Minnesota Wing - Oct 2006

8/9/2019 Minnesota Wing - Oct 2006

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1 Minnesota Wing Tips October 2006

The official publication of Minnesota Wing, Civil Air Patrol October 2006

Minnesota Cadets Complete Leadership Schools

Cadets learning how to drill a flight at the 2006 Cadet NCOS at Camp Ripley. Photo Capt Rich Sprouse

Capt Richard SprouseGroup 2 PAO

About 60 cadets attended the annual Non-Commissioned Officer School (NCOS) and BasicCommissioned Officer Course (BCOC) held October 19-22 at Camp Ripley. The 53,000-acre NationalGuard training facility served as the backdrop for cadets learning skills to be effective NCOs and officers.

“A lot of time this is a cadet’s first opportunity to drill a flight, or any type of command or authorityexperience at all,” said Captain Josh Puhl, commander of the leadership schools.

Cadets went though a long weekend packed with training lectures, discussions, team building exercises,student led classes, and drill as they gained a greater understanding of how a squadron runs, their role inthe command structure, and how to be an effective leader.

NCOS is the second part of the Wing’s cadet Integrated Leadership Program. To accomplish the transitionto non-commissioned officer, cadets attend classroom instruction on various topics and then apply whatthey’ve learned during practical exercises.




NCOS/BCOC continued from Page 1

“They’ll learn about their command voice, how to drill, how to carry themselves as an NCO, and then go out thenext hour and practice those skills, which is the real magical part of this program,” Puhl said.

NCOS has been conducted in Minnesota since 1999. This year’s class included 40-45 cadets with a cadre consistingof 12 cadet staff members who are former NCOS graduates and now cadet officers.

“It’s neat to watch a cadet you knew two years ago become commander or a seminar leader mentoring othercadets,” Puhl said.

BCOC is step 3 in the Wing’s IntegratedLeadership Program. The focus for the 17 cadetswho attended was more academic, featuringadvanced topics like group dynamics as theyrelate to leading and instructing people.

“The BCOC approach is less drill and moretabletop with some sort of special projectassigned,” Puhl said. “Each class has to develop aproject, work at it, and then make a presentationto cadets and senior staff at the end of the course.”

This year’s project consisted of a cadet squadronstructure where BCOC candidates had to developa yearly wing operational plan incorporating allstaff positions.

“The cadet commander makes overall plans for a year. Then the flight officers do the more focused planning. Thenthere’s the facilitation of the communication between the different sections so they’re working toward a commongoal,” Puhl said.

The 20-25 minute BCOC presentation is then made to peers and staff.

“Not incredibly long, but considering the amount of time they have to prepare that’s a sizable task requiring them touse the skills we’re teaching them: time management, research skills, and coping skills, tools critical to anybody’sdevelopment,” Puhl said. “Making the presentation reinforces what they’ve been learning: use what you haveavailable to you as effectively as you can.”

Puhl said that NCOS and BCOC courses are great learning opportunities for senior members as well.

“A lot of senior members think they don’t know enough to be involved in NCOS or BCOC, but nothing could befurther from the truth,” Puhl said. “I’ve had seniors tell me they learned just as much as the cadets when they’re up

here.” He also explained why he’s involved with both courses.

“CAP turned me from a somewhat meek person, afraid to talk to anybody, and not believing in myself to someonewith confidence,” Puhl said. “Just having someone say ‘You can do this’ really turned my life around. It providedso many things to me as a young person that it’s my privilege to give something back and be part of making apositive impact on someone else’s life. That’s what makes CAP so worthwhile to me and why I encourage allcadets and senior members to either attend or get involved with NCOS and BCOC.”




Northland Holds Dining Out and Celebrates Excellence

The Northland Squadron Color Guard Presents the colors.

Bemidji’s Civil Air Patrol held it’s 15th Annual Dining outat the Bemidji American Legion this past week with over150 guests.

The Squadron was overwhelmed by the communitysupport of this event. In attendance were state wide CivilAir Patrol members and staff, John Watts of Home Depot,Becky Nahvi with United Way, Pastors from six areachurches, regional educators, Senator Carrie Ruud,Representatives Frank Moe and Brita Sailer, HubbardCounty Chief Deputy Frank Homer, Emergency ServicesManager Beryl Wernberg, Commissioner Jack Frost,candidates David Myers, Phil Hodapp, Steve Booth, andMary Olsen.

Attendees came from across Minnesota and South Dakota

for the event.

