north central region - apr 2011

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NCR News April 2011 Page1

The Official Newsletter of Civil Air Patrols North Central Region

Seven Wings, Three Missions, One Goal

April 2011

Lt. Col. David Miller

Public Affairs Officer, Missouri Wing

After an extensive search for a missing airplane in

southeastern Missouri covering more than 5,100 squaremiles an area larger than the state of Connecticut a

Missouri Wing, Civil Air Patrol, aircrew finally spotted the

wreckage late on the fifth day. The local sheriffs

department verified the crash site as the aircraft in

question. There were no survivors.

The single engine aircraft with three persons aboard was

travelling from Arkansas to Wisconsin when it fell off radar

near Poplar Bluff, Missouri, early on the morning of March

27th.

Concerned family members reported the plane overdue

and the Missouri Wing was activated by the US Air Force

Rescue Coordination Center early the next morning. Aircrews and ground teams were immediately put on

alert and the first sorties of the day were launched at first light.

Eventually, more than sixty CAP personnel from across the state,

including members of the Arkansas and Illinois Wings, using

seven aircraft spent more than 1,500 man-hours and over 100

flight-hours searching southeastern Missouri. The search was

made difficult by inclement weather, rough terrain, and no

emergency locator transmitter being heard.

The Piper Lance was found approximately 65 miles from where it

was lost from radar contact approximately eight miles southeast

of the town of Ironton, Missouri.

Continued on Page 13

(Clockwise, from left) Maj. Esther Grupenhagen, Gateway Senior

Squadron, and three St. Charles Composite Squadron members --Capt. Jim Abbitt, C/Capt. Clay Sakabu and Capt. Rick Sexton

(back to camera), at the mission base at Malden Airport. Photo byCapt. Michael Foppe

2nd Lt. Hans Brosbol, & 2nd Lt. Stan Edwards of theGateway Senior Squadron prepare for the first flight

of the final day of the search at the new mission baseat Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield. Photo by

Lt. Col. David Miller


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News and Information from the 7 Wings of

Civil Air Patrols North Central Region

Please click on these graphics for important Information aboutthese programs and activities.

News Item Page #

Missouri Wing Finds Missing Aircraft Page & Page 13

Commanders Column Page 3

2011 Flood Response Page 4

Commanders Go To School Page 12

New Region Patch Page 14

Minnesota Wing Conference Wrap-up Page 16

2011 Region Staff College Page 19

2011 Chaplain Corps Staff College Page 20

Civic Leadership Academy Page 22

2011 Encampments Page 24

Column: Social Media Part 1 Page 25

Member Recognition Page 26News From Iowa Wing Page 27

News From Kansas Wing Page 28

News From Minnesota Wing Page 29

News From Missouri Wing Page 31

News From Nebraska Wing Page 32

News From North Dakota Wing Page 34

News From South Dakota Wing Page 35

Col. Theresa Schimelfening, Commander of the South Dakota Wing

receives a memento from CAP Executive Director Don Rowland at

the 2011 Wing Commanders Course. Photo by Susan Schneider,

CAP National Headquarters
http://www.lightspeedaviationfoundation.org/content.cfm/Finalists/Your-Vote-Countshttp://www.capmembers.com/cap_national_hq/cap_congressional_gold_medal.cfmhttp://www.capmembers.com/events/cap_annual_conference/index.cfm


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From the Commander:Colonel Sean Fagan

Commander, North Central Region

Members of North Central Region,

As your new Region Commander, I would like to

take this opportunity to tell each and every one

of you what an Honor and a privilege it is to be

selected as the Commander for the North

Central Region. I hope to take this opportunity that I have been given to help

make the North Central Region the best Region in the entire Civil Air Patrol.

Many of you know me from my previous assignments as the Missouri Wing

Commander and as a former Commander of the North Central Region. For

those of you that do not know me, please allow me to take just a moment to

explain to you my Command Philosophy.

Many think that the North Central Region is in place to Command and oversee

the Regions Wings. Under my Command, this could not be farther from the

truth.

The North Central Region Staff and I are here to serve the seven Wings in our

charge. It is the duty of the Region to provide the Wings with any assistance or

guidance they may need and to be the point of contact to the Civil Air Patrol

National Headquarters.

The staff members of the North Central Region are all experts in their

particular fields. They are here to assist and mentor their counter parts in theWings, just as I am here to assist the Wing Commanders.

It is my personal philosophy that no call to the North Central Region for

assistance should go unanswered.

I look forward with great anticipation too working with each and every one of

you as we help to build the success of the North Central Region.

Respectfully In Service,

SEAN P. FAGAN, Colonel, CAP

Commander, North Central Region

NCR NEWS is the

official newsletter of the

North Central Region,

Civil Air Patrol.

The views expressed,

written or implied are

not necessarily those of

the U.S. Air Force or of

the Civil Air Patrol.

Submissions are

welcome and can be

sent to

[email protected]

Receive an e-mail

notification each month

letting you know that

the latest edition of

NCR News has been

published by going to

http://lists.ncrpao.org/m

ailman/listinfo/ncrnews

Colonel Sean Fagan

Commander

Colonel Emmit Williams

Vice Commander

Lt. Col. John Quilling

Chief of Staff

Major Al Pabon

Director, Public Affairs

http://ncr.cap.gov
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Northern Floods Test CAP Readiness

The Civil Air Patrol Motto Semper Vigilans or Always

Vigilant was once again proved to be accurate this

spring.

Forecasts predicted that the 2011 flood season would be

one for the record books. With huge amounts of snowfall and weather conditions ideal for floods North Dakota,

South Dakota and Minnesota Wings were ready for

anything.

While the crests did not reach their estimated peaks,

there was significant flooding and CAP was there to

support our state partners and the federal government

with imaging flights. Our Public Information Officers are

on the ground and are proud to share these stories with

you.

Flooding in Grand Forks, ND

North Dakota Wing -Civil Air Patrol:

Everyday heroes, every dayStory & Photos by Capt Todd Epp

Public Affairs Officer, South Dakota Wing

When spring finally arrives to North Dakota, you can

expect two things: flooding from snowmelt and the NorthDakota Wing heavily involved with the local, state, and

federal response to that flooding.

The spring of 2011 has been much the same as the

springs of 2009 and 2010 in this northern plains state

too much water from too much snow in too many places

affecting too many people.

The 1997 flooding on the Red River of the Northwhich

flows north instead of south from near the South Dakota

border to Lake Winnipegwas a flood of historic

proportions for Grand Forks, Fargo, Moorhead,

Minnesota, and other communities.

However, in 2011, while the Red River has again been

troublesome, other rivers in the Peace Garden State

have hit historic or near historic flood stages, such as the

Sheyenne, James, Des Lacs, and Souris Rivers. Hardly

an area of the state has been spared this spring from

flooding.

Geo-Tagged image of the James River, from the ARGUS System

In response, the North Dakota Wing has already flown

nearly 100 hours of flooding missions in February, March

and April. These have included photo surveillance and

geo-tagging of images which were uploaded into the

North Central Region of the CAPs still new ARGUS

system.

Disaster relief managers use the geo-tagged images to

plan for expected flooding as well as assess damage

from past or ongoing flooding. Other sorties have

included flying a member of the North Dakota State

Water Commission and North Dakota National

Guardsmen and women on reconnaissance flights

around the state.

Continued on Page 5


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Flooding Continued from Page 4

Interestingly, the North Dakota Wings flooding missions

do not stop at state or even international borders. The

North Dakota Wing has also been responsible for taking

photos of flooding on the Minnesota side of the Red

River and west central Minnesota communities such as

Perly and Crookston. The North Dakota Wing also

received permission to fly into Canada to check

snowpack conditions and potential flood waters that

would impact N.D. flooding.

All told, as of April 18, 2011, the North Dakota Wings

five Cessna 182s and two Cessna 172s had flown nearly

40 sorties, a heavy load on a wing that only has about

275 members sprinkled across a large state stretching

from Minnesota to Montana.

Flooding in Lisbon, ND

Photo sorties have averaged at least one hundred

photos each, with thousands of geo-tagged photos

sitting in the ARGUS system, map-coordinated for easy

use by state and federal disaster planners.

The hard work has fallen on North Dakota Wing staff in

Bismarck and across the state as well as the volunteers

in the Wings six senior, cadet, and composite

squadrons in Bismarck, Valley City, Jamestown,Dickinson, Minot, and Fargo. Besides staffing air crews,

senior members and cadets have also been called upon

to help with preparing and positioning sandbags and

actual sandbagging operations.

The Bismarck squadron has also the new Forward

Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras which are attached to a

Cessna 182. FLIR has both infrared and video

capabilities.

The State of North Dakota purchased the unit for the

wing last year to assist with search and rescue (SAR)

and border patrol duties. But the video camera, which

records to a DVD, has been a useful tool for the state in

the flood fight.

Bismarck, which sits on the Missouri River, has not beenthreatened by flood waters but its central location in the

state has kept the local squadron busy flying sorties to

other parts of the state.

The mission for us has been a little different this year,

said Lt. Col. Kevin Iverson, the Bismarck squadrons

commander. We started out taking video (via FLIR) of

the Knife, Heart, and Cannonball Rivers (in south central

N.D.) in February. Now, our missions have been rather

long (going to other parts of the state) of over 100 miles

away. We flew four or five sorties last week alone.

