
the perception that the CAC hasn’t
done much, if anything. It is true
they have not done as much as they
would like to do, and certainly not
as much as the Wing Commander
and I would like them to do. But
for those units that are playing, I
get a sense of what is going on in
the Wing in regards to training,
Orientation Flights, problems at the
units, etc. Additionally I use their
input for what activities and train-
ing we need, and I often bounce
questions off them for sanity checks
27
of my screwball ideas. So they are a
very valuable resource and could be
a huge asset to the Wing and your
squadrons. I am once again begging
the Squadron Commanders and the
Cadet Commanders to encour-
age your Cadet Representatives
to participate.
Rocky Mountain Region Cadet
Competition
The Rocky Mountain Region
Cadet Competition held at F.E.
Warren AFB 27-29 April was a
HUGE success! There were over
100 Cadet Team Members, Senior
Member Escorts, and staff person-
nel at Warren, not to mention many
spectators. I never expected such a
large turnout, but I was very happy
to have all the competitors. I’d like
to thank 1st Lt Josh Thomas, 1st
Lt D.J. Sadler, C/2d Lt Krystina
Beatty, C/2d Lt Heather Gould,
C/2d Lt Tyler Dimock, and
C/CMSgt Bradley Coonis for
their invaluable assistance dur-
ing the weekend.
I also want to again express my
pride in the Cody Cadet Squadron’s
Drill Team. They did an incred-
ible job in preparing for the show
and made Colonel Skrabut, both
Majors Carlson and me very proud.
I fully expect the team will pass
on the lessons they learned to their
squadron and will be much stronger
next year. I hope next year we will
be able to field several teams for a
Wing Competition - and then I can
go to the Region Competition as a
SPECTATOR!
Basic Cadet School (BCS) and
Training Leaders of Cadets (TLC)
I suspect many of you are
saying, “Yeah right.” I can’t blame
you for feeling that way. Between
trying to find a place to hold it,
bad weather, other events and a
Senior Member who will oversee
it, we’ve had to shuffle the BCS
about. Right now we’re looking at
late September or early October.
I hope to hold the BCS at Camp
Guernsey and I believe 1st Lt
Miguel Acevedo is going to be at
the helm.
Running concurrently with the
BCS I hope to have a Training
Leaders of Cadets Course. I know
many commanders and DCPs want
it and need it, and I need to teach
it for my master rating in Cadet
Programs, so this should be a good
time to do it. Well, maybe. Seems
like there are never really “good”
days and times, as what’s good for
one isn’t always for another. But
we’ll see what we can scare up to
hold the two events concurrently so
the Senior Members can drive
their Cadets and have some-
thing worthwhile for them-
selves that weekend.
I guess that’s about it for now.
I’ll be a new father by the time this
is published, so I may be a LITTLE
scarce in June. However, I will
be available by telephone and e-
mail. Let’s have a SAFE Summer.
Remember, don’t run with scissors,
don’t play golf in thunderstorms
and NEVER fry bacon while you’re
naked and you’ll be safe!
Lt Col D,
HAPPY TO BE HERE! PROUD
TO SERVE! FIRED UP AND
MOTIVATED!
27
Tax Tips for Itemizing
Your Deductions
….submitted by
Major Carolyn Webber
CAP Director of Finance
~ and ~
Tax Counselor at
American Tax Associates
Who can itemize their
deductions? Not everyone can
itemize deductions on their tax
returns. Generally it’s those
folks who have large medical
expenses, home mortgage inter-
est, employee business expenses,
large charitable contributions
– or a combination of these. For
example, a married couple filing
jointly need to have deductions
totaling over the standard deduc-
tion of $10,300. This couple
could claim the $10,300 without
itemizing, but if they have more
deductions, it would be benefi-
cial to itemize.
What counts for charitable
deductions? Civil Air Patrol
counts as a charitable organi-
zation! So don’t forget CAP
deductions (like membership
dues) included here:
Cash or checks given to
charitable organizations – not
to individuals, social clubs, or
29
other non-profit organizations.
Be careful of giving cash, how-
ever, because you will need a
receipt. Cancelled checks (or
copies from your bank state-
ment) will generally serve as
proof. Recent changes by IRS
exclude cash donations in the
church offering, Salvation Army
kettles, or expenses for chari-
table purposes if they are not
documented by the organiza-
tion. TIP: instead of putting in
several small donations, write a
check to the organization.
In-kind “material goods”
donations, normally items
given to organizations such as
Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc.