The evening began with Cadet/Lt. Col. Nathan Wozniak and Flight Officer Chris Zempel greeting each guest asthey entered the Bemidji American Legion. Guests werethen escorted to the lower level with Cadet Staff Sergeant.Ethan Helgager and Cadet Airman 1st Class KaylaSundquist snapping to attention as guests passed theirposts into the Social Hour.

At 6:00 the Head Table dignitaries were seated includingMr. Bill Willis, Civil Air Patrol State Director, Chaplain

Hyle Anderson, Squadron Chaplain and Pastor of BemidjiTrinity Lutheran Church, Major Dave Odette, Group 1Commander, Captain Terrance Best, SquadronCommander, Col. Stephen Miller, Minnesota Civil AirPatrol Commander, Capt. Kenneth Hartwig,

Communications Officer, Bemidji, Cadet Chief MasterSergeant. Molly Best, Squadron Cadet Commander andMr. Ron Butler, 1st VP of the American Legion, Bemidji.

The Color Guard, consisting of Cadet Staff Sergeant EthanHelgager, Cadet Airman 1st Class Kayla Sundquist, CadetAirman 1st Class Eric Heinonen and Cadet Airman TrentonEdgell, presented the colors in their first official act as anewly formed Color Guard.

Capt. Kenneth Hartwig led a moving tribute to the POW’s,MIA’s and KIA’s as he stood by the “Table of One”.Chaplain Hyle Anderson followed with an openingbenediction.

Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Bill Willis led the room withtoasts to our Country, our Leaders and our men andwomen in the armed services.

Col Miller receives a volleyball from Capt Terry Best.

Guest Speaker, Col. Steve Miller, spoke about theimportance of leadership and what a great leader lookslike. He challenged the cadets to become the leaders of tomorrow in whatever field they pursued. Capt. Best thenpresented Col. Miller with a volleyball personally signedby Maj GenTony Pineda, National Civil Air Patrol

Commander, for his role in being such a team player in theMinnesota Wing.

Officer Cheryl Winnett asked all Veterans, their wives andwidows of veterans to stand. Cadets then gave each personstanding a chocolate bar and rendered them a salute. Eachchocolate bar was made to look like the WW1 militaryissue chocolate bars. Officer Winnett shared the history of the chocolate bar and it’s importance to the soldier.




Capt Terry Best

Capt. Best took the podium and spoke of the remarkableyear that Northland Squadron has experienced. The yearstarted with 4 Officers and 4 Cadets. The squadron was indanger of loosing it’s charter because of low attendance.To date the squadron has 18 cadets and 23 Officers. Capt.

Best attributes the surge in growth to the number of parents that are involved weekly in the program.

The Award Program began with the following CadetAwards:

Service Before Self Award: C/A1C Eric Heinonen,High Speed, Low Drag Award: C/A1C Kayla Sundquist,Past Cadet of the Year Award: C/CMSgt. Molly Best,Cadet of the Year Award: C/SSgt Ethan Helgager,Runner Up for Cadet of the Year: C/A1C Eric Heinonen

Capt. Kenneth Hartwig was honored for his years of

service to the program with the proclamation that theCadet of the Year Award would now be called the“Kenneth Hartwig Award”.

C/CMSgt Molly best receives the Mitchell Award from Group 1Commander Major Dave Odette and Col Miller

The coveted Air Force Association Award and theMitchell Award went to C/CMSgt. Molly Best.

Officer Awards were presented to:Capt. Kenneth Hartwig and 1LT SteveMcGuirk for theirwork in Fund Raising.The Chaplain Appreciation Award was presented toChaplain Hyle Anderson

The Extra Mile Award was presented to Major Dave andCaptain Paulette OdetteSenior of the Year was presented to 2LT Robin Helgager

The squadron applauded Rep. Frank Moe for hisacceptance into the Civil Air Patrol’s Legislative Squadronin St. Paul. Rep. Moe automatically receives the rank of Captain and was presented a certificate of Membership byCol. Steve Miller.

Chaplain Anderson was asked to stand before the headtable and Capt. Best, Major Odette and Col. Miller

promoted the Chaplain to the rank of Major. Mrs. GloriaAnderson assisted in changing the Chaplains epaulets.

In a show of support for the Squadron Commander, Capt.Best, MC Bill Willis asked Capt. Best to the front of theroom. The four members in attendance that were withCapt. Best when he took command one year ago, came andstood next to him. Then the 36 members that have joinedthe squadron since Capt. Best took command, came andstood in an impressive line. A Commanders AppreciationPlacque was then passed down the line by each member toCapt. Hartwig who presented the award to Capt. Best tothe standing ovation of the room.

