National News

(1)
Maj. Tom Vreeland, New York Wing director of information technology, demonstrates some of the new Wing Operations Center’s capabilities to wing staff.

(2)
Col. Ken Andreu, New York Wing commander, cuts the ribbon to the new Wing Operations Center.


Capt. James Ridley
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
New York Wing

NEW YORK – As members watched before the start of the quarterly New York Wing staff meeting Oct. 24 in Westchester, Col. Ken Andreu, wing commander, cut the ribbon to the entrance of the wing’s newest asset -- a state-of-the-art command operations center.

The Wing Operations Center will provide operational space and situational awareness for seven to 20 mission staff personnel and will function as the Wing Academy for advanced technology training, simulations, tabletop exercises and other training when not in use for missions and operations.   

 “It’s all about how we bring what’s going on out there, in here.” said Maj. Tom Vreeland, wing director of information technology and the center’s chief architect. 

In dedicating the new center, based at Wing Headquarters at Westchester County Airport, Andreu called it “only the beginning in what we envision as the state of the art in centralized command over a large span of control.” 

Andreu regards the airport as an excellent site for coordinating efforts across the wing or on Long Island, in response to such possible occurrences as a significant coastal hurricane or flood damage, or a radiological event at Indian Point Nuclear Reactor Facility.

The wing flew daily missions out of Westchester County in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001, he recalled. The airport “was the perfect location, as it was just outside of the affected area of New York City but close enough to easily and quickly launch aerial surveillance flights.”

The center boasts advanced communications components as well as geographical information systems and weather information systems, along with high-speed internet access for accessing Civil Air Patrol’s Web Mission Information Reporting System, or WMIRS, and other CAP resources. 

 

(From left) Cadet Basic Beatrice McCarty, Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Sarah Peyton and Cadet Senior Airman Suntaya Robison were among the Birchwood Composite Squadron cadets participating in Wreaths Across America fundraising.

Photo by Senior Member Cary Kimball


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

ALASKA – Birchwood Composite Squadron cadets raised enough money in a single day to place 80 wreaths on graves at Fort Richardson National Cemetery as part of the annual nationwide Wreaths Across America observation Dec. 12. 

The Birchwood squadron’s cadet activity director, Senior Member Cary Kimball, arranged for the fundraising activities and presented associated teaching material. 

"Kimball really made sure the cadets understood who they were doing this for and why,” said 1st Lt. Pamela Speer, deputy commander for cadets. “He spent a lot of time showing them videos and just talking about veterans and their sacrifices for all of us."

The squadron’s Wreaths Across America fundraising efforts are just starting. Several other activities and appearances are planned throughout November.
    
"Our goal is 4,800 wreaths,” Kimball said. “We want to place one at every grave in the Fort Richardson National Cemetery."

“Learn to Lead,” which will replace the cadets’ current leadership text, launches on 1 April 2010, concurrent with achievement tests moving online.

Visit the "Learn to Lead" homepage to download an update on this project. Better still,Module 1 (chapters 1-3) and half of Module 2 (chapters 4 & 5) are available for your comment. If you have general comments about “Learn to Lead,” please leave them below. If you find typos, errors, or confusing passages, please email Neil Probst nprobst@capnhq.gov. 

 We’re excited about “Learn to Lead” because we think it will make leadership more fun and more challenging. 

Kristi Carr
Staff Writer

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS – Though the search for three missing Dickinson State University students in North Dakota ended tragically this week, the case points out how a cell phone can be used to locate missing people, many times with happier results.

One of the pioneers in cell phone forensics is Capt. Justin Ogden of Arizona Wing Headquarters, whose expertise pinpointed the students’ Stark County, N.D., crash site within 730 feet based on information he gleaned from their last cell phone hit.
 
The emergency manager for Stark County, Brent Pringle, told Lt. Col. William E. Kay, North Dakota Wing director of operations, in a phone conversation that the students’ vehicle would not have been found without CAP’s assistance.