And while flying state officials, using FLIR, and taking

aerial photo missions that give incident commanders an

actual birds-eye view of the situation, other squadrons

have been involved in the less glamorous but critical job

of supporting relief efforts at or near the flood waters.

Col. Karl Altenburg, commander of the 119th ANG Cade

Squadron in Fargo, said his squadron has supplied air

crew members to the effortbut also lots of muscle.

Last week we were principally involved in calls for help

in sandbagging and supporting members of the AirNational Guard, Col. Altenburg said. We have been

sandbagging homes of members of the ANG and the

public in Fargo and the surrounding communities of

Harwood and Horace.

Because the Fargo cadet squadron meets at the North

Dakota Air National Guards (NDANG) base, they have

close ties to the Guardsmen and women. In

appreciation for all that the NDANG airmen and women

do for the squadron, the cadets and senior members

return the gesture by helping out Guard families who are

threatened by flooding.

We have a close relationship with the Air Guard, Col.

Altenburg said. We have a few squadron members who

are members of the Air Guard.

Continued on Page 6


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Altenburg said his squadron was busier in the 2009 and

2010 floods on the Red River, but he attributes the

somewhat reduced workload this flood season to greater

pre-planning and preparedness in the Fargo-Moorhead

metro area.

The Minot squadron in the north central part of North

Dakota has had a similar experience but for differentreasons.

Our involvement with the flood this year isn't as large as

the other squadrons in the state, said Capt. Jeffrey

Thomas, commander of the Minot squadron. The

majority of our members are active military and through

an unfortunate set of circumstances, we have had

exercises at Minot AFB that really dominated the

majority of our time and it seems the weather is a factor

at the times we are able to peel ourselves away from

work.

Nonetheless, the Minot squadron has been busy during

the 2011 flood season.

We've gotten out to take pictures of Devils Lake,

Towner, Granville, Capt. Thomas said. We also got

good images of Burlington, Foxholm, Donnybrook, and

Kenmare, as well as the Souris and Des Lacs Rivers

from Burlington to the Canadian border--both before and

after the thaw started. We also got pictures of Belcourt

and Ox Creek though they were still pretty much frozen

over at the time.

Right now, were available to Valley City, Kindred, and

Lisbon, Col. Altenburg said.

Elsewhere in North Dakota, in Dickinson in the western

part of the state, the community has not been threatened

by flooding. But like the Bismarck squadron, its

members have flown extensively on sorties lasting four

or five hours, covering thousands of square miles.

Dickinson squadron commander Lt. Col. Ray Thompson

described one such lengthy mission.

I flew a mission to the Souris River (from Dickinson),

Lt. Col. Thompson said. Then we flew the Souris and

Des Lacs Rivers. We took photos of interest such asflooded roads. Then we flew to Minot then to Canada.

We took over 200 photos.

Coordinating all this activity is also no small challenge.

Interim NDWG commander Lt. Col. Bill Kay said the

NDWG is using an area command system, with himself

as the area command incident commander. Other

incident commanders are located across the state at the

various squadrons.

Meanwhile, at the State Emergency Operations Center

(SEOC) in Bismarck, other CAP members are assistingin the air operations branch (AOB), where twenty or so

men and women representing the U.S. Coast Guard,

FEMA, the FAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and

other state and federal agencies manage air and water

assets like airplanes, helicopters, rescue boats, and

airboats.

The North Dakota Wing is right in the middle of it.

The air boss is Lt. Col. Sean Johnson, (pictured above)

a N.D. Department of Emergency Services employee

from Bismarck and the North Dakota Wings chief of staff

and public affairs officer.

Continued on page 7


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He is the chief AOB director (AOBD), overseeing AOBDs

from other agencies and directing the air and water

operations. The AOB is located just a few stairs and

hallways from the State Emergency Operations Center.

Also in the AOB is Major Darrel Pittman (pictured

above), the N.D. state coordinator for the CAP. Major

Pittman, a retired federal air traffic controller and

instructor, is a liaison officer for CAP, helping coordinate

resources and needs between CAP and other state and

federal agencies.

Topping off how closely the wing works with the State of

North Dakota, the wings headquarters is located in a

modern office in the basement of the N.D. National

Guard headquarters building at historic Fraine Barracks,

which is just down the sidewalk from the SEOC.

Though one of the smallest wings in numbers in the Civil

Air Patrol, when disaster strikes in the Peace Garden

State, CAP members from every corner are counted on

by state and federal agencies as a major part of the

response.

From sandbagging to aerial reconnaissance, when

flooding hits, the NDWG is an example of the CAPs

motto, Everyday heroes, every day.

Lt. Col. Sean Johnson briefs Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary

Landry on Air Operations in North Dakota.

Coast Guard Admiral tours flood

operationsCapt Todd Epp


Members of the North and South Dakota Wings of the

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) had the opportunity to meet with

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary Landry on April 18

2011.

Admiral Landry, commander of the Eight Coast Guard

District, visited the air operations branch (AOBD) of the

State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) after a tour

of flooding in North Dakota.

The AOBD, located up the stairs and across a couplehallways from the SEOC, is where CAP members, a

contingent of active duty and auxiliary Coast Guard

members, and other state and federal officials

coordinate airplanes and helicoptersand airboats and

rescue boats.

North Dakota is in the midst of another springtime battle

against flood waters across the state.

Were all one team, Admiral Landry said in impromptu

remarks at the AOB. Im proud of all of you but Im

especially proud of my Coasties, she added with asmile.

Two North Dakota Wing members are heavily involved in

the AOB that Adm. Landry toured in the basement of the

North Dakota National Guard headquarters.

Continued on Page 8


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Lt. Col. Sean Johnson, the wings chief of staff and

public affairs officer, is the man in charge of the AOB,

overseeing other air branch directors from other state

and federal agencies. Lt. Col. Johnson is employed by

the N.D. Department of Emergency Services.

Lt. Col. Johnson was also effusive in his praise of the

Coast Guard members during the flood fight.

They are an important part of an extremely talented

team, Lt. Col. Johnson said.

Major Darrel Pittman greets Admiral Landry.

Besides Lt. Col. Johnson, other CAP members met

Admiral Landry. Maj. Darrel Pittman, NDWG director of

administration, is the CAPs liaison officer in the AOB.

Col. Gene Kellogg, former Iowa Wing commander, is

also a Coast Guard Auxiliarist who has been assigned to

Bismarck to assist with the disaster. Capt. Todd Epp,

the South Dakota Wing public affairs officer from Sioux

Falls on temporary assignment to the North Dakota

Wing, was also in attendance and met the admiral.

During her tour, Admiral Landry also discussed the many

lessonssome painful--that the Coast Guard and other

agencies like the CAP have learned in the wake of

Hurricane Katrina and last summers Deep WaterHorizon oil spill. She added, however, that the learning

has been critical.

We have all these nuggets of experience from all these

disasters now, AdmiralLandry said. Its great that we

can all work together. She added the people with this

experience can now be deployed to other states when

they become overwhelmed by a disaster.

Admiral Landry also noted that Americans should be

proud of its nations ability to respond to disasters like

the N.D. flooding.

We have the greatest disaster relief capability in the

world, AdmiralLandry said. You look at something like

the disaster in Japan and think, there but for the grace

of God go I.

After the admirals half hour visit to the AOBD, it wasback to work for CAP members and Coasties alike.

Even flood waters do not stop for an admiral.

SOUTH DAKOTA WING FLIES FIRST

MARCH FLOODING SORTIEStory & Photos by Capt Todd Epp


While the expected large-scale flooding hasnt hit the

Dakotasyetthe Civil Air Patrols South Dakota Wing

has already been flying flooding missions.

An aircrew from Sioux Falls flew a staff

videographer/photographer from the City of Sioux Falls

over Sioux Falls, the Big Sioux River north to Dell

Rapids, then down Skunk Creek from west of Dell

Rapids to Sioux Falls, then the Big Sioux River in Sioux

Falls.

Continued on Page 9

A large ice jam forms on the Big Sioux River north of Sioux Falls,S.D. March 17, 2011. Such ice jams contribute to flooding. The

Big Sioux River valley in eastern South Dakota is bracing for whatmeteorologists predict could be some of the worst springtimeflooding since 1969. The photo was taken while a CAP Cessna172 crew took a City of Sioux Falls videographer up to monitor

and videotape the river, which runs through Sioux Falls.


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Sioux Falls emergency managers wanted a look at what

water might be coming towards the Dakotas largest

citybefore it arrives.

The crew spotted ice jams on the Big Sioux between

Sioux Falls and Baltic. It also noted that Skunk Creek,

which enters Sioux Falls west side, was widely out of its

banks west of Dell Rapids but within its banks just northof Sioux Falls.

Skunk Creek southwest of Dell Rapids, S.D. spills over its banks

and over local county and township roads March 17, 2011. Skunk

Creek sometimes causes flooding in western Sioux Falls and

empties into the Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls.

The wing has already flown one flooding photography

mission. A crew from the Black Hills area flew out to the

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in February.