The evening was closed with Taps played by flutist SarahMandrell and the Benediction by Chaplain Hyle Anderson.

Photographs are courtesy of Hubbard Studio, Park Rapids




Northland Squadron Achieves High Marks in National Recruiting

Campaign

Congratulations to Northland Squadron on it’s achievement of an amazing 71% growth during the recently concludedmembership campaign. Here are the nationwide results for comparison.

Nationally

PCR AK 087 Kodiak Island 174.36% GrowthNER NY 801 Rome City District 96.32% GrowthNCR MN 066 Northland Composite 70.83 % Growth

Regionally NCR MN 066 Northland Composite 70.83% Growth NCR NE 019 Omaha Composite 42.86% GrowthNCR KS 123 New Century Composite 23.88% GrowthNCR NE 002 Offutt Composite 16.18% Growth

“We are very pleased to represent our Region and our Wing on a National Level. We feel that our growth rate has been apositive one! Not too much, so as not to be able to handle, and not too little, so as to not see progress! This is definitely aTEAM game!” Said 2d Lt Robin Helgager, the squadron’s Deputy Commander.

In Memoriam: Lt Col William ClearyLt Col William Cleary, Red Wing, formerly of MN Wing HQ, washospitalized today in Lake City after suffering a heart attack.Prayers for comfort and recovery are encouraged. Get well cardsto Bill are encouraged to 302 N. Franklin Ave, Lake City MN55041.

It is with deep sadness that I report the passing of LTC WilliamCleary, Red Wing Squadron member and former Wing staff

officer. Bill passed away overnight at Lake City Hospital in LakeCity, MN after suffering a heart attack yesterday. He was adevoted CAP officer and a kind and caring friend and citizen. Hispassing leaves a big void in our wing and he will be deeply missed.




Cadet Squadron enjoys trip to SCSU flight simulator

Capt Rich SprouseGroup 2 PAO

Introducing students to the specialized skills andenvironment they will encounter in commercial aviation

was the goal during the recent North Star Cadet Squadronvisit to St. Cloud State University (SCSU).

About 20 Cadets from the St. Cloud based squadron took the controls of the university's state-of-the-art flightsimulator as well as test a wing they personally constructedin the SCSU Systems Simulation Center.

"The primary objective of the cadets building a wing wasto help them better understand how lift and the shape of awing relate to each other in flight,"said Lieutenant Todd Christopherson, a senior member of North Star Cadet Squadron, SCSU aviation program

student and organizer of the event. "The cadets were alsoable to learn about the different types of drag associatedwith a wing, as well as use their individual creative skillsto build a wing that would produce lift."

Christopherson said the wing instruction the cadetsreceived was twofold: classroom work discussing wingaerodynamics and a wing schematic provided by SCSUEnvironmental and Technological Studies professor JimNicholson.

"I was amazed at some of the wings, each one wasunique," Nicholson said.

"It was obvious to me that the cadets had spent weeks ontheir respective wings and it showed. I would not besurprised to see several future aerospace engineers comeout of that group."

The flight training simulator is setup to simulate a Beech1900 turbo prop, a regional airliner holding approximately19 passengers. The full-sized, dual visual, airline classsimulator is one of the country's most sophisticated flighttraining devices. It includes a custom designed audio/videorecording system that offers debriefing capabilitiespreviously found only at airline training centers. Thesimulator is meant to teach the systems of an advancedmulti-engine aircraft while focusing on crew resourcemanagement.

"Any of the systems on the flight simulator can be 'failed'to make the cadets react to the situation and make criticaldecisions that will affect the flight," Christopherson said.

"This challenged them to land the flight simulator withoutcrashing, which I should say not one of the cadets did!"

During the entire visit, St. Cloud State AviationAmbassadors Jon Gourdoux and Tom Nichols acted as

hosts and mentors to the cadets. The Ambassadors areSCSU students who promote aviation throughout the yearby giving airport tours, making high school visits, meetingwith prospective students, and participating in events withother organizations that have the same passion forspreading the word about aviation. They were joined byProfessor Nicholson, SCSU aviation professor AngieOlson and St. Cloud Civil Air Patrol Senior Squadronmember Captain Ryan Brovold.

Cadet Sam Ellis tests the aerodynamics of the wing he built at the St.Cloud State University Systems Simulation Center.

