Fall-Winter - Minnesota Wing
Fall-Winter - Minnesota Wing
Fall-Winter - Minnesota Wing
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Northern Flights<br />
The Official Magazine of the <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, Civil Air Patrol<br />
FALL - WINTER 2009<br />
Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
Northern<br />
Flights<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
Civil Air Patrol<br />
6275 Crossman Lane<br />
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076<br />
651-291-0462<br />
gsupan@mncap.org<br />
Colonel Thomas Theis<br />
Commander, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
Northern Flights <strong>Fall</strong>-<strong>Winter</strong> 2009<br />
Editorial Supplied by Major Al Pabon<br />
National Public Affairs Team Leader<br />
CAP National Headquarters<br />
Northern Flights is the authorized publication<br />
of the <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> of Civil Air Patrol and<br />
is edited by the <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Headquarters<br />
Office. It is published by a private firm which<br />
is in no way connected to the United States Air<br />
Force or the Civil Air Patrol. Opinions expressed<br />
in the articles and advertisements in this magazine<br />
are the sole responsibility of the contributors<br />
and are in no way endorsed by the United States<br />
Government, the United States Air Force, or the<br />
Civil Air Patrol Corporation. This publication is<br />
published three times a year.<br />
Civil Air Patrol is a non-profit volunteer<br />
organization. Federally chartered by Congress<br />
under 36 U.S.C. §§201-208, which is dedicated<br />
to emergency services, aerospace education and<br />
motivation of America’s youth to the highest<br />
ideals of leadership and public service through<br />
cadet programs. Funds received by the advertising<br />
sales are used to support this publication and to<br />
support various CAP activities throughout the<br />
State of <strong>Minnesota</strong>.<br />
For information on advertising rates<br />
and space, please call:<br />
1-800-635-6036<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong><br />
Flight Academy<br />
Flying High has New<br />
Meaning for Cadets<br />
at <strong>Minnesota</strong> Flight<br />
Academy<br />
Major Richard Sprouse<br />
Public Affairs Officer, Group 2<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
Regardless of the distance traveled, training<br />
young glider pilots is a job Senior Member<br />
Steve Dee loves doing for the Civil Air Patrol.<br />
Even better is doing so when one of the cadets who<br />
takes their solo flight also happens to come from<br />
south of the Mason-Dixon Line as well.<br />
So how does a glider instructor pilot from<br />
Tennessee <strong>Wing</strong> connect with a cadet from Georgia<br />
<strong>Wing</strong> at the <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Flight Academy<br />
“It’s a great group of positive cadets and adults<br />
that make the <strong>Minnesota</strong> Flight Academy such a<br />
success, so I look forward to coming back each<br />
year,” Dee said.<br />
Dee, a retired Colonel who served 30 years in<br />
the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, is a pilot for<br />
FedEx when not sharing the finer points of how to<br />
fly gliders to cadets. He has been making the trip to<br />
the <strong>Minnesota</strong> for nearly 10 years.<br />
This was the first visit to “The land of sky blue<br />
waters” for Cadet Airman Basic Nathan Bernth of<br />
Peachtree City-Falcon Field Composite Squadron<br />
in Georgia.<br />
Continued on page 5 . . .<br />
COVER IMAGE: C/AB Nathan Bernth is congratulated by<br />
SM Steve Dee after soloing.
Sprouting <strong>Wing</strong>s<br />
Pat Christman<br />
The Mankato (MN) Free Press<br />
A glider lands while a powered flight takes off during the<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Flight Academy.<br />
Ben Leaf, 15, closes the canopy on a glider as he prepares<br />
for his second solo flight during the Civil Air Patrol’s flight<br />
academy at the Mankato Municipal Airport. Photo - The<br />
Free Press<br />
One of their instructors likened the group of<br />
25 Civil Air Patrol cadets learning about flight at a<br />
weeklong flight academy to sponges.<br />
“They’re soaking wet, tired and full of information<br />
at the end of the day,” he said, “but they<br />
come back the next day fresh and ready for more.”<br />
The academy, sponsored by the <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong> of the Civil Air Patrol, is an intense course<br />
designed to teach students from <strong>Minnesota</strong>, Iowa,<br />
South Dakota and Nebraska about ground and air<br />
operations of both powered airplanes and gliders,<br />
said the Civil Air Patrol’s Dave Skaar.<br />
“The idea is to give them the experience of flying,<br />
not necessarily time in the airplane,” Skaar said.<br />
To get that experience, cadets spent the first<br />
three days of the academy in the classroom, learning<br />
about how an airplane or glider works and<br />
the basic controls. The students also learn about<br />
safety around aircraft and performing duties on the<br />
ground with the gliders, such as hooking them to<br />
the tow plane and guiding the wing as they gain<br />
speed on the ground.<br />
For the next three days, the cadets learn to fly<br />
the airplane or glider, taking short flights called<br />
<br />
sorties with an instructor.<br />
Many of the 14- to 18-year-old cadets take<br />
their first solo airplane or glider flight during the<br />
academy, an experience that leaves them smiling<br />
from ear to ear, but also costs them their shirt.<br />
A tradition among pilots, students taking<br />
their first solo flight have the date written on<br />
their shirt and a panel cut out of it to remember<br />
the experience.<br />
C/CMSgt Ben Leaf gives the thumbs up with his<br />
ground crew.
Scholarship helps<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> cadet<br />
reach new heights<br />
Capt. Richard Sprouse<br />
Public Affairs Officer, Group 2<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
A scholarship honoring<br />
a late Civil Air Patrol<br />
member will help an aspiring<br />
pilot earn her wings.<br />
C a d e t S e c o n d<br />
L i e u t e n a n t E m i l y<br />
Jensen, a member of the<br />
Crow <strong>Wing</strong> Composite<br />
Squadron in Brainerd,<br />
Minn., received the Jacob<br />
Pfingsten Memorial Flight<br />
Training Scholarship during<br />
the recent <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong> Flight Academy.<br />
Jacob Pfingsten, a cadet and senior member<br />
of the Crow <strong>Wing</strong> Squadron, obtained his FAA<br />
(L-R) Cadet Emily Jensen and Jolene Parks, Jacob<br />
Pfingsten’s sister. Photo courtesy of 2009 <strong>Minnesota</strong> Flight<br />
Academy<br />
<br />
C/TSgt Don Raleigh hooks a glider to a tow line during the<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Flight Academy.<br />
Private Pilot Certificate through the CAP program.<br />
He died in February 2005 of natural causes while<br />
serving with the U.S. Army in Germany. The<br />
scholarship was created by his parents, Tom and<br />
Beth Pfingsten of Brainerd, both Civil Air Patrol<br />
members, and LaDonna and Randy Blackorbay of<br />
Maple Grove.<br />
Jensen, the Crow <strong>Wing</strong> Squadron cadet commander,<br />
said the scholarship has special meaning<br />
to her.<br />
“Receiving the scholarship meant that I’d be<br />
able to go on to get my private pilot’s license,<br />
something I’ve wanted to do since I can remember,”<br />
Jensen said, “and I felt privileged to<br />
receive the scholarship since I had known the<br />
Pfingsten family, and Jake, since joining CAP<br />
six years ago.”<br />
The scholarship provides up to 30 hours of<br />
flight training. The cadet has one year to utilize<br />
the funds and to obtain their certificate. Jensen was<br />
selected as the recipient of the scholarship from<br />
several outstanding candidates by the senior staff<br />
and flight instructors at the flight academy held<br />
near Mankato, Minn.<br />
Flight academy also provided Jensen<br />
with the opportunity to solo in an airplane.<br />
“Soloing was incredible. Being up in the sky is<br />
amazing enough, but being up in the sky, flying a<br />
plane by YOURSELF, is unbelievable!”