The flight of Skunk Creek and the Big Sioux River onMarch 17th has been very useful.

The Flood Management Teams Planning Section,including Engineering staff and Army Corp of Engineerstechnical experts, reviewed the film footage and stillpictures to help develop current state of snow meltrunoff.

We also showed the video at our daily Command andGeneral staff meeting. As part of our public informationeffort, the film footage was shared with local televisionstations that used the product in their coverage ofpotential flooding.

The information we received from the flight is veryhelpful in our flood planning efforts and will be of historicvalue to public works and emergency management.

Mr. Regan Smith, Emergency Manager, City of SiouxFalls (SD)

The State of South Dakota's King Air was pressed into service for

flooding photography due to bad weather on March 23, 2011.

South Dakota Wing - When the

Weather Gets Bad the CAP Goes BigStory & Photos by Capt Todd Epp


When South Dakotas early spring weather turns back to

winter, it grounds the South Dakota Wings single engine

Cessna 172 and 182s.

That presents a problem when the State of South

Dakota has tasked the wing with important aerial

photography missions of ongoing flooding in eastern

South Dakota.

Air National Guard Capt. Kollin Ellis and CAP Captains Scott Giles

and Joe Oye go over an aeronautical chart while planning a

special flood photo mission in the State of South Dakota's King

Air on March 23, 2011. Capt. Giles took photos of flooding while

Capt. Oye acted has his observer.

But when the weather got bad on Wednesday, March23, 2011 with snow and low clouds preventing VFR

(visual flight rules) flying, the wing was not put out of

business. The State of South Dakota, owner of several

twin engine Beechcraft King Airs, requested the CAPs

photo expertise even if CAP aircraft were grounded

and the area Redfield, S.D. was flooding.



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The State requested Captains Joe Oye and Scott Giles,

both mission pilots and airborne photographers, to fly in

the King Air and take photos of critical flooding in the

Huron and Redfield areas. They are members of the

Sioux Falls Composite Squadron.

Adding to the cooperative nature of the mission,

Captains Oye and Giles were joined by State pilot Roy

Ondell, who piloted the King Air, and South Dakota Air

National Guard F-16 pilots, Captains Steve Schultz and

Kollin Ellis.

Captains Schultz and Ellis have been activated to assist

with the states flooding and will be working with the

SDWG in planning subsequent flooding missions. They

will also work out of the Sioux Falls Composite Squadron

headquarters, located at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls.

Foss Field is also the home of their F-16 squadron, the

175th Fighter Squadron, the Fighting Lobos.

This type of close cooperation speaks highly of the wing

and the CAP, said Capta in Jerry Foy, Sioux Falls

Composite Squadron commander. We are honored to

help our state and our colleagues in the SDANG in this

important mission. It is also satisfying to know that we

can all work together to solve problems like bad weather

and complete our mission.

Capt. Joe Oye (r) and Capt. Kollin Ellis (l) of the South Dakota Air

National Guard review a chart prior to a special flooding photo

mission over Huron and Redfield on March 23, 2011.

Minnesota Wing Responds to Floods

Minnesota Wing began preparing for the annual spring

flooding early January by preparing a Concept of

Operations which got the Wing thinking about locations,

staffing and equipment needs. Actual operations,

providing imagery for known problem areas started in

March.

Sandbagging operations this year were limited to somelocal efforts, the wing did fly several photo imagingmissions for a variety of local agencies and theMinnesota Homeland Security and EmergencyManagement Agency.

These missions were flown over critical infrastructure,flooded areas in the state including the Twin Cities andimportant waterways. Of particular concern to the statewas the flooding on highways in Southern Minnesota.

These flights allowed us to not only train but provide

important imagery that was of critical use by thecounties, the State of Minnesota and the federalgovernment. said Major Paul Pieper, Minnesota WingsEmergency Services Officer.

The images from these missions were used by HSEM

and posted to their Facebook.

Link:http://www.facebook.com/pages/CrossFit/109357715750499#!/p

ages/MnDPS_HSEM-Homeland-Security-Emergency-

Management/175754430840

http://www.facebook.com/pages/CrossFit/109357715750499#!/pages/MnDPS_HSEM-Homeland-Security-Emergency-Management/175754430840http://www.facebook.com/pages/CrossFit/109357715750499#!/pages/MnDPS_HSEM-Homeland-Security-Emergency-Management/175754430840http://www.facebook.com/pages/CrossFit/109357715750499#!/pages/MnDPS_HSEM-Homeland-Security-Emergency-Management/175754430840http://www.facebook.com/pages/CrossFit/109357715750499#!/pages/MnDPS_HSEM-Homeland-Security-Emergency-Management/175754430840http://www.facebook.com/pages/CrossFit/109357715750499#!/pages/MnDPS_HSEM-Homeland-Security-Emergency-Management/175754430840http://www.facebook.com/pages/CrossFit/109357715750499#!/pages/MnDPS_HSEM-Homeland-Security-Emergency-Management/175754430840http://www.facebook.com/pages/CrossFit/109357715750499#!/pages/MnDPS_HSEM-Homeland-Security-Emergency-Management/175754430840http://www.facebook.com/pages/CrossFit/109357715750499#!/pages/MnDPS_HSEM-Homeland-Security-Emergency-Management/175754430840http://www.facebook.com/pages/CrossFit/109357715750499#!/pages/MnDPS_HSEM-Homeland-Security-Emergency-Management/175754430840


11/36


Continued from Page 10

The wing also flew a number of missions using the

ARCHER (Airborne Real-time Cueing Hyperspectral

Enhanced Reconnaissance) System for the cities of

Chaska, Jordan and St. Paul.

For the first time in several years Minnesota Wing was

seated at the States Emergency Operations Center aspart of the Air Operations Branch so it could directly

coordinate with state, local governments and other

agencies.

It is a real honor for the wing to have a place at the

table and work directly with our partners. said Incident

Commander and Minnesota Wing Flooding Coordinator,

Lt. Col. Chet Wilberg.

I would like to thank Maj Paul Pieper and Lt Col Chet

Wilberg, and all the pilots, aircrew and ground personnel

which our squadrons provided to support thesemissions. said Col. Tom Theis, Minnesota Wing

Commander.

Theis added that; It is very satisfying to know that the

resources of Civil Air Patrol, such as the ARCHER and

other related imagery systems provide valuable in

preparing for and assessing the damage to our and our

neighboring states officials. said Col. Tom Theis,

Minnesota Wing Commander.

Minnesota Wing played a role in its success byinterfacing into this vital ICS position (Air Operations).We found the photo recon missions that the wing flewwere very well done and of great importance to ourplanning staff and we really like the ARGUS (ImageManagement) technology.

The overall success of this operation was people andorganizations working together for a common goal ofhelping our fellow citizens.

Again, thank you and the entire Wing for a job welldone.

Kim Ketterhagen,Logistics Chief, State Emergency Operations Center,Minnesota Homeland Security and EmergencyManagement

CAP trains on new imaging softwareCapt. Colleen McArthur

Public Affairs Officer, Viking Composite Squadron,

Minnesota Wing

Over 40 aircrew members from a dozen Minnesota Wing

squadrons received training on new software to process

aerial images held recently at the Anoka-Blaine Airport.

The AGRUS and Phyllis software systems allow CAP

aircrews to quickly tag aerial photos with critical

information including latitude, longitude, as well as

detailed descriptions of the target area, during a natural

disaster or search and rescue operation.

Once on the ground, the aircrew can upload the

information to a secure website that is accessible to the

requesting agency.

The goal (of the software) is to provide first responders

with visual images to enable them to make sound

tactical decisions during an emergency, said Lt. Col

Chet Wilberg, Minnesota Wings Assistant Emergency

Services Officer.

ARGUS is a web-based, web-accessible software that

can overlay GPS locations to the photographs taken by

the aircrew to draw a comprehensive map of the

assigned target (mission) area.

Phyllis is very similar to ARGUS, but it operates as a

stand-alone program run on a Windows platform. The

software enables aircrews to process their photos when

they are in a location without internet access. The final

package can then be quick downloaded to ARGUS once

internet connection is established.

Aircrews throughout the North Central Region are

currently utilizing both software applications to document

flooding conditions for local and state agencies.


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NCR Wing Commanders Go To Charm School

North Central Region Commander, Col. Sean Fagan; Nebraska Wing Commander, Col. David Plum; South

Dakota Wing Commander Col. Theresa Schimelfening and newly appointed Missouri Wing commander, Col.

Erica Williams attended the 2011 Wing Commanders Course, held at Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters at

Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in early March.

The intense, graduate-level course helps prepare participants to assume high-level

command at the wing level as members of the CAP National Board, a key governing

body for the organization. Participants are selected for the course by their region

commanders and must be approved by the CAP National Commander, Maj. Gen. Amy

Courter.

The Wing Commanders Course covers everything a CAP commander should know in

order to be an effective leader, Courter said. As with all of our training, i ts content is

thorough and its effect on participants is dynamic, which are qualities essential to

success in todays technologically savvy world.

The program focused on three main blocks of study leading the organization, tools

for corporate officers and tools for commanders. The curriculum featured seminars,

lectures and hands-on exercises in more than 20 different sessions on such topics as

ethics, legal matters, managing volunteers, finances and other resources.