"The most important thing the cadets took away from thisevent was the realization that flying an aircraft takes a

great amount of skill and training. Also, the fact thatunderstanding aerodynamics is the first building block tohaving a career in aviation, or just flying in general,"Christopherson said.

"It was a great experience, and I learned a lot," said CadetAirman Mitchell Fuchs. "The hands-on part was great, weall enjoyed it and are grateful to SCSU."

"Several cadets came up to me and thanked me for settingthis up, but just seeing their faces light up when their wingworked or when they stepped into the simulator made it allworthwhile," Christopherson said. "Aviation is amazing

and as you can tell I love it. My passion for aviation ismore then skin deep, it's all the way to the bone. I hopethere is never a day when I won't look up in the sky to seewhat is making that noise. I know our cadets feel the sameway."




Reaching new heightsTeen pilot Pfingsten named Brainerd

Area Youth Volunteer of Year

Sarah Pfingsten, a Brainerd girl who recently earned herprivate pilot's license, two weeks after her 17th birthday,was named Monday the 2006 Youth Volunteer of theYear.

Pfingsten, the daughter of Tom and Beth Pfingsten of Brainerd, has volunteered in a number of capacitiesthroughout the community.

She is the youngest and longest-serving volunteer in theBrainerd Radiothon to End Child Abuse. Since 1994, whenPfingsten was still in grade school, she helped with theannual event, said Mike Boen, managing partner at BLBroadcasting in his nomination letter for Pfingsten.

"Sarah has done just about every radiothon job, from beinga 'runner' (taking pledge information to various stationstudios) to working the phones and taking pledges fromlisteners," Boen said. "She often has worked on both daysof the event, showing up at 6 a.m. on the final morning of pledging ... often the first person in the station."

Pfingsten has volunteered with Operation Interdependencesince the summer of 2004, helping to raise funds and

packing care packages to service personnel serving abroad.Pfingsten planned and organized the first Military ChiliCook-off last winter, which raised funds for theorganization.

Pfingsten also is an active member of the Civil Air Patrol,an organization she credits for building her confidence andleadership skills. She serves as a cadet second lieutenant inthe Crow Wing Composite Squadron of the MinnesotaWing of the Civil Air Patrol and has been a member for

the past five years. She currently serves as cadetcommander of the squadron and facilitates overallfunctions of the local cadet programs.

She also is a certified ground team member and hasreceived rigorous training in first aid, CPR, search andrescue, radio communications, winter survival and ground-search techniques. She has assisted in several ground

searches and has received commendations for excellencein locating missing persons or aircraft.

As a Civil Air Patrol member, Pfingsten has providedsecurity for the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Contest,participated in the United Way community cleanupcampaign and provided security at the Battle of the Bandsand the Brainerd Fourth of July parade for several years.

Pfingsten began volunteering at age of 4, when she helpedwith a local political campaign by knocking on doors withher mother. She volunteered at the Lakes Area SeniorActivity Center at age 13, answering phones and assistingthe executive director. She is a member of Youth AsResources and has volunteered with Breakfast with Santafor the past several years.

She also is active with her church youth group, servingsenior citizen dinners, raking yards of shut-ins or theelderly and doing other youth volunteer tasks.

Pfingsten is a junior at Brainerd High School. She is amember of the A Cappella Choir, Symphonic Band, highschool track team and MnENABL. She has attendedDeWitt Tae Kwon Do since she was 7 and has attained therank of black belt.

She is one of the youngest female pilots in the world andflew solo on her 16th birthday.

Pfingsten is one of several award recipients who will behonored at the 2006 Distinguished Service Awardsbanquet Nov. 16 at Timbermist. The banquet is sponsoredby Brainerd Community Action, Brainerd Dispatch andBrainerd Jaycees.

Special thanks to this month’s contributors!!!!

Lt Col Bob Johnson

Lt Col Barney UhligCapt Rich Sprouse

Capt Greg Opdahl

1st

Lt Scott Johnson

Kirsty McKracken




Former CAP Cadets share

experiences with Crow Wing

MembersPhoto and story by Lt. Col. Robert Johnson

Proud parents Marcel and Sherryl, Lt. Tara (US Navy), and Maj. TriciaKobberdahl (USAF) and sister Maj. Tanya Kubinec and her husband

Maj. John Kubinec

The Kobberdahl family were special guests at a recentmeeting of the Crow Wing Squadron of Civil Air Patrol(CAP). Three of the Kobberdahl’s daughters are servingas officers in the US Navy and Air Force. Growing up inHermantown Minnesota the three Kobberdahl’s weremembers of the Duluth Squadron of CAP. At the Crow

Wing squadron open house they shared how CAP helpedprepare them for their military careers.

