National News

(1)
The annual Wreaths Across America observation is set for Dec. 12.

(2)
More than 10,000 red-ribboned balsam fir wreaths adorn the white marble gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery as part of Wreaths Across America in 2008. Worcester Wreath Co. plans to send 17,000 wreaths to Washington next month as part of the 2009 Wreaths Across America observance.

(3)
A remembrance wreath lies on the Civil Air Patrol Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. A wreath is placed there each December as part of the Wreaths Across America ceremonies at Arlington

(4)
Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, Civil Air Patrol national commander, talks to members of the media during the 2008 Wreaths Across America observance at Arlington National Cemetery. CAP is a major partner of the annual initiative that uses wreaths to remember, honor and teach about the service and sacrifices of U.S. veterans.

(5)
Cadet Sr. Airman Chasby Berlinski of the Arizona Wing’s Glendale Composite Squadron 308 salutes the fallen veteran whose memory he has just honored during the 2008 Wreaths Across America observation at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

(6)
Members of the Minnesota Wing’s St. Cloud Composite Squadron prepare to lay wreaths during a 2008 Wreaths Across America observance at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley.


NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS – In what is now a holiday tradition, Civil Air Patrol is proud to partner with Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization that recognizes the courage and sacrifices of U.S. veterans.

“Our mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “Thousands of CAP members participated last year and helped us to do just that, and this year’s Wreaths Across America promises to take this worthwhile endeavor to even greater heights.”

Through Wreaths Across America, veteran memorials and gravesites, including Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., will be adorned Dec. 12 with remembrance wreaths from Maine’s Worcester Wreath Co. The stirring, solemn tributes honor many of the 25 million men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces and guarded and preserved America’s freedom throughout history.

“Laying the wreaths is an honor to our veterans, a service to our communities and a learning experience for our members,” said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, who is delighted that CAP is involved in this patriotic cause.

Since its inception in 2006, Wreaths Across America has experienced tremendous growth – from 240 ceremonies at national and state cemeteries in its first year to the 400 expected in all 50 states and 25 cemeteries and memorials abroad in 2009. CAP units will lead almost half of the Wreaths Across America observances this year and will participate with other color and honor guards at many additional locations. CAP cadets and officers will lay wreaths at Arlington as well.

The founders of Wreaths Across America, Worcester and her husband, Morrill, owners of Worcester Wreath Co., are donating 17,000 wreaths for this year’s Arlington ceremonies. The wreaths will be transported on a 750-mile journey from Harrington, Maine, after a sendoff ceremony Dec. 6, and will arrive at Arlington on Dec. 12.

The route is one the longest annual veterans’ celebrations as patriotic Americans, veterans groups and other local organizations like CAP show their support for the project with parades and ceremonies at more than 20 stops along the way.

Over the past 10 years, the Maine Wing’s 75th and 76th composite squadrons have been actively involved in Worcester Wreath Co.’s convoys to Arlington, supplying senior members and cadets to help load and unload the donated wreaths as well as helping lay them on the gravestones at Arlington.

In addition, 600 to 700 motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard Riders – an organization of more than 122,000 whose primary mission is to attend the funerals of fallen heroes nationwide – accompany the trucks to Washington.

Before the convoy begins, Wreaths Across America and its partners will acknowledge other countries involved in this year’s observances with a parade and wreath-laying ceremony Dec. 5 on the International Bridge, which links the U.S. and Canada.

Royal Canadian Air Cadets with escort America’s Gold Star Mother and CAP cadets from America will escort Canada’s Silver Cross Mother to the center of the bridge, spanning the St. Croix River between Calais, Maine, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick. The Gold Star Mother will present a Worcester wreath to the Silver Cross Mother for placement at the Centatoph Memorial Monument in St. Stephen.

In addition to the International Bridge wreath, the Worcesters are donating 50 wreaths for Dec. 5 ceremonies at each state capitol in the U.S. And on Dec. 7, Civil Air Patrol’s National Honor Guard will take part in a wreath-laying at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, which also will feature a wreath provided by Worcester Wreath Co.

The 2009 observances on the International Bridge, at Arlington, the nation’s capitols and across America carry a heightened significance for Wreaths Across America and CAP.

“This year’s ceremonies honor the memory of the Maine Wing’s Maj. Dennis W. Murray, who passed away in September and whose devotion to the Wreaths Across America program is his legacy,” Courter said.

Murray, CAP’s 2008 national Public Affairs Officer of the Year, is credited with helping link the organization with Worcester Wreath Co. and Wreaths Across America three years ago. “That partnership has grown exponentially, and CAP has become a major partner,” Courter said.

Wreaths Across America began in 2006 as an offshoot of the Arlington National Cemetery wreath project, which started in 1992 with the annual placement of wreaths donated by Worcester Wreath Co. Today it is a monumental initiative, with partners like CAP, the Patriot Guard Riders, the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., and other veterans’ groups participating, not to mention the tens of thousands of private citizens who sponsor wreaths for the wreath-laying ceremonies.