A major focus of this years course was Flight Operations.

Col. Plum said he finds his background as a pilot and flight instructor invaluable as

Nebraska Wing commander. It gives me an overview of CAP's three missions, he

said, and particularly provides him with a huge prospective on the wings cadet

program.

Plum serves as the activity director for the CAP National Flight Academy - Nebraska held each year at Camp

Ashland, Neb. Such flying opportunities help him understand what motivates youth involved in the CAP cadet

programwhat makes them tick.

Participants gained a better understanding of CAPs aerospace education, cadet,

operations, information technology, public affairs, membership development and

logistics programs.

Along with Courter, guest speakers included Brig. Gen. Chuck Carr, CAP National

Vice Commander; Col. Paul Gloyd, CAP-USAF Vice Commander; Mr. Don

Rowland, CAP Executive Director, and subject-matter experts from the Air Forceand National Headquarters staff.

Col. Williams

Col. Schimelfening

Col. Plum


13/36


Missing Aircraft Continued from Page 1

"Our members did an outstanding job despite the many challenges of this search,"

said Lt. Col. David Miller, public information officer for the mission. "Although it was

a wide search area, we were able to find this aircraft and bring closure for the

families."

Reports of unusual aircraft activity from the public helped narrow the search efforts

and greatly assisted in CAP finding the crash site. Especially helpful were reportsfrom scouts camping near where the plane was eventually found who were

awakened by a low flying airplane very early on the morning it went missing.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all that participated and those that

offered to respond, said Lt. Col. Randy Fuller, Missouri Wing director of emergency

services and one of two incident commanders for the mission (along with Lt. Col.

Carolyn Rice).

I know it is a difficult task to be asked to be on alert or standby and then not get

called upon. The aircraft was located in an area that was not in a highly probable

area until late in the search said Fuller.

Capt. Keith Nikodem, MidRivers Senior Squadron

reviews the days pendingflights.Photo by Lt. Col. David

Miller

Rich Almeida, CAP-USAF statedirector for the Kansas andMissouri wings, lends his

experience to the search.Photoby Capt. Michael Foppe

2nd

. Lt. Peter Danza of the MidRivers Senior Squadron works the

radios at the Spirit of St. Louismission base.Photo by Lt. Col.

David Miller

Capt. Rita LaVanchy, BootheelComposite Squadron preparesfor another flight while listeningin on radio traffic of the latestgrid search with Cadet 2

nd. Lt.

Timothy Shelby of the LacledeCounty Composite Squadron.Photo by Capt. Michael Foppe

Capt. Rick Sexton (left), of the St. CharlesComposite Squadron and Maj. David Nagel, ofthe Gateway Senior Squadron help prepare aMissouri Wing aircraft for another flight. Photoby Capt. Michael Foppe

Mission Observer, 2nd Lt. StanEdwards, of the Gateway Senior

Squadron, awaits takeoff of the firstflight of April 1, which proved to be the

final day of the search.Photo by Lt. Col. David Miller

Lt. Col. Michael Smith, Commander of MissouriWings Group II, is interviewed by the local FoxTV affiliate in St. Louis concerning the previousnights find of the crash site. Photo by Lt. Col.

David Miller

The cell phone of Lt. Col. Randy Fuller,incident commander for the search and

the Missouri Wings director ofemergency services, takes another in aseemingly unending stream of calls as

the search area continued to narrow.Photo by Lt. Col. David Miller


14/36


NCR Announces New Organizational Emblem

Col Fagan recently announced that the region is adopting a new organizational emblem.

It is based on the classic North Central Region emblem that has not been in use for some time.

Many parts of the historic patch were incorporated into the redesigned emblem.

Old North Central Region Emblem New North Central Region Emblem

This emblem will not take the place of the gray and silver Region Rocker that is worn on Utility and Flight Clothing, but it

will serve as the Squadron Patch for the Headquarters Squadron (NCR-001) as well as an emblem worn by members of

the region in recognition of completing certain activities such as the Region Glider Academy and other Region Training

Events. said Col. Fagan.

It will be used on letterhead, patches, coins and many other regional applications as per CAP regulations.

The emblem was re-designed by Lt. Col. John Quilling, Lt. Col. Jerry Rosendahl, Major Conrad Peterson and rendered by

CAP historian, Patch Collector and nationally known CAP patch designer, Major Andy Ace Browing. It was approved by

the National Historian and the CAP National Commander.

The new region emblem was designed with Air Force Heraldry S tandards in mind and the redesign respects the heritage,

history and lineage of the North Central Region as illustrated in our original emblem. said Lt. Col. John Quilling, North

Central Region Chief of Staff.
http://www.ncrpao.org/gfa/


15/36


Heraldry of the North Central Region Emblem

The shield shape of the emblem represents the traditional shape as is required for Air Force unit levels of Group and

higher.

The blue background of the shield represents the sky, which was the primary theater of operations when Civil Air Patrolwas established as an organization of volunteer service.

In the field of the shield is a large star with a contrail. The star is large; it represents North Central Region Headquarters

and all members of North Central Region. The large star is located high (North) and centered (Central). The star is white;

it represents the purity and integrityof our purpose.

Behind the large star is a red contrail. The red represents strength and bravery. The position of the contrail suggests the

star is rising. It is symbolic of the continually raised level of excellence of North Central Region.

Over the star is a yellow number five. Yellow represents excellencein all we do. The five is symbolic of the original

charter number of North Central Region, 9-5-001.

Around the large star are seven smaller stars. These stars are equally spaced from the large star. They represent each of

the seven Wings in North Central Region; North Dakota Wing, South Dakota Wing, Iowa Wing, Kansas Wing, Minnesota

Wing, Missouri Wing and Nebraska Wing. The equal spacing of the smaller stars is symbolic that all seven Wings will be

treated equal and with respect.

The lower part of the emblem has a red scroll. Again, the red represents strength and bravery. The scroll contains the

identity of North Central Region and represents the North Central Region Headquarters.

In the center of the large star is the triangle and propeller of Civil Air Patrol. The white triangle and red propeller represent

the organization we are a part of, Civil Air Patrol, and the three missions. Those missions are; Aerospace Education,

Cadet Programs and Emergency Services.

With this emblem being established, there will also be a motto for North Central Region that is established. That motto is

as follows; Seven Wings, ThreeMissions, One Goal. The seven wings are those that comprise North Central Region,

the three missions are those of Civil Air Patrol, and the one goal is the enrichment and education of our members and our

communities.

This emblem is based on the historical North Central Region Emblem that has been updated to reflect current Air Force

heraldry standards.


16/36


Minnesota Wing Comes Together at Conference

Over 300 members and guests of the Minnesota Wing

came together at Breezy Point Resort for the wings

annual conference.

The conference was a weekend full of learning, growth,

camaraderie and recognition of individual and unit

excellence within the wing. The conferences theme was

Everyday Heroes Every Day!

They were joined by dignitaries such as North Central

Region Commander Col Sean Fagan and North Central

Liaison Region Operations Officer, Major Jeff Peterson,

(pictured above) who recently returned from a year longtour in Afghanistan.

Members participated in social activities including

receptions and a Military Ball. They also took part in

many break-out sessions put on by the Minnesota Wing

Staff and guest presenters.

The highlight for many members was Army Brig. Gen.

Gerald Langs (pictured above) memorable keynote that

paid tribute to the courage, loyalty, leadership and

patriotism of the National Guard and the Civil Air Patrol.General Lang is the Assistant Adjutant General - Army o

the Minnesota National Guard.

Members of the wing were recognized for their

excellence in accomplishing the Civil Air Patrols

missions as indicated below:

Aerospace Education Awards

Unit with the most Yeager Awards -

North Hennepin Composite Squadron (95% completion)

Brewer Awards

Civil Air Patrol Senior Member

Major Paul Prior, St. Croix

Organization outside of Civil Air Patrol

Cirrus Aircraft Corporation of Duluth, Minnesota

Communications Awards

Best HF Net Participation

Northland Composite Squadron

Best VHF Net Participation

St Croix Composite Squadron

Conference continues on Page 16


17/36


Conference continued from Page 15

Operations Awards

Highest Completion Rate of Orientation Flights by

Unit - Hutchinson Composite Squadron

Orientation Flights Flown by a Single Pilot

Glider - Capt. Bill Pagel, Minnesota Wing Headquarterscompleted 45 glider orientation flights

Powered - Capt. Allen Alwin, 130th Composite

Squadron completed 30 powered orientation flights

Recruiting and Retention Awards

Top Individual Recruiter - 1st. Lt. Lois Kriegh,

Crookston Composite Squadron who recruited 7 new

members in 2010.

Specialist Awards - These awards are given to one

individual for their performance in that duty at the unit or

wing level. Each member who earns one of these

awards received an Achievement Award.

Administration - 2nd. Lt. Patricia Schrader, Northland

Aerospace - Major Paul Prior, St Croix

Cadet Programs - Major Jared Scribner, Viking

Chaplain - Major Curtis Martin, Southeast MN

Character Development - Lt. Col. Anna-Marie

Bistodeau, Wing Headquarters.