Flying High at MN Flight Academy<br />
Continued from page 1 . . .<br />
“My Dad saw a flight academy was being held<br />
in <strong>Minnesota</strong> so he made all the arrangements for<br />
me to be here,” Bernth said. “I also wanted to solo<br />
in a glider and coming to <strong>Minnesota</strong> made that a<br />
possibility.” Cadets need at least 30 flights before<br />
they can fly solo in a glider.<br />
The July 17-25 flight academy drew 25 pilots<br />
in training from <strong>Minnesota</strong>, Iowa, Nebraska,<br />
Kansas and Georgia and put them behind the controls<br />
of either a Super Blanik L-23 glider or Cessna<br />
172 aircraft. The cadets were joined by nearly 30<br />
senior officers supervising the activity.<br />
The gliders travel at about 50 miles per hour.<br />
The flights are towed to 3,000 feet by a powered<br />
aircraft. Then the glider pilot releases the tow<br />
cable and looks for thermal columns of warm air to<br />
give them lift like the eagles and hawks that hunt<br />
the fields near the Mankato Municipal Airport.<br />
After that the emphasis is on landing patterns and<br />
landing the glider from 1,000 feet.<br />
The two-seater gliders provide room for a<br />
FAA certified flight instructor, who can make<br />
adjustments using rear controls if the young pilot<br />
makes a mistake. Cadet Bernth was teamed with<br />
SM Dee during a supervised flight before taking<br />
the controls for a solo.<br />
“I was confident he (Cadet Bernth) was ready<br />
to solo,” Dee said. “There’s a lot of accountability<br />
here for cadets, from running the flight line to<br />
preparing for their solo. So, they are in charge as to<br />
whether flight academy is a successful experience<br />
or not.”<br />
Bernth said soloing in the glider was<br />
awesome.<br />
“The flight academy was very well run and the<br />
quality of the instructors was outstanding.” Bernth<br />
said he also made a lot of new friends.<br />
All powered aircraft training is conducted at a<br />
minimum altitude of 1,500 feet at an air speed of<br />
about 100 miles per hour. During the solo flight the<br />
cadet is by themselves and typically performs 1-3<br />
take-offs and landings.<br />
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Jenna Ernst of St.<br />
Cloud Composite Squadron soloed in the Cessna<br />
172. She called it the biggest accomplishment of<br />
her life.<br />
“You’re having so much information thrown<br />
at you during the classroom phase, it’s impossible<br />
not to be overloaded. But, working through that<br />
really shows you what you’re made of. So at first it<br />
was frustrating, but at the end it was just amazing<br />
to see how far I’d come.”<br />
Ernst had high praise for her instructors.<br />
“At the beginning of Flight Academy I<br />
never would have imagined that I’d hold perfect<br />
altitude and airspeed during my solo, but I did<br />
it! My flight instructor, Capt. David Yost, was<br />
wonderful and his confidence in my capability<br />
encouraged me to do my best. Maj. Manny<br />
Block, our ground school instructor, was positively<br />
awesome. He shared so much information<br />
with us and I felt privileged to learn from him.”<br />
Ernst’s flight academy experience seemed to sum<br />
up the feelings of all the cadets, whether in a glider<br />
or powered aircraft.<br />
“Flying high has a whole new meaning,” Ernst<br />
said. “There’s no feeling ite as exhilarating as<br />
your first solo.” For more information about the<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> Flight Academy please go to their<br />
website at:<br />
www.mncap.org/cp/flightacademy<br />
BACKGROUND PHOTO: A cadet ground crew positions<br />
gliders on the tow line during the <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Flight<br />
Academy.
NCR PA OF THE YEAR<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> member named Region’s<br />
Public Affairs Officer of the Year<br />
C/CMSgt Lydia Wiff<br />
Cadet Executive Officer<br />
Viking Composite Squadron, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
It didn’t take long for Major Richard Sprouse<br />
of Sauk Rapids to make an impression on the<br />
members of the <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> of the US Air<br />
Force Auxiliary - Civil Air Patrol.<br />
In 2007, he was named the <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>’s<br />
public affairs officer of the year after joining the<br />
organization the previous year.<br />
That award happened to be the first in a host<br />
of others to come, including the most recent:<br />
North Central Region public affairs officer of the<br />
year. The NCR includes North Dakota, South<br />
Dakota, <strong>Minnesota</strong>, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and<br />
Kansas.<br />
The award was presented by Colonel Tom<br />
Theis, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> commander, at the Army<br />
National Guard Aviation Facility in St. Cloud on<br />
November 23.<br />
“Major Sprouse has a wealth of experience in<br />
news and public relations that’s proved to be a tremendous<br />
asset to the organization’s public relations<br />
efforts,” Theis said. He noted Sprouse’s nearly<br />
150 stories and pictures published in local, state,<br />
regional, and national publications as evidence.<br />
“When I ‘hung up my boots’ through the<br />
Reserves in 2005, I really missed the camaraderie<br />
of being around troops,” Sprouse said. “Now I<br />
have the best of both worlds – I get to continue<br />
to serve my community, state and nation, and put<br />
my PR and news skills to work telling the CAP<br />
story.”<br />
The NCR Public Affairs Officer of the Year<br />
Award is given to members who demonstrate<br />
exceptional expertise, professionalism, and<br />
advanced public relations skills.<br />
The award was the latest honor Sprouse has<br />
(L-R) Col. Tom Theis, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> commander, Maj.<br />
Richard Sprouse, North Central Region Public Affairs<br />
Officer of the Year. Photo courtesy of C/Capt Lydia Stone,<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
received from the <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>. In October,<br />
he was promoted to his present rank, in April he<br />
received the Commander’s Commendation Award<br />
for excellence in public relations, and in the past<br />
three years his efforts have earned a number<br />
of awards from the <strong>Minnesota</strong> Association of<br />
Government Communicators.<br />
Major Sprouse continues to be an excellent<br />
example of professionalism to Seniors and Cadets<br />
alike. His experience in public relations and writing<br />
is well known throughout <strong>Minnesota</strong> and the<br />
Region. All who have worked with Major Sprouse,<br />
appreciate his expertise in these areas and have<br />
learned much from him.<br />
“The regional recognition is much appreciated,<br />
but the honor really goes to the many <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong> members across the state that include me in<br />
their PR efforts,” Sprouse said. “Yes, it was hard<br />
work, but it was also fun. Otherwise, I wouldn’t<br />
have done it. Overall, CAP has been a fantastic<br />
experience!”
NCR CONFERENCE<br />
A Cadet Perspective -<br />
North Central Region<br />
Conference<br />
C/SrA Jasmine Sands and C/SSgt Catlin Albrecht<br />
North Hennepin Composite Squadron<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Commander Col. Theis with some cleverly<br />
disguised senior members.<br />
Late Friday night October 30th, despite the chill<br />
wind, North Central Region Color Guard excitedly<br />
packed their van and headed off to Des Moines,<br />
Iowa, for the North Central Region Conference.<br />
At the conference, members from the seven different<br />
wings in our region were able to meet and learn<br />
about what has been happening and what is planned<br />
for the future. There were also members from the<br />
Civil Air Patrol United States Air Force (CAP-<br />
USAF), and National Headquarters in attendance.<br />
During a brief meeting on Saturday morning,<br />
the North Central Region Color Guard posted the<br />
colors to signify the beginning of the conference.<br />
Before everyone headed off to a class of their<br />
choice, the North Central Region commander,<br />
<strong>Wing</strong> commanders, and other guests were introduced.<br />
After the meeting, members eagerly headed<br />
off to various classes. There were classes on color<br />
guard, the new cadet curriculum, the role of the<br />
cadet staff, and many others.<br />
Some of the classes that were particularly<br />
enjoyed by the North Hennepin Squadron cadets<br />
NCR Color Guard: C/SMSgt Bruffey, C/TSgt Albrecht, C/<br />
CMSgt Miller, and C/SSgt Albrecht<br />
<br />
were NCOs and Dynamic Followership, taught by<br />
C/2nd Lt David Nelson, Respect on Display, taught<br />
by C/1st Lt David Blessman and C/1st Lt Dainec<br />
Stefan, and the Drug Demand Reduction class<br />
taught by Lt. Col. Bonnie Braun, Mid East Region<br />
Drug Demand Reduction Coordinator. There were<br />
many useful classes for cadets that taught how to<br />
be a better leader. All the classes were interactive,<br />
memorable, and educational.<br />
Senior member 2nd Lt. Suzanne Albrecht said,<br />
“I was very impressed with the classes conducted<br />
for the cadets. It occurred to me that the leadership<br />
skills being taught to the cadets were the same<br />
ones that employers pay big bucks to have their<br />
employees learn.”<br />
The banquet Saturday evening was a celebration<br />
of the achievements of our members, region,<br />
and organization. And, since it was Halloween,<br />
costumes were encouraged. Among the characters<br />
walking around at the banquet were Tigger, Zorro,<br />
and a Roman Spartan.<br />
The food was delicious, the company was<br />
enjoyable, and many awards were given to outstanding<br />
members of the North Central Region.<br />
Hearing of the numerous accomplishments of<br />
so many different members of our region was<br />
both impressive and encouraging. The evening<br />
concluded with the retrieving of the colors. After<br />
many goodbyes to friends old and new, the North<br />
Central Region Color Guard piled into their van<br />
and headed home to <strong>Minnesota</strong>.<br />
“I loved getting to see old friends and making new<br />
ones! It was great to catch up and see what squadrons<br />
in other states were doing in the CAP program. I had<br />
a blast!” said C/SSgt Caitlin Albrecht.<br />
With many memorable experiences still fresh<br />
in their minds, everyone eagerly stated their intention<br />
to attend the conference again next year.