Wreaths Across America spokesman Tobin Slaven applauded the relationship between CAP and Worcester Wreath Co. “It really has been phenomenal,” Slaven said. “Civil Air Patrol has been a driving force behind Wreaths Across America’s growth.”

The wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington are scheduled to commence at 8 a.m. EST Dec. 12 at the CAP Memorial, culminating with a national Wreaths Across America ceremony and moment of remembrance at 9 a.m. attended by the Worcesters and other dignitaries from CAP, the Patriot Guard Riders, the Maine State Society, the Gold Star Mothers, the American Legion and other veterans’ groups. At that time, Wreaths Across America participants nationwide will adorn veterans’ graves with remembrance wreaths concurrently with the Arlington celebration.

Other wreath-laying ceremonies Dec. 12 at Arlington are planned at the Shuttle Memorial at 11 a.m. and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at noon. The Arlington observances will conclude at 1 p.m. with the CAP Honor Guard and Courter laying a wreath at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. Afterward, Courter will host a distinguished visitors’ reception in the memorial’s Hall of Honor.

Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org for more information about Wreaths Across America and participating locations. 

 

(1)
Intense light from the sun is obvious in this photograph taken by Stevens Point Composite Squadron cadets’ near-space balloon project. 

(2)
This photo was taken as the near-space balloon climbed to its highest point – some 20 miles above the Earth. The sky is black in the photo because the earth’s atmosphere is not there to scatter the sun’s light in all directions.

(3)
Here is the sun again, this time to the right of the camera frame. The photo was taken as the near-space balloon expanded to its 60-plus-foot bursting circumference.

(4)
This photo shows the near-space view of the highest point of the near-space balloon flight – some 20 miles above the Earth. It was taken only seconds before the balloon reached its bursting circumference.

(5)
This photo was taken immediately after the beginning of the near-space balloon’s descent. At the time, the balloon was free-falling at terminal velocity.

(6)
This photo was taken after the balloon’s parachute successfully deployed. It shows the border of Wisconsin and Lake Michigan. At the time it was taken, the balloon was descending at 6,000 feet per minute or more, because of the thin air at that altitude.

(7)
Project Hyperion’s payload, seen right before cadets packed it in hand warmers for the near-space balloon’s ascent. The cooler and hand warmers protected the payload from exposure to the extreme cold.

(8)
Cadets work to inflate the balloon for the flight. Assisting them is the Stevens Point commander, Maj. Virginia Suarino.

(9)
A cadet tapes up the payload for Project Hyperion, which included a camera that captured almost 4,000 digital photos -- nearly seven gigabytes of data -- during the flight.

(10)
The taped-up cooler protected the camera throughout the three-minute, 19-second flight, which reached heights of some 20 miles above Earth. The near-space balloon was high enough for the attached camera to capture photos of Lake Michigan. 

(11)
Five cadets and the commander of the Stevens Point Composite Squadron pose for a photo before launching Project Hyperion. Cadet 1st Lt. Mark Flage, third from left with the payload in hand, served as project leader. To his left is the squadron commander, Maj. Virginia Suarino.

(12)
The Stevens Point cadets launch Project Hyperion in Cadott, midway between the equator and the North Pole. About three hours later, the near-space balloon returned to Earth some 145 miles away, just east of the Nicolet National Forest.

Photos by 1st Lt. Terese Barta
 

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

WISCONSIN – On a crisp November afternoon, five cadets and their commander from the Stevens Point Composite Squadron watched their helium-filled weather balloon float up into the cirrus-streaked sky. 

But this was no ordinary weather balloon. This was “Project Hyperion,” their version of a near-space balloon designed to capture photographs from the Earth’s stratosphere. The name for the project was taken from the Greek Titan god of light.

The payload of Hyperion included a digital camera programmed to take a photograph every five seconds. The camera was blanketed with chemical hand-warmers to protect it from the extreme cold temperatures, estimated to be 70 below zero. 

Its position was tracked by means of a GPS-enabled mobile phone and a free real-time GPS mapping program called InstaMapper.

The latex weather balloon the squadron used is designed to expand until it reaches 20 miles above Earth, then burst. Cadets calculated that the balloon was 6 feet in diameter at launch and 23 feet in diameter at the bursting point
The cadets fitted a small parachute to Hyperion to ensure a safe return of the payload back to Earth.

The launch took place at 1:23 p.m. at Cadott, a small town that happens to lie midway between the equator and the North Pole. The location was chosen so the cadets could avoid populated areas but still use cell phone reception for tracking. The balloon’s predicted trajectory was based on 15 different calculations relating to winds aloft.

Within 10 minutes of launch, the balloon had reached an altitude of 9,300 feet MSL (mean sea level). It was also detected at 12,000 feet MSL before floating out of range. About three hours later, the signal returned, and Hyperion landed at 4:42 p.m. just east of the Nicolet National Forest, 145 miles from the launch site.