The bodies of the three Dickinson State softball players -- Kyrstin Gemar, 22, Ashley Neufeld, 21, and Afton Williamson, 20 -- were found Tuesday in their Jeep, submerged in a stock pond. They had been reported missing Sunday night after friends received a pair of frantic phone calls.

Although CAP had aircrews from Dickinson and Bismarck on the scene with a ground team standing by, it was Ogden’s work conducted from some 1,000 miles away that yielded results. Ogden helped search and rescue controllers from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center refine the search area down significantly, by more than 91 percent, from a 1 ½-mile radius.

Under federal law, cell phone companies can voluntarily divulge phone data to federal agencies such as the AFRCC when it is being used for lifesaving purposes involving the owner.
 
Ogden collects and analyzes data to determine approximate coordinates. “Even if a cell phone is not being used but is still powered up, and within coverage of the network, we can often receive enough information to allow us to concentrate the search in the right area,” he said.
 
Sometimes cell phone data is merged with other information, such as radar if the search is for a missing aircraft.
 
Ogden said nearly all cell phones and networks have some sort of location-sensing methods, whether through GPS hardware in the cell phone or through the phone network and towers. With the technology already in place, it is important to involve a cell phone forensic specialist early in a search, he said.

“Once the cell phone battery dies, there’s no hope of getting GPS-type coordinates from that phone,” he said.
 
Ogden, employed by General Dynamics and recently assigned to a new project to develop a nationwide communications system for the Department of Justice, became interested in radio signals and computer programming when he joined CAP as a cadet at age 12. He is routinely called in by the AFRCC to help with searches and last year participated in 27 search and rescue missions, resulting in the rescue of 19 survivors.

NEW JERSEY -- "Taking Flight," a three-page article in the November-December 2009 issue of Johns Hopkins University's "Imagine" magazine, features one of Civil Air Patrol's 23,000 cadets, Tristan Kooker, of the Cape May County Composite Squadron. Kooker is a cadet fourth class at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

(1)
Cadet Airmen Basic William Durham and Sierra Baumhoefener of the Winchester Composite Squadron assist a student through the Fatal Vision obstacle course.

(2)
Students line up to participate in the Fatal Vision demonstration.

 
Capt. Christopher Colvin
Public Affairs Officer
Winchester Composite Squadron
Virginia Wing

VIRGINIA -- The Middle East Region and Virginia and Maryland wings, with the Virginia Wing’s Winchester Composite Squadron playing a particularly prominent role, represented Civil Air Patrol’s Drug Demand Reduction program at this year’s Aviation Expo, which drew more than 600 students, faculty, parents and guests from schools in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

The DDR program promotes an aggressive, positive, drug-free attitude in CAP members, Air Force families, Department of Defense civilians and school-age children through a comprehensive approach.

The program

• Stresses CAP as a positive community-service lifestyle.
   
• Encourages youth to remain in school.
   
• Focuses on drug abuse education, prevention and awareness.
   
• Provides positive activities as an alternative to drugs and gang violence.

Members from the region and wings’ respective headquarters spoke with hundreds of people as they visited the Drug Demand Reduction display set up a short distance from other exhibitors, such as the Transportation Safety Administration and the West Virginia Air National Guard.

“Many of the students participated in the Drug Demand Reduction demonstration and learned just how impaired they could be on their own or in driving with someone else who had been drinking,” said Lt. Col. Duke Stanton, the Winchester squadron’s deputy commander for seniors. “I hope they took the demonstrations to heart.”

First Lt. Walt Murphy, assistant Drug Demand Reduction coordinator for the Middle East Region and Drug Demand Reduction administrator for the Maryland Wing, said that CAP’s “participation in events like this Aviation Expo do more than increase awareness of the CAP Drug Demand Reduction program.”

A highlight of the display was the Drug Demand Reduction obstacle course using Fatal Vision goggles designed to impair the wearer’s vision in simulation of the effect of alcohol or narcotics use. The impact of watching people try to perform the simplest while wearing the goggles was funny to some and sobering to others.

When the participants removed the goggles at the end of the course, they were asked if they would drive in the condition they just experienced or ride with someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  The answers always came with a quick shake of the head. 