BLACK CAP<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> BlackCAP ES<br />
College celebrates 25 years<br />
Major Richard Sprouse<br />
Public Affairs Officer, Group 2<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>’s BlackCAP Emergency<br />
Services College celebrated 25 years September<br />
25-27 with a near record turnout of 130 members<br />
on a brilliant fall day.<br />
Created by the Red <strong>Wing</strong> Squadron in 1984,<br />
BlackCAP is devoted to teaching the search and<br />
rescue procedures that enable Civil Air Patrol wings<br />
everywhere to save nearly 100 lives every year.<br />
Cadre at the event wears a special black cap.<br />
“Each year at BlackCAP is different from every<br />
other year, though the curriculum has always been<br />
centered on ground team training,” said Major<br />
Mari Lucas, one of the event organizers. She noted<br />
teamwork is stressed, as well as creativeness and<br />
the ability to make training and learning fun.<br />
BlackCAP attendees are issued a small rubber<br />
frog upon arrival and are held responsible for it during<br />
the weekend; a life’s first lesson on accountability.<br />
“BlackCAP is a great activity for new cadets,<br />
and that little rubber frog teaches them the importance<br />
of being responsible, especially when carrying<br />
out a search and rescue mission,” said Lt. Col.<br />
Chet Wilberg, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Chief of Staff.<br />
“It’s a characteristic that is at the core of<br />
Using resources available and innovation are a big part of<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>’s BlackCAP ES College. Here, members<br />
portray aircraft while a flight line marshaller directs the<br />
“plane” to the appropriate location. 130 <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
members attended the event.<br />
Attendees at <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>’s 25th BlackCAP ES College<br />
practice stretcher-bearing techniques.<br />
CAP’s emphasis on mission execution, whether<br />
that mission is saving lives or securing the nation:<br />
accountability.”<br />
Among the course offerings were flight line<br />
marshalling, field first-aid, use of radios and direction<br />
finding equipment, line searches, handling the<br />
news media, and transitioning from a search to a<br />
rescue operation.<br />
Scenarios with missing persons and injuries put<br />
the skills learned in the classroom to work in the field.<br />
BlackCAP seems to have something for everyone.<br />
It was a first time opportunity for young leaders<br />
like C/2Nd Lt Ben Leaf of St. Cloud Squadron.<br />
“It was my first time in a leadership role at a<br />
CAP event, and it was outstanding!”<br />
It was also a first for enthusiastic new members<br />
like C/AB Michael Teener of Ft. Snelling Squadron.<br />
“This is the first time I’ve attended a CAP event,<br />
and it was awesome. I plan to come back next year!”<br />
Lt. Col. Chet Wilberg, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Chief of Staff, gives<br />
a class on flight-line safety during <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>’s 25th<br />
BlackCAP ES College.
NCOS BCOC<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> Leadership Academy<br />
graduates 50 cadets<br />
Major Richard Sprouse<br />
Public Affairs Officer, Group 2<br />
M i n n e s o t a W i n g ’ s<br />
Leadership Academy (MLA)<br />
had a full house during its annual<br />
session at Camp Ripley, graduating<br />
16 cadets from the Basic<br />
Commissioned Officers Course<br />
(BCOC) and 34 cadets from<br />
the Noncommissioned Officer<br />
School (NCOS).<br />
The MLA is part of the<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>’s Integrated<br />
Leadership Program, which provides<br />
cadets continuous training<br />
and development from cadet<br />
basic to cadet colonel.<br />
Drill and ceremony, human<br />
behavior modification, verbal<br />
and written communication, and<br />
conflict resolution are major<br />
components of NCOS.<br />
“I learned a lot about proper<br />
drill and ceremony during<br />
NCOS, and how I was doing it<br />
before was wrong,” said Cadet<br />
Airman First Class Kati Jents<br />
of St. Croix Squadron. “I can’t<br />
wait to go back to my squadron<br />
and practice what I learned.”<br />
The BCOC addresses elements<br />
such as character development,<br />
project management,<br />
ethics, and leading by example.<br />
“I took a ridiculous amount<br />
of notes during each session,”<br />
said Cadet Second Lieutenant<br />
David Nelson of Red <strong>Wing</strong><br />
Squadron, “and I will apply what<br />
I learned at BCOC to make us an<br />
even better squadron.”<br />
T h e M L A p r e p a r e s<br />
cadets to become leaders<br />
through academic study and<br />
practical excises focusing on<br />
improving communications and<br />
interpersonal skills, affirmation<br />
of the leadership skills the<br />
cadets already have, as well as<br />
provide them ready resources<br />
that will help them deal with the<br />
challenges confronted by most<br />
young leaders.<br />
Each graduating class had a<br />
number of award winners who<br />
were selected for overall academy<br />
performance and leadership excellence.<br />
The cadets were presented<br />
their awards by Col. Tom Theis,<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> commander.<br />
The distinguished graduate<br />
of the BCOC seminar was<br />
Cadet Second Lieutenant David<br />
Nelson of Red <strong>Wing</strong> Squadron.<br />
For the NCOS seminar, the distinguished<br />
graduate was Cadet<br />
Staff Sergeant Caitlin Albrecht<br />
of North Hennepin Squadron.<br />
Other cadets recognized for<br />
excellence included:<br />
N C O S s e m i n a r d i s t i n-<br />
guished graduates: C/A1C<br />
Megan Halek, North Hennepin<br />
Squadron, Alpha seminar; C/<br />
A1C Abdulrahman Haji, Valley<br />
Squadron, Bravo seminar; C/SrA<br />
Jasmine Sands, North Hennepin<br />
Squadron, Charlie seminar; and<br />
BCOC’s C/SMSgt Jarek Connolly, Mankato<br />
Squadron, explains the successful characteristics<br />
of rocket flight during an Aerospace Education<br />
course during the 2009 MN Leadership Academy.<br />
C/SrA Matt Klugherz, 130th<br />
Squadron, Delta seminar.<br />
BCOC seminar distinguished<br />
graduates: C/2nd Lt<br />
Korben Weidenborner, St. Cloud<br />
Squadron, Alpha seminar and C/<br />
CMSgt Libby Berg, Grand Rapids<br />
Squadron, Bravo seminar.<br />
While the MLA curriculum<br />
and experience provides a solid<br />
foundation for being a leader,<br />
the primary benefit Col. Theis<br />
wants cadets to leave with is<br />
a strong dose of confidence in<br />
their ability to be leaders.<br />
“We want them to feel<br />
empowered,” he said.<br />
That feeling was not lost<br />
on BCOC C/SMSgt Lydia Wiff<br />
of Viking Squadron, who said<br />
she was excited about applying<br />
what she had learned because<br />
the MLA experience was still<br />
fresh in her mind.<br />
“It really helped me develop<br />
that confidence . . . you can’t be<br />
afraid to speak up sometimes.<br />
You may just have an idea that<br />
would contribute to Civil Air<br />
Patrol as a whole, so speak up<br />
and make a difference,” she said.<br />
*All pictures courtesy Maj.<br />
R i c h a r d S p r o u s e , 2 0 0 9<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> Leadership Academy<br />
BACKGROUND PHOTO: C/2nd Lt Korben Weidenborner (St. Cloud Squadron), BCOC Alpha seminar<br />
10 distinguished graduate, proves it not all work and no play at the 2009 <strong>Minnesota</strong> Leadership Academy. 10
GROUND TEAM ACADEMY<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> members prepared for<br />
search and rescue, anytime, anyplace<br />
Major Richard Sprouse<br />