The entire three-hour, 19-minute trip of the balloon’s payload extended from 44.95345 degrees north, 91.14439 degrees west, to 45.45787 degrees north, 88.31535 degrees west.

The next day, the cadets retrieved the Hyperion payload from the top of a tall tree. The cooler and all its contents were in good shape, and the hand warmers packed inside were still warm. The cadets could hear the cell phone ringing when they called it from the ground. Although its batteries had worn down overnight, the camera suffered no damage.

Nearly 4,000 digital photographs were downloaded from the camera -- almost seven gigabytes of data. The balloon soared high enough to easily capture Lake Michigan in some of the photos.

“The reason the sky is black in some photos is because the earth’s atmosphere is not there to scatter the sun’s light in all directions,” explained the project leader, Cadet 1st Lt. Mark Flage.

While high-altitude balloon photography is not new, this type of launch is unusual in terms of its low cost and ease of assembly, using only off-the-shelf materials that anyone can acquire. The materials included a plastic foam cooler, duct tape and parachute cord. The weather balloon was purchased for $60. The total cost of the project: $150. 

“The entire operation required no specialized knowledge of either programming, radio direction-finding or long-range radio control, making it possible for anybody with $150 and an adventurous attitude to repeat,” Flage said.

Contrast that with the recent NASA test launch of the Ares I-X missile 25 miles into space. Price tag: $445 million.

Flage said planning for Project Hyperion started in October. The plans were developed from Project Icarus, initiated by a group of MIT students who want to share the artistic aspects of science with others. They launched their weather balloon Sept. 2, and their digital camera documented a five-hour flight that reached 93,000 feet, or 17.5 miles. It was recovered 20 miles from the launch site.

Project Icarus is spurring similar launches across the country. Project Hyperion -- the subject of a report by WAOW-TV, the ABC affiliate in Wausau -- was the first successful launch of its type in Wisconsin.

The cadets contacted Minneapolis Center several days before the launch to make sure they would not interfere with controlled airspace. They learned that federal aviation regulations do not apply to balloons with payloads of less than 4 pounds; the Hyperion payload was 2 pounds.

“Our balloon flew farther, higher and longer than previous launches because we acquired a balloon with 4 pounds of free lift for our mission,” Flage said. “Since our payload only required 2 pounds of lift, we chose to underinflate the balloon at launch, enabling it to climb higher before stretching to bursting diameter.”

Flage says he was amazed by the sheer amount of planning involved in the launch of Project Hyperion. Just to determine a good launch site, he had to conduct a series of trajectory and landing zone calculations, which required knowledge of the capsule’s descent rate.

“I learned that a combination of flexibility and out-of-the-box thinking can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles,” he said.

Joining him as participants in the launch were his three brothers – Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Joel Flage, Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Tom Flage and Cadet Airman Daniel Flage -- and Cadet Master Sgt. Alex Menningen, all cadets with the Stevens Point squadron. On hand to witness the launch were the squadron’s commander, Maj. Virginia Suarino, and its deputy commander, 1st Lt. Terese Barta. Cadet Tech Sgt. Nick Burns also helped construct the parachute but couldn’t attend the launch.

Suarino was impressed with the cadets’ planning and execution. “The most exciting part, aside from the moment we let go of the balloon, was seeing the first pictures. Absolutely fantastic,” she said.

The squadron plans to stage future launches and conduct outreach to the community to bring the project into area schools.



 


 

MINNESOTA – The pilot of a plane reported missing last Friday is dead.

The plane, a PA-28 Piper Cherokee, was discovered Tuesday southwest of Bemidji, Minn., by a private pilot. A Minnesota State Patrol helicopter and a CAP ground search team confirmed the find.

The Clearwater County Sheriff's Office announced that the pilot, Andrew Lindberg, died in the crash.

Over the course of four days, nearly 400 Civil Air Patrol members from Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota wings, including ground team members and pilots, were involved in the search. They used 18 CAP aircraft to search for Lindberg, who was flying from Air Lake Airport to Hallock, Minn., Friday night. State and Department of Natural Resources helicopters also participated in the search.

The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., alerted CAP the aircraft was missing on Nov. 14. CAP air and ground crews from all parts of the Minnesota Wing joined CAP members from Fargo and Grand Forks, N.D., and Sioux Falls, S.D., in the search. The circumstances of the crash will be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.

CAP’s Minnesota Wing consists of 24 squadrons located in every area of the state, with more than 1,200 members and 19 light aircraft.

Minnesota Wing routinely flies thousands of hours per year of operational flights and contributes more than 10,000 person-hours to search and rescue, counter drug, disaster preparedness, homeland security and other humanitarian mission flying.

Thanks to our friends at AFJROTC and the Air Force's Holm Center, you'll find some outstanding drill and ceremonies videos available at capmembers.com/drill. These are the same videos found on the Air Force drill and ceremonies DVD that we sent to every squadron about 18 months ago. For your convenience, they've been broken down into chapters. Next time you're doing drill and ceremonies training, take a look at the videos and other resources available at the link above.