Emergency Services - Lt. Col. Tony Tarpy, Viking

Finance - 1st. Lt. Thomas Simonet, St Croix

Historian - Capt. Norine Olson, Valley

Logistics - 2nd. Lt. Deborah Gailloux, Viking

Operations - Major Carl Hallum, Worthington

Professional Development - Capt. Mario Fabrizio,

Viking

Public Affairs - 1st. Lt. Scott Richardson, St Croix

Recruiting & Retention - Lt. Col. Barney Uhlig, Viking

Safety - 1st. Lt. David Winters, Viking

Emergency Services Awards (CAP Achievement

Awards)

Col Edwin Lewis Jr. Incident Staff Member of the

Year - 1st. Lt. George Anderson, North Hennepin

Col Dion E DeCamp Ground Team Member of the

Year - Capt. Don Helgager, Northland

Minnesota Wings Group Cadets of the Year; C/2nd. Lt. Anastasia

Smith, C/1st. Lt. Lydia Wiff, C/SRA Jessica Holmes and C/Capt. Ethan

Sundquist

Group Level Awards (CAP Achievement Awards)

Group 1 Senior Member of the Year

Capt. Robin Helgager, Northland

Group 1 Cadet of the Year

C/Capt. Ethan Sundquist, Northland

Group 2 Senior of the Year

Major Michael Bordonaro, St Croix


C/SRA Jessica Holmes, Crow Wing

Group 3 Senior of the Year

Capt. Tommy Hiebert, Ft Snelling


Cadet 1st. Lt. Lydia Wiff, Viking

Group 4 Senior of the YearCapt. Gail Kephart, Southeast Minnesota


C/2nd Lt Anastasia Smith, 130th

Commanders Commendation Awards:

Lt. Col. Tom Woods, St Paul Composite Squadron for

his organizing MN Wings C-182 Glass Cockpit Training.

Capt. Paul Van Brunt, 130th

Composite Squadron,

Superior Pilot Award

50 Year Life Membership - Major Linda Soderman

Gill Robb Wilson Awards - Lt. Col. Thomas

Hollenhorst, North Hennepin Composite Squadron.

Conference continues on Page 18


18/36


Conference continued from Page 17

Exceptional Service Award - Major Wayne Sherman,

(above center) Minnesota Wing Headquarters for his

work on the narrowband transition project.

Dorothy Sindelar Memorial Award Capt. DonHelgager, Northland

Wilbur Coffin Memorial Award - Cadet Sponsor

Member Carla Hansen, 130th

Dunbar Award - 1st. Lt. Thomas Stinar, Northland

Minnesota Wing Cadet of the Year - C/Major David

Nelson, Red Wing

Minnesota Wing Cadet of the Year, C/Major David Nelson

embraces Capt. Susan Blessman as she received the CAP-USAF

Torch Award.

CAP-USAF Torch Award Capt. Susan Blessman,

Minnesota Wing Headquarters

Minnesota Wing Senior Member of the Year - Major

Aron Leavstrom, Owatonna

Minnesota Wing Staff Member of the Year - Major

Paul Pieper, Minnesota Wing Emergency Services

Officer.

CAP Family of the Year - The Jents Family, St Croix

(from left to right after Col. Theis) 1st. Lt. Chuck Jents,

2nd. Lt. Judi Jents, C/A1C Thomas Jents and C/SSgt

Kati Jents

CAP Quality Cadet Unit AwardNorth Hennepin Composite Squadron

Squadron of Merit

North Hennepin Composite Squadron

The leadership of Anoka County Comp. Sqdn, with Col. Theis,

receives the Unit Citation Award recognizing them as the 2010

Squadron of the Year.

Minnesota Wing Squadron of the Year

Anoka County Composite Squadron

Photos by C/1st. Lt. Lydia Wiff & C/Capt. Ethan

Sundquist
http://www.mncap.org/pictures/album_thumb_view.cfm?albumid=12


19/36


NORTH CENTRAL REGION

STAFF COLLEGE 2011

5-11 June 2011, Offutt AFB, NE

If you are looking for the perfect start to the summer of 2011, then its time to

think about attending the 2011 North Central Region Staff College!

The NCR Staff College will be held at Offutt AFB, NE from 5-11 June 2011.

If you are working on completion of Level IV in the Professional Development

Program or just want to work on your leadership and management skills, then

Staff College is for you.

During the week of Staff College you will be in seminar groups with your peers

and work together on different activities involving communication skills, as well as

focus on leadership styles and management skills.

We also throw in fun with a field trip to satisfy you airplane

nuts!

There is outstanding billeting available on base for a

reasonable rate. The rooms come furnished with

microwaves, refrigerators and coffee pots. There are also

ample dining options on base as well as a multitude of places

to eat near the base.

We start the week out getting together Sunday evening June 5 about 5PM for supper and social time and will

end the week about noon Friday, June 11 with a graduation and farewell and get you on your way home!

Registration can be made by contacting Col. Mary F. Donley, CAP North Central Region Staff College Director

or online through National Headquarters. Please fill out a CAPF 17 and send or email it to:

Col. Mary F. Donley, CAP

5510 S. Lewis Ave.

Sioux Falls, SD 57108

Cell: 605-321-8056E-Mail: [email protected]

Cost: $75

Registration fee includes: supplies, books, college polo shirt, and the social on first evening and the banquet.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


20/36


Chaplains Prepare to ServeCh, Lt. Col. Don Mikitta

Minnesota Wing Chaplain

19 members of the Civil Air Patrol Chaplains Corpsparticipated in the annual North Central RegionChaplain Corps Staff College (NCR CCSC) from28-31 March 2011 at the Columban FathersRetreat Center, St Columban NE to prepare tobetter serve the CAPs membership as they serve

their communities.

The main emphasis of this years college was atraining session led by Dr. Dan Casey of St Cloud.MN, on the subject of Compassion Fatigue.

Compassion Fatigue addresses the techniques ofstress management the responder implements intheir life that helps them prepare for service inemergency setting, that are critically stressful.

The second day of the college included an update

on the CAP Cadet Program by Minnesota WingChaplain, Ch, Lt. Col., Donald Mikitta; programupdates from the North Central Region Chaplain,Ch, Lt. Col., Jim Sickmeyer. A tour of Offutt AirForce Bases Traffic Control Tower and a trip to theBase Exchange closed out the day.

The final days sessions included briefings by theCAP Chief of CAP Chaplains, Ch, Col, WhitsonWoodard; Lt. Col. Anna Marie Bistodeau aCharacter Development Instructor for MinnesotaWing, briefed on Uniform Wear, CharacterDevelopment and Protocol.

Chaplain Sickmeyer gave a status update on theRegion Chaplain Corps and the incoming RegionChaplain, Ch, Lt. Col. Eugene Abrams spoke to thecollege.

Brig Gen Richard Anderson, the Chairman ofCAPs Board of Governors updated the collegeparticipants on current issues affecting CAP.

The college concluded with a celebratory banquetat the Papillion Latter Day Saint Stake House,

hosted by the Stake President Daniel and LorileeReinhardt.

Mr. Reinhardt was recognized with an HonoraryCAP Membership for his support of the CAPChaplain Corps and the NCR Chaplain StaffCollege.



21/36


Chaplain Staff College continued from Page 20

Nebraska Wings Curtis Lemay Offutt CadetSquadron presented the colors.

Chaplain, Lt. Col., Fred Smelsers life wasmemorialized during the banquet. He had servedas a CAP Chaplain for 20 years before his passing.

Col Sean Fagan, Commander of North Central Region (c) presentsa CAP Honorary Membership to Mr. Daniel Reinhardt (r), president

of the Papillion Latter Day Saint Stake House, Church of JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints. To the right is outgoing NCR Chaplain,

Ch, Lt. Col. James Sickmeyer.

Attendees and graduates received certificates, andstaff members were shown gratitude for service atthe completion of the staff college with serviceawards.

Chaplains and CDIs must complete two ChaplainCorps Staff Colleges to be considered graduates

and receive credit for Level IV of the SeniorMember Professional Development Program.

Col Sean Fagan (c) presiding at the change of responsibilityceremony between outgoing North Central Region Chaplain, Ch,Lt. Col. James Sickmeyer (r) and incoming region Chaplain, Ch,

Lt. Col. Eugene Abrams (l)

The highlight of the evening was the transfer ofresponsibility ceremony, transferring the duties ofNorth Central Region Chaplain from ChaplainJames Sickmeyer to Chaplain Eugene Abrams.

It was such a pleasure to join our Chaplains and

Character Development Officers for this yearscollege. The CAP Chaplaincy is so unique in that

they must be ready to help with our cadet programs

and senior members, but they also deploy to serve

during our Operational Missions and to directly

serve the Air Force as chaplains. The NCR

Chaplain Staff College definitely helps our Chaplain

Corps to better serve. said Col Sean Fagan,

Commander of the North Central Region, who

attended this years college.

North Central Region will hold the 2012 NCRChaplain Corps Staff College from 23-26 April 2012at the Columban Fathers Retreat Center.

Chaplain, Lt. Col. Eugene Abrams

North Central Region ChaplainChaplain Eugene Abrams has extensive experience as a CAP Chaplain and

is an accomplished communicator and leader.