Public Affairs Officer, Group 2<br />
BACKGROUND PHOTO:<br />
Cadets take the high ground<br />
to pick up an ELT signal<br />
during the 2009 <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong> Ground Team<br />
Academy. Photo courtesy<br />
of Capt. Richard Sprouse,<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> Group 2 PAO<br />
A couple of your friends have decided to<br />
spend the weekend hiking. It’s a remote area with<br />
plenty of trails and waterways, and you expect<br />
your friends will have a great time. Suddenly those<br />
thoughts are shattered when you receive a call that<br />
your friends are missing. Your mind starts racing<br />
and your heart is pounding. Where are they What<br />
if they’re injured What do you do<br />
If you were among the 80 cadets and senior<br />
officers who recently attended <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong>’s annual Ground Team Academy you<br />
possess the skills to perform search and resc<br />
u e o p e r a t i o n s , a n y t i m e , a n y p l a c e .<br />
“There are so many things that can go wrong in<br />
any search and rescue mission. You never know<br />
what you may encounter. That is the reason<br />
C/Capt David Johnson of Red <strong>Wing</strong> Squadron, a GTA instructor, provides<br />
some map orienteering instruction to GTM1 candidates during the 2009<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Ground Team Academy. Photo courtesy of Capt. Richard<br />
Sprouse, <strong>Minnesota</strong> Group 2 PAO<br />
why Civil Air Patrol invests so much time and<br />
effort in properly training its members when<br />
the call comes,” said Lt. Col. Chet Wilberg,<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>’s Director of Emergency<br />
Services, and Ground Team Academy Commander.<br />
After some classroom instruction on land navigation,<br />
tracking ELTs, conducting a line search,<br />
working with search dogs and first aid training,<br />
the cadets and senior officers spent several days<br />
in the recesses of Camp Ripley’s 53,000 acres<br />
honing their newly acquired skills under a variety<br />
of search and rescue scenarios.<br />
Wilberg said the goal of the Ground Team<br />
Academy (GTA) is to get everyone attending to complete<br />
one level of CAP Emergency Services training.<br />
“Ground Team Academy is an intensive event<br />
designed to help prepare our members<br />
mentally, physically and technically to<br />
deal with life threatening emergencies.”<br />
Last year, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> logged<br />
103 actual or training missions totaling<br />
a whopping 14,929 personnel hours,<br />
593 air sorties and 9,120 air hours.<br />
“We teach our members to be proactive<br />
and think well ahead in a search and<br />
rescue situation so they can effectively<br />
operate in an ever-changing environment,”<br />
Wilberg said. “The best way<br />
to improve life saving skills is to train<br />
harder and work smarter. No two rescues<br />
are ever alike and CAP members should<br />
never take any rescue for granted.”<br />
Looking back, C/A1C Katie Jents of St.<br />
Croix Squadron attributes Ground Team<br />
Academy to finding her niche in Civil<br />
Air Patrol. “This program (Ground Team<br />
Academy) is so addicting that I want to<br />
come every year just because it is always<br />
so fun and enjoyable. GTA was where<br />
I first learned a lot about Emergency<br />
11 11
Services, it got me hooked, and now I’m the<br />
Cadet ES Officer of my squadron.”<br />
First Lieutenant Nate Stoeckel of Mankato<br />
Squadron agreed. “I had a blast, and would<br />
highly recommend GTA to any member of<br />
CAP who plans on being an active participant.<br />
The staff was great, and Camp Ripley is a great<br />
training facility. I do plan on trying to get more<br />
people to go from Mankato next year. It’s an<br />
easy way to get one level of training out of<br />
the way in one weekend. The level of training<br />
was also good because it required you to think,<br />
but it wasn’t such that it was set up for failure.<br />
It opened my eyes to a few new things that I<br />
hadn’t thought of before. Hearing the real life<br />
experiences from the staff and how they dealt<br />
with them was most beneficial.”<br />
“We’re ready to go on a search and rescue<br />
mission, anywhere, anytime,” said Wilberg.<br />
Lt. Col. Chet Wilberg, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>’s Director of ES, and<br />
GTA Commander, congratulates C/SrA Gunnar Bontjes<br />
of Anoka Squadron upon successfully completing GTM3<br />
training during the 2009 <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Ground Team<br />
Academy. Photo courtesy of Capt. Richard Sprouse,<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> Group 2 PAO<br />
(L-R) 1st Lt. Steve A. Csizmadia and C/Amn Steven L.<br />
Csizmadia, both of Mankato Squadron, were among a<br />
number of family member teams that attended the 2009<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Ground Team Academy. Photo courtesy of<br />
Capt. Richard Sprouse, <strong>Minnesota</strong> Group 2 PAO<br />
“It’s kind of like a life insurance policy. We pay the<br />
premium with training events like Ground Team<br />
Academy. We get our dividend on that premium<br />
every time we’re called out on a mission.”<br />
Certificates and badges presented to those who successfully<br />
completed the 2009 <strong>Minnesota</strong> Ground Team Academy.<br />
Photo courtesy of Capt. Richard Sprouse, <strong>Minnesota</strong> Group<br />
2 PAO<br />
13 13
1st Lt. Erik Lindquist<br />
Public Affairs Officer<br />
Viking Squadron<br />
Anoka and Viking squadron cadets<br />
working on the flight line insuring<br />
the public safety while planes such<br />
as these T6 trainers return to their<br />
parking area.<br />
Members Volunteer at <strong>Wing</strong>s<br />
of the North Air Expo<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> members were present at the<br />
annual <strong>Wing</strong>s of the North Air Expo at Flying<br />
Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie, MN. Members<br />
from three metro squadrons were on hand to<br />
volunteer their time to make the 2009 Air Expo a<br />
success. Cadets from Anoka Squadron and Eden<br />
Prairie based Viking Squadron worked together to<br />
help with security and flight-line duties at various<br />
locations around the Air Expo.<br />
Squadron cadets were stationed on the flightline<br />
to provide additional safety to the public while<br />
demonstration planes made their way to-and-from<br />
their designated parking areas on the field. Cadets<br />
were also on hand near the shuttle bus drop-off<br />
points to provide additional safety and guidance to<br />
the incoming and outgoing visitors.<br />
The Civil Air Patrol’s Cessna 182 Nav. III glass cockpit<br />
airplane on display at the Air Expo.<br />
Air Expo Organizer (L), Major David Kenan (C) (St. Croix<br />
Squadron), and Lt. Col. Barney Uhlig (R) (Viking Squadron)<br />
discuss operations, while cadets prepare to go out on their<br />
assignments. Viking Squadron Cadets C/SSgt Gideon Wiff<br />
(L), C/CMSgt Alex Bee (C), and C/A1C Tyler Peabody (R).<br />
Cessna 182 static display seen in the background.<br />
The cadets did an outstanding job at their<br />
volunteer positions. The execution and rotation<br />
of duties was flawless due to the skillful and cooperative<br />
attitude among members of both squadrons,<br />
primarily their cadet NCO’s.<br />
The outstanding leadership of the cadet<br />
NCO’s is to be highly commended. Cadet Charles<br />
Atchison, Cadet leader for Anoka Squadron,<br />
14 14
C/TSgt Richard Shmel and C/CMSgt<br />
Alex Bee of Viking Squadron did an<br />
outstanding job in their leadership<br />
roles.<br />