Maj. Al Pabon
Director of Public Affairs
North Central Region

MINNESOTA – The Minnesota Wing continues to search for an aircraft and pilot that went missing Friday.

The aircraft -– a white PA-28 Piper Cherokee with yellow stripes and black highlights -- left Air Lake Airport in Lakeville bound for Hallock. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., alerted CAP the following morning that the aircraft was missing.

Air and ground search teams searched Monday between Wadena and Hallock, deploying nearly 70 members and 10 aircraft from Minnesota and surrounding states.

The air and ground search continued today at first light, with all operations based at Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport.

The search is slowly growing and now encompasses several central Minnesota counties, including Becker, Mahnomen, Red Lake, Marshall, Hubbard, Polk, Pennington, Todd and Wadena.

Eighteen aircraft, some from the North and South Dakota wing, are searching for the missing plane and pilot, Andrew Lindberg. More than 50 CAP ground personnel are also involved.

CAP is asking that pilots stay out of the airspace between St. Cloud and Foston to avoid interfering with search operations.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the local county sheriff's office, which is in contact with CAP and the search effort.

 

Capt. Jeff Carlson, Group 5 public affairs officer, discusses efforts to expand public affairs capability and capacity at the squadron level.


Capt. Jeff Carlson
Public Affairs Officer
Group 5
Florida Wing

FLORIDA – Two dozen Florida Wing members from across the state gathered Oct. 31 in Sarasota for a one-day public affairs workshop focusing on public affairs officer skill development and new trends in public relations.

The workshop was hosted by the Group 5 Headquarters public affairs team and featured five topic presentations by public relation experts.

Maj. Grant Meadows, Florida Wing director of marketing and public relations, emphasized learning about recent changes to the Civil Air Patrol regulation governing the public affairs program, including a requirement that an annual public affairs plan be developed for each unit. Meadows also reviewed the current Florida Wing plan and outlined future changes.

Maj. Steven Solomon, Southeast Region director of public affairs, guided participants through a session on writing effective news releases.

Other topics included presentations on:

• “Working with the Media” by Maj. Doug Jessmer, Group 3 PAO.
   
• “Making Better Photos” by 2nd Lt. David Bellis, assistant wing public affairs officer.
   
• “Social Networking” by 2nd Lt. Kevin McNulty of the SRQ Composite Squadron, president and chief executive officer of NetWeave Social Networking.

Capt. Jeff Carlson, event director and Group 5 PAO, welcomed the participants and briefly discussed the need to coordinate existing public affairs resources and to further expand the number of members involved with creating and delivering CAP’s message -- especially cadets.

Carlson emphasized the need for effective internal communication with members, calling it vital in maintaining morale and a high level of readiness. He also spoke about the important role that communication plays in developing strategic partnerships and strengthening relationships with CAP’s stakeholders.

Each participant received a completion certificate and credit toward the annual professional development training requirement for the public affairs officer specialty track. The workshop sessions were recorded on video by cadets from the SRQ squadron and will be made available on the Channel 5 multimedia Web page accessed through the Group 5 news site.


 

WISCONSIN -- Civil Air Patrol Maj. William Wenzel, a veteran of World War II's Battle of the Bulge, has recently published a book about his time as a young U.S. Army infantry medic. Now 86, Wenzel said his sons encouraged to write about his war experiences. The self-published book is entitled "A Time To Remember."

WEST VIRGINIA -- Lt. Col. Dennis D. Barron of Martinsburg has been appointed commander of Civil Air Patrol's West Virginia Wing. He succeeds former wing commander Col. Rod Moore. For more on Barron and Moore, see Maj. Jeffery Schrock's change of command story published in the Martinsburg Journal.

NEW YORK -- Edith Marie Gonder Pernice learned the importance of volunteering while serving as a 15-year-old cadet with the Civil Air Patrol. Sixty-four years later, she maintains that same volunteer spirit, serving such organizations as the Business and Professional Women (BPW) and the American Legion. As a result of her volunteerism, the Business and Professional Women of Delhi, N.Y., are honoring Pernice as their 2009 Woman of the Year.

MASSACHUSETTS -- Cadet Airman Allen Ellis, a recent recipient of CAP's Lifesaving Award, is honored in an article published in the Danvers Herald. Ellis, a resident of Danvers, was credited with using skills he learned at a New Hampshire Wing cadet summer encampment to help save the life of his 3-year-old brother. The youngster was burned while on a family camping trip but Ellis' quick actions helped him to make a full recovery.

(1)
Capt. Steve Goldman leads a presentation on preflight checks for Hanscom Composite Squadron cadets.

(2)
A senior member works on communications proficiency.


2nd Lt. Reid J. Leonard
Public Affairs Officer
Hanscom Composite Squadron
Massachusetts Wing

MASSACHUSETTS -- Cadet and Senior members gathered recently on the Civil Air Patrol ramp at Hanscom Air Force Base for an evening of recurrent training and aircraft familiarization.