Murphy said “The most important thing I take away from an event like this is, we get to reach kids from the elementary school age range to the young adults going to college.

“Before they have been reached by drug abuse, they get to see, while sober, what some of their actions would be like if impaired. They get the problems with perception. Sometimes they get the nausea associated with being drugged or drunk. They get the loss of balance.

The difference is, this time they can take it off,” he said. “They can make it stop.

“The reality of drug abuse is, you can’t take that off like a pair of Fatal Vision goggles.”


 

(1)
DHC-2 Beaver pilots Capt. Curtis Cebulski (left) and Capt. Brad Sipperley – commander and deputy commander, respectively, of the Ninth Composite Operations Squadron -- discuss their location and the time to the next waypoint during a Red Flag – Alaska mission Oct. 8.

Photo by Senior Member Brittney Ferreira

(2)
(Clockwise, from bottom left) Maj. Steve Brewer of the Eielson 71st Composite Squadron, Lt. Col. Gary Hunt and Capt. Curtis Cebulski of the Nine Composite Operations Squadron, Air Force 1st Lt. David Lang and 2nd Lt. Jon Rumfelt of the Eielson 71st discuss new waypoint locations before the early morning mass briefing Oct. 15.

Photo by Lt. Col. Mark C. Biron

(3)
Air Force Lt. Col. John Rydland and Capt. Curtis Cebulski load waypoints into a GPS database in preparation for a Red Flag – Alaska mission Oct. 15.

Photo by Lt. Col. Mark C. Biron

(4)
(From left) Second Lt. Jon Rumfelt, Lt. Col. Gary Hunt, Capt. Curtis Cebulski and Air Force Lt. Col. Matt Rytting listen to the CAP squadron coordination and safety briefing before a mission Oct. 15.

Photo by U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman

(5)
2nd Lt. Jon Rumfelt and Lt. Col. Gary Hunt work through the preflight checklist Oct. 15

Photo by Lt. Col. Mark C. Biron

(6)
Mission scanners viewed this and similar landscapes during a Red Flag – Alaska mission Oct. 8.

Photo by Senior Member Brittney Ferreira

(7)
(From left) Maj. Steve Brewer, Lt. Col. Gary Hunt and Air Force Lt. Col. Matt Rytting file preflight plans Oct. 15 with Base Operations.

Photo by Lt. Col. Mark C. Biron

(8-10)

Air Force Maj. “Bat” Simmons, Alaska Red Air mission commander, takes questions at the conclusion of his pre-mission brief during Red Flag – Alaska exercises Oct. 15/

Photos by Lt. Col. Mark C. Biron


Lt. Col. Mark C. Biron
Public Affairs Officer
71st Composite Squadron
Alaska Wing

ALASKA -- The Alaska Wing provided the U.S. Air Force with valuable assistance in training domestic and allied pilots during the 2009 Red Flag – Alaska season, contributing aircraft, pilots and crews to the effort.

Red Flag-Alaska is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. joint and coalition forces. The exercise provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment.

U.S. and allied pilots, aircrews and operational support personnel train and improve their air combat skills in preparation for a myriad of worldwide contingencies.

The exercises are held on the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex -- the largest training range in America, totaling more than 65,000 square miles. Air operations are flown out of Eielson and Elmendorf air force bases.

The 2009 exercises
CAP participation in the 2009 exercises -- which spanned three two-week blocks, taking place April 16- May 1, July 23- Aug. 7 and Oct. 1-16 -- provided an added dimension to the exercises.

“In daily training at home station, fighter aircraft generally practice against their own kind, F-15 versus F-15,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Matt Rytting, chief of advanced programs for the 353rd Combat Training Squadron as well as commander of the Alaska Wing’s Eielson 71st Composite Squadron. “The opportunity to fight dissimilar F-15 versus F-16 is highly valued but infrequent for most pilots. Even when they fight dissimilar, however, they're both doing 350-plus knots and operating in the same environment.

“Fighter pilots virtually never get to train in a combat-like setting against aircraft simulating low and slow targets ... until now,” Rytting said.