They represented the Civil Air<br />
Patrol with the highest professional<br />
behavior and appearance. The cadets<br />
received many unsolicited praises<br />
from show organizers and the general<br />
public.<br />
The Civil Air Patrol also had a<br />
vendor display in which more information<br />
could be found on the Civil<br />
Air Patrol and its missions. Our<br />
goal is to promote CAP, and to make<br />
people in the community aware of<br />
who we are and what we do. CAP<br />
also encourages people to join our ranks. CAP<br />
educates the public on the aerospace education<br />
programs offered by the Civil Air Patrol such<br />
as the Fly-A-Teacher Program, and the Making<br />
Aerospace Education Real for Students (MARS)<br />
program.<br />
The display also included one of the Civil Air<br />
Patrol’s newest (Nav. III) glass cockpit Cessna 182<br />
airplanes, and featured onboard high tech aerial<br />
imaging equipment for show visitors to view. This<br />
static display was a big hit with many visitors.<br />
Special thanks to Major David Kenan from St.<br />
Croix Squadron and Captain David Coates from<br />
Viking Squadron for their work at the display<br />
area talking with visitors. Also, Lt. Col. Barney<br />
Uhlig and 1st Lt. Mario Fabrizio, both of Viking<br />
Squadron, for working at the Cessna 182 display.<br />
Lt. Col. Barney Uhlig (Viking Squadron) discussing Civil Air<br />
Patrol opportunities with a young prospective cadet in the<br />
Cessna 182 display.<br />
Anoka and Viking squadron cadets preparing to go out on<br />
their assigned duties.<br />
Major David Kenan (St. Croix Squadron) discussing Civil Air<br />
Patrol opportunities with a family attending the Air Show.<br />
The Civil Air Patrol is very proud to be able to<br />
serve the local community at wonderful activities<br />
such as the Air Expo. The Air Expo promotes<br />
education and interest in aviation to both young<br />
and old, which is also a mission of the Civil Air<br />
Patrol. By supporting such activities the Civil Air<br />
Patrol works to provide Aerospace education to its<br />
members and the community.<br />
15 15
(L-R) C/Capt David Johnson, Earhart Award recipient and<br />
Col. Tom Theis, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Commander.<br />
RED WING HONORS<br />
Red <strong>Wing</strong> cadets receive<br />
honors in double ceremony<br />
Captain Richard J. Sprouse<br />
Public Affairs Officer, Group 2<br />
During a double presentation ceremony on<br />
August 20th, two Red <strong>Wing</strong> Squadron cadets were<br />
honored for their commitment.<br />
Cadet David Johnson received the Earhart<br />
Award, which honors the late Amelia Earhart, a<br />
pioneer who set many records for women pilots in<br />
aviation’s infancy.<br />
To receive the award, cadets must, among<br />
other criteria pass a rigorous 100-question examination<br />
covering aerospace topics, leadership<br />
theory and staff duties. Once a cadet earns the<br />
Earhart Award, he or she is promoted to the grade<br />
of cadet captain.<br />
Recognized with the Mitchell Award during<br />
the ceremony was Cadet David Nelson.<br />
The Mitchell Award is given to Civil Air Patrol<br />
cadets who have completed the first eight achievements<br />
of the cadet program. The cadet milestone<br />
is named after a pioneer in aviation and an early<br />
supporter of an independent Air Force.<br />
Cadets must pass a comprehensive 100 question<br />
exam covering aerospace topics and leadership<br />
theory. Cadets earning the Mitchell Award are<br />
promoted to the rank of cadet second lieutenant.<br />
(L-R) C/2nd Lt David Nelson, Mitchell Award recipient and<br />
Lt. Col. John Barsness, Group IV Commander.<br />
Any cadet who earns this award, and who later<br />
enters CAP’s Senior Officer ranks, is eligible for<br />
immediate promotion to CAP 2nd Lt at age 21. In<br />
addition, recipients of this award are eligible for<br />
advanced placement to the grade of airman first<br />
class (E-3) should they choose to enter the U.S. Air<br />
Force. They are also eligible for advanced credit<br />
in AFROTC, various CAP scholarships, and CAP<br />
special activity opportunities.<br />
The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of<br />
the U.S. Air Force. Its missions are aerospace education,<br />
emergency services, and the cadet program.<br />
The 16-segment cadet program provides<br />
opportunities for the learning, maturing, accepting<br />
and nurturing of leadership to more than 26,000<br />
Americans from ages 12 to 21.<br />
There are approximately 1,300 members of<br />
CAP in <strong>Minnesota</strong>. <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> routinely<br />
flies thousands of hours per year of operational<br />
flights, and contributes some 10,000 + personhours<br />
to search and rescue, counter drug, disaster<br />
preparedness, homeland security, and other<br />
humanitarian mission flying.<br />
Attending the ceremony was Col. Thomas<br />
Theis, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Commander; Lt. Col.<br />
Blaze Cunningham, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Director<br />
of Aerospace Education, Lt. Col. John Barsness,<br />
Group IV Commander; Maj. Jeff Bartelt, Group<br />
IV Deputy Commander; Lt. Col. Don Mikitta,<br />
<strong>Wing</strong> Chaplain; and Maj. Bryce Duncan, Red<br />
<strong>Wing</strong> Squadron Commander.<br />
17 17
LINDBERG SAR<br />
Civil Air Patrol members<br />
search for missing aircraft<br />
1st Lt. George Supan<br />
Public Information Officer, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong>, North and South Dakota CAP<br />
members join together in an extensive air and<br />
ground search effort for a missing aircraft<br />
and pilot.<br />
A pilot in a PA 28 Piper Cherokee left Airlink<br />
Airport near Lakeville, MN on Friday, November<br />
13, 2009 at 5:00 pm. The pilot and aircraft did not<br />
arrive at the destination of Hallock, MN.<br />
Civil Air Patrol, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> received a<br />
call from Air Force Rescue Coordination Center<br />
at Tyndall AFB, FL very early on Saturday,<br />
November 14, to search for the missing aircraft.<br />
On Saturday morning at 7:00 am ground<br />
teams were dispatched to an area of the last point<br />
of contact from the pilot to begin the search. The<br />
pilot sent a message to his family about 6:20 pm on<br />
Friday, from the Staples, MN area, that all is well.<br />
Command Center Lt. Col. Chet Wilberg, Incident<br />
Commander (R); 1st Lt. George Anderson, Flight Release<br />
Officer (L)<br />
In flight Lt. Col. Tom Hollenhorst.<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, Group II had a planned Search<br />
and Rescue Training Scheduled at the Anoka<br />
Composite Squadron at the Blaine-Anoka airport.<br />
The training exercise became a real mission.<br />
Capt. Andy Bosshart, Anoka Squadron<br />
Command, when called for the mission did not<br />
believe it and said, “are you kidding” “No,” was<br />
the reply from 1st Lt. Tim Frame. “I will pick you<br />
up, on our way to the search site.”<br />
Saturday was a damp, cold, overcast day and<br />
CAP aircraft could not be dispatched until late<br />
afternoon when the skies cleared in the search<br />
area. The ground teams searched late into the evening<br />
without finding a signal from the Emergency<br />
Locator Transmitter.<br />
On Sunday, CAP members who used 12 aircraft<br />
and formed 8 ground teams from <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />
and North Dakota continued the search under<br />
detailed direction of Lt. Col. Chet Wilberg,<br />
Incident Commander and his team. The Command<br />
Center was moved from Anoka to the Crow <strong>Wing</strong><br />
Composite Squadron in Brainerd, MN. The search<br />