All three graduated from Hermantown high school. Taraattended and graduated from Bob Jones University inNorth Carolina, Tricia went to and graduated from theUniversity of Wisconsin at Madison and Tanya graduatedfrom the Air Force Academy. All three said that CAP

played an important part in their lives and helped each of them in their officer training. Tara is a registered nurse andsaid that after being commissioned as an Ensign in theNavy her time in a six week officer training course waseasy thanks to her CAP training. Tricia was enrolled in theROTC program at Wisconsin, with her CAP backgroundcertainly helping her being accepted as well as doing wellin the ROTC program. Tanya was accepted into the AirForce Academy, which is a high honor in itself, with CAPgiving her an edge over other candidates.

The meeting gave the present and prospective cadets achance to visit with the Kobberdahls and learn from theirexperiences. Members of the squadron as well as guestsalso had an opportunity to learn about the Kobberdahlsexperiences while serving their country.

As one guest remarked “We are so fortunate to have suchwonderful young people serving and representing ourcountry”. All of the Kobberdahls and Maj. John Kubinecare true heroes as they serve their country.

Milestone achieved by long time member

On October 27th Lt Col Tom O’Connor completed 64 years of membership inCivil Air Patrol. 64 years ago O’Connor joined the Robbinsdale Squadron 711-4(now known as North Hennepin Squadron.) This was the first cadet unit in CivilAir Patrol and he was the 38th cadet in Civil Air Patrol

Colonel O’Connor has served in a wide variety of assignments includingSquadron Commander, Group Commander, Director of Cadet Programs and a10 year assignment as Director of Professional Development. He has completed

all 5 levels of the Senior Professional Development Program as well as servingin the US Air Force. The colonel is a life member of Civil Air Patrol.Congratulations Colonel O’Connor!!!




Minnesota Wing members

hone search and rescue skills

in MankatoCapt Rich Sprouse

Group 2 PAO

Members of the Minnesota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol(CAP) conducted a recent series of training operationsdesigned to test and exercise the ability of members torespond to search and rescue, disaster relief, and othermission areas. Training was conduced September 9 inMankato with 80 members received training in variousspecialties, including Ground Team, Information Officer,Mission Observer, Mission Radio Operator, Mission Pilot,Mission Scanner and Operations Section Chief.

According to Lieutenant Nash Pherson, Mankato

Composite Squadron commander, 11 CAP aircraft flew 55sorties, for a total of 32 hours airborne. In addition tomembers from wing and group headquarters, CAPmembers from across the state participated in the exercise.

Minnesota Wing was placed on alert for the exercise dueto the effects of a simulated severe weather incident inSouthern Minnesota. Wing aircraft were involved flyingaircraft and providing aerial reconnaissance andphotographs of critical infrastructure. Computer sentdigital photographs of these locations from the aircraft'scockpit to incident command staff on the ground.

Another task involved air and ground search teams fromMinnesota Wing squadrons conducting search and rescueduring a variety of training scenarios. They reported on thediscovery of clues, operational status of the search team,and real responses to simulated conditions.

In addition to participating in "hands on" trainingactivities, Cadets, under the supervision of seniormembers, assisted with sign in and credentialing of members, operated radios, kept logs, escorted senior staff,and performed flight line marshalling. Members alsoprovided airfield and mission base safety and security.

Other agencies and resources involved in the exercise werethe Minnesota Department of Transportation, MinnesotaDepartment of Natural Resources, Minnesota StateUniversity-Mankato, Mayo One Air Ambulance andNorthstar Aviation.

Incident Commander Capt Tony Rosinni checks in with Major BillHewitt during the Group 4 SAREX in Mankato.

Capt Jo Ellen Peters of Mankato Squadron debriefs a crew at the 2006Group 4 SAREX in Mankato.




Metro Squadrons in Joint

Search for Missing Man1st Lt Scott JohnsonSt Paul Squadron PAO

On Sept 15th members of multiple Metro Squadrons joined

together with the Edina Police & Fire Department tosearch for an elderly man who had disappeared the daybefore. Approximately 100 searchers, and one CAPaircrew and several dog teams, searched a large localwooded park and lake near Flying Cloud Airport for themissing man.