He was recognized (pictured with Maj. Gen. Courter) in 2010 as CAPs

Senior Chaplain of the Year for his work a unit and higher headquarterschaplain, crisis counselor, his support of the NCRs Chaplain Corps Staff

College, and leadership In the Critical Incident Stress Management

Program.

Welcome to the team Chaplain Abrams!


22/36


Civic Leadership Academy - An Opportunity of a LifetimeCapt. Cindi Wachholz

Assistant Public Affairs Officer, Iowa Wing

The Civic Leadership Academy was founded to help foster Civil Air

Patrol cadets civic awareness, persuasive leadership ability, and

overall interest in the democratic process. Only twenty-four cadet

officers are selected to go to Washington, D.C. for a week of tours,

seminars, and briefings from leaders at the top levels of our military

and civil government.

At this years Civic Leadership Academy, Iowa was represented by

C/Major Adam Wachholz, from the Northwest Iowa Composite

Squadron (IA-007). He participated in the eight-day National Cadet

Special Activity, coming away with a deepened experience and

knowledge about the American system of government and how it

relates to national defense and the Civil Air Patrol (CAP).

A highlight of the Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) was the cadets

participation in Legislative Day. Cadets assisted in delivering CAPs Annual Report to their Representatives, Senators, or

their staff. Cadet Wachholz had the opportunity to accompany Wing Commander, Col Ron Scheitzach, on this task.

It was a great experience for me, said C/Major Wachholz, I came away with a deeper appreciation of the connection

between Congress, the military and its auxiliaries. Part of the CLA cadets mission was to lobby for a Congressional Gold

Medal to be awarded for CAPs World War II sub-chasers.

By the end of the day, numerous key legislators had signed on to the resolution, giving a solid basis for the eventual

recognition of this shining moment in CAPs history.

CLAs busy schedule includes two trips which required a security

clearance that had to be set in motion a month in advance. The first

was a visit to the FBI Academy at Quantico, VA, where cadetstoured the facilities, learned about the latest developments in covert

surveillance, and spoke with experts in law enforcement. The

second was an all-day visit to the CIA headquarters in Langley,

where, this year, cadets were personally briefed by CIA Director

Leon Panetta. In addition, they were able to see how the world-

renowned intelligence agency operates on a day-to-day basis,

speaking with the editor of the World Factbook, touring the CIA

Museum, and talking to past agents.

In exchange for such a rewarding National Cadet Special Activity, a

great deal is expected from the Civic Leadership Academy cadets.

Applications open in September, and require a letter of recommendation, an essay, and a photo upload. If an applicant is

accepted, there is a six-week Civics course which educates the attendees on American history and our form of

government. It was a lot of work, but in the end, it added so much to my experience, C/Major Wachholz explained, It

was a great opportunity to see what careers could be available to CAP cadets who strive toward excellence.

C/Major Adam Wacholz at the World War II Memorial.Photo Courtesy of CAP National Headquarters.

With C/Capt. Matt Frame (l) of Minnesota Wing.Photo Courtesy of CAP National Headquarters.


23/36


Cadetgainsunparalleled access to the nations capitalCapt. George Supan

Public Affairs Officer, Anoka County Composite Squadron, Minnesota Wing

Cadet Captain Matthew Frame, of Ramsey, MN participated in the Civil Air

Patrols Civic Leadership Academy from Feb. 26 to March 5 in Washington,

D.C. He was one of 24 top cadets selected for this activity.

The CLA, an academically intense, interactive study of U.S. government in

action, provides participants the opportunity to grow as citizens and young

leaders through lessons in persuasive leadership, federal government, public

service careers and American heritage.

Frame, a member of the Anoka County Composite Squadron,has

distinguished himself in numerous ways. He is a recipient of the Amelia

Earhart Award, the third highest Cadet Award in CAP along with be promoted to Cadet Captain, Billy Mitchell Award and

promoted to Cadet 2nd. Lt.., winner of a essay scholarship, Leader in the MN Encampment the past four years and again

selected to be on the staff in 2011 along with being a strong leader on the Cadet Staff at the Squadron and is a member

of the Minnesota Wing Cadet Advisory Council. Frame, has been a CAP cadet since 2006.

The Civic Leadership Academy provides cadets an unrivaled opportunity to gain a well -rounded understanding of

leadership, public service and the principles that guide our nation, said Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAPs national

commander and CLAs founding director. The activity empowers them to apply those principles in their lives and to be

thoughtful participants in our nations future.

In addition to a blend of field trips, lectures, seminars and assigned

readings from historic and current sources, Frame and the other

CLA cadets will visit the U.S. Capitol; the Supreme Court; the

State Department; Arlington National Cemetery, laying a wreath at

the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; the Central Intelligence Agency;

the Pentagon; the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va.; legislative

offices; and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, as well as

the World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Women in Military Service and

Lincoln memorials.

They will also encounter VIP speakers at these locations who will

provide insights designed to deepen their understanding of

government in action. Their CLA tasks will culminate with a final

project a presentation on their CLA experience to their peers in

their home squadrons and wings.

The success of CLA has beento keep the cadets engaged in activities they could not do on their own, said Lt. Col. Bill

Brockman, CLA activity director and founding faculty member. They are not just learning about government, but also how

to interact with government, how they can be involved to make a difference, and how to look for internship opportunities.

In recognition of the programs outstanding academic value, the National Association of Secondary School Principals has

again placed CLA on the National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2010-2011.

In addition to their activities, Frame and the other CLA cadets participated in CAPs 2011 Legislative Day on March 3 by

working alongside their wing commanders and legislative officers to brief legislators on how CAPs primary missions

emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs have benefited their communities.

(l to r) is Cadet Lt. Col. Billy Hoffman, Col. Tom Theis,Congressman Chip Cravaack, Col. Tom Theis, Lt. Col.

Bonnie Braun, and Cadet Capt. Matthew Frame (photo by:Col. Kevin Sliwinski)


24/36


2011 Cadet EncampmentsThe Experience That Brings it All Together

Each year thousands of CAP cadets come together for The Encampment Experience.

CAP encampments are a key part of the cadet program in that they allow cadets to apply the skills learned at the home

squadron in the ultimate Leadership Laboratory. Completing an encampment is a requirement for the Mitchell Award

and is one of the most rewarding experiences in the entire cadet program.

This year five of our wings will be conducting encampments.

Joint Dakota Encampment (ND/SD)

Dates: 9-17 July 2011Location: Camp Rapid, Rapid City, SD

Key Personnel:Commander: Lt. Col. Linda BuechlerCadet Commander: C/2

ndLt Preston Lee

More Information:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/CAPJDE

Minnesota Wing

Dates: 11-18 June 2011Location: Camp Ripley, Little Falls, MN

Key Personnel:Commander: Capt. Nash PhersonExecutive Officer: 1st. Lt. JD TeterCommandant of Cadets: 1st. Lt. Don RaleighChief Tactical Officer: Major Brian FresemanSDS Director: 1st. Lt. Luke FrederickCadet Commander: C/Major David Nelson

More Information:http://www.mncap.org/cp/13ctg/

Missouri Wing

Dates: 9-16 July 2011Location: Camp Crowder in Neosho Missouri

Key Personnel:Commander: Major Brad SankerExecutive Officer: Captain David BrownCommandant of Cadets: Lt. Col. Julie OldhamCadet Commander: C/Capt. Marlan Campbell

More Information:http://ctg.mowgcap.org/home

Nebraska Wing

Dates: 25-30 July 2011Location: Camp Ashland, NE

Key Personnel:Commander: Lt. Col. Darrell McMillan (E-mail below)Executive Officer:Commandant of Cadets:Cadet Commander:

More Information:[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/CAPJDEhttp://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/CAPJDEhttp://www.mncap.org/cp/13ctg/http://www.mncap.org/cp/13ctg/http://www.mncap.org/cp/13ctg/http://ctg.mowgcap.org/homehttp://ctg.mowgcap.org/homehttp://ctg.mowgcap.org/homemailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://ctg.mowgcap.org/homehttp://www.mncap.org/cp/13ctg/http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/CAPJDE


25/36


Social Media An IntroductionMajor Al Pabon, Director of Public Affairs, North Central Region

Nothing has changed how we communicate more, since the roll

out of the Internet in the 1990s.

An entire industry of web based applications has developed

around the concept of an interactive internet. You will find

everything from picture sharing sites, blogging, voice and video

communications, social connections, virtual worlds and entire

libraries at your finger tips.

So what does this mean to Civil Air Patrol?

By its nature, social media is an un-controllable environment.

Its just too big and its constantly evolving. 5 years ago who ever

heard of Twitter or Facebook? A few years ago My Space was

all the rage.

Now cadets may say Whats My Space? and five years from

now who know what the rage will be?

But this environment can be harnessed by our units and individual members to tell our CAP Story.

In the past our Public Affairs efforts have focused on us talking to an audience and not really listening to them.

A good PAO should be listening but most of the time when we send a release or post an item to a website or

publish a newsletter we dont hear anything back. There is little or no feedback.

Now with Social Media it is as easy as a mouse click for a member of the public or a CAP member to respondor comment on a CAP related story/posting.