started at the break of day light and continued until<br />
after dark.<br />
The complete planned aircraft route from<br />
the Airlake Airport to Hallock was searched. A<br />
concentrated search area was developed west and<br />
18 18
Preflight<br />
north of Staples. Staples and the destination airport<br />
of Hallock are located in Northwestern, MN.<br />
Media from North Dakota and <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />
wanted information on the search efforts. Interviews<br />
were conducted by all of the TV networks, radio<br />
stations and newspapers. Some interviews were by<br />
phone but most were in person. The media had an<br />
opportunity to see the Civil Air Patrol members in<br />
action, along with talking to ground and aircraft<br />
teams directly involved with the search. They<br />
provide the public with information about the<br />
continuing search.<br />
The search continued with the expansion of the<br />
concentrated area from early day light to after dark<br />
each day.<br />
Pastor, Bob Griggs, said, during a press<br />
conference, “he married Andrew (the pilot) and<br />
Kate Lindberg six weeks ago.” “This is a very<br />
difficult time for the family,” he said. Pastor<br />
Griggs thanked the Civil Air Patrol for operating<br />
so professional, their dedication and volunteering<br />
of their time during the search. “The family is<br />
very grateful for the services provided by the<br />
Civil Air Patrol,” said Griggs.<br />
Aircraft from South Dakota joined in the search<br />
and the concentrated search area continued to<br />
expand. 18 aircraft and nearly 400 Civil Air Patrol<br />
members supported the search mission either on<br />
site or from remote areas. The search covered over<br />
4,000 square miles.<br />
CAP deployed an advanced imaging system<br />
called ARCHER (Airborne Real-time Cueing<br />
Hyperspectral Enhanced Reconnaissance) System<br />
to help search for Mr. Lindberg and his plane.<br />
ARCHER is a custom-designed system which<br />
uses a hyperspectral camera and special software<br />
for search and rescue (SAR), disaster impact<br />
assessment and relief, and homeland security.<br />
ARCHER has three methods for finding things:<br />
signature matching (matching reflected light to<br />
spectral signatures), and anomaly detection (calculates<br />
a statistical model of all the pixels in the<br />
image to see if there is a probability that a pixel<br />
does not belong in the scene). For this search this<br />
system is being used to look for anomalies.<br />
Search operations with the ARCHER System<br />
along with the many aircraft, aircrews, and ground<br />
teams continued.<br />
An aircraft was spotted Tuesday, November<br />
17, in the late afternoon by a private pilot flying<br />
across the missing aircraft flight path southwest of<br />
Bemidji, MN. A Civil Air Patrol ground team from<br />
Bemidji and the Clearwater Sheriff’s Department<br />
went to the crash site about a mile and half from<br />
any roads in a very dense wooded area, to mark the<br />
site, in the dark of night. Members of the family<br />
confirmed the aircraft to be that of their loved one<br />
Andrew Lindberg, he died in the crash.<br />
Civil Air Patrol members were put into action<br />
over the course of the search. The hundreds of<br />
hours of volunteer training to be prepared and then<br />
the hundreds of members who volunteered for the<br />
missing aircraft mission all came together during a<br />
time of need by a family who is so grateful to the<br />
members of the Civil Air Patrol. “Citizens Serving<br />
Communities: Above and Beyond.”<br />
Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the<br />
U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with<br />
58,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90<br />
percent of continental U.S. inland search and<br />
rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue<br />
Coordination Center and was credited by the<br />
AFRCC with saving 91 lives in fiscal year 2008.<br />
Its volunteers also perform homeland security,<br />
disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the<br />
request of federal, state and local agencies. The<br />
members play a leading role in aerospace education<br />
and serve as mentors to the nearly 22,000<br />
young people currently participating in CAP cadet<br />
programs. CAP has been performing missions for<br />
America for 68 years.<br />
Pictures taken by 1st Lt. George Supan<br />
19 19
NORTHLAND<br />
ORIDES<br />
Northland Cadets Fly<br />
in Bemidji<br />
Capt. Robin Helgager<br />
Commander, Northland Composite Squadron<br />
Ten cadets recently experienced the thrill of<br />
aviation, through orientation flights at the Bemidji<br />
Regional Airport. The cadets flew a combined<br />
10 hours in two of CAP’s Cessna 172’s and one<br />
Cessna 182.<br />
“It was awesome!” reports Cadet Chris Madsen,<br />
age 14, of Bemidji. “I got to use the controls and<br />
get the feel of how the aircraft handled.”<br />
The hour-long flights in single-engine Cessna<br />
aircraft introduced the cadets to the science that<br />
makes flight possible. They learned about navigation,<br />
weather, aircraft instruments, flight maneuvers,<br />
and more. The cadets’ day began by helping<br />
preflight their aircraft. Working with their pilot,<br />
they taxied their aircraft to Bemidji Airport’s runway<br />
13, gave it full throttle and took off, climbing<br />
to 3,000 feet.<br />
While aloft, it was the cadets who were handling<br />
the controls, during the non-critical stages of<br />
the flight. “You really have to pay attention when<br />
you’re at the controls,” explained Cadet Mary<br />
Rogers, 14, “but once you get past your initial<br />
Cadet Jacob Rogers, 12, (Bemidji) smiles as he prepares for<br />
takeoff during the Civil Air Patrol’s orientation flight day at<br />
Bemidji Regional Airport.<br />
nervousness, it’s fantastic.”<br />
Once they reached their assigned altitude, the<br />
cadets turned towards their destinations; either<br />
Thief River <strong>Fall</strong>s, Detroit Lakes, Park Rapids or<br />
Grand Rapids, where they made a brief stop. Then<br />
it was another cadet’s turn at the controls for the<br />
flight home. CAP pilots repeated this round-trip<br />
throughout the day.<br />
“I’ve been flying cadets for over three years,<br />
and it’s always exciting for me just to see the look<br />
on the kids’ faces,” said one of the pilots, CAP<br />
Capt. Mark Johnston of Duluth. Pilots volunteering<br />
their time were, Major Charles Schumacher and<br />
Capt. Mark Johnston from the Duluth Squadron,<br />
Senior Member Jim Williamson flew from the<br />
Walker Squadron and Capt. Ray Majkzrak flew<br />
in the pilot rotation from Bemidji. Civil Air Patrol<br />
provided the aircraft and fuel, at no cost to the<br />
cadets or the pilots.<br />
The cadets participating were: Mandy Bushong,<br />
Jesse Bushong, Cody DeGrote, Timothy Johnson,<br />
David Helgager, Jacob Rogers, Joseph Rogers,<br />
Mary Rogers, Tom Rogers.<br />
L-R Cadets Nick Weber, 12, (Bemidji) and Tim Johnson, 14,<br />
(Menahga) assist Major Charles Schumacher (Duluth) in<br />
pre-flighting their Civil Air Patrol aircraft before enjoying an<br />
orientation flight.<br />
21 21
ST CLOUD FLY IN<br />
Pancakes and planes prove<br />
winning combination for<br />
squadron’s fundraiser<br />
Captain Richard J. Sprouse<br />
Public Affairs Officer<br />
Group 2<br />
Pancakes and planes proved to be the winning<br />
combination for the St. Cloud Composite<br />
Squadron’s annual fundraiser.<br />
Squadron members served 1,300 breakfasts<br />
of pancakes and sausage, and raised $2,100 for<br />
squadron activities during the Sunday, June 28<br />
event held at the St. Cloud Airport.<br />
“Our crew of seniors and cadets came early,<br />