Six Hanscom cadets and prospective cadets learned first-hand the basics of preflight aircraft inspection in a session led by a pair of mission pilots, Capts. Steve Goldman and Steve Hood. After a safety briefing, the cadets conducted a full preflight inspection of a Cessna 172, using the approved checklist.

They learned how to assess the proper condition and function of each item, such as the propeller, flaps, aerodynamic control surfaces and fuel tanks. They were also encouraged to discuss the reasons behind each step in the inspection, including potential risks to safe aircraft operation and factors critical to successful completion of a mission. 

After the preflight inspection, each cadet climbed into the cockpit to enjoy the view from the pilot or co-pilot's seat. They were encouraged to learn much more about CAP aircraft through the cadet orientation program.

At the same time the cadets were enjoying some hands-on time with the Cessna 172, instructors from the squadron were delivering scenario-based communications proficiency training in a Cessna 182 to mission observers from the Hanscom and Mount Wachussett Senior squadrons.

The Hanscom unit’s communications officer, 1st Lt. David Kent, and Capt. Jim Rottman, mission pilot, led a 45-minute classroom refresher on CAP aircraft communications equipment. Topics included hardware differences among Massachusetts Wing aircraft, recent updates to CAP communications channels, proper phraseology and best practices for cockpit coordination among mission pilots, mission observers and mission scanners.

Then the trainees were paired up in a G1000-equipped Cessna 182 with Lt Col. Bill Schillhammer, who acted as mission pilot for a simulated night mission. After the preflight communications check, the crew "ground-flew" a complete mission, using the aircraft radios to communicate with 1st Lt. Steve Cavanaugh, acting as mission base.

The aircraft and base crews practiced standard radio calls for navigation, tasking and emergency locator transmitter detection, with an emphasis on proper phraseology.

During the debriefing, all agreed that scenario-based training is a valuable tool to maintain mission readiness.

"Ground-bound simulations allow the crew to focus on specific training tasks using real-world equipment, without the stress of managing an actual flight," said Lt. Col. Bill Duffey, Hanscom commander. 
 

The Rhode Island Wing contingent beside the KC-10 tanker.

Col. Anthony Gagliardi
Commander
Rhode Island Wing

RHODE ISLAND – A full complement of Rhode Island Wing members -- 21 cadets and 11 senior members -- got a feel for flight in a KC-10 via an incentive ride Nov. 6 aboard a tanker from the 305th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.

The trip was planned for three months through the McGuire public affairs in office. In addition to the incentive ride, the cadets received a tour of the 305th Aerial Port Squadron freight and passenger terminals and a tour of a C-17.

The cadets were able to watch actual refueling training from both the flight deck and the refueling station. Clear weather and light winds helped make the flight even more memorable.

Transportation from Rhode Island was provided by the Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 143rd Tactical Airlift Wing. Lodging was at the All American Inn at McGuire, and the Army Dining Facility at Fort Dix provided meals.


 

The Rhode Island Wing contingent beside the KC-10 tanker.

Col. Anthony Gagliardi
Commander
Rhode Island Wing

RHODE ISLAND – A full complement of Rhode Island Wing members -- 21 cadets and 11 senior members -- got a feel for flight in a KC-10 via an incentive ride Nov. 6 aboard a tanker from the 305th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.

The trip was planned for three months through the McGuire public affairs in office. In addition to the incentive ride, the cadets received a tour of the 305th Aerial Port Squadron freight and passenger terminals and a tour of a C-17.

The cadets were able to watch actual refueling training from both the flight deck and the refueling station. Clear weather and light winds helped make the flight even more memorable.

Transportation from Rhode Island was provided by the Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 143rd Tactical Airlift Wing. Lodging was at the All American Inn at McGuire, and the Army Dining Facility at Fort Dix provided meals.


 

(1)
The Raleigh-Wake Composite Squadron Color Guard presents colors during the National Anthem.

(2)
The Raleigh-Wake Composite Squadron Cadet Color Guard – (from left) Cadet Senior Airman Michael Sowell, Cadet Capts. Kyle Zobel and Stephen Coogan and Cadet Senior Airmen Peter Soares.


2nd Lt. Marie Shanley
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Raleigh-Wake Composite Squadron
North Carolina Wing  

NORTH CAROLINA – The Raleigh-Wake Composite Squadron Cadet Color Guard presented the colors at the Carolina Hurricanes’ Veterans Day game against the Los Angeles Kings as more than 13,000 NHL fans watched at Raleigh’s RBC center. 

The crowd was the largest the cadets -- Cadet Capts. Stephen Coogan and Kyle Zobel and Cadet Senior Airmen Peter Soares and Michael Sowell -- had ever appeared before, and they were excited and nervous. They were especially concerned at having to walk on the ice in front of such a throng. 

Lt. Col. Paul Meade, North Carolina Wing vice commander, was at the game and remarked at how pleased he was to see the cadets. The team was also commended by Col. Roy Douglass, wing commander, who told squadron leaders that “your cadets look extremely sharp! Please pass on to them … my thanks and my congratulations to them for an obvious job well done.”