You can usually get receipts
from these groups. You usually
need to put your own estimation
of value on the receipt, based
on thrift store prices. If in-kind
donations for the year total more
than $500, a separate form must
be used on the tax return and the
total amount included with the
itemized deductions. TIP: there
are new rules about donating an
item valued at over $500 (such as
cars), so check out the details first.
Charitable mileage – TIP:
keep a record of un-reimbursed
miles driven for charitable pur-
poses like Meals-on-Wheels and
youth groups. Miles driven to
church for worship or fellow-
ship are not included, but if you
are volunteering for a service
project at the church, this can be
included.
Is it too late? Unless you
amend one of your last three
tax returns, yes, it is too late
to do anything about last year.
However, now is the time to
be thinking about your next tax
return – don’t wait until next
tax season to think about your
deductions. PLAN NOW and
save those receipts!!
29
Finally – A
Wyoming
SAR Ex
Article By:
Major Mike Carlson
Pictures by: C/Amn Glover
& 2d Lt Brumbaugh
It’s been a long…long…long
dry spell since the last SAR Ex
we’ve had in Wyoming; back in
August 06 at the Gillette Ground
Team School if I recollect. A
mass of Wyoming CAP mem-
bers (about 65) descended on
the Casper Airport and took-up
the 2nd floor of the Atlantic
Aviation FBO. The name-of-
the-game was training Seniors
(or as the new connotation Nat’l
is advocating “Officers”) and
Cadets. Planes flew, Ground Air/Ground crews so they could close to forty flight hours and
Teams ground pounded, and get that real life training feeling nine ground sorties with over a
computer-ing was the focus back. Even 1st Lt Duran was thousand miles driven filled the
to see if this “WMIRS” (Web pulling out whatever little hair two days of training.
Mission Information Reporting he has keeping track of Ground The air crews became more
System) thing would work as we Teams as Ground Branch accomplished on using the
SAR Ex’ed. Director. Capt Burkett, our new SDIS (Satellite Digital Imaging
Our new Wing Commander 2nd in command, handled the System) without the satellite,
(Col Skrabut) was in attendance Air Crews, and Form 5’s kept photographing semi-trailer rigs
working that computer thing Mike Gray busy, what patience. traveling the I-25 corridor north
and handing out scenarios for Twenty-four air sorties with Continued . . .

31 31
Wyoming SAR Ex
Continued . . .
to Kaycee and back. Taking
those pictures from directly
overhead at high-angle and
high-resolution is not the easiest
accomplishment for the photog-
rapher and pilot to cooperate,
but after a few the crew starts
getting into the hang-of-it.
Then a unique challenge for
air & ground crews reared its
head; if the plane finds the crash
sight can they direct the ground
team to the sight without using
radio communication? It’s a
bit harder than you’d think. It
looks like we need a few more
sorties of this kind before we are
considered “Proficient” – one of
those WY PAWS testing terms
to describe how we are do’in.
Ground Teams practiced
some of that standard ground
stuff utilizing the newer DF
equipment. Looks like they
might need a bit more knowl-
edge on use of a compass, map-
ping, and that Lat/Long stuff.
Ground Teams did experience
something new by trying their
hand at using GPS (Global
Positioning Satellite) receivers
to find Geo-Caches. So, putting
in the right coordinates whether
Lat/Long or UTM, telling the
unit to find where you are, and
then let it direct the team to the
cache does reward the finder
with a cache of unique treasures
as can be seen in the photograph.
Recording your find in the cache
and returning it for others to find
is rather gratifying. And, if you
are computer literate, you can
head to www.geocaching.com
and be part of the world system
of geo-caching.
33
For accommodations a few
hardy Seniors camped out with
the Cadets while other Seniors
scoped out the comfy confines
of their homes or motels. Even
Col Skrabut tried out his camp-
ing prowess with the cadets.
Friday night was a bit on the
cold side. Those that camped out
at Edness K. Wilkins State Park,
East of Casper, had a unique
chilling experience. Ask Major
Mike Carlson what made all
that rustling noise and nasal
breathe on his face while he was
camping out under the stars, or
the Great Horned Owl he was
able to call in on the branches
above him. As for Saturday
night supper these cadets got to
choose their favorite camp-out
cuisine – hotdogs and s’mores.
It’s always interesting to watch
cadets anticipate how much they
think they’ll need while at the
grocery store. There sure were a
lot of left-overs, but, by the time
they left for home on Sunday, a
few cadets had raided the left-
over cache.