Initial reports had the man, who suffers from dementia,walking in the park near his home. Searchers with dogs,ground teams on foot, and the aircrew combed the trails,muddy lake shore, and brushy hillsides to no avail.Exactly 24 hours after the man disappeared, and with hopeof a successful outcome fading, he was found in goodhealth getting his afternoon mail (as he always does) at2:30 pm. by his wife and children who saw him walkingoutside. The man had become confused and spent thenight and day at a neighbors house that was left unlockedwhen they were on vacation, thinking it was his house.

Maj. Al Mattson briefs a team on the situation.

A successful outcome, some great training, and crosssquadron work and public relations were the result of thissearch. The Edina police department is now very aware of the capabilities and quick response time CAP can provide.The CAP members in attendance also learned to put theirSAR EX drills and skills into an actual mission.

The police department, much to our delight, fed us an

excellent box lunch of hamburgers and an afternoon snack along with as much water and Gatorade we could drink allday. Given the heat, and strenuous walking we did, weconsumed everything they put in front of us.

CAP Participates in FAA DrillCapt Greg OpdahlSoutheast Minnesota Squadron

On 16 September 2006, Red Wing and South East MNComposite Squadrons participated in the 2006 FAAdisaster drill at the Rochester International Airport.

The FAA mandates that an airport disaster drill physicallytake place every three years. The scenario of the drill wasone where an aircraft takes off from Rochester and thenrequests a return to Rochester stating an unspecifiedproblem. Once the request to return was granted, there isno further contact with the control tower.

Civil Air Patrol was tasked to provide perimeter securityfor the drill site. The secondary purpose was to show whatCAP can do for the local emergency services agencies andofficials, thereby helping spread the word about the CivilAir Patrol.

The communications capabilities were demonstrated byhaving the ground team communicate amongst themselveswith the Inter Squad radios. The Ground Team Leadercommunicated to Mission Base on the regular CAPfrequencies as well as the liaison officer who was stationednear the drill site and who was in contact with the overallIncident Commander.

CAP received high marks from the Transport SecurityAdministration officials who were onsite to see that overallsecurity was in place. They were pleased to see an allvolunteer professional organization was up to the task of providing security.

Members were able to see the Mayo-1 Helicopter in actionas well as tour a C-130.

They were able to ask the pilots and crew about manyfacets of the aircraft. This included seeing the cockpit andreceiving a briefing on how the plane operates. This was agood lesson in aerospace education. There was some timeto do some training while the drill was happening.

CAP drill participants standing on the rear door of the C-130Photo by Capt Matt Wiskow




Page 5 Minnesota Wing Tips October 2006

Members Achievements

Wright Brothers AwardEthan Helgager, Northland

Derik Wobbrock, OwatonnaSamuel Dicosimo, Valley

Mitchell AwardMatthew Walker, 130th

Scott Lewis, 130thAlex McGillick, Hutchinson

Bethany Stepanek, North HennepinAmy Brennan, North Hennepin

Kelsey Brennan, North HennepinMolly Best, Northland

James Sellen, Valley

Earhart AwardDavid Lucey, AnokaAnn Dally, Owatonna

Senior Member Awards

Certificate of Proficiency (Level 2)Daniel Roth, North Hennepin

Megan Schroeder, North Hennepin

John Vadnais, St Paul

Loening Award (Level 3)Bryce Duncan, Red Wing

Chris Priest, 130thClifford Tamplin, St Paul

Elizabeth Pfingsten, Crow WingJeffrey Bartelt, Red WingMarilyn Lucas, Red Wing

Mark McCormick, WorthigntonPaulette Odette, Northwest MN

Garber Award (Level 4)Blaze Cunningham, Red Wing

Senior Member Promotions

2nd

LtDonald Helgager, Northland

Donna Swigert, St PaulGeorgel Oanca, St PaulJoel Rydbeck, St Paul

Nanette Berg, Grand Rapids

1st

LtAndrew Fraser

Anita Hallum, WorthingtonMarnie Vonwald, 130th

Randy Bryant, HutchinsonRhett Tompkins, Viking

Stephen Denmark, St PaulThomas Atol, Duluth

CaptainCecil Schmidt, Crow Wing

Dalen Kruse, St CroixDaniel Roth, North Hennepin

Francis Daly, Red WingJohn Vadnais, St Paul

Nash Pherson, MankatoRichard Sprouse, Group 2Steven Jazwinski, 130th

MajorChris Priest, 130th

Conrad Peterson, Wing HQFrank Moe, Legislative Squadron

Hyle Anderson, NorthlandMark McCormick, Worthington

Lieutenant ColonelBlaze Cunningham, Red Wing




Wesota (Willmar) squadrons

prepare for ground team

training near Wintrop.