Accolades also came from Jon Chase, director of promotions for the Hurricanes. “Everyone did a great job and represented the Civil Air Patrol cadets very well,” Chase said.

"The group is well-spoken, very organized and quite professional.” 

Added Maj. Tim Tessin, Raleigh-Wake commander, “We are proud that our cadets were selected to display the colors on such an important day.”


 

(1)
Capt. Steve Goldman leads a presentation on preflight checks for Hanscom Composite Squadron cadets.

(2)
A senior member works on communications proficiency.


2nd Lt. Reid J. Leonard
Public Affairs Officer
Hanscom Composite Squadron
Massachusetts Wing

MASSACHUSETTS -- Cadet and Senior members gathered recently on the Civil Air Patrol ramp at Hanscom Air Force Base for an evening of recurrent training and aircraft familiarization.

Six Hanscom cadets and prospective cadets learned first-hand the basics of preflight aircraft inspection in a session led by a pair of mission pilots, Capts. Steve Goldman and Steve Hood. After a safety briefing, the cadets conducted a full preflight inspection of a Cessna 172, using the approved checklist.

They learned how to assess the proper condition and function of each item, such as the propeller, flaps, aerodynamic control surfaces and fuel tanks. They were also encouraged to discuss the reasons behind each step in the inspection, including potential risks to safe aircraft operation and factors critical to successful completion of a mission. 

After the preflight inspection, each cadet climbed into the cockpit to enjoy the view from the pilot or co-pilot's seat. They were encouraged to learn much more about CAP aircraft through the cadet orientation program.

At the same time the cadets were enjoying some hands-on time with the Cessna 172, instructors from the squadron were delivering scenario-based communications proficiency training in a Cessna 182 to mission observers from the Hanscom and Mount Wachussett Senior squadrons.

The Hanscom unit’s communications officer, 1st Lt. David Kent, and Capt. Jim Rottman, mission pilot, led a 45-minute classroom refresher on CAP aircraft communications equipment. Topics included hardware differences among Massachusetts Wing aircraft, recent updates to CAP communications channels, proper phraseology and best practices for cockpit coordination among mission pilots, mission observers and mission scanners.

Then the trainees were paired up in a G1000-equipped Cessna 182 with Lt Col. Bill Schillhammer, who acted as mission pilot for a simulated night mission. After the preflight communications check, the crew "ground-flew" a complete mission, using the aircraft radios to communicate with 1st Lt. Steve Cavanaugh, acting as mission base.

The aircraft and base crews practiced standard radio calls for navigation, tasking and emergency locator transmitter detection, with an emphasis on proper phraseology.

During the debriefing, all agreed that scenario-based training is a valuable tool to maintain mission readiness.

"Ground-bound simulations allow the crew to focus on specific training tasks using real-world equipment, without the stress of managing an actual flight," said Lt. Col. Bill Duffey, Hanscom commander. 
 

1st Lt. George Supan
Public Affairs Officer
Group 3
Minnesota Wing

MINNESOTA – Civil Air Patrol aircraft from the Minnesota and North Dakota wings and ground teams resumed searching today for a PA-28 Piper Cherokee still missing after leaving the Minneapolis area Friday evening for Hallock.

The Cherokee’s pilot, Andrew Lindberg, who flew out of Airlake Airport in suburban Minneapolis, was last heard from via text message about 6:30 p.m. Friday, when he said he was near Staples – about 140 miles from Minneapolis and 200 miles from Hallock.

Civil Air Patrol was alerted of the missing aircraft early Saturday by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.  Ground teams were dispatched, and as the skies cleared aircraft were dispatched from Minnesota and North Dakota to search the area.

On Sunday, ground search teams searched more than 2,000 square miles in the area between Wadena and Hallock. In all, 110 CAP members, eight ground search teams and 12 aircraft were involved.

CAP’s advanced imaging system, ARCHER (Airborne Real-time Cueing Hyperspectral Enhanced Reconnaissance), is being used during the search. ARCHER is a custom-designed system employing a hyperspectral camera and special software for search and rescue, disaster impact assessment and relief, and homeland security.

The search resumed today at first light, with operations based at Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport.


 

(1)
Senior Member Cindy Osuna welcomes two National Guardsmen from Washington state.

(2)
Senior Member Cindy Osuna greets a married troop couple.

(3)
Senior Member Cindy Osuna waits at Portsmouth International Airport in Pease, N.H., where she and other Pease Greeters gathered to welcome American troops back to the States and thank them for their service overseas.


Jennifer S. Kornegay
Contributing Writer

VERMONT -- “The hugs are the best,” Senior Member Cindy Osuna said as she tried to put into words the impetus that moved her to drive over 150 miles each way to wait, sometimes for hours, in an airport lobby just to say “welcome home” or “thank you” to service members on their way to or from deployment.