Therefore, social media represents a seismic shift in the way Public Affairs Officers do business, because

Social Media is all about 2-way communications!

Over the next few months we will explore the different aspects of Social Media, share best practices for units &

members and most importantly encourage you and your unit join the Social Media Revolution

Next Month: Social Media - Member Responsibilities and Opportunities
http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Central-Region-Civil-Air-Patrol/193089194059623


26/36


Member RecognitionThe Member Recognition Section highlights achievements in the CAP Cadet Program, the Senior Member

Professional Development Program and field grade promotions over the last 30 days.

Cadets

Amelia Earhart Award

C/Capt. Muriel Eaton, Kansas

Brig Gen Billy Mitchell Award

C/2nd

Lt Nathaniel Medrano, Missouri

C/2nd

Lt Stephen Couture, Missouri

C/2nd

Lt Tawner Stefan, Missouri

C/2nd Lt Drake Biggers. North Dakota

C/2nd

Lt Kelly Oberg, North Dakota

C/2nd

Lt Steven Sasiela, North Dakota

Wright Brothers Award

C/SSgt Chance Tromp, Kansas

C/SSgt Matthew Linder, Minnesota

C/SSgt Noah Hall, Minnesota

C/SSgt Timothy O'Reilly, Minnesota

C/SSgt Valeriya Kolyadenko, MNC/SSgt Brady Cutler, Missouri

C/SSgt Quinn Greenheck, North Dakota

C/SSgt Thomas Lobash, North Dakota

Senior Program

Gill Robb Wilson Award

Lt. Col. Brent Halweg, Minnesota

Lt. Col. Thomas Hollenhorst, MN

Lt. Col. Carolyn Rice, Missouri

Paul E. Garber Award

|Major Jonathan Schlesener, Kansas

Lt. Col. Larry Burch, Kansas

Major D Martin, Minnesota

Capt. Norine Olson, Minnesota

Capt. Malcolm Decker, Missouri

Capt. Michael Mcclellan, Nebraska

Grover Loening Award

1st. Lt. John Ellis, Iowa

Capt. David Franz, Kansas

Major Gary Isker, MinnesotaMajor James Harris, Minnesota

Capt. Delores Kirchner, Minnesota

Capt. David Brown, Missouri

Capt. Jim Peyton, Missouri

Major David Deucher, Missouri

Capt. William DiMarsico, Missouri

Capt. Linda Burch, Missouri

Capt. Athol Hetzel, North Dakota

Capt. Bryan Sharp, South Dakota

Gen. Benjamin Davis

Leadership Award

1st. Lt. Joseph Kempl, Iowa

2nd. Lt. Ron Mutchler, Iowa

Capt. Edwin Spoelstra, Iowa

1st. Lt. Patricia Crockett, Kansas

Capt. Mitchell Edwards, Kansas

Capt. Carl McElwee, Kansas

2nd. Lt. Dyann Berglund, KansasCapt. Colleen McArthur, Minnesota

Capt. Luke Frederick, Minnesota

Capt. Jeffrey Leif, Minnesota

Capt. Charles Terry, Minnesota

Capt. Charles Jents, Minnesota

Major David Deucher, Missouri

Capt. Jason Linder, Nebraska

Capt. Philip Jossi, Nebraska

Capt. Todd Epp, South Dakota

1st. Lt. David Small, South Dakota

PromotionsMajor

Jason Suby, Minnesota

Gary Isker, Minnesota

James Harris, Minnesota

David Deucher, Missouri

Douglas Mullins, North Dakota

Lieutenant Colonel

Larry Burch, Missouri

Vincent Teuber, Missouri

Michael Hurst, Missouri

Elwin Callahan, Nebraska
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Col. Ronald Scheitzach, Wing Commander 1st. Lt. Jessa Brace, Public Affairs Officer

L to R: C/2nd

. Lt. Isaac Wachholz, C/Capt. Felix Knutson, Capt. Cindi Wachholz, Lt. Col. Eric Schneider, C/Maj. Adam Wachholz

Photo by 2nd.

Lt. Betsy Becker

Northwest Squadron Members Receive Milestone Awards2

ndLt Betsy Becker, Public Affairs Officer, Northwest Iowa Composite Squadron, Iowa Wing

Members of the Northwest Iowa Composite Squadron were honored to have Lt. Col. Eric Schneider, Vice Commander of

the Iowa Wing, on hand to present two Cadet Milestone Awards at their meeting on Saturday February 5th.

C/Capt. Felix Knutson was presented the Amelia Earhart Award. The award commemorates Amelia Earhart, who in

1928, was the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air and attempted, in 1937, to circumnavigate the world in a twin engine

Lockheed Electra. Less than 5% of Civil Air Patrol cadets reach this milestone. I have a goal to reach the Spaatz Award

in CAP and I am on my way to achieving that milestone, states Cadet Knutson, who has also applied to the United StatesAir Force Academy.

C/2nd

. Lt Isaac Wachholz was presented the General Billy Mitchell certificate by Lt. Col. Schneider. The Mitchell milestone

is a hard sought award to receive as well. This award honors the late General Billy Mitchell, an aviation pioneer,

advocate, and staunch supporter of an independent air force for America. Fewer than 15% of CAP cadets reach this

milestone.

The Mitchell milestone has been a goal of mine for some time. By receiving this award I was promoted to a cadet

officer, said Wachholz. I am looking forward to continuing my training in CAP and assuming more responsibilities with

this promotion.

Others squadron members who were recognized were Cadet Adam Wachholz with a promotion to the grade of C/Major.Cadet Jozef Lamfers was promoted to C/SRA. Senior Member Jim Wachholz was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and 2nd. Lt

Betsy Becker received the leadership ribbon.

Get the Latest news from Iowa Wing at the Iowa Wing News Blog!

http://www.iawgcap.com/news.html
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28/36


Col. Regena Aye, Wing Commander Col. Jerome Hanson, Public Affairs Officer

Kansas Cadet Honored for Volunteer Firefighting ServiceCourtesy, Kansas Wing AD Astra Newsletter

C/1st. Lt. Brendan Finley-Davis of the Micky Axton Composite Squadron, Kansas Wing was selected as the

recipient of the 2011 National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Junior Firefighter of the Year Award. The award

is sponsored by Tyco International.

We are very pleased to honor the 2011 NVFC award recipients and recognize the

amazing contributions they have made to the emergency services, said NVFC

Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg.

Outstanding departments and individuals from across the country werenominated for these awards, and the recipients that were chosen truly exemplify

outstanding service and commitment to the fire service. We thank you for all you

do to strengthen the emergency services and protect your communities.

Finley-Davis received a trip to Alexandria to attend the award ceremony, a

personalized award, and complimentary one-year membership in the NVFC,

among other items.

In addition, members of the Junior Firefighter Program of the Year, including

Finley-Davis spent a day on Capitol Hill meeting their Congressional representatives.

Brendan has been a junior firefighter with the Hackberry Township (KS) Volunteer Fire Department for over six

years.

He is consistently one of the first on the scene in an emergency call and the last to leave, making sure all

clean-up is done and equipment is ready for the next use before he heads home.

Thanks to his teaching and leadership skills, Finley-Davis is in charge of educating new junior firefighter

program recruits about the responsibilities of being a junior firefighter. In addition, he teaches Exit Drills in the

Home (EDITH) fire safety lessons to kindergarten through 3rd grade students at the local elementary schools.

Finley-Davis is also a member of the National Honor Society, track and cross country teams, and the Future

Farmers of America.

Special Thanks to National Volunteer Fire Council

For the Latest news from Kansas Wing read the Kansas Wing Newsletter at this link!

http://kswg.cap.gov/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=284&func=select&id=14
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29/36


Col. Thomas Theis, Wing Commander

Staff Training Weekends prepare cadet cadre, senior staff for EncampmentMaj. Richard Sprouse

Public Affairs Officer, 2011 Minnesota Wing Encampment

(From left) C/2nd. Lt.s. Libby Berg, 13th

CTG leadership officer(Grand Rapids Squadron) and Rueben Miller, 13

thCTG

Standards/Evaluation officer (North Hennepin), finalize apresentation on inspections during Minnesota Wings

Encampment Preparatory School-2.

From Mar. 18-20, the Minnesota National Guard training

center at Camp Ripley was home to nearly 50 cadetsand senior members participating in the final phase ofthe Minnesota Wings Encampment Staff TrainingWeekend (STW).

The purpose of STW is to familiarize cadet cadre andsenior staff with the operations and management of the2011 Minnesota Wing Encampment being held hereJune 11-18. An earlier STW was held in Feb.Encampment is the stepping stone to the numerousopportunities available to a young adult in Civil AirPatrol, so we need to make sure that the cadet cadreand senior staff has the necessary training and skill setto ensure a positive experience for each basic cadet,said Capt. Nash Pherson, 2011 Minnesota WingEncampment commander.

Cadet Capt. David Nelson of Red Wing Squadron,commander of the Encampments 13

thCadet Training

Group, agreed.