Cadets from Hutchinson and Wesota (Willmar) squadrons prepare forground team training near Wintrop.

C/2nd Lt Andrew Puckett, Cadet Commander of the HutchinsonComposite Squadron, reviews training tasks with Cadet/Airman 1st Class

McKenzie Johnson, Wesota Composite Squadron, while other Cadetsready gear to begin ground team training.

Wesota Composite Squadron

has new home

(Willmar, Minnesota) The Wesota Composite Squadron of the Minnesota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol has a newhome at the to the recently completed Willmar MunicipalAirport (BDH).

"We're happy to be at the new location. It's a beautifulbuilding,'' said Major Ruth Hoffman, Wesota CompositeSquadron commander. Wesota Composite Squadron,organized in the early 1990s, had been meeting at the oldWillmar airport. The old airport, which is now closed, is just two miles away.Hoffman said pilots need to be careful not to land at theclosed airport.

The $21-million facility includes a new terminal building,main lobby and waiting area, receptionist area, pilots'lounges, and manager's office. The lobby provides acomfortable area for people to sit and wait for aircraft,have a snack or view the ramp and runway. Two pilots'lounges are available, and a larger lounge will be equippedwith weather computers, maps and television where pilotscan plan their flights, relax and visit. The federalgovernment pitched in about $14 million for the project,with the rest of the funding coming from local and statesources. The Wesota Composite Squadron will gather inthe spacious meeting room located in the terminal.

"We are excited about the move because of the newfacility, city services, telephones and Internet access, alongwith more space," Hoffman said. "All in all it's been agood move."

Major Ruth Hoffman (standing), Wesota Composite Squadroncommander, addresses squadron members and guests at their new facility

at the Willmar Airport.

Page 13 Minnesota Wing Tips October 2006




Minnesota Wing Shines at National Board

From Left to Right Col Robert Todd Nebraska Wing Commander, Col Steve Kuddes NCR Commander, Capt Al Pabon MN Wing PAO, Maj Gen Tony PinedaCAP National Commander, Lt Col Mike Pederson NCLR Commander, Col Steve Miller MN Wing Commander and Col Bernard King Kansas Wing

Commander. Photo by Kirsty McCracken.

At the National Board meeting Minnesota Wing was recognized with several very significant awards for excellence as a win aswell as individual excellence. These Awards are:

Counterdrug Mission AwardCadet Programs Mission AwardSquadron Chaplain of the Year - Ch, Lt Col James Sickmeyer, Worthington SquadronPublic Affairs Officer of the Year - Capt Al Pabon, Wing HQ

Minnesota Chaplain is CAP Chaplain of the Year

Chaplain Lt. Col. James Sickmeyer, a CAP chaplainsince 1995 was recognized as the 2006 CAP SquadronChaplain of the year at the recent National Board

Meeting in Reno, by CAP’s National Commander MajGen Tony Pineda.

He is the former chaplain of the Worthington CompositeSquadron, is currently serving as the Minnesota WingChaplain.

As the squadron's trusted confidant, he gave counselingto members who needed a caring person's guidance.Sickmeyer also was the first staff protocol officer for theNorth Central Region's Chaplain Service Staff College.The idea of having a staff protocol officer teachinguniform issues at chaplain service staff colleges appealedto both former and current chiefs of the chaplain programas a way of accentuating CAP's professionalism, and the

practice is now duplicated nationwide.

Sickmeyer is certified by the QPR Institute of Spokane, Wash., to teach basic, intermediate and advanced suicideprevention and awareness. The free training he provides for CAP chaplains and moral leadership officers annually helpssave countless lives from potential suicide.

He is also certified as a Critical Incident Stress Management counselor by the International Critical Stress Foundation,and he is currently serving on the CISM team for southwestern Minnesota.




St Paul Squadron News Stories by 1

stLt Scott Johnson

St. Paul holds O-Flight and Flight

Line Marshalling Program

This past October 19~20, 2006 (click links through outpage for photos) over the two day public school teachersunion convention, the Saint Paul Composite Squadron helda Flight Line Marshalling and mass cadet Orientation Rideprogram at the South Saint Paul airport. This project wasput together on short notice, but it turned out to be a hugesuccess.

There were 12 cadets, at least 10 seniors, and three aircrafteach day. This was a very large undertaking.

The Flight Line Marshalling program is designed to teach

the cadets how to be safe in a potentially very dangerousenvironment; the airport flight line. It teaches them how toproperly direct, refuel, and park aircraft in a movingenvironment.