“Until you’ve been there, you can’t explain it,” said Osuna, a member of the Springfield Composite Squadron. “It’s a long trip, and it is tiring, but I try to fit it in because it is worth it.

“Once you go and see what an important role you play, you want to go every time you can make it.”

As part of a group known as the Pease Greeters, Osuna and her fellow greeters offer support to complete strangers at a critical time. “Especially for those that are leaving home, heading overseas, they get boosted morale,” she said. “They’re just stopping to refuel, and then they are greeted by all these cheering people. It touches them.”

Sometimes even the greeters don’t really know each other, but that all changes after a few moments together. “When I walk in I get an immediate response from other greeters, whether I know them or not,” Osuna said. “It’s like a family.”

Pease Greeters was started in 2005. The group consists of volunteer veterans and civilians who travel to Portsmouth International Airport in Pease, N.H., every time a plane carrying troops either leaves for deployment or returns home.

The greeters give the troops drinks, snacks and a heartfelt show of support. The group just recently celebrated greeting its 300th flight.

Osuna joined the Springfield squadron in 2009. Her reasons for joining Civil Air Patrol further illustrate her giving nature.

“I really have a lot on my plate,” she said. “I am the program associate for health services and counseling at Landmark College, and I’m also the commander of the Springfield Veterans of Foreign Wars as well as state director of VFW Youth Activities. I went to a CAP meeting to form a relationship between CAP and VFW.”

She got a little more than she bargained for — she got recruited.

“At that meeting they told me that they really needed a female senior officer so female cadets could attend encampments,” Osuna said. “I hated to think about a female cadet missing out because there weren’t enough senior female officers, so that’s the main reason I joined.

“When I was in the Air Force, there were fewer opportunities for women, so I know what it’s like. I wanted to do whatever I could to help other females get as much as they can out of organizations like CAP.”

Ozona’s squadron commander, Lt. Col. David Mikelson, is thrilled to have her. “We approached Cindy and said we needed a female senior officer; she said, ‘Sure,’” Mikelson said.

“It means so much to those girls who’ve been able to attend an encampment because of her. She’s also going to be our public affairs officer once she finishes the training. We see her as a real catch, a great addition.”

Osuna met her first flight with the Pease Greeters in January, joining 200 others to offer a pat on the back and words of encouragement to troops.

“There are no dues, no meetings, but once you’ve greeted one flight, you’re a part of the group,” she said. “I do it because I want our military men and women to know that there are people back home supporting them.”

The entire experience is rewarding for greeted and greeters alike, as Osuna explained. “It motivates them to know that we’re supportive, that we understand. They send us e-mails and tell us how we impact them,” she said. “And for the greeters, we get the camaraderie, the friendships.”

And the memories.

“Every time is different, and I remember each one,” Osuna said. “I remember this National Guardsman who gave me the patch off his shoulder to give to my granddad, who was 1st Calvary in World War II and the Korean War. Now my granddad has a 1st Calvary patch from Iraq.”

She’d like to get CAP cadets involved with the Pease Greeters, if she can work out the timing.

“The troops love seeing kids there, and I know the cadets would really get something out of it, too.”









 

(1)
Greenville Composite Squadron cadets inspect a salvaged Rockwell Commander 685 serving as part of a Halloween display as “aliens" look on.

(2)
Cadets with their Oct. 24 find – (from left) Cadet Airman 1st Class Mary Frietze, Cadet Tech. Sgt. Alexis Phares, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Sally Anderson, Cadet 2nd Lt. Cameron Taylor, Cadet Airman Rane Hardgrave, Cadet 2nd Lt. Kevin Czajaka and Cadet Senior Airman Hudson Cole.


Photos by 1st Lt. Chris Chapman


1st Lt. Orville N. Eastland III
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Greenville Composite Squadron
South Carolina Wing

SOUTH CAROLINA – Greenville Composite Squadron members searching for a crashed airplane Oct. 24 as part of a training exercise came across not only a downed craft, but also a flying saucer complete with little green men.

As part of a search and rescue exercise, the cadets and senior members on the ground team were assigned to look for possible signs of a crashed airplane in eastern Greenville County.

"We were told to look for an aircraft possibly coming down in a neighborhood, but we had no type of aircraft, so we were just looking for airplane parts," 2nd Lt. Ronald Hardgrave said.

Mission accomplished … and then some.

In a residential front yard the team found a Rockwell Commander 685 that had crashed in Mississippi in 1991. Greenville resident Kim Varner had bought it to use as part of his Halloween display.

Varner made an accompanying flying saucer by joining a pair of satellite dishes together. The alien craft’s little green occupants were costumes placed on poles nearby.

"My first thoughts were that it wasn't what we were looking for, and we thought it was just something someone had set up there, so we didn't think anything of it, really," said Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Sally Anderson.

After reporting the find to mission base, however, the team members were informed that the scene was, in fact, their target.

Capt. Charles W. Morris Jr., The incident commander overseeing the exercise, knew of the crashed plane in the Halloween display and decided to use it as part of the exercise.