worked hard, and stayed late; the result was<br />
another very successful breakfast,” said Lt. Col.<br />
Jim Schlick, the event’s organizer.<br />
“Between the Army National Guard’s CH-47<br />
Chinook helicopter, the LifeLink helicopter,<br />
several experimental aircraft, and our own CAP<br />
glass-cockpit 182 with the avionics power on, our<br />
C/SrA Michael Norton serves up breakfast to one of the<br />
1,300 people who attended the St. Cloud Composite<br />
Squadron’s annual fly-in breakfast on June 28.<br />
airport guests had quite a bit to look at.”<br />
Schlick also thanked the St. Cloud Times,<br />
Shopping News, WJON Radio, KNSI Radio,<br />
and Charter Communications for their generous<br />
promotion of the event.<br />
Schlick said the squadron is already looking<br />
forward to next year’s event.<br />
“Since it seemed that everyone had fun,<br />
I told ‘Chris Cakes’ (food vendor) to put us<br />
on their schedule for next June 27. Mark your<br />
calendar now!”<br />
C/SrA Michael Norton in the blister of a <strong>Minnesota</strong> Army<br />
National Guard Chinook helicopter on display during St.<br />
Cloud Composite Squadron’s annual fly-in breakfast on<br />
June 28.<br />
C/2nd Lt Derek Cash provides flightline security while the<br />
LifeLink helicopter departs St. Cloud Airport. The helicopter<br />
was among a number of aircraft on display during St. Cloud<br />
Composite Squadron’s annual fly-in breakfast on June 28.<br />
The event raised $2,100 for squadron activities.<br />
22 22
Members Ride in CH-47<br />
Chinook Helicopter<br />
1st Lt. Erik Lindquist<br />
Public Affairs Officer, Viking Squadron<br />
Viking Squadron members<br />
were honored to have the opportunity<br />
to fly with the <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />
Army Air National Guard in a<br />
CH47 Chinook helicopter.<br />
The flight originated at the<br />
St. Paul Downtown Airport,<br />
also known as Holman Field.<br />
Squadron members also toured<br />
the facility, and were able to<br />
view the Blackhawk helicopters<br />
stationed at the site.<br />
The CH 47 Chinook helicopter<br />
has a crew of three (pilot,<br />
co-pilot, and flight engineer), it<br />
can carry up to 55 troops or 24<br />
litters with 3 attendants. It is<br />
built for heavy lifting, and can<br />
carry up to 26,680 pounds of<br />
additional weight. The Chinook<br />
can reach a maximum speed of<br />
196 MPH and a service ceiling<br />
of 18,500 feet.<br />
CH47 Chinook helicopter taking off.<br />
Experiences like these<br />
helps the Civil Air Patrol promote<br />
aerospace education to its<br />
members. Cadets (ages 12-18)<br />
especially benefit from these<br />
experiences in which they<br />
grow their aviation knowledge<br />
and interest.<br />
Most cadets continue to pursue<br />
aviation in a broader part of<br />
their lives either professionally<br />
or personally, and it is one of<br />
many reasons why they join the<br />
Civil Air Patrol.<br />
Viking Squadron members in front of the CH47 Chinook helicopter that they rode in.<br />
23 23
St. Croix Cadets<br />
Shine at 11th CTG<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
2009 Summer<br />
Encampment<br />
2nd Lt. Scott Richardson<br />
Public Affairs Officer<br />
St. Croix Composite Squadron<br />
NCR-MN-122<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>, Civil Air Patrol<br />
MINNESOTA—At this years <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong>’s<br />
Summer Encampment, six of the St. Croix<br />
Squadron’s Cadets had served as staff members<br />
for this years 11th Cadet Training Group (CTG) at<br />
Camp Ripley near Little <strong>Fall</strong>s, <strong>Minnesota</strong>.<br />
Once again, our St. Croix Squadron Cadets<br />
have consistently shown their dedication and commitment<br />
to being some of the best in the <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong>, Civil Air Patrol.<br />
Cadets from our Squadron have worked<br />
very hard to achieve the different levels of<br />
knowledge and professionalism, which have<br />
led them to be selected many times before to fill<br />
these important staffing roles at past <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />
<strong>Wing</strong> Encampments.<br />
Out of the 25 encampment staff positions<br />
available at each year, St. Croix cadets have been<br />
selected to fill these important leadership roles<br />
before. Here are the St. Croix Squadron Cadets<br />
who served as staff members at this year’s 11th<br />
CTG encampment and the position they held.<br />
• Executive Staff:<br />
Deputy Commander - C/Capt Haylee Fosterling<br />
Command Chief - C/MSgt Mike Weston<br />
• 21st Cadet Training Squadron<br />
First Sergeant - C/SMSgt David Trudeau<br />
• Charlie Flight Sergeant - C/MSgt Grady Bell<br />
• 22nd Cadet Training Squadron<br />
Squadron Commander - C/Capt. Caleb Norman<br />
• Support Staff<br />
Logistics Officer - C/CMSgt Robert Spear<br />
Maj. Matt Wiskow provides land navigation instruction to<br />
C/A1C Kati Jents of St. Croix Squadron during the 2009<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Encampment at Camp Ripley. Photo Capt<br />
Richard Sprouse<br />
In addition to the 6 cadets who filled staff<br />
positions, 9 other cadets from our squadron had<br />
attended this years Summer Encampment as well.<br />
All 15 of our cadets had a great time teaching<br />
and learning the leadership and basic the skills all<br />
cadets need to have to be successful in their Civil<br />
Air Patrol cadet careers.<br />
For 8 of our cadets, this was their first experience<br />
at a summer encampment and each of them<br />
had a great experience and forged new friendships<br />
and memories, which will last each of them<br />
a lifetime.<br />
Here are all 15 St. Croix Cadets who attended<br />
this years 11 CTG, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Summer<br />
Encampment: C/Amn. Jackson Bartlett, C/Amn.<br />
Mohammad Battah, C/SMSgt. Grady Bell, C/AB<br />
Samanth Carlstrom, C/Capt. Haylee Fosterling,<br />
C/TSgt. Noah Hite, C/A1C Kati Jents, C/AB Jake<br />
Krueger, C/Capt. Caleb Norman, C/A1C Ethan<br />
Pike, C/CMSgt. Robert Spear, C/SSgt. Alex<br />
Swanson, C/AB Josh Tarka, C/CMSgt. David<br />
Trudeau, C/MSgt. Michael Weston;<br />
The 11th CTG Commander has singled out<br />
two of our cadets for having achieved superior performance<br />
as Distinguished Graduates. They are<br />
C/Amn. Jackson Bartlett, C/SSgt. Alex Swanson.<br />
Congratulations are in order for all 15 of our<br />
cadets for their hard work each have put in to<br />
reach this level of success, so far within the Civil<br />
Air Patrol.<br />
25 25
<strong>Minnesota</strong> Encampment<br />
Tests Skills, Endurance<br />
Captain Richard Sprouse<br />
Public Affairs Officer, 2009 <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Encampment<br />
For most students, summer is a time to unwind<br />
from the rigors of the school year. Not so for the<br />
cadets that attended the 2009 <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
Encampment at Camp Ripley from June 20-27.<br />
Each summer, CAP Basic Cadets from across<br />
the state and region – under the oversight of Cadet<br />
Staff Members – are introduced to new experiences<br />
such as the confidence course, land navigation, and<br />
weapons familiarization, as well as annual offerings<br />
in moral leadership, aerospace and military<br />
career opportunities, physical training, and drill<br />
movements.<br />
“While the Cadets’ friends were going about<br />
their daily routine, these<br />
Cadets were here testing<br />
the limits of their abilities<br />
and striving to improve,”<br />
said C/Col Charlie Cox,<br />
11th CTG Commander.<br />
An event that stood<br />
out to many occurred during<br />
