The Primary Missions of Civil Air Patrol

Serving the US, WV and the MidOhio Valley for over 60 Years

Emergency Services Cadet Programs Aerospace Education

June, 2009

Issue 12
LTCOL HARMON- SQD LTCOL RON HARMON- SQDN. COMMANDER

www.pkbcap.com

Parkersburg Civil Air Patrol

This Issue Senior Profile

House passes Congressman Dents bill to expand Civil Air Patrols role in Homeland Security
A bill by U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15) requiring an assessment of how the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) can support homeland security missions was approved by the House of Representatives. Congressman Dent is a member of both the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Homeland Security Committee.

Name: Aaron Richards, Rank: SM Sqn. Position: Emergency Services

Bio: I grew up in Clarksburg Wv. I have two younger The bill (H.R. 1178) directs the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the ways in which the CAP may assist state, brothers currently in college and one older brother who local, and tribal governments and the Department of Homeland lives in the Charleston area Security (DHS) by: with his family. Growing up I was very involved in sports Providing aerial reconnaissance especially soccer I have or communication capabilities for probably played soccer in border security; every state on the east coast, I Providing assistance in a played for a few traveling collective response effort, teams and also went on to including damage assessment, play a little in college. I love search and rescue, and evacuations; traveling in and out of the Assisting in departmental training country and studying other exercises. cultures and assisting people whenever I can. I have been a GAOs report to Congress must assess the feasibility and costfireman, I have worked for effectiveness of utilizing CAP assets and the ability of federal and state agencies to request CAP support. Upon completion, DHS must other non profit organizations which very from teaching review and analyze the report and, within 90 days, submit young kids about safety too recommendations to the Congress for further action. assisting veterans. I currently am a Locomotive Engineer/ Congressman Dent has long advocated the use of CAP pilots and Trainman for CSX aircraft for homeland security missions. He conceived this legislation in 2007 after a visit to the border town of Laredo, Texas, Transportation I never thought growing up I would to address concerns raised to him by officers of Customs and eventually end up driving Border Protection, who said they lacked sufficient aviation assets trains but here I am and its been an adventure. I

and resources for their important mission.

Senior profile cont . am also the Operation Continuing a proud tradition, a CAP force of 57,000 volunteers and over 500 aircraft across the country stand ready to support the Lifesaver presenter for CSX where I travel and teach Nations homeland security mission, Congressman Dent said. I believe this study will find that using CAP resources to bolster our seminars about Railroad border security and assist in disaster response is a sensible and cost- Safety. effective measure. The Civil Air Patrol is a congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). First organized at the beginning of World War II, the CAP is a volunteer cadre that handles 90 percent of inland search and rescue missions in the United States. Civil Air Patrol planes have been among the first to survey the aftermath of such disasters as the attacks of September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina. The passage of Congressman Dent's Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security bill in the House today marks a major step forward in ensuring that Civil Air Patrol's emergency capabilities are fully utilized by all Federal agencies, said Maj. Gen, Amy Courter, CAP National Commander. With 550 aircraft, thousands of trained and experienced aircrew, and a nationwide communications system CAP can be a valuable component of our national defense. Favorite Quotes: Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.. Winston Chuchill Philipians 4:13

This is a World War II era poster that depicts one of CAP roles at that time of shore and boarder patrol.

FYI Aircrew
Commanders Commanders Corner

For the past two meetings we have had aircrew training on the GX55 GPS and the Audio Panel. If you missed the meeting and would like to get a copy of the handouts and Power Point presentations, feel free to contact me and I will forward them to you. 1stLt Velez

As we start to prepare for our squadron SAREX, we will be splitting the Tuesday night meeting into two groups after the Commander has passed the word and addresses any issues. Once he has dismissed the cadets the members will be split into an Aircrew training group and a Ground Team training group. If you are in the need of a couple of task to complete a rating, please make LtCol. Harmon or 1stLt Velez aware of it so that those tasked can be trained on first. This will allow those who have been working on a rating for some time to move forward and complete their necessary training task.

Training funds remain in the SAR Eval Mission until 15 June 2009. Any members that wish to conduct some field training under this mission should let the Commander know what they would like to field train on, air or ground.

Regulation Spotlight
Organization and Mission ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL AIR PATROL 20-1 This regulation establishes the organization structure of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and position descriptions at all levels. It applies to all CAP units. http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/R020_001.pdf .