During Red Flag-Alaska large force employment exercises, CAP aircraft assisted Red Force Aggressors by providing just such targets.

“These low and slow aircraft provide unique three-dimensional problems for high-tech fighters that spend most of their time between 20,000 and 40,000 feet,” Rytting said.

“Our potential adversaries have certain aircraft -- Antonov AN-2 Colts, for example -- that fly just above the trees at about 100 knots,” he said. “These propeller-driven aircraft are used for various missions, including behind-the-lines parachute insertion of special operations forces.”

CAP aircraft from all over Alaska participated in the exercises.

“For this latest exercise, we used four corporate aircraft -- a DHC-2, C-185, C-182 and a C-172 -- to simulate the high-wing AN-2 Colt, and one low-winged multi-engine privately owned CAP member aircraft to ensure a significant difference of aircraft design,” said Maj. Steve Brewer, operations officer for the Eielson 71st.

The twin-engine aircraft was added to the scenario for two of the four training days as a neutral-country, nonhostile aircraft that couldn’t be shot down, furthering the requirement for crews to visually identify each aircraft before firing.

The 71st Composite became uniquely positioned to provide low and slow support to the Air Force when it gained a new commander and operations officer in Rytting and Brewer, whose day jobs in the 353rd Combat Training Squadron directly support planning and execution of Red Flag -- Alaska and other exercises.

"With ELT and other CAP searches declining rapidly in Alaska, mission development became very important,” Rytting said. “I wanted members to feel a strong sense of purpose and saw an obvious opportunity to use CAP assets and crews to support the Air Force.

“Having several active-duty Air Force pilots and Department of Defense civilians in our squadron working at Red Flag gave us needed experience, knowledge and contacts to make these missions happen,” he said.

As a training resource, CAP’s “value to the Air Force is absolutely phenomenal,” Rytting added. “Last Thursday, the entire exercise except CAP and eight F-16s was cancelled for a massive cloud deck. They sent dozens of planes home from the airspace. 

“The F-16s intercepted us at low altitude and received the only training of the day. Had we not been there, it would have been a wash.”

For CAP pilot and crew participating in Red Flag – Alaska, no day is average.

“The day prior to the mission,” Brewer said, “the designated lead pilot for the CAP aircraft will spend four to six hours planning and coordinating the CAP aircraft route of flight with Air Force exercise planners.”

Then, “the day of the exercise mission the crews attend a mass briefing with all the exercise participants four hours prior to takeoff,” he continued. “Then they attend a smaller briefing with the Red Air mission commander, and finally a brief with just the CAP crews to ensure all safety measures are in place, and all crewmembers’ questions are answered.”

The CAP crews benefit from their participation just as the Air Force pilots do.

“Red Flag provides a special opportunity for squadron pilots, scanners and observers to watch the military at work in a simulated combat environment, sometimes up-close and personal,” Rytting said. “Crews attend mission briefs and debriefs and see how their involvement adds to the scenario.

“Sister services and coalition forces are often also involved. While CAP flies at a relatively low 1,000 feet above ground level, some fighter aircraft such as the French Mirages that recently participated flew much lower,” he said.

For many CAP crews the demands and limitations of military flying provide a new experience.

“Flying Red Flag missions has expanded the knowledge base of CAP pilots into the realm of military exercises and military fighter training requirements,” Brewer said.  “Our CAP crews have improved their visual scanning skills, and pilots are more effective and accurate at executing low-level flights and meeting timing requirements of plus- or minus-30-second windows for arriving at required waypoints.”

The hard work and attention to detail has paid off for the CAP crews.

“On Tuesday, two of our three aircraft made it to the target,” Rytting said. “We're 4-for-6, by the way. This proves the difficulty of targeting these unique threats in a large force employment exercise.”

The Air Force pays for CAP to furnish training aids. “The cost is just over $1,000 per day to have four aircraft participate in the visual identification exercise,” Brewer said.

In addition, the CAP pilots and crews walk away from the exercise with a strong sense of accomplishment.