the final inspection<br />
of encampment when the<br />
Cadet Staff’s Standards<br />
and Evaluation team<br />
inspected the Cadets’ uniforms,<br />
living areas, and<br />
footlockers.<br />
A rare 100% overall score was recorded by<br />
C/A1C Zachary Dietz of Viking Squadron.<br />
“Encampment taught me self discipline as<br />
well as self confidence to do my best,” Dietz said.<br />
The 11th Cadet Training Group consisted of<br />
86 Basic Cadets, 17 Staff Development Squadron<br />
Cadets, and 28 Cadet Staff Members. Nearly 30<br />
Senior Officers and volunteers were also there.<br />
Cadets and staff from Missouri, North Dakota, as<br />
well as dozen from Iowa participated in the event.<br />
“<strong>Minnesota</strong> has a well-earned reputation as one<br />
of the best run encampments in the nation,” said 2nd<br />
BACKGROUND PHOTO: An<br />
inspection team moves up<br />
and down the rows evaluating<br />
footlocker displays and<br />
critiquing uniforms during<br />
the 2009 <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
Encampment at Camp Ripley.<br />
Alpha flight celebrates another victory on their way to the volleyball championship during<br />
the 2009 <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Encampment at Camp Ripley.<br />
26
2009 <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Encampment Awardees:<br />
Encampment Honor Flight - Charlie Flight<br />
CTG Volleyball Champions – Alpha Flight<br />
Highest average inspection score – Bravo Flight<br />
Highest Drill Competition Score – Charlie Flight<br />
Distinguished Graduates of the CTG – C/TSgt John Ke, St. Paul Squadron; C/SrA<br />
Jacob Jones, Duluth Squadron; C/Amn Jackson Bartlett, St. Croix Squadron; C/A1C<br />
Grant Bauer, Anoka Squadron; C/SSgt Tim Winnes, Ft. Snelling Squadron; C/TSgt<br />
John Dvorak, St. Cloud Squadron; C/SSgt Alex Swanson, St. Croix; C/SrA Trevor<br />
Klatt, Grand Rapids Squadron; C/Amn Daniel Fitterer, Mankato Squadron; C/SSgt<br />
Frank Albrecht, North Hennepin, C/SMSgt Tim Italiano, North Dakota<br />
C/SrA Devyn Phelps, among the 11 Iowa<br />
<strong>Wing</strong> cadets to attend Encampment<br />
in <strong>Minnesota</strong>, receives some personal<br />
instruction on the 240-B machine gun from<br />
Technical Sergeant Dan Payette of the<br />
<strong>Minnesota</strong> Air National Guard. Payette<br />
received his Spaatz Award in 1998 and was<br />
the Encampment cadet commander in 1997<br />
and 1998.<br />
Lt. Carol Hinkle of the Burlington<br />
(Iowa) Composite Squadron.<br />
“I learned so much being here.”<br />
C/Col Cox said he and the staff<br />
really enjoyed the opportunity to<br />
work with the Basic Cadets.<br />
Squadron Distinguished Graduate – 21st CTS – C/Amn Megan Halek, North Hennepin<br />
Squadron Distinguished Graduate – 22nd CTS – C/SrA Matt Klugherz, 130th<br />
Squadron<br />
Squadron Distinguished Graduate – SDS – C/TSgt Christen Furlong, 130th Squadron<br />
Most Improved Leader – SDS – C/A1C Abdulrahman Haji, Valley Squadron<br />
Encampment Commander’s Award for Outstanding Achievement – C/A1C Jasmine<br />
Sands, North Hennepin Squadron<br />
<strong>Wing</strong> Commander’s Award for Academic Excellence – C/A1C Jasmine Sands<br />
Commandants Award for Leadership – C/Maj Billy Hoffman, 130th Squadron<br />
CTG Command Staff Excellence Award – C/Capt David Johnson, Red <strong>Wing</strong> Squadron<br />
CTG Support Staff Excellence Award – C/Capt Joshua Carr, Missouri<br />
Field Leadership Excellence Award – SM Gene Enos, Southeast <strong>Minnesota</strong> Squadron<br />
Senior Support Excellence Award – Capt Richard Sprouse, Group 2<br />
“It’s quite amazing to<br />
watch them grow throughout<br />
the week,” Cox said. “If these<br />
cadets can find the confidence<br />
to tackle and succeed at<br />
encampment, they will have<br />
the confidence to take on any<br />
problem life throws at them.”<br />
For more on this year’s<br />
encampment including more<br />
images and newsletters please<br />
go to http://www.cadetleadership.org/<br />
Cadets make their way across Camp<br />
Ripley’s confidence course during the<br />
2009 <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong> Encampment<br />
at Camp Ripley.<br />
27 27
Flying High Black<br />
Hawk Style<br />
C/SrA Caitlin Albrecht<br />
North Hennepin Squadron, <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Wing</strong><br />
An enthusiastic group of cadets<br />
left North Hennepin Squadron on<br />
Tuesday, August 11, 2009, ready<br />
for adventure.<br />
Piling into two CAP vans, the<br />
group comprised of nineteen eager<br />
cadets, senior members 2nd Lt. J.D.<br />
Teter, 2nd Lt. Daniel Dawson, and<br />
2nd Lt. Suzanne Albrecht, and parents<br />
Chris Chanski and Air Force<br />
Major Paul Shadle headed to the St.<br />
Paul Army National Guard Base.<br />
There was excitement in the air<br />
as the cadets eagerly awaited their<br />
activity of the evening: a much-anticipated<br />
Black Hawk helicopter ride.<br />
The UH-60 Black Hawk is the<br />
Army’s primary tactical transport<br />
helicopter, capable of transporting<br />
14 combat-equipped troops or<br />
8,000 lbs of cargo over 300 miles<br />
in range.<br />
It’s twin-engine; 4-blade design<br />
can cruise at 170 mph and operate<br />
in almost any type of terrain or<br />
weather. The MN National Guard<br />
has 16 UH-60 Black Hawks and<br />
uses them both in overseas deployment<br />
missions and in domestic<br />
operations here at home in such<br />
roles as fire fighting, flood relief<br />
and search and rescue.<br />
After a safety briefing and distribution<br />
of hearing protection, the first<br />
flight of cadets marched out single<br />
file to the waiting Black Hawk.<br />
The excitement rose as the<br />
cadets strapped themselves in,<br />
exchanged grins and attempted<br />
conversation as the roar of the<br />
whipping rotary blades grew in<br />
intensity. Then…liftoff!<br />
The Black Hawk rose into<br />
the air with ease as cadets C/SrA<br />
Albrecht, C/SSgt Grimaldi, C/Amn<br />
Halek, C/Amn Heath, C/Amn<br />
Kessler, C/Amn Klick, C/Amn<br />
Miller, Cadet Shadle, and C/Amn<br />
Williams peered out the windows<br />
at the shrinking landscape below.<br />
The relatively smooth ride was<br />
punctuated by a few timely aerial<br />
maneuvers including sharp ascent<br />
and descent and steep banking<br />
to the left and right courtesy of<br />
the Army National Guard Pilot in<br />
Command, CPT Bruce Kraemer;<br />
Pilot, CW2 Chris Frazer; and Crew<br />
Chief, SSG Rob Glazebrook.<br />
“ T H A T w a s s o C O O L ! ”<br />
exclaimed C/Amn Arden Heath<br />
upon settling on terra firma.<br />
After about twenty minutes,<br />
the Black Hawk descended<br />
once more to pick up the second<br />
flight of excited cadets. C/SSgt<br />
Frank Albrecht, C/1st Lt David<br />
Chanski, C/2nd Lt Blake Zafft,<br />
C/SMSgt Reuben Miller, C/Capt<br />
Jacob Otterson, C/SMSgt Matthew<br />
Bruffey, C/SSgt Jake Teter, C/SrA<br />
Ryan Heath and C/Amn Danny<br />
Dawson accompanied by 2nd Lt<br />
J.D. Teter took flight next.<br />
While they waited for their<br />
comrades to return, the first flight<br />
cadets were given a detailed tour of<br />
a stationary Black Hawk helicopter<br />
by squadron Aerospace Instructor<br />
and Army National Guard Black<br />
Hawk pilot, Major Steve Grimaldi.<br />
Twenty minutes later the entire<br />
group was reunited, and the NHS<br />
cadets and senior members were<br />
homeward bound. All in all, the<br />
evening proved to be a real treat for<br />
cadets and seniors alike, and who<br />
knows Perhaps it also served as<br />
inspiration for some future Hawks<br />
to take to the skies.<br />
A huge thank you goes out to<br />
Major Steve Grimaldi for making<br />
this thrilling field trip a reality and<br />
contributing this article.<br />
28 28