"We became aware of it and realized that we were going to have bad weather in the morning, so we decided to set up an urban search, which is also very realistic," said Morris, also the Greenville squadron’s commander.

While Varner had not known about the exercise, he did appreciate his display’s being used as a search target.

"He was pleased to see them," Hardgrave said.

The exercise later involved a search in a different location for an emergency locator transmitter, which simulated a crashed aircraft.

Overall, "I thought it was a lot of fun," Cadet Senior Airman Hudson Cole said.

Asked if she expected to remember the exercise for awhile, Anderson answered in the affirmative.

“Little green men are kind of hard to forget," she said.

 

(1)
Cadet Airman Kyle Reed at the controls of a $650,000 rig at Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s firefighting and rescue center.
     
(2)
Capt. Tony Gutierrez, commander of Lakeshore 119 Composite Squadron, shares insights from his experiences as a firefighter/emergency rescue team member at Gerald R. Ford International.

(3)
Michigan Wing members and Sparta firefighters look over a few of Kent Career Technical Center’s airplane displays.

(4)
Kent Technical Career Technical Center instructor Dennis Stine and 2nd Lt. Bill Reed, Grand Rapids Senior Squadron emergency services officer, lead a presentation.

(5)
Second Lt. Bill Reed describes typical engine type and mounting configuration.


1st Lt. Kevin Jarchow
Public Affairs Officer
Grand Rapids Senior Squadron
Michigan Wing

MICHIGAN – The Grand Rapids Senior Squadron hosted a special training session Nov. 1 for the Sparta Fire Department in response to firefighters’ request for information and general training in fire and rescue matters involving aircraft.

Sparta, just north of Grand Rapids, is home to the popular Paul C. Miller-Sparta Airport, which the squadron often uses for training purposes. During various joint activities, the city’s firefighters expressed interest in a Civil Air Patrol-led training session.

The squadron’s emergency services officer, 2nd Lt. Bill Reed, worked with Lt. Dan Olney, the fire department’ training officer, in organizing the session, which drew 34 participants. It was held at the Kent Career Technical Center’s aviation maintenance facility at Grand Rapids’ Gerald R. Ford International Airport. The facility’s displays of general aviation aircraft in various stages of disassembly made the site ideal for the presentation.

Reed, a CAP pilot and former volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, worked with Kent Career Technical Center instructor Dennis Stine in presenting a general review of aircraft construction, materials, engines, fuel and electrical systems, as well as potential accident scene and victim injury scenarios. The session also included an overview of current technology and potential hazards at a crash scene.

Key members of the Lakeshore 119 Composite Squadron also contributed. The Lakeshore unit’s commander, Capt. Tony Gutierrez, is a firefighter/emergency rescue team member at Ford International and provided valuable insights for the Sparta team.

Other Lakeshore members participating were the squadron’s deputy commander for seniors, Lt. Col. Frank Roldan; its operations officer, Maj. Jason Sherwood; and its emergency services training officer, 2nd Lt.  Jeston Swarts.

In addition, Reed’s son, Cadet Airman Kyle Reed of the Boulle-Norman Cadet Squadron, helped keep things running smoothly. The younger Reed is a student at the technical center.
 
After the training session concluded, a small caravan of vehicles traveled to the east side of the airport for a tour of the airport fire and rescue facility, led by Gutierrez.

 

(1)
Senior staff listen during operations planning at the start of a mission.

(2)
Cadets listen closely during a mission briefing.


1st Lt. Robert Johnson
Director of Public Affairs
Connecticut Wing

CONNECTICUT -- The Connecticut Wing combined with staff from the neighboring Rhode Island Wing for a graded multi-incident simulated training exercise over the weekend under the watchful eyes of U.S. Air Force evaluation judges.

Members successfully located and secured a simulated aircraft crash site and treated the victims and also carried out a simulated missing person search in a Connecticut state park.

Participants were also called on to deal with other unexpected, concurrent operational emergencies. They airlifted emergency medications, secured the command facility from a potential outside threat, adapted to power and communications breakdowns, treated a senior team member’s emergency heart attack, located and inspected a potential hazardous waste dump -- all while providing updated multimedia information to the press, public and state agencies throughout the exercise.

To simulate the severity of real life emergency stressors, the missions were crammed into a very tight time frame involving five fully operational aircraft and more than 100 team members including base staff, pilots, observers, mission scanners, photographers and senior members and cadets in the field.

Hartford-Brainard Airport was established as the base of operations, with mission flights launched from that facility and other Connecticut airfields. Ground teams deployed from the Brainard command base and from other squadrons throughout the state.

Senior members served on the command staff, in aircraft and on ground teams.  They flew a number of different search missions, ferried packages and conducted advanced photographic and surveillance technology missions.

Cadets served as both mission base security and staff assistants, and they made up the lion’s share of the ground teams deploying in Civil Air Patrol vans to search their assigned areas on foot and with the aid of electronic tracking devices.