The STWs are short and to the point, but manage toaddress a wealth of important information. For cadetsand senior members who have served at anEncampment before, its a helpful refresher. For thosewho have never served at an Encampment it provides awealth of important information; it provides the skills tobe more effective and gives them the tools andtechniques needed to succeed. We owe it to them, as

well as to the basic cadets attending Encampment. The STWs cover topics including situational andpersuasive leadership, mentorship and feedback, teambuilding, practice inspections, drill, avoiding the hazingtrap, legacy building, uniform standards, and so muchmore.

Jennifer Teter, a registered dietician and person trainer,addresses cadet cadre during Minnesota Wings Encampment

Preparatory School-2.

I liked the situational leadership segments the bestbecause they helped with really making you analyzewhat is needed for any situation you may encounterwhile working during Encampment, said Cadet StaffSgt. Mikayla Frey of Anoka Squadron, Encampmentcadet logistics officer.



30/36


Encampment Continues From Page 29

Staff Training Weekend also provided a platform toexchange best practices, as well as enhance teamwork.

I found STW helpful to bounce ideas off of otherTactical Officers (TACs), along with getting to know therest of the cadet and senior staff. I made new friendsand met old ones, all of whom I'm looking forward toworking with during Encampment, said 1st. Lt. RachelHelgager of Northland Squadron, Encampment AlphaFlight TAC.

(From the left) C/Maj. Nick Trombley, 13th

CTG deputy commander(North Hennepin); C/Capt. David Nelson, 13

thCTG commander

(Red Wing); and C/Lt. Col. Amanda Folberg, 13th

CTG executiveofficer (Ft. Snelling) visit with cadet cadre during Minnesota

Wings Encampment Preparatory School-2.

New this year was bringing the cadet and senior staffstogether sooner, reinforcing the concept of the flightteam.

It seems that many times issues arise because TACsand cadet flight staff haven't trained together, worked

together or even met before encampment starts. Thepush this year was to have all the TAC positions filledand require them to attend the staff training so theycould work with their cadet counterparts, said Maj. BrianFreseman, Minnesota Wing assistant director of CadetPrograms, and Encampments chief TAC.

Four situational leadership exercises included the entireflight team, allowing TACs and cadet flight staff anopportunity to train and work together.

We are hoping that this will minimize TACsoverstepping on flight staff's duties and vice versa. Wealso wanted to encourage the TACs and flight staff teamto start and build a positive working relationship,Freseman said.

Encampment executive officer, 1st. Lt. J.D. Teter ofNorth Hennepin Squadron, was impressed by thepersonal growth, as well as the leadership developmentof the cadet staff that transpired in the four weeks

between each STW session.

(Right) C/2nd. Lt. Caitlin Albrecht (North Hennepin), Delta Flightcommander during the 2011 Minnesota Wing Encampment,practices drill with the Encampments cadet cadre during

Minnesota Wings Encampment Preparatory School-2.

I really like how we are integrating the training of theflight staff as a whole: TAC, flight commander and flightsergeant. This is a crucial element that has, for the mostpart, been overlooked or taken for granted at pastEncampments. They are truly acting as a team after thisweekend, Teter said.

Teter also praised the attitudes of both senior and cadet

staff, and their willingness to listen and learn from eachother.

The U.S. Navy veteran summed up STW and itsapplication to the 2011 Minnesota Wing Encampmentbest.

As one of my shipboard security response teaminstructors used to say: I am pumped up, psyched upand motivated!
http://www.mncap.org/northernflights.cfm


31/36


Col. Erica Williams, Wing Commander Lt. Col. David Miller, Public Affairs Officer

Wing Concludes Successful State-

wide Disaster DrillLt. Col. David Miller, Public Affairs Officer, Missouri Wing

Members of the Missouri Wing, from across the state

responded Saturday to a simulated 7.2 magnitude

earthquake disaster drill. Formal disaster relief and

search and rescue training exercises are held on a

regular basis several times each year to help keep these

dedicated volunteers ready for any contingency.

Responding to simulated extensive damage to buildings,

roads, bridges, and the loss of telephone and cellular

phone communications, CAP aircrew immediately

established a new network of radio communication

utilizing airborne repeaters.

Photo reconnaissance missions were then flown

according to an established earthquake plan to evaluate

possible damage to critical infrastructure, such as keyroads and bridges, in order for other agencies to

determine appropriate routes for moving in heavy

equipment and supplies and the evacuation of the local

population. Dams, including the one at Mark Twain

Lake, were also evaluated from the air.

Aircrew and ground teams also responded to a number

of simulated emergency beacons across the state.

Emergency beacons, or Emergency Locator

Transmitters, are activated in aircraft if damaged or

otherwise disrupted (such as by an earthquake). Once

pinpointed from the air, ground teams can move in and

physically find the beacons and turn them off.

Finally, a new real-time video streaming system forphoto reconnaissance was tested with the assistance of

the Missouri National Guard.

The drill had been planned for many months but the

training was brought into sharper focus by the tragic

earthquake in Japan earlier in the week.

The events in Japan clearly drive home the devastating

effects of a similar large earthquake along the New

Madrid fault, noted Lt. Col. Randy Fuller, Missouri Wing

Emergency Services Officer and incident commander for

the exercise. This is what we train for training wehope we never have to use but are ready when needed.

Mission base for the drill was centrally located at the

Sedalia Regional Airport in Sedalia, Missouri. Additionalstaging areas were located at Lee C. Fine Memorial

Airport in Lake Ozark, Missouri, and Spirit of St. Louis

Airport in Chesterfield, Missouri

Get the Latest news from Missouri Wing at the Missouri Wing Website!

http://www.mowg.cap.gov
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32/36


Col. David Plum, Wing Commander 2nd

. Lt. Zachary Miller, Public Affairs Officer

Nebraska Wing Conference

Nebraska Wing held its annual conference recently and there were 81 senior members (including guests) and 72cadets in

attendance.

One of the honored guests was Mr. Ronnie Mitchell, Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics and had this to

say about the conference:

Thank you for the opportunity to speak at the banquet this past Saturday. I considered it to be a distinct honor for the

leadership of CAP to invite my wife Doris and myself and then allow me to take up some valuable time of all the

attendees. Thanks again, we had a very enjoyable evening. You did a marvelous job of organization for the event.

The following awards were presented at the conference:

Lt. Col. Melissa Plum is presented with the CAP Exceptional

Service Award by Col. Fagan for her dedication as Region

Director of Finance. She is accompanied by her husband, Col.

David Plum, Nebraska Wing Commander.

Exceptional Service Award

Lt. Col. Melissa Plum

Commanders Commendation AwardsC/SSgt Landon Brand

C/CMSgt Alexander Burgess

C/CMSgt Shelby Robey

C/2nd.Lt.Tyler Fusselman

C/Major Daniel Deever

SM Tara Pavelka

2nd. Lt. Erich Deitenbeck

1st. Lt. Clark Dix

1st. Lt. Twyla Burge

1st. Lt. Justin Amundson

1st. Lt. Christopher Goodrich

Captain Laura Moss

Captain Lloyd Burge

Captain Richard Milota

Major Kathryn Petersen

Major Donald Stilley

Major Glen Witte

Major Steve Sutton

Lt. Col. Michael Kolster

Lt. Col. Darrell Nelson

Lt. Col. Beverly Talbott

Lt. Col. Robert McCartney

Lt. Col. Darrell McMillan

Col. Robert Todd

CAP Achievement Award

Major Steve Sutton

Air Force Association Awards

C/SSgt Landon Brand & C/SrA Anthony DeGroot,

Frank G. Brewer Memorial Aerospace Award

Cadet C/Capt. William McLaughlin

Senior Major David Jones



33/36


Nebraska Wing Continued from Page 32

Lt. Col. Don Palmer (r) of Nebraska Wing HQ is recognized for his

50 years of CAP Membership with a CAP Life Membership.

Longevity Awards

Lt. Col. Don Palmer & Maj. Bob Washington

Safety Officer of the Year

Major Tom Pflug

Col. David Plum presents the Senior Member of the Year Award to

Nebraska Wing Chief of Staff, Major Thomas Schaefer.

Senior Member of the Year

Major Thomas Schaeffer

Arthur C. Storz Victory Award

Offutt Comp. Sqdn

Carl B. Lang Award

155th Comp. Sqdn.

Public Affairs Officer of the Year

2nd. Lt. Anthony Doremus

Col. Plum and Lt. Col Mike Pederson, Commander of the North

Central Liaison Region recognizes the Cadet of the Year, C/Major

Dan Deever (r) and the Torch Award recipient Lt Col Jason

Johnson (2nd

from right).

Cadet of the Year

C/Major Daniel Deever

CAP-USAF Torch AwardLt Col Jason Johnson

Brig. Gen. Richard L. Anderson Wing Staff Member

of the Year

Lt. Col. Robert McCartney

Lt. Col. Robert Reichert Wing Staff Member of the

Year - Lt. Col. Darrell Nelson

Tex Marymee, Emergency Services Award

Senior Member - Major James Croson

Cadet C/CMSgt Christopher MHaijsman

Lt. Col. William Lowery, Finance Officer of the Year

Lt. Col. Ralph Gibbons

Evelyn Sharp Award, Aerospace Education Officer of

the Year - Lt. Colonel Carl Willert

Rickenbacker Cadet of the Year

C/2nd.Lt. Christopher Kolster

Legislative Officer of the Ye

north central region - apr 2011

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