"I’ve really enjoyed being a CAP Aggressor pilot," said Capt. Brad Sipperley, deputy commander of the Ninth Composite Operations Squadron.

A certified flight instructor, Sipperley is a retired Air Force chief of weather station operations now employed with the National Weather Service.

"I’m sitting in the briefings as a pilot and watching the weather briefers do what I did for so long and training with and against such a diverse number of pilots and crew from different nations and services," he said.






 

The Cadet Life Video has been a huge hit, but we want to take it a step further.  Cadet Programs has created a cadet recruiting video competition to see what our members can create.  To learn more about the competition and the prizes being offered, please go to http://www.capmembers.com/video.

St. Cloud Composite Squadron members tour the Minnesota National Guard's new $37.2 million aviation support facility ,where they are now conducting their weekly meetings.

Photo by Maj. Richard Sprouse


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


MINNESOTA -- Members of the St. Cloud Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol have set up operations at the Minnesota National Guard's new $37.2 million aviation support facility.

The 114,000-square-foot building, which opened in March, stands on 52 acres near St. Cloud Regional Airport. It will support six Blackhawk helicopters and six Chinook helicopters.

The base is separate from the commercial aviation section of the airport and has its own entrance and security.

The facility is a boon for the St. Cloud squadron, said Capt. Pat Cruze, a squadron member who worked to secure space for the unit at the new facility. The squadron had been meeting at the St. Cloud Armory for years.

"It means we will have access to a state-of-the-art facility, in an operational military environment, with proper classroom and storage space," Cruze said. "It just can't be anything but a positive environment to develop our cadets, further engage staff and train for missions."

Cruze said the Minnesota National Guard was very helpful in securing a spot for the squadron at the new facility, which will be a regional center for National Guard aviation teams and will employ 60 people, including soldiers, building maintenance and security staff.

"When I approached the Guard this past summer about moving to the facility their attitude was, 'We would love to have you here; actually, we've been waiting for you!' I just couldn't believe how helpful everyone was and how quickly this all came together. It's still hard to believe we're actually here," Cruze said.

One-third of the soldiers working at the facility are deployed in Iraq and will be back in May, National Guard Staff Sgt. Rob Schuety said.

Once it's fully operational, two to three flights a day will be coming and going from the base. Schuety said it's hard to say what the pattern of the flights will be, but the site will be a regional launch point for the helicopters.

The choppers will be able to help in state emergencies such as search-and-rescue missions -- something Civil Air Patrol is well-known for.

"Your search and rescue training and abilities are nationally recognized and we're excited about working with you," Schuety told CAP officials.

St. Cloud is near Camp Ripley, making it easier to get the helicopters to Minnesota's 53,000-acre National Guard training site.

"I see a future including helicopter rides and possible joint training operations. The squadron is excited about the possibilities," Cruze said.




 

The wildly popular "Investing in America's Youth" is now "Today's Cadets, Tomorrow's Aerospace Leaders!"

We have updated the quotes and statistics and reformatted for a smaller presentation that will allow our printing budget to produce more of these high-impact publications.

This is a DRAFT version that will also be available in our Proving Grounds and we welcome your comments. 

St. Cloud Composite Squadron members tour the Minnesota National Guard's new $37.2 million aviation support facility ,where they are now conducting their weekly meetings.

Photo by Maj. Richard Sprouse


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


MINNESOTA -- Members of the St. Cloud Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol have set up operations at the Minnesota National Guard's new $37.2 million aviation support facility.

The 114,000-square-foot building, which opened in March, stands on 52 acres near St. Cloud Regional Airport. It will support six Blackhawk helicopters and six Chinook helicopters.

The base is separate from the commercial aviation section of the airport and has its own entrance and security.

The facility is a boon for the St. Cloud squadron, said Capt. Pat Cruze, a squadron member who worked to secure space for the unit at the new facility. The squadron had been meeting at the St. Cloud Armory for years.

"It means we will have access to a state-of-the-art facility, in an operational military environment, with proper classroom and storage space," Cruze said. "It just can't be anything but a positive environment to develop our cadets, further engage staff and train for missions."