Cadet Corner
PKB CAP meets the Flying Wing Nutz
The Flying Wing Nutz Squadron of West Virginia is a chartered club of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). AMA is the world's largest sport aviation organization, representing a membership of more than 170,000 from every walk of life, income level, and age group. It is a self-supporting, non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote model aviation as a recognized sport and recreational activity. Some of the valuable services AMA offers to its chartered clubs are official contest sanctioning, liability insurance and assistance with club flying sites. Chartered in 2002, the Wing Nutz club is one of more than 2,500 model aircraft clubs across the country. On Saturday May 30, 2009 Cadets and Seniors from the squadron attended the Spring Kids Fun Fly at the St Marys Field in St Marys, WV. Instructors were on hand to answer questions about the RC aircrafts as well as provide free flying lessons. The member of The Flying Wing Nuts put on an amazing show of aerobatics as well as a demonstration of several different RC aircrafts.

This Issue Cadet Profile Name: Isaiah Smith Rank: C/SSGT SQN Position: Cadet Drug Demand Reduction Officer Small Bio: I was born on May 5, 1993 in Parkersburg WV. One year later I moved to Pennsboro and have been there ever since. My hobbies include playing Fight Simulator X, RC airplane flying, Hand gliding flying of any type, playing Civil Air Patrol on the computer, and fixing things. I am currently a sophomore in High School. I also play the Tuba in my High School Band. My Favorite Quote: To be without knowledge is to ignorant, and to be without wisdom is to be foolish

To: All West Virginia Wing Members The Potomac Highlands Squadron will host a day of Cadet Glider Orientation Flights on Sunday June 21, 2009 at Grant County Airport in Petersburg, WV. We have at least 3 Glider Orientation Pilots lined up and enough Tow Pilots to fly Cadets all day, weather permitting. Squadrons planning to bring Cadets should contact Capt. Roy Martin (remartin@frontiernet.net) with the number of Cadets you will be bringing. Each squadron must provide at least one Officer member to help in glider launching. All participating Officers and Cadets must bring their certificate showing successful completion of the on-line Wing Runner's Course. No exceptions! Cadets must wear tennis shoes for glider flying. Any questions please let me know. THOMAS HOFFMANN, Major, CAP

UP Coming Events
June 19-21 WV/Delaware Joint SAREX at Petersburg (overnight camping available) Cadet Summer Encampment. SAREX at Petersburg (overnight camping available)

Safety Corner
While the federal government remains committed to stopping the manufacture and sale of illegal fireworks, CPSC encourages consumers who use fireworks to safely use legal consumer fireworks. To reduce injuries, CPSC recommends following these fireworks safety tips: Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them. Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers. Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often dont realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children under five. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees hot enough to melt some metals. Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back a safe distance immediately after lighting. Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned. Never point or throw fireworks at another person. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap. Light one item at a time, then move back quickly. Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers. After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.

July 11- 18 July 24-26

August 14-16 SAREX at Petersburg (overnight camping available) August Cadet Glider Encampment at Petersburg (weeklong glider flying course w/camping at the airport. There may be some costs involved. New activity dependent upon interest and availability of instructors.)

August 22-23 AFRCC is offering the SAR Management Course at the Mine Academy in Beckley Sept 4-6 SAREX at Petersburg (overnight camping available)

____________________________________________________________

Test Schedule
Tests for Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Leadership Chapter 2- Cadet Ebert Chapter 3- Cadets Wetzel, Lowther Chapter 4- Cadet Roberts Chapter 9- Cadet Grant Aerospace Module 1- Cadet Mitchell Module 3- Cadet Smith Module 5- Cadet Huck Milestone Tests Wright Brothers- Cadet Stone Mitchell- Childers Earhart- Cadet Malone
Cadet Childers must complete the essay/speech requirement for the Armstrong Achievement 8. Try to do this on Blues Night (June 2) if possible. The following Cadets need to pass the fitness test for their next Achievement: Childers, Ebert, Grant, Huck, Roberts, Smith, Stone, Wetzel Cadet Grant must complete an SDA and must mentor a younger Cadet for Achievement 10 (Administrative Officer).

Want to read previous newsletters? Visit www.PKBCAP.com and press the calendar tab.
Questions, comments, or want to write an article and have it posted on this Newsletter? Just send an email to svelez@suddenlink.net.