The Cadet Orientation Flights are designed to introduceour cadets to the joy of flight, give them a basic overviewof the mechanics of flight, and, what it takes to fly safely.Hopefully, what they learn here will also carry over withthem at home when they ride a bike, learn to drive a car, orare in a situation that requires them to think first (hopefully- safety first).

Each cadet was asked to write an article on his/herexperience. They are available online athttp://www.mncap.org/stpaul/oride2.htm

Saint Paul holds largest Camp

Curry Weekend ever!

The Saint Paul Composite Squadron completed theirlargest cadet Camp Curry weekend October 6~7, 2006 atthe South Saint Paul Airport. Making this graduating classspecial was that there were four cadet leaders who attended

this course in the past and returned as instructors andmentors, and shouldered much of the training for the proud(and grateful) seniors who had done it all in the past.There were 10 graduates of this camp, the largest yet. TheSaint Paul Squadron has grown from just seven cadets thispast year to 31 at last count!

Classes were conducted on CAP history, rules formembership, communications, what it takes to be a goodcadet and much more. Many hours were spent on physicalfitness, marching procedures, reporting to an officer, andgeneral military bearing. In addition, cadets were taken tothe uniform supply hangar and each was outfitted with a

complete BDU and boots. A session on uniforms and shoeshining followed.

CCamp Curry Graduates receive their diplomas and join the St Paul Cadet

Corps

A graduation ceremony was held on 12 October with thecadets’ parents, extended families, and friends inattendance. The cadets’ first rank badges were awardedand pinned by their parents. Following the ceremony,parents were invited to stay for the regular meeting and ashort class taught by Capt. Tyra Cerny on the AirportTraffic Pattern. Also in attendance at this class were

visiting cadets and seniors from the Valley squadron whohad just completed a tour of the Saint Paul airport andtower operations.

The Saint Paul Squadron’s cadet program is managed byCapt. Matt Barrett & Lt. Col. Paul Adams. The cadetcommander is Cadet Lt. Kaitlyn Bogan, who was assistedby Cadet Airmen Cassidy Gonsoski, Peter Ryden, andRebecca Potter. Seniors assisting in the camp were Col.




Steve Miller, Capt. Paul Pieper, Capt. Tyra Cerny, and Lt.Scott Johnson.

Lt Col Paul Adams promotes Cadet Fox to the grade of Cadet Airman

Additional photos and slide show with music is online athttp://www.yourbenefitresource.com/curry.htm

Saint Paul Squadron Seniors

Become Radiological Protection

Specialists

Over two evenings, held coincidently on our regularmeeting night, 15 Seniors of the Saint Paul Composite

Squadron attended a class sponsored by the MN Dept. of Homeland Security and Emergency Services underthe guidance of the Minnesota Dept of Health on becomingRadiological Protection Specialists (RPS).

Course work included a background of what radiation is,how it is measured, and what levels are considered safeand unsafe. Not to minimize the importance of this

program, but the instructor said at one point that the levelsof radiation that could be possibly released by a nuclearpower plant emergency are very small and most likelywould not be a danger to the public masses. In the eventof a major radiation emergency (i.e. a bomb blast), theArmy would handle the event.

Following the classroom training, a simulated emergencyexercise was held in Cottage Grove at the National GuardArmory. This event included numerous supportingagencies; the local police, fire, ham radio operators, and of course, Civil Air Patrol.

In the event of an emergency, CAPs' task will be to scan,and clean, all incoming refugees and their automobiles forradioactivity and to assist in directing them to shelter.Contaminated refugees will then be directed to a cleaningarea where CAP members were trained to remove, handle,and dispose of their contaminated clothing etc and todecontaminate the individuals before sending them on toshelter.

Encampment News

Capt Josh Puhl Capt Sue Vinge C/Capt Patrick Vinge C/Major Laura Broker

Encampment Executive Staff AnnouncedCapt Joshua Puhl has been selected as the 2007 MNWG Encampment Commandant of Cadets and Capt Sue Vinge has beenselected as the 2007 MNWG Encampment Executive Officer.

Cadet Training Group Executive Staff AnnouncedC/Capt. Patrick Vinge has been selected as the Deputy Group Commander and C/Maj. Laura Broker has been selected asGroup Executive Officer.

Cadet Staff Applications are now being accepted at www.mncap.org/cp/9ctg. Watch Wingtips and the Cadet Programs websitefor the latest information on how you can be a part of the Minnesota Encampment Experience!

Documents

Minnesota Wing - Oct 2006