Cruze said the Minnesota National Guard was very helpful in securing a spot for the squadron at the new facility, which will be a regional center for National Guard aviation teams and will employ 60 people, including soldiers, building maintenance and security staff.

"When I approached the Guard this past summer about moving to the facility their attitude was, 'We would love to have you here; actually, we've been waiting for you!' I just couldn't believe how helpful everyone was and how quickly this all came together. It's still hard to believe we're actually here," Cruze said.

One-third of the soldiers working at the facility are deployed in Iraq and will be back in May, National Guard Staff Sgt. Rob Schuety said.

Once it's fully operational, two to three flights a day will be coming and going from the base. Schuety said it's hard to say what the pattern of the flights will be, but the site will be a regional launch point for the helicopters.

The choppers will be able to help in state emergencies such as search-and-rescue missions -- something Civil Air Patrol is well-known for.

"Your search and rescue training and abilities are nationally recognized and we're excited about working with you," Schuety told CAP officials.

St. Cloud is near Camp Ripley, making it easier to get the helicopters to Minnesota's 53,000-acre National Guard training site.

"I see a future including helicopter rides and possible joint training operations. The squadron is excited about the possibilities," Cruze said.




 

SOUTH CAROLINA -- A Boy Scout/Civil Air Patrol cadet who wants to one day fly with the Marines is now hard at work on the ground, working to restore an old Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star at the Darlington County Airport. Frankie Slemmer says he hopes to give the jet, a 1954-vintage, two-seat trainer, a complete makeover, restoring it to the condition it was in when it flew out of Shaw Air Force Base, in nearby Sumter, S.C. The restoration effort is part of Slemmer's Eagle Scout project.

NEW JERSEY -- A former Civil Air Patrol cadet who became an Air Force fighter pilot will be honored in a "celebration of life" Sunday at the Lacey Township High School auditorium. A township native, Capt. Nicholas Gigilio, 32, died Oct. 15 when his F-16 jet collided with another fighter during a training exercise in South Carolina.

CONNECTICUT -- A story in the Meriden Record-Journal chronicles the life of the late CAP wing commander and Col. Nancy Hopkins Tier, a female aviation pioneer and contemporary of Amelia Earhart. Like Earhart, Tier was one of the first women awarded a pilot's license. She died in 1996 after a 67-year flying career.

ALABAMA -- Kindergarten through fifth-grade students in five Boaz schools learned about aerospace during NASA Week activities sponsored in part by CAP's Aerospace Connections in Education, or ACE. The CAP program focuses on aerospace awareness, character and physical fitness implemented as a precursor to Boaz's school-based CAP cadet program.

(1)
A creepy butler offers Drug Demand Reduction red ribbons to trick-or-treaters, including one young girl who found a ribbon to be an excellent addition to her costume.

(2)
The Birchwood Composite Squadron’s haunted porch by day ...

(3)
... and night.


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

ALASKA – Along with the traditional dose of scares and sweets, Halloween trick-or-treaters in Birchwood came away with red ribbons representing Civil Air Patrol’s commitment to a drug-free America.

Birchwood Composite Squadron cadets passed out 200 ribbons from CAP’s Drug Demand Reduction program to children visiting the unit’s spookily decorated premises Saturday night.

"It can be difficult to get the attention of young kids today,” said 1st Lt. Pamela Speer, deputy commander for cadets. “We decided to seize this opportunity to support CAP's DDR program in our local community.”

For four hours straight the participating cadets manipulated spiders, fog, air darts, music, cameras, lights and radios; passed out candy; and -- most importantly -- got the message to kids that there are "better things to do than drugs."

His fellow squadron members agreed that Cadet Airman 1st Class William Sutherlin should be recognized as a master at manipulating the spider to drop just as trick-or-treaters approached. Sutherlin’s radio work from the coffin was outstanding as well. 

Cadet 1st Lt. Chad Speer deserves credit as well for coordinating all cameras, wiring and lawn skits for the event. 

 


 

(From left) Cols. Lloyd Sturges, Frederick Herbert, Karen Payne, James Palmer and Peter Jensen.