Just a reminder to the cadets
from Major Carlson: Now that
you’ve had a bunch of expe-
riences and accomplished a
bunch of Tasks did you get it
“signed-off” by the GTL??? It’s
not his/her responsibility to wet-
nurse you. It’s your responsibil-
ity to know what you’ve done
and present that knowledge for
the GTL to “sign-off” on. If
you don’t do that, one day you
may become a Senior Member
(heaven forbid) wondering why
you can’t go out on a real SAR.
Hopefully, though, you can
take what you’ve learned and
apply it to the next few SAR
Ex’s that are planned to be run
locally. Then be ready to meet-
up with your distant Wyoming
CAP members in June for some
more combined training.
Have some safe flying out
there, and Ground Teams, you
might want to bring extra bat-
teries for all that electronic stuff
you’re use’ in. H
33
One Memorable
Day for a Cadet
Tuesday, May 22, 2007, was
one memorable day for cadet
Corey Zubik. A looooooooong
a-waited day when that heavy
metal insignia comes off the
collar and is replaced by epau-
lets on the shoulders. The Cody
Cadet Squadron hosted “Parents
Night” with a gala of potluck
food dishes, promotions, &
the final launching of rockets
from their rocketry program.
35
The evening started out with par-
ents and family gathering at the
Cody National Guard Armory
around 1800 (that’s 6:00pm for
most of us folks). The Cadet
Color Guard demonstrated their
finest as they “Posted the Colors”
at the opening ceremonies.
Cadet Commander 2d Lt Tyler
Dimock started off with open-
ing statements and handed the
floor over to Commander Maj
BJ Carlson for her latest updates
for parents. With opening cer-
emonies completed the throng
moved to the Potluck dishes
spread over the tables, and a line
quickly formed digging into the
fine cuisines. It’s amazing how
Commander Major BJ Carlson
Continued . . .
35
Memorable Day
Continued . . .
has subtly motivated parents
towards vegetarian dishes. After
a 30-minute period of festively
consuming the gourmet dishes
it was out to the drill floor for
a “Change of Command” cer-
emony and promotions.
With Cadet Commander 2d
Lt Tyler Dimock soon to join
the active duty ranks of the Air
Force, a cascade of command
positions changed. The Cody
Cadet Squadron now will be
led by Cadet Commander 1st Lt
Jeremiah Longo, Cadet Deputy
Commander 2d Lt Kristina
Beatty, Cadet 1st Sergeant 2d
Lt Corey Zubik, Cadet Flight
Sergeant MSgt Bernavich, and
Cadet Flight Sergeant SrA
Devin West.
For promotion cadet Amaya
received her 1st stripe and is
now C/Amn Amaya, and can
finally go out with the rest of the
36
Squadron on SAR-Ex’s.
But, as stated at the begin-
ning of this article, it was a grand
evening for C/CMSgt Corey
Zubik. Mayor Roger Sedam,
of Cody, presented Corey with
his Mitchell Award Certificate,
and Squadron Commander BJ
Carlson and Corey’s father
took off the heavily weighted
“Chief’s” insignia and, maybe
for the first time, unbuttoned
Corey’s epaulets on his “blue’s”
shirt and slid the long awaited
“dots” of 2d Lt onto his shoul-
ders. Cadet Zubik made a com-
mitment to the Squadron to lead
a contingent of cadets to the
Regional Cadet Competition
before accepting the promo-
tion. Only NCOs are allowed
to compete in the Color Guard
competition. With that done he
now takes on a heavy weight as
an officer.
With promotions completed
it was out to the launching
pad a few miles east of Cody.
As with past “Parent Nights”,
weather has not been favorable.
Spattering of rain, low clouds,
and stiff cool breeze did not
deter these NASA wanna-bes.
Stationing a cadet 500 ft out
with a transit to calculate “angle
of projectory” and Capt Strike
rolling out the launch pad, the
goal was to see who could punch
a hole in the clouds. The 1st
rocket fizzled at the pad and
safety precautions dictated the
launch key be removed and a
determined “hold” time elapse
before retrieving the rocket.
After this initial trial the
remaining rockets made it off
the launch pad. Some punching
holes in the clouds and others
attaining an apogee of 20 ft. The
final hur-rah was the launches
of 2-stage rockets. These really
punched holes in the low clouds,
and Maj Mike Carlson asked the
cadets if they had their IFR certi-
fications. With these launches a
circle of cadets and parents had to
look off into different quadrants
to spot the returning payloads. H
36