Col. Peter Jensen
Commander
Connecticut Wing

CONNECTICUT – Connecticut Wing members in the right place at the right time during the wing’s annual conference caught a rare sight – an unbroken line of five wing commanders, their combined tenure spanning 16 years.

Gathering for a photo were Cols. Lloyd Sturges, commander from 1993-1997; Frederick Herbert, 1997-1999; Karen Payne, 1999-2003; James Palmer (2003-2006); and Peter Jensen, who has held the wing’s top rank since succeeding Palmer.

During the five commanders’ combined tenures, the wing:

• Added three squadrons – the 143rd Composite, the Northwestern Hills Composite and the New Fairfield Flight.
   
• Grew from 500 to 700 members.
   
• Secured a large increase in the state legislative appropriation.
   
• Established close cooperative ties with the National Guard.
   
• Became fully integrated with the state's interagency communications system.
   
• Inaugurated two state-funded missions -- the ETHOS (Eyes of the Home Skies) patrol for critical infrastructure, as well as the Long Island Sound Patrol. 

Licking County Composite Squadron members after their successful food drive.

Photo by 2nd Lt. Kim Cox


1st Lt. John C. Morgan
Public Affairs Officer
Licking County Composite Squadron
Ohio Wing

OHIO -- Pirates, fairies and a Hannah Montana or two were out in abundance on “Beggar’s Night” Oct. 29 in Newark, but some residents on the north end were also met at the door by uniformed cadets of the Licking County Composite Squadron.

Instead of candy, the cadets were collecting food items for their annual “Trick or Treat for Canned Goods,” benefiting the Food Pantry Network of Licking County. 

The unit had prepared the neighborhood for the campaign the week before by passing out fliers announcing the food drive.

“The response was tremendous,” said 1st Lt. John Morgan, the squadron’s public affairs officer.  “Most residents had bags of food waiting for our cadets. 

“We even had some folks bring cases of food to us.”

The group collected a total of 904 pounds of food items, which will go directly to benefit the hungry in Licking County.





 


 

(1)
Cadets from the Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron help set up the event tents and mission base the day before the walkathon.

(2)
Cadet Capt. Heather West, cadet commander for the Gabreski squadron, briefs her fellow cadets.

(3)
Capt. Nathan Hillard, emergency services officer for the Gabreski squadron and incident commander for the event, briefs cadets regarding the next day’s tasks.

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

NEW YORK – Howling wind and a constant downpour Oct. 18 failed to deter 25,000 individuals from participating in the annual Breast Cancer Walkathon at Jones Beach or to dampen the spirits of the Long Island Group members who support the event year after year. 

The annual walk, featuring a three-mile circuit on the boardwalk at the beach in Wantagh, is sponsored by the New York Chapter of the American Cancer Society. It supports fundraising for medical research in the fight against breast cancer.

Each year cadets and senior members from the Long Island Group support the event by providing security, logistics and emergency services to walkers in distress. The participants employ the Incident Command System structure, following an emergency scenario. 

“I’m very pleased with the performance of our cadets and seniors this year,” said Capt. Nathan Hillard, incident commander for the activity and emergency services officer for the Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron. “We came out and performed in a professional manner and did so in some extreme weather conditions.”

Ground branch directors managed teams that were dispatched to the beach parking lots and along the three-mile march along the boardwalk. In addition, two Civil Air Patrol vans were dispatched to the midpoint and end of the walk. 

The CAP members’ was to provide a logical flow for the walkers and for the more than 15,000 cars that arrived at and departed from Jones Beach within a four-hour period. Cadets and senior members directed the cars and walkers and ensured that anyone needing assistance received it.
 
The evening before the walk, members of the Gabreski squadron bivouacked at the park to provide security and prepare for the next day’s events.

“The overnight provides a necessary service for the Cancer Society” said Maj. Lou Fenech Jr., Gabreski commander.

“We have seen this event grow from about 5,000 people to 60,000 over the years,” Fenech added. “It’s a shame that the weather reduced the number of participants this year, but the society did manage to raise almost the same amount as they did last year.